Free tacos tomorrow! Taco Bell's World Series promo pays up

Beth Gaston Moon — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:10:00 EST

Filed under: Products and Services, Consumer Experience, Marketing and Advertising, Yum Brands (YUM), Business of Sports

As Barry pointed out last week, Taco Bell -- my favorite arm of the Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) empire -- introduced a "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" gimmick wherein free crunchy beef tacos (one per customer) would be handed out if a base was stolen in the 2007 World Series. Thanks to a speedy move from Boston Red Sox rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, free tacos are on the table.

There are, of course, some catches. The offer must be redeemed between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time tomorrow, October 30. And the deal is valid at participating locations only.

The site advertising the Free-Tacos deal, however, could use some updating. It closes with "Watch the 2007 MLB World Series Live on FOX." As fans of the national pastime already know, the Red Sox again nabbed the World Series trophy in a four-game sweep of their opponents. (They committed the same offense against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004). Colorado Rockies fans should be entitled to two tacos as a consolation prize, but the bitter taste of defeat might have a negative effect.

Meanwhile, at YUM, regular tacos currently run somewhere around 89 cents to 99 cents a pop, depending on the market. That's a lot of free ground beef, cheese, and red sauce, even for a 3-hour window. I'm assuming YUM officials are counting on most free-taco bandits also ordering other menu items, or a drink.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Free tacos tomorrow! Taco Bell's World Series promo pays up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Taco Bell trots out stolen base promotion for World Series

Barry Summerlin — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:56:00 EST

Filed under: Marketing and Advertising, Yum Brands (YUM), Business of Sports

In yet another trite but undeniably efficient marketing scheme, Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) restaurant Taco Bell is offering one free Beef Crunchy Taco to every American if a base is stolen in the 2007 World Series.

Just one pilfered sack in the entire best-of-seven series, and a single taco -- likely worth less than your time and effort to make the trip -- can be yours for the taking.

Oh -- you have just three hours to redeem it. Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. on a Tuesday. Tuesday to be determined (October 30 if the first base is stolen in Game 1 or 2, November 6 if the first base is stolen in Game 3 or later).

Participating locations only.

For their sake, I hope America's college freshmen can get out of class and take advantage, if indeed a base is stolen in this year's series. Even as much of a laugher as this promotion is, it's totally plausible that no bases will be stolen.

Continue reading Taco Bell trots out stolen base promotion for World Series

Taco Bell trots out stolen base promotion for World Series originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments