Free For A Day

***UPDATE***

Turns out the devil is in the details and it's illegal to give gifts for voting; KIRO-TV in Seattle has the details:

SEATTLE -- Seattle-based Starbucks is making fast changes -- after being accused of breaking the law with an offer to voters.Prior to Monday afternoon, Starbucks was promoting an ad that said anyone who says enters a Starbucks on Election Day and says that they voted would get a free cup of tall coffee.RAW VIDEO: Starbucks' Election Day AdElection officials for the state of Washington told KIRO 7 that rewarding voters with free coffee is illegal."No good deed goes unpunished," said Nick Handy, director of elections.Handy said there is a federal statute that prohibits any reward for voting.Starbucks' good deed can be perceived as paying someone to vote, and that’s illegal, Handy said."The way it is written, it expressly prohibits giving any kind of gift," Handy said.Handy said the intent of the statute is aimed at special interest groups trying to influence who and how people vote.To fix the situation, Starbucks had agreed to give a tall cup of coffee to anyone who asks on Election Day.A statement from Tara Darrow of Starbucks says, "We've been excited by the number of positive responses received about our free coffee offer. To ensure we are in compliance with election law, we are extending our offer to all customers who request a tall brewed coffee. We're pleased to honor our commitment to communities on this important Election Day. We hope there is a record turnout on Tuesday and look forward to celebrating with our customers over a great cup of coffee."

That's the message from Starbucks--as long as you vote. Anyone who stops by a Starbucks coffee shop tomorrow, election day, who's voted will be given a free "tall" brewed cup of coffee.

Seems like a great way for Starbucks to rebuild some of the lost foot traffic that has hit many of their stores over the last year or two.

Here's a promotion that gives it away for free with the hope that a renewed exposure to the taste, experience, and community of Starbucks will rekindle peoples interest in the now aging brand. Of course, keeping with Starbucks socially conscious motif they have tied it into election day--a good hook!

What "free for a day" styled promotion could radio be doing to rekindle interest in our aging brands?

Have You Heard Of Hulu?

Meet Hulu...
Movies, TV, and a social networking component all in the same place-on demand and FREE!

From their website:

Hulu's ambitious and never-ending mission is to help you find and enjoy the world's premium content when, where and how you want it. We hope to provide you with the web's most comprehensive selection from more than 50 content providers including FOX, NBC, MGM, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, and more to deliver premium programming across all genres and formats, television shows, feature films, and clips. Watch full-length episodes of current primetime TV shows such as The Simpsons and The Office the morning after they air, classics like Miami Vice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and clips from Saturday Night Live, Nip/Tuck, and others. Hulu also offers full-length feature films like The Usual Suspects, Ice Age, Three Amigos!, and The Big Lebowski as well as clips from films such as Napoleon Dynamite, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Devil Wears Prada and many more. Hulu is free and ad-supported — available anytime in the U.S.

Hulu was founded in March 2007 and is a joint venture owned by NBC Universal and News Corp. In addition, Hulu has closed a $100 million investment from private equity firm Providence Equity Partners. <--------yes, the same people that just bought Clear Channel's TV division

The selection is pretty amazing and they add new content every day. If you missed SNL Saturday night, no problem it's on the site the next day. Bill O'Reilly's Talk Points Memo, no problem, there it is. Available to share on your website, email, or link. As you will see later in the post you can even edit a show down to a short clip that's easy to share.

I haven't watched a movie yet, but the TV shows have very short commercial interruptions that seemed like a small price to pay for all this for free. Sounds a lot like the radio model--except for the length of the breaks. You can also buy any episode or movie you like enough to own.

Traffic to Hulu has been growing fast; already attracting hundreds of thousands of unique users.

Content is king and Hulu has amassed of lot of it including WKRP in Cincinnati. Check out this hilarious clip...I laughed 'til I hurt.