ING gave away free gas during rush hour on December 21st 2006 from 6:30am to 9:30am. This was all part of a promotional campaign to show people how to save money while giving people free gas. This of course is all part of the ING Direct marketing campaigns that occur all over the country.

Some examples include:
ING DIRECT Hot Air Balloon

The ING DIRECT Hot Air Balloon will be participating in family festivals and ballooning events in various places across the country – including California, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York and Arizona – through the end of 2006. In addition to mass ascensions and balloon glows, ING DIRECT will be offering tethered rides to event attendees to raise money for the ING DIRECT Kids Foundation.

“Save your Money at the Movies” in Baltimore and Washington, DC

Over 8,000 people were surprised with a free movie at two participating Regal Cinemas on Saturday, December 11th. Since the average family of four spends $50 or more on a night at the movies, these lucky movie goers had some extra cash to put to work in an Orange Savings Account from ING DIRECT.

I think this is the type of community involvement that goes above and beyond the typical promotions from banks. People love this type of interaction obviously because its free, but it also shows they are actually thinking. They even have an ING Direct cafe here in NYC.

As with any banking marketing campaign the goal is to stand out and tell a different story. ING Direct is stepping up and saying they are not the typical bank that simply gives away free pens.

ING is continuing these types of outside the box promotions with their Renault Giveaway

(Disclaimer: I am an ING Direct customer)

[tags] ING Direct, marketing 2.0, advertise different, commerce bank [/tags]