Iconic Stompin’ Tom song to push P.E.I. potato consumption

The PEI Potato Board is turning to a Canadian classic for a new promotional campaign, Bud the Spud from the Bright Red Mud, a hit for Stompin' Tom Connors in 1969, and still a favourite of PEI potato farmers who inspired this campaign. Really it was a text that I received from a farmer about a year and a half ago with a whole bunch of other PEI potato farmers singing Bud the Spud. Bud the Spud has been a hit for decades, even turned into a children's book. But the potato board wanted to be sure it would still resonate with today's consumers. About two-thirds of Canadians that we surveyed did know Stompin' Tom and certainly did know the song. The idea of using Bud the Spud to promote PEI Potatoes was an instant hit with organizers at the Stompin' Tom Centre in Skinner's Pond, where the singer spent part of his childhood. Obviously, I thought it was a great idea. Anne Arsenault says Bud the Spud caused a bump in sales of PEI spuds when it was first released, so much so that a parade was thrown in honour of Stompin' Tom in Charlottetown in 1970. The ministers at the time presented him with the golden potato in recognition for the recognition he had brought to PEI and the potatoes. The Bud the Spud promo was filmed at several potato farms across Prince Edward Island with real potato farmers and their families. The potato board says it's also a very Canadian way to market island potatoes. Buy Canada, made in Canada, Canadian products, and of course Prince Edward Island potatoes are a big part of that. Mills says the promo will air on television, but primarily it will be shared on social media for the next couple of months. Bring it to front of mind and they will go seek out those potatoes and try them. We are hoping to sell more potatoes. We're hoping to introduce PEI potatoes to a whole new generation of people. Mills says if it's a hit, Bud the Spud could be pitching PEI potatoes for several years to come. Nancy Russell, CBC News, Charlottetown.