HomeLibraryAdsUtility premium
Library ad

Utility premium

Dr. John Bull's United States almanac for the year of our Lord 1856

archive.orgpublic-domain-us

The pattern

This still is filed under Utility premium.

Define

The free thing is kept because it works (a calendar, a tool, a template) and the brand rides along.

Mechanism

Usefulness as media. Frequency of use is frequency of exposure. Distinct from a keepable card: here the object has a job.

Verdict

We can give something people will actually use next week.

Read the pattern

Why it works

It uses free utilitarian content (almanac, statistics, receipts) to carry advertising. The 'For Free Circulation' at the top encourages wide distribution.

Steal this when

You want to create a piece of viral or widely distributed content by offering genuine utility for free, sponsored by your brand.

All ads