Infusing Joy, Happiness, and Creating Cultural Relevance, IHOP Leans into Building Memories With New Campaign

Today, IHOP® announced a brand refresh with the new campaign, “Let’s Put a Smile on Your Plate,” and introduced Pereira O’Dell as its new creative agency of record. The campaign will officially debut on April 11 in a 30-second and 15-second spot on linear and OTT television. Throughout this campaign, the brand is focused on the quality of food and the joyful atmosphere IHOP provides, additionally the red smile from IHOP’s logo will become a recurring physical element that comes to life across all aspects of the IHOP experience. First seen in the ads, it will then roll out to restaurants, OOH installations, events, and more.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220404005068/en/

The smiles have always been free. Now the pancakes can be too. (Photo: Business Wire)

“For over 60 years, IHOP has been serving up smiles with our pancakes, burgers, omelettes, and more,” said Kieran Donahue, Chief Marketing Officer, IHOP. "In the new creative, Pereira O'Dell really captured the feelings guests have when they dine at IHOP, including a sense of togetherness, belonging, nostalgia, and joy."

“IHOP is one of the few brands that everyone can smile about,” said Natalie Nymark, President, West, Pereira O’Dell. “’Let’s Put a Smile on Your Plate’” is a campaign that will come to life across IHOP’s advertising and marketing, menu, off-premise, and in the everyday dining experience.”

The smiles have always been free. Now the pancakes can be too.

That’s how the first spot announces IHOP’s newly launched loyalty program. The films show IHOP diners enjoying various kinds of meals with a modern rendition of the song “When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)” originally made famous by Louis Armstrong.

Initially, this idea was inspired by the famous funny face pancakes with whipped cream and chocolate chips that IHOP serves, which led to using a modern rendition of the song by Louis Armstrong. The use of custom music to bridge nostalgia and contemporary, while bringing emotion to the spot – is an element that IHOP can always stand for, like a smile being delivered to a customer.

“For good luck before the final presentation, I brought my 10-year-old daughter to IHOP and when the server put down the smiling pancakes in front of her, she just lit up. Seeing her smile, I knew we had it right,” said Rob Lambrechts, Chief Creative Officer, Pereira O’Dell.

Additional spots will support IHOP’s new menu introductions including Extra Cheesy Omelettes and Protein Pancakes. These spots will showcase the craft behind the food as they center around the griddle, where IHOP’s joy commences. The new campaign will also include online video (OLV); paid social (TikTok, Snap, Meta, Twitter, Yelp).

Pereira O’Dell was awarded the IHOP business through a competitive creative review, managed by MediaLink, and will be responsible for all creative agency record duties from strategy to campaign work from here forward.

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OF PANCAKES, LLC

For more than 63 years, IHOP has been a leader, innovator and expert in all things breakfast, any time of day. The chain offers 65 different signature, fresh, made-to-order breakfast options, a wide selection of popular lunch and dinner items, including Ultimate Steakburgers. IHOP restaurants offer guests an affordable, everyday dining experience with warm and friendly service. As of September 30, 2021, there are 1,750 IHOP restaurants around the world, including restaurants in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam as well as Canada, Ecuador, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, and Peru. IHOP restaurants are franchised by affiliates of Glendale, Calif.-based Dine Brands Global, Inc. (NYSE: DIN).

ABOUT PEREIRA O’DELL

Founded in 2008 by Andrew O’Dell and PJ Pereira, Pereira O'Dell, is a full-service creative agency with global capabilities and offices across the United States. Clients include Adobe, IHOP, Fifth Third Bank, MINI, Stella Artois, Corona, Estrella Jalisco, Dreyer’s, Intel, and several brands under the General Mills umbrella. Pereira O'Dell has amassed over 100 respected Advertising and entertainment awards including numerous Cannes Lions, Clio’s, D&AD, One Show Pencils, Effie’s, and an Emmy win. For more information, please visit: www.pereiraodell.com.

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