M&C Saatchi SHOP has launched a revolutionary voice platform on Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant, allowing users to request samples by simply saying “send me a sample.” The specific products asked for will then be delivered to their door, completely free.

Aiming to close the gap between offline brand comms – such as TV, print, and out-of-home advertising – and their digital call-to-action, consumers in the UK and USA can request a free product sample by simply asking.

In the UK, 10 per cent of households already own a voice-activated device – and by 2020, it is anticipated that this will rise to 48 per cent. Send Me a Sample aims to capitalise on this increasing popularity of voice-based technology.

Working on consumer requests, Send Me A Sample offers a more targeted delivery model, lowering sampling wastage by putting brands’ products directly in the hands of those who want to trial them. What’s more, delivering the product straight to their door ensures that the products are trialled in the most relevant context: in the consumer’s home.

The service also offers customers the chance to opt in for further offers and communications with the brand they are sampling – with brands able to then incentivise feedback through product offers and voucher codes.

Commenting on the launch, Will Glynn-Jones, Managing Director of M&C Saatchi SHOP said: “Product trial and sampling is a central part of the marketing strategy for so many brands – with over $9bn being spent on it by the US alone – and the industry has seen very little innovation over the past 20 years. Brands are still suffering from the same old issues: huge upfront costs, limited targeting, and significant wastage with the added restriction of delivering a product experience outside of the usage environment. Send Me A Sample aims to change this.”

“Brands can now use the platform to drive consumer led requests to trial their products for free. Send Me a Sample helps brands not just send products but also foster ongoing relationships with warm audiences. This offers far greater value than traditional sampling. But perhaps best of all, our service is 100% payment by results – clients only pay for samples requested and delivered, giving brands total control.”

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American ‘guilt-free’ ice cream brand, Halo Top, is expanding its UK range with the introduction of three new flavours: Birthday Cake, Red Velvet and Oatmeal Cookie. Now available for purchase nationwide, the new flavours were launched with a recent pop-up at London Potters Field in July. Thousands of free samples were given to the public underneath a giant 10-ft replica of Halo Top’s Birthday Cake ice cream tub, suspended in the air by 2,900 balloons.

The recent low-calorie ice cream trend has seen the brand become on of the hottest in the market since its US launch in 2011. Halo Top offer tubs at 280-360 calories which are high protein and promise to taste just as good as higher calorie alternatives. Former lawyer, Justin Woolverton, founded Halo Top while on a quest to create ice cream that could be enjoyed without guilt.

Seven flavours including Sea Salt Caramel, Peanut Butter Cup and Cinnamon Roll arrived in the UK in January to mark Halo Top’s debut. After a positive response, Halo Top are now expanding their range in response to their growing British fan base. Doug Bouton, COO & President noted, “The response from our UK fans has blown us away. The only reason that we’re able to launch more flavours so soon after our initial launch is because of our incredible U.K. fans, and we think giving them three more flavours to enjoy this summer is the perfect way to say thanks!”

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