McDonald’s didn’t just sell burgers. They sold membership in the cool club. This 1984 ad offered a “Mac Hat” for 99¢ with a Big Mac meal, and people bought the burger just to get the hat.
What Makes It Work
- Bundles emotion with product: it’s not about lunch, it’s about fun.
- Adds scarcity and novelty: limited-time swag triggers FOMO.
- Turns customers into walking billboards.
- Cheap upsell that feels like a win.
Examples of the Same Strategy
- Starbucks holiday cups make people collect them yearly.
- In-N-Out merch sells out instantly and boosts brand coolness.
- Taco Bell drops exclusive apparel collabs that drive social buzz.
- Coca-Cola’s “Share a Coke” bottles turned drinks into personal gifts.
Analyzed by Swipebot
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