Freebie Frenzy

Companies giving out gratis goodies to boost brand loyalty

Implications - In a time of economic recession, people eagerly clamor to goods or services that are free, even if they’re not really interested. This offers the opportunity to get a leg up on the competition, the hope being when the economy stabilizes, they’ll have customer loyalty and therefore their money.
Trend Themes
1. Freebies to Boost Brand Loyalty - Companies are giving away gratis goodies to increase customer loyalty and gain competitive advantage in times of economic recession.
2. Incentivizing Customers Through Free Products - Businesses are offering free products to customers who buy their rivals' products, creating brand appeal and boosting sales.
3. Wage-free Recruitment - Unpaid employee recruitment strategies are now being used by organizations to reduce manpower costs and improve profitability.
Industry Implications
1. Marketing and Advertising - Creative marketing and advertising tactics are being used to promote free products and services, incentivize customer behavior, and reduce marketing costs.
2. Retail - Retailers are offering free products to attract and retain customers, differentiating themselves from competitors in a price-sensitive market.
3. Education - Unpaid employee recruitment strategies are being used in the education industry to reduce labor costs and minimize expenses.
4.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
12 Featured, 54 Examples:
1,961,877 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Jan 09 — Mar 09
Trending:
Warm
Consumer Insight Topics:

Featured Examples

Free Tattoos for Athletes
Free Tattoos for Athletes
Vancouver Tat Artist Offers Free Ink for 2010 Olympic Medalists
A Vancouver-based tattoo artist is such a big fan of the Olympics that he's offering free ink for any Olympian who scores a medal in 2010. "Thomas Lockhart, of West Coast Tattoo in Vancouver, has designed… MORE
Free Products On Demand
Free Products On Demand
Boobox Vending Machine Spews Out Free Samples
We’ve seen vending machines that give dispense goods if you watch a 30 second commercial, but now there’s a model for vending machines that give you goodies for free, without having to sit through any… MORE
play_circle_filledInaugural Fragrance Relaunches
Inaugural Fragrance Relaunches
Calvin Klein's CK One Promoted on 1/20 with Free Song
Calvin Klein kicked off a relaunch campaign for the iconic CK One fragrance on January 20, the same day Barack Obama officially became the new president of the United States. The new CK One campaign includes… MORE
Giving Away Cars for Buzz
Giving Away Cars for Buzz
Ford Recruits Drivers for Free Fiestas
Fort is recruiting drivers to join what it's calling the Ford Fiesta Movement, and they've implemented a promotion that epitomizes timeliness. They're giving away 100 Ford Fiestas, and for a period of… MORE
play_circle_filledFree Foodvertising
Free Foodvertising
Gratis Grub at Denny's Feeds 2 Million Patient People
The free breakfast at Denny’s campaign is only a small portion of a much bigger trend. Theirs was one of the most viral Super Bowl ads of the year, but it was also an insightful glimpse into how to innovative… MORE
Tuition Free High School Diplomas
Tuition Free High School Diplomas
'Insight' Offers Online High School Education
For two years now my two teenage daughters have been students at one of the Insight High Schools. The experience has changed their lives and the life of everyone in our family. I travel a lot in my work… MORE
play_circle_filledTrend Hunter Leaks a Sneak Peek of Groove Armada's New Album
Trend Hunter Leaks a Sneak Peek of Groove Armada's New Album
Free Groove Armada MP3 Download
Any electronic music follower knows that Groove Armada is synonymous with innovative dance music; through their partnership with Bacardi B-Live, the duo has upped the ante for their fans worldwide. In… MORE
Messy Marketing
Messy Marketing
Adidas Originals & The Ting Tings Paint Fans for Free Gig
In a rather unusual but artistic and creative marketing approach, Adidas collaborated with the band The Ting Tings on a free music gig in their hometown, Manchester, on February 27th. The unique gig was… MORE
Recruiting Wage-Free Workers
Recruiting Wage-Free Workers
LightFair Seeks Unpaid Employees With Promise of Gratis Entry
Forget the fact that this is an educational conference: LightFair International is looking for students to provide free, as in non-paid, labor at the Light Fair. OK, they will waive the $525 conference… MORE
Freebies For Rival Support
Freebies For Rival Support
Coca-Cola Gives Out Free Drinks to People Who Buy Pepsi Products
Another recession-busting trick has emerged in the food and beverage industry, this time from Coca-Cola. This is definitely not the time to be classed as the No. 2 brand for anything; only being at the… MORE
Free Pet Adoptions
Free Pet Adoptions
'Change a Pet's Life Day' Aims to Re-Home 3000 Animals
Around 3,000 pets will be available for free adoption at animal shelters throughout the United States as part of the Change a Pet’s Life Day initiative to be held on January 24. Organized by pet food… MORE
play_circle_filledFree Coffee for Activism
Free Coffee for Activism
Starbucks 'Shared Planet' Gives Tall Cup of Joe for 5 Hours of Service
After five hours of work, few would deny the pleasures of a cup of hot coffee. “So how about it?” says Starbucks, and throws in a social twist. The 'Shared Planet' initiative of the popular barista giant… MORE

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