August 5th 2009 I wrote a blog post called So, Why Do Companies Run Sweepstakes & Contests? It outlines why I am a big proponent of always supporting the sponsor. If companies don’t make sales as a result of their marketing efforts, including sweepstakes and contests, they won’t run them any more, plain and simple.
One of the ways companies connect to consumers is to get feedback. A couple of months ago I was invited to a focus group for Share Mastro (@ShareMastro). Twelve of us sat around for two hours discussing lunch meat and food. It was a lot of fun.
A few of the extroverts got invited back to a VIP event they held the next Friday at the St. Lawrence Market downtown Toronto. It was a tasting event in where we got to try what we would normally think of as lunch meat or an anti-pasta served as appetizers for cocktail parties, BBQs, family gatherings, showers, etc.
Upon arrival we got to sample sparkling wine and a taste of Prosciutto Sushi.
Once we sat down, two of Share Mastor’s employees, not professional chefs, got up and created easy, tasty hors d’oeuvres.
They made Smoked Prosciutto Crostini, Pancetta Caesar Cups and Milano Prosciutto Sliders.
We then got to sample their new Mastro Cucina Italiana Pork Back Ribs in all three savoury sauces (YUMMY!) followed by a decadent dessert, Affogoato.
At the end of the event, they announced their Facebook contest where you could win the Ultimate Italian Backyard Party. (YEAH!)
If you have not already entered, the contest is open to Canada (no QC), one entry per person and ends August 20th 2012. FULL RULES here. GOOD LUCK!
Of course Share Mastro’s hope of hosting such a wonderful evening would be for the attendees to tell all their family, friends and collegues how tasty their products are. The marketer in me was impressed by the quality of the event and all their effort. This post is how I decided to support the sponsor for their marketing savvy. I did not garner any financial remuneration for promoting their products or contest. All I recieved was free food, fun and a chance to win.
So, back to the beginning; did Share Mastro’s marketing efforts lead to sales? From me, yes. I have been eating their mortadella since I was a kid and I will now buy more of their products since I have tasted something new.
Think about the contests and sweepstakes you enter and the products and services you buy. Are you supporting the sponsors?
Tags: contest, Marketing, prizes, sponsor, win
I always support the sponsors! And this event sounds so wonderful I question how anyone there could not tell their family and friends about it!
I love to support sponsors who have sweepstakes. A recent contest had a childrens book as the prize — I didn’t win but was so impressed with the book that I bought it for my grandkids.