Tis' the season to save, save, save!

As the holidays approach, many companies are thinking outside the box to bring customers into their business. Will marketers be able to sell customers with their creative ideas?

Starbucks is defying the law of physics to sell more coffee. You ask, what does this mean? They are trying an experimental marketing stunt in order to bring customers into their stores. Cars throughout cities are driving around with a coffee stuck to the top of their roofs. If you are kind enough to roll your window down and let the person know, they reward you with a free coffee. Pretty clever huh? But will this be enough or will people just go in to receive their free coffee and leave without another purchase? Either way, I thought it was an excellent marketing strategy. There is nothing like a little advertising in disguise!

Not only are retail companies struggling, so are hotels. The first thing people cut back on are their travel expenses. Therefore, The Chelsea Hotel located in Atlantic City is offering to pay for your gas, if you stay overnight at their hotel. All you need is your gas receipt and a max of $50 will be adjusted off your bill.

Free is the magic word this holiday season. But companies can not afford to just hand money out. So, they are relying on their marketing departments to come up with unique ideas. What ideas do you have? If you worked for a company, what would you offer?