Gone are the days of clip-out coupons. Today’s top brands are harnessing Facebook for holiday promotions, and producing some interesting results. Here are our top picks:
1. Target
What are holidays without some music? Target’s “Christmas Gig” is an exclusive, free holiday album, with music from major artists. The songs can be downloaded or sent to friends, a perfect gift for the thrifty. Plus, Mom and Dad probably won’t recognize the bands, which automatically makes it cooler.
2.Macy’s
The Macy’s “Believe” campaign is part game, part charity. Every time you win the embedded mini-game, a Frogger-like interpretation of envelopes reaching Santa, Macy’s will to donate to Make-A-Wish. They provide further donations if you write to Santa from a Macy’s store.
3.Toys “R” Us
Toys “R” Us puts a goofy spin on the Insert-Your-Picture-Here application craze, with their Sing-a-ma-jigs app. After you choose one of your Facebook pictures, the app turns your face into a cute, slightly bizarre, fuzzy puppet. Did we mention they sing?
4. Southwest Airlines
Southwest wins the award for New Tech. Their timely use of Facebook Places, a mobile app displaying friends’ locations, gives the promotion a breath of fresh air. Every time a mobile user checks into an airline via Facebook Places, a donation is made to Make-A-Wish. It’s the holiday’s biggest Geo-Promotion, with good karma to match.
5.Verizon
Verizon’s “Seasonal Surprises” works like the popular coupon site, Groupon. Every day, a different 1-day mega coupon towards a Verizon product is released. Sure, we’ve all got phones, but who isn’t tempted by mystery deals?
