Dunkin’ has announced that they will be temporarily renaming their small iced coffee to “Short King” for the first week of the season, honoring “Short King Spring” with this menu change. This move is inspired by an online trend that celebrates men who are typically under 5-foot-8. The description of the Short King coffee on the Dunkin’ app states, “Sometimes you don’t need a large, or even a medium, you just need a Short King.”
A recently released advertisement from Dunkin’ features a large and medium coffee putting a crown on a “short king” coffee, referring to it as “m’lord” because “it’s their season.” Fans of Dunkin’ reacted to the ad by tagging the short kings in their lives to celebrate them. In a press release, Dunkin’ acknowledged the short kings, stating, “We see you for the royalty you are.”
Despite starting as a meme in 2018, the trend of “Short King Spring” has gained popularity, with many women looking beyond height differences and pursuing relationships with short kings. A dating app called Short King Dating, specifically for men who are 5’8″ and under, was introduced in 2020. Celebrities like Tom Holland (5’8″) and Zendaya (5’11”) have been praised for their relationships, breaking stereotypes about height.
While Short King Spring is not a year-round event, Dunkin’ will be using the honorary name “Short King” for the small iced coffee in their app from March 19 to March 26. The company encourages customers to treat the short kings in their lives with a small iced coffee to celebrate them. This campaign is part of Dunkin’s bold marketing strategy, with recent moves including the creation of a boy band called the “DunKings” featuring Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Tom Brady for the Super Bowl.
The concept of short kings has gained popularity in recent years, with actors like Jeremy Allen White (5-foot-7) from “The Bear” becoming a symbol of sex appeal due to his racy Calvin Klein ad campaign. This shift in perceptions signals a changing attitude towards height in relationships and society as a whole. The acknowledgment and celebration of short kings in popular culture is seen as a positive step towards breaking down stereotypes and promoting inclusivity.
Overall, the Short King campaign by Dunkin’ is a fun and lighthearted way to celebrate men who are typically shorter in stature. It reflects a more inclusive and accepting attitude towards height differences in relationships, and society as a whole. By participating in this trend, Dunkin’ is not just promoting their product, but also sending a message of positivity and appreciation for individuals of all heights.
