# Freebie Frenzy Companies giving out gratis goodies to boost brand loyalty. By [Bianca](https://www.trendhunter.com/bianca), Brand & Innovation Strategist | Published Mar 23, 2009, updated Oct 28, 2009 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/freebie-frenzy-companies-giving-out-gratis-goodies-to-boost-brand-loyalty ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.5/10 - Evidence articles: 12 ## What is the Freebie Frenzy trend? **Freebie Frenzy:** 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. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 12 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 2 to Mar 22, 2009 - Published: Mar 23, 2009 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Freebie Frenzy trend ### Freebies to boost brand loyalty Companies are giving away gratis goodies to increase customer loyalty and gain competitive advantage in times of economic recession. ### Incentivizing customers through free products Businesses are offering free products to customers who buy their rivals' products, creating brand appeal and boosting sales. ### Wage-free recruitment Unpaid employee recruitment strategies are now being used by organizations to reduce manpower costs and improve profitability. ## What the Freebie Frenzy trend means for industry ### For Marketing and Advertising Creative marketing and advertising tactics are being used to promote free products and services, incentivize customer behavior, and reduce marketing costs. ### For Retail Retailers are offering free products to attract and retain customers, differentiating themselves from competitors in a price-sensitive market. ### For Education Unpaid employee recruitment strategies are being used in the education industry to reduce labor costs and minimize expenses. ## Trend signals for Freebie Frenzy Trend score 4.5 out of 10, from popularity 68%, activity 61%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 68% - Activity: 61% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Freebie Frenzy trend 12 featured examples from Jan 2 to Mar 22, 2009. - [Free Tattoos for Athletes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-tattoos-vancouver-olympics-2010): Vancouver Tat Artist Offers Free Ink for 2010 Olympic Medalists (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Tattoo artists can capitalize on sporting events by offering free ink to athletes, creating a unique marketing strategy. - [Free Products On Demand](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boobox-vending-machine-free-product-sample): Boobox Vending Machine Spews Out Free Samples (Category: Business) Implication: Opportunity for marketing agencies to utilize free sample vending machines as a unique advertising platform. - [Inaugural Fragrance Relaunches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ck-one-by-calvin-klein-free-song-download-we-are-one-jamie-burke): Calvin Klein's CK One Promoted on 1/20 with Free Song (Category: Marketing) Implication: The fragrance industry can leverage music collaborations, limited edition packaging, and collaborative advertising to create innovative and enticing product experiences. - [Giving Away Cars for Buzz](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fort-fiesta-free): Ford Recruits Drivers for Free Fiestas (Category: Autos) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Automakers can use car giveaways to promote new models and increase brand awareness. - [Free Foodvertising](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-food-denny): Gratis Grub at Denny's Feeds 2 Million Patient People (Category: Marketing) Implication: The restaurant industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities in offering freebies as a way to attract customers and increase brand visibility in a competitive market. - [Trend Hunter Leaks a Sneak Peek of Groove Armada's New Album](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/groove-armada-bacardi-b-live): Free Groove Armada MP3 Download (Category: About) Implication: The entertainment industry can leverage innovative music partnerships and platforms like Bacardi B-Live to engage fans and promote new releases by electronic music artists. - [Tuition Free High School Diplomas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tuition-free-online-diploma-granting-high-schools): 'Insight' Offers Online High School Education (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity for the education technology industry to develop and improve online platforms for high school students. - [Messy Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/adidas-originals-the-ting-tings-paint): Adidas Originals & The Ting Tings Paint Fans for Free Gig (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Event organizers can leverage unique and immersive experiences to attract and engage attendees at various events and concerts. - [Recruiting Wage-Free Workers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trading-labor-for-admission-light-show-searches-for-free-workers): LightFair Seeks Unpaid Employees With Promise of Gratis Entry (Category: Business) Implication: The education industry may be able to benefit from offering unpaid internships as a way to provide students with hands-on experience. - [Freebies For Rival Support](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buy-one-get-one-free-promotions): Coca-Cola Gives Out Free Drinks to People Who Buy Pepsi Products (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Incentivizing customers to switch brands and purchase products in the food and beverage industry. - [Free Pet Adoptions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/free-pet-adoptions-change-a-pets-life-day-aims-to-re-home-3000-animals): 'Change a Pet's Life Day' Aims to Re-Home 3000 Animals (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The animal rescue and adoption industry has a growing opportunity to increase awareness about abandoned and rescued animals, and to collaborate with corporations and communities t… - [Free Coffee for Activism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-seeks-5-hour-pledge-inspiring-video-for-community-volunteering-wi): Starbucks 'Shared Planet' Gives Tall Cup of Joe for 5 Hours of Service (Category: Social Good) Implication: Coffee shops can adopt similar initiatives to promote community engagement and drive customer loyalty. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Sugar Moderation](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sugar-moderation) (Lifestyle) - [Luxury Electrification](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/luxury-electrification) (Autos) - [Effortless Rounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/golf-training-devices) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Lifestyle Subscription Advent Calendars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fab-fit-fun-advent-calendar) - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)