Remember the unsettled election of 1883 between Monroe Chester and Jefferson Quincy? Considering that the election didn’t actually exist, most probably do not. However, in an effort to settle the great poll paradox, and to defend Americans’ rights to great deals, Groupon is encouraging consumers to cast their vote for Chester or Quincy by purchasing special Election Day Deals.
According to the great Groupon legend, Quincy and Chester both ran for office in 1883 (never mind that Chester A. Arthur was already president). Armed with profound political experience—Quincy was the son of a fellow who shot a senator and Chester’s first word as a baby was the political term “poppycock”—the two candidates hit the campaign trail. However, according to Groupon, Election Day fell on National Stay in Your House to Hide from Wild Animals Day and no votes were cast.
To settle the score, Groupon has placed Quincy and Chester campaign buttons on candidate-endorsed Election Day Deals—allowing consumers to vote for their preferred mystical candidate while enhancing the economy.
While the concept is a bit silly, the mock campaign is also a dynamite way to attract consumers and get them to interact with the brand—not to mention avoid claims of being biased towards one of the actual 2012 candidates. Groupon’s voice in this campaign portrays the company as upbeat, despite its spiraling stocks and elusive executives.
However, Groupon could have upped the ante with this campaign socially. The coupon connoisseur did ask its Twitter followers, “Who are you voting for: Quincy or Chester?” But there were no posts on the company’s Facebook page. With the social-sphere abuzz with election chatter, it would have been smart for the organization to be play a more involved role in the conversation. After all, you can’t be a part of the conversation if you don’t participate.
Groupon isn’t the only brand trying to make a buck off the election hype. The LA Times revealed that several companies, including Jet Blue and Zipcar, are also creating last-minute election deals to satisfy elephants and donkeys alike. Whatever it takes to save the economy, right?
