Burger King Has Dropped Its Wallet Eick November 19, 2008 Fast Food, Marketing 117 Comments It appears that in the last few days, there are a handful of bloggers who, by finding wallets on the ground, have unwittingly stumbled across the latest under-the-radar Burger King promotion. The fast food chain has dispensed agents across major U.S. cities (indications are it’s just been Chicago and Orlando so far ) to “lose” wallets. However, when unsuspecting passersby find these wallets and open them, they discover an interesting message: Yep, the wallets include notes telling the individuals who find them to go ahead and keep the wallets. Time Out Chicago reported on November 12th that Burger King planned to drop 5,000 of these wallets around urban hot spots in Chicago. A handful of bloggers have found some of these wallets, and are reporting that they contain actual cash, ranging from a $1 bill to a $100 bill, a gift card to Burger King, a “Drivers License” featuring The King, and a map of Chicago or Orlando area Burger King’s. Related: Wondering what to buy when you find a Burger King wallet? Try the Angry Whopper BK Unveils the Burger King Angry Whopper Several bloggers have posted about their experience, or their friend’s experience, finding one of these wallets. See HERE, HERE and HERE for more on their stories. A couple of PR and marketing bloggers are weighing in as well, praising the promotion and calling it “unexpected and well-timed” given the current state of the economy. This story hasn’t even bubbled up to the mainstream media yet. A Google News search for “Burger King” + “wallet” yields only one mainstream media story, from an NBC station in Chicago. Nor have stories about this promotion appeared yet on major marketing sites such as Adage or Adfreak. This is a brilliant marketing move, and the mainstream media seems to be lagging behind on discovering it – but creative and unique marketing ideas like this one don’t go unnoticed forever. I expect much more widespread attention for this promotion as the word-of-mouth affect begins to trickle up the mainstream media. Pictures via Ted.me. Update: Apparently this idea isn’t original – Josh and Melanie point out in the comments that McDonald’s did something similar a couple years ago, as did GE Financial. Update #2: An e-mailer and a commenter on Digg are reporting that these wallets were also spotted on the Arizona State and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s campuses. The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Eick Latest posts by Eick (see all) Fast Food Bracket Round 1: Jack in the Box vs. Five Guys, KFC vs. Checkers - March 3, 2016 BK’s “Polygameat” Campaign Shockingly Similar to Wendy’s “Meatatarian” Campaign - September 16, 2014 Surge Wins Discontinued Foods Bracket! - April 12, 2013 117 Responses « Older Comments Kenya Safari January 13th, 2010 All this in the name of marketing? Interesting to say the least. I wonder what mc donalds will come up with next. Reply buy ankle boots October 14th, 2010 This is half entertaining. But then once more I am very high right now Reply Steak February 10th, 2011 I stumbled upon this post, I wish this campaign was still going! Did it ever come to Chicago? Reply James July 23rd, 2011 What a wonderful publicity stunt and marketing strategy. I loved the idea. Wish I have the budget to try it out for my own company. Reply « Older Comments Leave a ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Notify me of new posts by email. Current ye@r * Leave this field empty
Kenya Safari January 13th, 2010 All this in the name of marketing? Interesting to say the least. I wonder what mc donalds will come up with next. Reply
buy ankle boots October 14th, 2010 This is half entertaining. But then once more I am very high right now Reply
Steak February 10th, 2011 I stumbled upon this post, I wish this campaign was still going! Did it ever come to Chicago? Reply
James July 23rd, 2011 What a wonderful publicity stunt and marketing strategy. I loved the idea. Wish I have the budget to try it out for my own company. Reply