The much anticipated 3rd installment of the Twilight Saga, Eclipse, premieres tonight at midnight, sending all Twi-Hards into a frenzy. Marketers have been cashing in on the franchise’s success with a variety of promotions leading up to the event. Estimated spend is at close to $90million, but it appears to pay off if a proper fit with the movie; Burger King has reported double digit percent increase of foot traffic and sales thanks to their most successful promotions.

First, for all ages, you can go to Burger King’s Eclipse microsite to find out if you’re a total Twi-Hard. Fans can analyze their facebook profiles to see if their allegiance is to Bella, Edward, or Jacob. You can also play the BK Eclipse game in-store, by collecting various game pieces to unlock exclusive content including, behind the scenes photos, posters, and music from the movie’s sound track.

And, for the older fans, if you love Edward and want another chance to win a Volvo just like his, Lost in Forks is the new puzzler for you. (The car maker originally gave away Edward’s whip in a New Moon promotion called What Drives Edward?) Volvo has developed another fun, interactive game where consumers have to navigate their way from the center of Forks to the Cullens house by choosing their path through multitudes of forks in the road. Wrong turn? Well you get sent back to a previous fork. Frustrating - yes, but to fans’ delights they can find a plethora of Easter Eggs including clips from the new movie and insights into the Newborns along the way. And for some cryptic tips to help you along, don’t forget to read the ticker running across the bottom of the screen.

Source: cnbc.com

Recently sales of Starbucks icy blended Frappuccino beverage had been slumping and the brand wanted to pump up the sales by revitalizing the drink. They got to work tapping into their 1.6 million Facebook Fans and customers in stores to see what kind of ideas they had for improvement. What Starbucks found out: their consumers wanted more healthful options and better value. The solution: rebuild the Frappuccino using fresh milk, high quality coffee, and getting rid of the high-fructose corn syrup. And, now consumers can customize the ingredients and toppings to follow through on the added-value promise.

Starbucks is promoting the relaunch of this now-customizable blended bev via print and online ads, along with a Gossip Girl & Starbucks blend-ups contest and a half-price happy hour promo between May 7 and May 16th.

Learn more at frappuccino.com

Source: The Seattle Times

Live Nation is offering a “club passport” to concert lovers alike. For $49.00 it gets them free concerts in the city they purchase their “passport” in until the end of the year!

Check it out here, but be sure to read the fine print… this passport comes with strings attached / blackout dates.

Games maker EA has incited a wave of backlash over the latest marketing ploy for their upcoming action game, Dante’s Inferno.

In an effort to promote the title at last week’s San Diego Comic-Con event, EA decided to run a contest asking showgoers to “commit acts of lust” with any models working at the convention’s myriad booths. They were then instructed to submit photos via social networking sites like Twitter or Facebook. The winner would receive “dinner and a sinful night with two hot girls, a limo service, paparazzi and a chest full of booty,” while five runners-up would have to make do with a copy of the game, a $240 gift card and assorted game merchandise.

Of course, EA gave themselves an out, noting on the official rules page that “…judges reserve the right, in their sole and absolute discretion, to disqualify any Submissions that are inappropriate for any reason, including without limitation, for depicting or mentioning sex, violence, drugs, alcohol and/or inappropriate language.” In other words, don’t get crazy while you commit your “acts of lust.”

Unfortunately for EA, the gaming community hasn’t responded well. Twitter posts about the marketing effort have been largely negative; tweets to @EAfail have spiked, with many accusing the company of being tasteless, immature and sexist. In turn, those responsible have issued a respectful if unapologetic tweet right back:

“‘Commit acts of lust’ is simply a tongue-in-cheek way to say take pictures with costumed reps,” it reads. “Also, a ‘Night of Lust’ means only that the winner will receive a chaperoned VIP night on the town with the Dante’s Inferno reps, all expenses paid, as well as other prizes.”

Source: Yahoo! Games: Read the full article here.

The Palm Pre still costs $199, but over the weekend, more than a few customers bought new ones for $99.

The confusion in Best Buy stores across the country began when a picture of an in-store banner promoting a week long special of a $99 Pre with a 2-year contract was posted online.

As it turns, it was a mistake. To correct the faux-pah Best Buy marketing manager announced the error on his Twitter page Sunday afternoon.

But somehow the deal got programmed into vendor systems and soon, stores across New York and nationwide began selling the phone at the new lower price during the weekend. Lucky customers who got their phones cheap get to keep them at the lower price.

Ooops!

Today, July 21, 2009, the coffee chain giant Starbucks is offering a free pastry with purchase of a coffee drink from opening until 10:30 a.m. local time—or until the pastry supply runs out. All you need to do is bring in the printed coupon, available for download from their brand site, Twitter page or Facebook page. If you don’t want to print, the Facebook page contains a URL for a mobile version of the coupon so you can simply show a barista your cellphone screen and qualify for the free goodie. 

Print and enjoy ! (Even though it is bagel Tuesday….)

Norelco has launched a new Football themed microsite at www.NorelcoMVP.com Not only can consumers browse and buy the latest Norelco razors and accessories, they can also put their football knowledge to the test with a fun football trivia game, and enter Norelco’s instant win game for a chance to win $10,000 for season tickets to your favorite football team and other cool prizes. So check it out and don’t forget Father’s day is only a month away. What better to get the man who has everything than the latest and greatest Norelco razor! Your mom will thank you, too.