McDonalds Fights Dirty as they Fight for their Coffee Crown

The shoulders were cramping, an eyelid was twitching – I needed a coffee bad. And not just another instant coffee;  I knew there was only one thing that could cure me. A good cup from Tim Horton’s.However, as I drive to Tims I notice a big billboard that read, “FREE COFFEE.” Beside these words was a set of golden Arches. What do you think I did?

Damn right, I got a free coffee.

For the first two weeks of March McDonalds will be giving out free cups of coffee – No coupon, no purchase, JUST YOU and a half decent cup of coffee. At the same time, Tim Hortons just happens to be rolling out their biggest promotion of the year; Roll up The Rim. Roll up The Rim is a contest that gives drink-buyers a chance to win SUVs, Cars, Cash Prizes, BBQ’s but more often just a Free Coffee.

And getting a free coffee is usually a big deal. Until McDonalds came along.

McDonalds knows that Tim Hortons owns the Coffee Market in Canada. They realize that the only way they can compete is to grab their users attention and give them something worth talking about. As all the little coffee shops scramble around to get noticed using advertisements and twitter – McDonalds utilizes an old school method – Giving things away for free.

You can put every word in the English language on a sign and none of them are going to generate as much buzz as the word – Free. Consumers will sample the product – Make a decision whether or not they like it or not and then go from there. Some may consider it to be a lowball technique but when you can flex your abs when you walk down the beach; You do it.

McDonalds is currently on a wholenother level when it comes to world domination. From a partnership with the Winter Olympics to partnering up with Weight Watchers – This brand deserves a masters degree in mind control. They’ve got the power to do whatever they want – And they’re doing it.

So I ask you – Is McDonalds playing dirty and taking the easy way out? Or are they simply genius…?

I’m thinking Einstein.

photo credit: Let Ideas Compete

Tagged as: Business, Campaign, Canada, Coffee, Coffeehouse, Free, Marketing, McDonald, McDonalds, Olympics, Promotion, Roll Up The Rim, Ross Simmonds, Tim Horton, Tim Hortons, Weight Watchers