Arby’s, Hot Pockets Buy Up Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan

Any publicity is good publicity goes the old adage. In our loud busy media environment it’s increasingly true. That’s what Arby’s believes anyway. And Hot Pockets, too. Arby’s, the fast food brand that Jon Stewart continually maligned on his long run as host of The Daily Show actually bought ad time on the show during Stewart’s final week as host — to thank him. Arby’s (“like your stomach could be punched in the balls”) recently tweeted about Stewart’s leaving the show. “Jon feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].” But apparently, Stewart has already been working for them. Brand awareness for Arby’s is sky high, thanks to Stewart.

[‘The Jim Gaffigan Show’ Takes Over The Plaza Hotel]

Food brands cozying up to their tormentors is not an anomaly either, but a trend. Comedian Jim Gaffigan’s most famous bit is a long, hilarious (and sort of affectionate) takedown of Hot Pockets, the microwave “food.” On Gaffigan’s new TVLand sitcom, The Jim Gaffigan Show, not only was Hot Pockets mentioned in the first episode, the brand was also a sponsor.