Teriyaki Madness: From Oops to Opportunity

Teriyaki Madness (TMAD) had the "bowls" to admit they messed up and turned the mistake into a unique marketing opportunity. In late February, a marketing team member was training a coworker on how to send five winners of a “Free Bowls for a Year” drawing their notifications at once instead of one at a time. Instead of sending it to just one, it was accidentally sent to a different segment of Mad Rewards members that included 8,300 people!

The brand turned this honest mistake into a new marketing campaign: the 8,300 Club. Those who received the incorrect email received a free bowl and were also welcomed into the super-exclusive, super-secret club. In addition to receiving double rewards points for a year to earn free food faster, the 8,300 Club will receive special perks like exclusive contests, invitations to new product tastings, and other special surprises throughout the year.

"We sent the email to correct the situation within about 20 minutes of the first winner…