Facebook Message Ends with Sender Receiving Free Custom Phone

Have you ever wondered how some people seem to be “lucky” and receive free things in life? Some times all you have to do is ask!

This past May, a Facebook user named Shane sent a message to Samsung expressing his love of Samsung products and asking for  a free Galaxy S3 phone. Hoping to get a little more recognition for his message instead of being overlooked, Shane included his own drawing of a dragon.

While Samsung was amused by Shane’s gesture, Samsung representatives felt they could not send a free product to him (as they most likely receive many requests asking for free products, sponsors, etc on a regular basis). What Samsung did not think of was that Shane’s message, which he posted on Reddit, and the company’s response would go viral.

Shane’s post has received over 283 comments. To his surprise, he received a package in the mail that included the message below, and he also has been asked to appear at an exclusive Galaxy S III launch party to be interviewed by The Globe and Mail.

The letter read:

Dear Shane,
As a token of our appreciation for the positive media you helped us attain earlier this spring, we’d like to thank you with this very cool one-of-a-kind Samsung Galaxy S III. This is the only customized S III in Canada, and we hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed watching the story of the Dragon and the Kangaroo go viral.

Many thanks,
Samsung Canada

The power of social media can transform a simple message into a viral sensation. The next time you consider whether social media works for your business, think about the increased visibility Samsung has had from this one simple story.

Would you have thought about the Samsung brand or products today if you had not read this post?

Social media – keeping your company top of mind!

Published on: September 5, 2012