Lifestyle Expert Kia Malone On Upcoming Projects & Frito-Lay’s “Tastes Of America” Campaign

The American brand most synonymous with potato chips, Lay’s has been making some of your favorite chips since the 1930s. Close to 90 years later, the people at Frito-Lay continue to dominate savory snack-food market of the States, making just about any sort of chip-based snack that you can hope for. In fact, the annual “Tastes Of America” campaign from Lay’s finds the brand producing interesting flavors that can only be found in stores for a limited amount of time.

The 2018 edition of “Tastes Of America” is now underway, and is currently scheduled to run through September 23rd. I had the pleasure of speaking with lifestyle expert Kia Malone — as widely known for her work with The Daily Buzz — about Lay’s, this year’s “Tastes Of America” flavors, and what Malone herself has coming up in the near-future. More on those legendary chips can be found at www.lays.com, while Kia Malone can be followed on both Twitter and Instagram via @KiaMalone.

What exactly is “Tastes Of America”?

Kia Malone: Well, Lay’s is releasing the most flavors we’ve ever released at one point, and I’m talking about coast to coast flavors like Cajun Spice, Pimento Cheese, Chili Con Queso, Chesapeake Bay Crab Spice, New England Lobster Roll, Fried Pickles With Ranch, Deep Dish Pizza, and Thai Sweet Chili. Oh so very good!

How did you first get involved with Frito Lay?

Kia Malone: I really enjoy the products and I like working with the company and sharing their message of trying to get so many different flavors out all over the country, so your guests will get to enjoy something new, something they may have never tried. This is great opportunity for everybody.

Do you have a favorite of the limited-edition flavors?

Kia Malone: I love the Pimento Cheese, being from the Southeast. I love that sharp cheddar and that little hint of cayenne pepper. I also love the Cajun Spice. When I tell you it looks and tastes just like Cajun Spice, it tastes and looks JUST LIKE Cajun Spice. All of the bags, all of the flavors, taste exactly like they say. Lobster Roll? Boom, tastes like New England Lobster Roll.

What do you wish more people knew about Frito Lay?

Kia Malone: I think that Lay’s has a lot of great ideas when they have these campaigns, like getting people to come up with inventions to make everyday life easier — lifehacks. I think it’s really ingenious to kind of reward someone, like this child in New York City last year, they rewarded him because he came up with this really cool invention, not to burn his fingers when he got the toaster out of the toaster. So I really love working with Lay’s to work on campaigns like that.

Frito Lay aside, what is coming up for you?

Kia Malone: Ah, well, school is almost upon on us. I teach a television class for middle schoolers, as well as my hosting duties at The Daily Buzz, so I’ll be busy with that. And hopefully talking more with you and other people across the country.

When not busy with work, how do you like to spend your free time?

Kia Malone: Sleeping. That’s it. No, I’m joking. (laughs) I really like to take my daughter and my son to different places where we either volunteer, or my son also volunteers at our local city hall with the youth sports program. We’re always out and about doing something. If I’m not volunteering or planning for class or for my students, I’m at the beach. Guaranteed.

What was the last concert you attended for fun?

Kia Malone: The last concert I was at was Lady Gaga in Orlando back in 2013, maybe. But let me tell you it was the best concert. She really puts on a great show. She was all over the arena. I had a lot of fun. We were up in a suite with some friends and we just had a great time.

Finally, Kia, any last words for the kids?

Kia Malone: Stay motivated, stay positive, be a good digital citizen. Things that you post online, on Instagram, on Facebook stay there forever. Just be careful and watch what you say and do online.

SHARE ON FACEBOOK SHARE ON TWITTER

Tags: Frito-Lay, Kia Malone, Lady Gaga, Lays, Potato Chips, Snacks, Tastes Of America, The Daily Buzz

About the Author

Darren Paltrowitz Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He began working around the music business as a teenager, interning for the manager of his then-favorite band Superdrag. Since then, he has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, and Amanda Palmer. Darren's writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, Inquisitr, The Daily Meal, The Hype Magazine, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. Beyond being "Editor At Large" for The Hype Magazine, Darren is also the host of weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" series, which airs on dozens on television and digital networks. He has also co-authored 2 published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" (Book Web Publishing) and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling" (6623 Press), and co-hosts the world's only known podcast about David Lee Roth, "The DLR Cast."