Would you drink a Carlsberg at a chocolate bar?

On March 23, Carlsberg offered free half pints of beer in a special chocolate glass at a pop-cafe made entirely of chocolate.   

The bar was located outside the Old Truman Brewery in London, and only lasted half a day, but seems to have been a delicious success.  

 I'll bet there are some pics of it posted on Instagram and Facebook.

What do you think of the use of events in marketing?  Have you attended any?  Put photos online?  Made a purchase?

Beltrone, G. (2016, March 24)  Ad of the Day.  adweek.com.  Retrieved March 25, 2016, from

http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-carlsberg-created-chocolate-bar-its-bar-made-entirely-chocolate-170401

Have you picked up your limited edition Avengers cup at Subway yet?

Subway is the official restaurant for the new Avengers movie which opens on May 1st. 

The limited edition cups are coded with a chance to win movie tickets and other prizes.  If you win subs for life they'll send you a check for $22,781.00.   I wonder how they calculated that. 

They are also selling "Hulk" Doritos with prize codes, and there will be additional tie-ins onsite, online, in social and on tv. 

So?  Have you picked up your cup?  Will you?  And what about the movie?  Will you go?

Lukovitz, K. (2015, April 14)  Subway in Promo Partnership With New 'Avengers' Flick.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved April 16, 2015, from,

http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/247693/subway-in-promo-partnership-with-new-avengers-fl.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headline&utm_campaign=82038

Will New Yorkers even notice?

NY is definitely the land of the weird.  Man in his underwear – must be the Naked Cowboy.  People talking to themselves – oh wait that happens everywhere now. 

But these past few weeks a couple of interesting promotions are making even jaded New Yorkers take a second look.  First there was a promotion for the new movie version of Carrie.  When a standard coffee shop argument turned telekinetic, even the most oblivious smartphone users reacted.  Here is the video that was distributed and run by various news outlets.

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/a-viral-marketing-stunt-for-carrie-is-actually-pretty-creepy-video

And this weekend, you may find a Star Trek character delivering your groceries.  GE has partnered with Star Trek to promote their “Brilliant Machines” with this commercial. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QMO1SZ0-is&list=PLxRhTjvLlyoIXJLwUxoQFx7Erz_FUPkJ9&index=2

For the local promo they have partnered with TaskRabbit to rebrand deliverers as TrekRabbits.  Post a task under $35 between 10/10 and 10/13 and you may find yourself randomly selected for a warp speed delivery. 

Hmm.  Sounds like fun, but will it really help GE sell stuff?  Or will New Yorkers assume that the characters are in town for ComicCon?  Likewise will viewers of the ‘sNice video go to see Carrie?  Will you?

McDaniel, M. (2013, October 7)  Customers Freak Out as Viral Video Unleashes 'Carrie' in a Coffee Shop.  movies.yahoo.com.  Retrieved October 10, 2013, from  http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/viral-video-unleashes-carrie-coffee-shop-155157580.html

Golembewski, V. (2013, October 10)  Live Long & Prosper With Trekkie-Delivered Groceries.  refinery29.com.  Retrieved October 10, 2013, from  http://www.refinery29.com/2013/10/55134/task-rabbit-star-trek-delivery?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss

What will you do for free burritos?

Chipotle has announced a promotion for their 20^th anniversary.  They call it a treasure hunt.  To me it sounds like a quiz. 

Here’s how it works.  Starting on July 13, Chipotle will post a puzzle on its Adventurrito.com.  Puzzles will be posted for 19 days, and will incorporate Chipotle history and its brand mission.  For those that aren’t experts on all things Chipotle, hints will be available by texting the receipt code from a visit to the restaurant.  Players must solve all 19 puzzles to be entered in the final puzzle.  Along the way, 20 people a day will receive free burritos for a year, while the grand prize winner will receive them for 20 years.  (Lukovitz, 2013)

It all sounds very complicated to me.  And I can’t imagine that it will interest anyone other than true fans.  What do you think?  Will you participate?

Lukovitz, K. (2013, July 1)  Chipotle Celebrates 20^th With Treasure Hunt.  mediapost.com.  Retrieved July 3, 2013, from  http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/203624/chipotle-celebrates-20th-with-treasure-hunt.html?edition=61771#axzz2Y5kekrzE

Would you like a panda with those raisins?

5/19/11

Sun-Maid raisins began running a promotion earlier this month with a tie-in to Kung Fu Panda 2 which opens on May 26.

Consumers who scan the QR code on six-packs and 24 ounce canisters, can view trailers, learn more about the characters, download computer wallpaper and enter a sweepstakes with a trip for four to Zoo Atlanta as the grand prize, and stuffed pandas for runner-ups. (Lukovitz, 2011)

Given the success that Vidalia onions had with their Shrek tie-in, it seems like it’s worth a try.

But who exactly is the target for the effort? Given that the promotion is only open to those 18 and older, I guess it’s not kids. But do they really think adults care about the characters in a cartoon movie? I sure don’t. How about you?

Lukovitz, K. (2011, May 6). Sun-Maid Uses QR Codes For Movie Tie-In. mediapost.com. Retrieved May 18, 2011, from
http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=150022&nid=126543