Starbucks gives away free ice cream to Facebook users

by Dan Leahul, Brand Republic 07-Jul-09, 11:45

LONDON - Starbucks is to give away nearly 300,000 free pints of its new line of ice cream to Facebook users who sign up for a free coupon.

The company said it's giving away the ice cream as part of National Ice Cream Month in the US.

Starting July 6, Facebook users can sign up for a coupon redeemable for a pint of Starbucks ice cream, which come in four flavours -- Coffee, Caramel Macchiato, Mocha Frappuccino and Java Chip Frappuccino.

Starbucks will allow 800 coupons to be redeemed every hour, for a total of 280,000 free pints of ice cream over the course of two weeks, ending on July 19, which is also National Ice Cream Day.

In September, Starbucks signed Unilever as exclusive licensee for the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of its ice cream, meaning the product will be available in convenience stores around the US, as well as in Starbucks coffee shops.

A pint of Starbucks ice cream retails for $4. The company also has single-serve cups and ice cream bars.

The company has a history of giving away its products for free. In November, Starbucks offered a free cup of coffee to those who voted in the US presidential election.