Katz’s Delicatessen is adding Stiller’s Soda to its menu, a collab that’s kicking off with an amusingly adversarial video starring Ben Stiller—dressed as a character from “Cats”—and creator New York Nico.
The spot sees Stiller arrive at Katz’s fully costumed as Munkustrap from the classic Broadway musical, apparently he’s confused Katz’s with “Cats.” A tense shoot ensues, with the foolish-looking Stiller having trouble focusing on his product pitch, which Nico is trying to film. (Nico directed the larger spot as well.)
The stunt introduces Stiller’s Soda at Katz’s, the first time a new soda brand has been added to the deli’s menu in decades. The Stiller’s lineup includes Shirley Cola, Root Beer and Lemon Lime, while the partnership is also bringing a Shirley Temple to the deli’s menu for the first time.
For the spot, Sarah Edwards, Stiller’s costume designer on Apple TV+’s “Severance,” found people with ties to the original “Cats” production to assemble the outfit. The finished look includes one of the production’s original wigs.
Stiller’s Soda draws on the actor’s New York upbringing and affection for old-school soft drinks, making Katz’s a fittingly local setting for the collab. The deli, which dates to 1888, is known for its hand-cut pastrami and corned beef.
“This is a really special partnership for Stiller’s,” said Alex Doman, co-founder and CEO of Stiller’s Soda. “Katz’s is a New York institution and part of the fabric of the city. Seeing Stiller’s alongside its famous pastrami and corned beef is a pretty incredible moment for us. We’re a New York-born brand inspired by the joy and nostalgia of classic soda, so partnering with a place with this much history feels like a perfect fit.”
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