Chevys introduces social media widget

Dec 15, 2008 by Dan Taylor    2 Comments    Posted under: Social Media

TexMex restaurant chain Chevys recently launched a widget based holiday flash game that seeks to engage customers and entice them through the door with a special holiday offer.

Working as a Social Media consultant, I spend lots of time talking to company and business owners about what Social Media is, what it can do for their company, and how to use it.  Needless to say, when a major restaurant chain breaks the mold and reaches out to customers in new and innovative ways, well…it just makes me jump for joy.

Thanks to clearspring, the widget is embeddable on any blog, web site, or social networking profile, with the top three traffic drivers winning a party valued at $500.  It features a “Mexican jumping bean” flash based game, Chevys Fresh Mex recipes, a store locator (including local taxi information), Chevys recipes, and holiday gift cards.  When users make a gift card purchase through the Compadre widget they automatically receive a $10 credit towards their next meal with a $50 purchase.

This is really an outstanding example of not only engaging users via social media, but following through on the deal with an added value (the $10 off).  I’ve got to hand it to the folks at Chevys – tossing the local taxi information in there is really quite genius.  By providing this info Chevys is keeping the user actively involved with the widget, rather than sending you out to look for it yourself, thereby further increasing your likelihood to follow through on your initial, hmmm…I’m kinda hungry, where should I have lunch…thought process.  Likewise with the recipes.  Do YOU know how to make Flan?  Me neither – but thanks to Chevys widget, you’re no further than a click away from a recipe even my ‘I have no skills in the kitchen’ brain can follow.  That and they’ve also got you back to home base: the Chevys website, further increasing your likelihood to visit the restaurant in the near future.

And now for the cons.  While I applaud Chevys venture into the Social Media space, given the time and money spent on the development of this widget, it’s almost pointless.  The features are great, but the meat and potatoes of the widget, the actual game, is completely crap.  How long did you bother to keep those beans in the air?  15 seconds?  20?  Right.  Given the runaway success of Tower Defense flash based games, I’m really quite surprised to not see Chevys go down this line.  Perhaps they might have been better off consulting a Social Media Consultant with Video Game Inudstry Experience?

Rosemary Doody, Director of Marketing for Chevys Fresh Mex comments, “It’s no surprise that consumers are actively seeking value and discounts during the holidays and according to a recent social media study, 93% of Americans believe a company should have a presence in social media. This new and exciting medium gives Chevys a great way to engage with our current guests and attract new ones. Chevys has one of the most competitive holiday gift card offers in the industry. We want consumers to be aware of that. Combined with the opportunity for three online users to win a party valued at $500, consumers will find The Compadre widget fun, engaging and a tremendous holiday value.”

Amen Rosemary.  The Chevys Compadre widget arrives just in time to pump it full of holiday gift card value and a great example of large companies engaging in the use of Social Media.  It’s a win-win situation all around.