the-inbetween.com

louvre
28 03 08

Probably Promotion

If Duke Nukem Forever is released in 2008, everyone who comments on this post* will get a free, RETAIL game from me.

I’m not sure what the buzzword for this type of advertising is but it seems to be coming up more and more. It all basically follows the same formula: if event X (outside of the company’s control) then free (or discounted) Y. In the above example, if Guns N’ Roses releases Chinese Democracy this year, Dr. Pepper will give away free drinks. During last year’s World Series, Taco Bell offered a free taco to everyone if a base was stolen. This wasn’t the first time they used such a promotion. In a more localized setting, Pizza Pizza offers every ticket holder at a Raptors game a free pizza slice if they score 100 points. This has caused some odd reactions during some blowout games.

In some ways, these kinds of promotions can be regarded as gambling: there’s a prize and it’s dependent on chance. I wonder if there are any legal implications? The payoff for the marketer, of course, is that if the chance event doesn’t happen the company gets free advertising. On the flip side, if it does happen I’m sure numerous statisticians were employed to crunch the numbers to ensure that the possible risk is still worth the benefit. So even if they have to pay, the cost is minimized by the advertising and side-purchases it brought them (a single taco isn’t going to fill you up. Want a drink and fries with that?) I’m also sure that numerous lawyers were used to ensure there were appropriate outs and loopholes to ease the potential damage. There’s always a catch.

That said, I figure I’m not above self promotion. I can get in on the act. If Duke Nukem Forever is released in 2008, everyone who comments on this post* will get a free, RETAIL game from me. Make sure you leave your email address (will not be shown.)

  • * Before the comments are closed, which is usually about 30 days or at my own discretion.

Comments (11)

Tony writes (March 28th, 2008 at 15:03):

First!

Also: free game! So if DNF is released, can that be the retail game we win?

n0wak writes (March 28th, 2008 at 15:03):

God no! I’m not going to subject anyone to that crap.

Contests (Win free stuff) : buttonmashing.com writes (March 28th, 2008 at 18:03):

[...] Welcome to buttonmashing.com, a weblog were we talk about video games. If you’re new here or you arrived from a Google search, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed and keep up with our site. While you’re visiting, why not visit My MiniCity, Joystickland! Thanks for visiting! You can reach the homepage here.Two excellent (read: better than zero) chances of winning free stuff from a couple of my favorite bloggers: Man Bytes Blog and the-inbetween.com March 28, 2008 | Tony | Filed Under Asides, Blogging  [...]

Steve writes (March 28th, 2008 at 20:03):

Not that I actually think it’ll happen, but I figure I might as well throw myself in there.

Chris Foster writes (March 28th, 2008 at 20:03):

I’ll get in on that action. In part because it seems unlike that you’ll have to pay the price for it. Good luck to us!

Corvus writes (March 28th, 2008 at 21:03):

Count me in! Be sure to stop by my blog this weekend for slightly better odds on a more immediate videogame win.

mgroves writes (March 28th, 2008 at 22:03):

Hah, I’ll show you! I choose Steel Battalion as my game!

James writes (March 28th, 2008 at 22:03):

Sounds risky. In the end, I think you’ll come out on top, though. Also, I’m in. ;-)

Duncan writes (March 28th, 2008 at 22:03):

It doesn’t have to BE Duke Nukem, does it? Heh, sign me up for this crazy gamble anyway.

bhell13 writes (March 31st, 2008 at 05:03):

Groovy!

Jenn writes (April 6th, 2008 at 23:04):

oh man. I’m so in. I can’t believe I have to root for DNF to actually come out now ;)

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This is an individual entry, titled Probably Promotion, posted on
Friday, March 28th, 2008 (13:03)
and labeled under: Advertising, Gaming, self.

It currently has 11 comments.

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