
Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly Nooner Nookie: The Allure of Marketing Freebies
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Nov 22, 2025 Discover the magical allure of 'free' in marketing. Explore the quirky tale of a ketchup company gifting a man a boat after a survival story. Hear how Under Armour created size 23 shoes for a teenager’s unique needs. Dive into a hotel’s cheeky promotion that led to an astonishing 18 years of free stays for a couple. Plus, learn about Olive Garden rewarding engagement photos with a honeymoon trip. These stories reveal how companies cleverly use freebies to build goodwill and grab headlines.
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Big Shoes, Bigger Generosity
- Eric Kilburn had size 23 feet and couldn't buy shoes, so Under Armour made custom shoes and tooling for him.
- Their free help sparked other brands to donate boots and dress shoes, transforming his life and creating massive goodwill.
Surviving On Ketchup
- Elvis Francois survived 24 days adrift by rationing Heinz ketchup and spices as food.
- Heinz used social media to find him and bought him a fully equipped new boat, generating global press coverage.
The Nooner Promotion Hit
- Hotel Zed offered a $59 four-hour "Nooner" and promised free stays for couples who had a baby nine months later.
- Nicole and Alexander won free Valentine's stays for 18 years, and the stunt earned major media attention.



