Election Day Giveaways

November 4, 2008 ·Get out the vote and get something free.  Area businesses are using the momentum of the election to promote their businesses by giving away free items.

"Chick-Fil-A was doing the sandwiches, krispy kreme is going on and so is Ben & Jerry's."

That's  Samantha Negley she just voted along with Charlie Bates  and they were at Starbucks to collect on their free cup of coffee.  They say they didn't vote to get free stuff but it is a good marketing ploy.

"I think it makes voters go oh cool free Starbucks, I'll go vote."

Charlie is a little more egalitarian about the whole thing.

"A lot of people were in line this morning and maybe they just need something to pick themselves up.

Charlie adds, for them, it was more about opportunism.

"We heard they were giving away free coffee if you go vote so we figured we'd show up."

Opportunity, it the key word, says Megan Vincent, she's the Director of Communications at Santiko's Theaters, which will be showing election results on the big screen tonight.

"From a marketing perspective it's knowing what the buzz is and what people are talking about.  What's getting people excited and you know, giving people another reason to patronize you business."

Santikos is giving away free popcorn at all of their locations and screening election results from 6 p.m.

"Until it's decided, who knows."