With an abbreviated shopping season, it is more important than ever for brands to provide meaningful experiences to stay top of mind while consumers are shopping for loved ones (and themselves) this holiday. Many brands are turning to social applications to provide great digital experiences that help spread the holiday cheer. Here are five of our favorites.
1. Campbell's Homestyle Takes You Home Pin it to Win it Sweepstakes
How does that song go? "There's no place like home for the holidays." Campbell's Homestyle is giving away 15 $500 airline vouchers through a Pinterest sweepstakes where pinners can pin a pre-populated image or upload their own picture that reminds them of the holidays. The sweeps is a great way to associate the homemade style soup with the most meaningful moments spent at home. In addition to promoting the contest across Campbell's own social and digital media assets, the prepopulated pins link to a YouTube video that shares a homecoming story and promotes the contest, building word of mouth awareness about the sweepstakes and the brand.
2. Lexus- Check In For Charity
Talk about being a driving force for good this season. Lexus' Check In for Charity App will donate a dollar to the Boys & Girls Club of America for every Facebook Places and Foursquare check-in made by users of the app. Daily check-ins are doubled if a user stops in at either a Lexus dealership or Boys & Girls Club location. There is something pretty awesome about transforming the self-oriented "check-in" into a force for good. Nicely done, Lexus.
3. Target- 10 Days of Gift Card GiveAways
Target's 10 Days of Gift Card Giveaways Facebook application lets users enter daily to instantly win a $25 dollar gift card by hanging ornaments (featuring top holiday items available in store) on a digital tree. The interactive experience provides a fun way for Target to surface top selling items and encourage users to return daily to attempt to instantly win. A grand prize $500 gift card will be given away at the end of the 10 days. Entrants can improve their chance to win by sharing the application with friends- driving word of mouth awareness and participation.
4. Whole Foods - Glitter & Gravy
The holidays are a major time for entertaining and many people rely on Pinterest to map out their meal plans, tablescapes, and party favors. Whole Foods Market is getting in on the action by giving away three $250 gift cards to the Pinners with the best "Party Idea Swap" boards. This application brings together Whole Foods' community of passionate party planners and foodies and highlights the grocer's role in bringing Pins to life. After registering for the contest, entrants are redirected to a page featuring (pinnable) Whole Foods holiday recipes to get started. Whole Foods uses Rich Pins to provide recipe details so that Pinterest cooks discovering these images on the social network can create their shopping lists without interrupting their Pinterest experience.
5. SaskTel Gainers Gigantic 12 Days of Giveaways
SaskTel, a full service communications provider in Saskatchewan, is engaging with Facebook fans via a 12 Days Giveaway contest where entrants submit festive, user-generated content for a chance to win smartphones, tablets, and other connected gadgets.
Sharing pictures of their pets in holiday costumes or examples of their favorite holiday memes are fun, easy ways to interact with the brand and possibly win great gifts for their friends and loved ones.