Promotions, FTW!

Yesterday, I bicycled down to Tom Thumb for a tasty sammich (had to use that coupon nearly everyday this week. $4 artisan sandwich good until 4/16.) I have had the Pastrami & Swiss Panini, The California Club, a Roast Beef with Blue Cheese and Caramelized Onions, and so on. So much better than Subway and I have now purchased 7 out of the 7 sandwiches needed to earn a FREE sandwich. (And yes, I still call them sammiches.) Coupon + Incentive Offer + Great product = WIN!

Now, on the way out of Tom Thumb there was a bright maroon NASCAR car, a tent and people setting up. I cruised on over to see what was happening and a lovely lady informed me that Beringer Wines was on site for tasting, provide recipes, and have the opportunity to take your photo with their Beringer Wine sponsored NASCAR car. While intrigued, I didn't see a clear connection between NASCAR, Tom Thumb Shoppers and Beringer Wines. Perhaps the MRI data is much higher than I would anticipate.

(Side note: a few years ago I worked on a fun Beringer Wine promotion from a strategic alliance perspective. But this was an online promotional game driven via hang tags on bottles in-store... and the prizes were diamonds or $$ off online diamond purchases. Not quite the same as wine tastings with recipes at a Tom Thumb on a Tuesday midday... oh, with a NASCAR play.)

A great promotional connection came to my email this morning however. Dove Hair Care & Glee. Simply go to the sponsored site and play a casino style slot machine, match up three products and win. Grand Prize is a VIP makeover, a la Glee fantasticness. The lead actress, Leah ?, has such gorgeous hair, I could see the tie-in. That, and everyone wants to jump on the Glee bandwagon. But, to make it a BETTER promotion, they will deliver a free sample of their latest Dove Hair Care product, Fiber Actives, to your door (while supplies last.) Chance to win + Free product = WIN.

I'll let you know when/if the free sample arrives, about the product and whether I would purchase it again. My assumption is that Unilever is smart enough to provide a generous coupon with the sample for any Dove product. In the mean time, I'll be biking down to Tom Thumb to get my free sandwich.