Business

TASTING ‘CANE’: ADS BUSTING IT FOR BUZZ

CBS is hoping to give TV viewers a flavor for its new fall show, “Cane,” with ads consumers can actually taste.

The network is rolling out an unusual magazine ad that tastes like a lime mojito to promote its prime-time series about a powerful Cuban-American running a rum and sugar business in South Florida.

The campaign, which will appear in Rolling Stone magazine this week, is a twist on a conventional liquor ad by touting Duque rum – the fictional rum brand from the series – rather than just the show. The first-of-its-kind ad features a nonalcoholic flavor strip in a “tamper-proof pouch.”

“We are always looking to stretch the boundaries of traditional advertising by finding creative ways to market our prime-time series,” said George Schweitzer, president of CBS Marketing Group.

As the Duque campaign makes clear, networks are vying with each other to find the most original way to attract viewers to their new shows.

For instance, ABC promoted its new fall show, “Pushing Daisies,” a quirky comedy about a pie maker who brings crime victims back to life, by handing out flowers – literally, pushing daisies – at screenings.

The campaign appears to be paying off as “Pushing Daisies” is the most-anticipated series this season, according to a new ranking by BrandIntel.

The research firm, which measures online chatter, said marketing can do a lot to get people talking about a pilot.

Last year, BrandIntel found the most- talked-about shows included “Heroes” and “Ugly Betty”- both of which went on to be ratings winners.

“We are shedding insight on which shows people are most interested in sampling,” said analyst Michael Coristine. “[But] we have zero control if those shows have just been well marketed and are terrible shows.”

holly.sanders@nypost.com