Promo Interactive

Whether you think Facebook or any of the other standout social networks are a fad or a harbinger of a new way for people to share and connect, it’s an undeniable fact that right now, people are spending increasing amounts of time in online communities where they can share news about their lives and interests and pick up news about other people. And marketers—always interested in catching people at their most attentive and engaged—are anxious to start reaching folks in those communities and to start putting their social grids to work for them. more

In the first five months of 2009, digital coupon provider Coupons Inc. has already seen more downloads of its discount offers than in all of 2008.

And that growth may continue at a faster pace, if a new HP Web-based home printer, complete with factory-installed coupons.com and other applications, catches on with the shopping public. more

To celebrate its 96th year in operation, the Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa opted to do something most 96-year-olds don’t usually do: It got hip to Twitter.

On a Monday in mid-May, the Asheville NC resort put out an offer to its followers at http://www.twitter.com/ewgrove, informing them that the first 96 callers who dialed a designated toll-free number would win a free one-night stay in the historic resort’s Mountain View accommodations.

Within fewer than 90 minutes, all 96 of the giveaway rooms had been claimed. more

If you’re bracket-obsessed and broadband-enabled, you’re in luck. This year roundball fans have a wider range of choices than ever for following their favorite picks in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, a/k/a “March Madness.” Those far from a TV—or at work—will be able to check their stats and bracket picks online, in social networks and via mobile.

And they’ll do so in branded environments. Brands know visitors to those sites are already growing before the March 19 tipoff and will only increase until the final championship match on April 6 in Detroit. And they’re hurrying to garner some of that attention by sponsoring those sites. more

In this economy, you can’t go wrong giving away free food. The Denny’s restaurant chain hit an apparent home run with its Super Bowl ad touting a free Grand Slam breakfast on the Tuesday after the big game. Two million customers showed up on Feb. 3 for a meal on the house–which CEO Nelson Marchioli characterized to analysts the next day as “a very encouraging lift in guest traffic,” hopefully including many of the “light and lapsed” customers Denny’s was targeting.

But you don’t need to spend the estimated $5 million Denny’s dropped on creative and media buys during the Super Bowl to run a successful giveaway. Sandwich chain Quiznos achieved almost the same strong results with an online promotion offering a downloadable coupon for a free sub. more

With video games and text messaging, regional chain Church’s Chicken is going after a young urban market. The video game promotion, a sweepstakes giving away copies of the “Afro Samurai” game with a game console, a $7,500 check and other goodies for the grand prize winner, runs until Feb. 22 and should be right in line with the young-adult demographic Church’s is trying to reach. more