Threshers & Hugh Part II

Just before Christmas last year, blogger and cartoonist Hugh MacLeod and the South African winery Stormhoek released a 40% discount voucher for Thresher’s wine. Bloggers spread the word and all hell broke loose – £15 million in sales and national TV coverage ensued.

Well they’re at it again. For those readers who haven’t already picked one up, here’s something to cheer your weekend.

You can download the coupon here. [Doh … as they say … sadly the offer ended rather suitably on April 1st, so apologies dear reader for not getting this to you sooner!]

Some wondered whether lightning would strike twice when the promotion was released on 21 March. It remains to be seen. Perhaps Hugh and Stormhoek will report back and perhaps Jason will have lost his 10p bet.

Frankly, however, I’d be surprised if it hasn’t worked as well – it is after all a good deal. Reportedly at least a little better than Thresher’s normal discounts. It hasn’t attracted any mainstream media attention because it’s no longer news. But … people like Hugh which makes a big difference. They like being able to point their friends to some discounted alcohol. They like being part of something.

For all these reasons the Thresher/Stormhoek discount voucher remains one of the best examples of ordinary people spreading the word online, like they might about a good deal when they’re down the pub or wandering around Tesco’s. Only difference is the internet makes it bigger and quicker.

stormhoek, thresher, viral, blogging, cluetrain

Alex is the founder and editor of SmallBizPod, the UK's first podcast dedicated to small business, start-ups and entrepreneurship. Alex writes about topical small business issues, entrepreneurs and anything else that catches his eye here on the small business blog. http://www.smallbizpod.co.uk