Marmite

Marmite... You either love it or you hate it. Supposedly. My opinion? I like it, but only on toast. And BAM, I have created a whole new option. So now the catchphrase is, Love it, Hate it or Like it, occasionally... not so catchy.

But why are we forced to make this choice? When someone asks you if you like marmite, and you reply "well, its okay," the reaction you receive is equal to that you would get if you replied "both" when a waiter asks if you want soup or salad. A person's opinion on Marmite classifies them into one of 2 groups, the lovers or the haters, but where do the 'okay' people go?

If, when in conversation, the topic of this yeast spread arises, it can either divide the group in half and start a marmite argument (or as somebody who is frequent participator calls them: 'a marmy argy' ) or the conversation can go on for hours as they express their love (or hate) of marmite and discuss the many different way to put it in a sandwich (the classic marmite and cheese to the controversial marmite and chocolate). This obsession with a single preserve is, quite frankly, unnatural. No-one can talk for an hour about the different combinations of Strawberry jam or Plum Chutney, what makes Marmite so different?

The one last thing that puzzles me is why on earth you would create a product, which main selling point splits your entire audience in two. Surely, if you were an entrepreneur, you would want to create a product that as many people as possible like, therefore increasing your target audience, and, in turn, income. Can you imagine pitching marmite to Dragon's Den?

"Hello. I am an inventor and entrepreneur, and I am seeking £100,000 for 20% equity in my product: Marmite. Marmite is a yeast spread."

"And what makes your product unique?" 

"The selling point of Marmite is the fact that only 50% of the country will actually like it"...

They would think you were mad! Why bother selling a product which no-one likes! Why not wait and invent something irresistible which everyone would want?

What's your opinion? Do you love it or do you hate it?