Redbox provided numerous opportunities for consumers to access free and discounted movie rentals throughout 2016. These promotions were distributed through various channels, including text message campaigns, retail partnerships, and direct sign-up incentives. The primary method for receiving promotional codes involved joining the Redbox text club, which delivered daily deals and exclusive free rental offers to subscribers. Additionally, specific retail partnerships, such as the collaboration with 7-Eleven, offered physical codes attached to promotional products.
Text Message Promotional Campaigns
The Redbox text club served as the central hub for distributing promotional codes to consumers. By texting specific keywords to 727272, users could unlock various offers ranging from single free rentals to daily discounts.
Joining the Text Club and New Member Offers
New members could acquire free rentals by joining the Redbox text service. One method involved texting "APPNOW" to 727272, which reportedly provided a second free rental code in addition to standard new member offers. Another option was texting "TRYUS" to 727272, which was noted as a potentially active code for a free movie rental at the time. Signing up for text alerts via "SIGNUP" to 727272 ensured subscribers received ongoing codes.
Existing text club members were not excluded from these offers. The process for re-engaging involved texting "STOP" to 727272 to confirm removal from the list, followed by texting "FREEBIE" to 727272 to receive a new code.
Daily Deal Campaigns
Redbox ran time-limited daily deal campaigns accessible via text. For example, during the "25 Days of Deals" event in December 2016, users could text "DEALS" to 727272 every day through December 25th to receive a unique discount code. These codes offered savings ranging from $0.50 off to buy-one-get-one-free deals. A similar campaign ran through October 16, 2016, where texting "DEALS" to 727272 yielded a surprise daily deal.
Specific Free Rental Codes
Several specific keywords generated free rental codes valid for online reservations. Texting "PUSH" to 727272 provided a code valid for a free Redbox rental through April 30, 2016. This code was specifically for online use and would not work directly at the kiosk. Another notable code was "SNAP," valid on June 8, 2016. This code provided a free DVD rental or a $1.50 discount on Blu-ray and game rentals. The "SNAP" code could be used up to 3 times with a new credit card or up to 5 times with a previously used card.
Retail Partnerships and Physical Codes
Redbox frequently partnered with retailers to distribute physical promo codes through product packaging. This strategy allowed brands to add value to their products while driving traffic to Redbox kiosks and online platforms.
7-Eleven Big Gulp Promotion
A prominent partnership in 2016 was with 7-Eleven. Customers who purchased a Big Gulp fountain drink received a peel-off label on the cup containing a unique Redbox promo code. This offer was valid through August 31, 2016, with codes redeemable through October 31, 2016. The codes granted a free one-day DVD rental and could be used online or at any of Redbox's 35,000 U.S. locations.
Online Sign-Up and Referral Incentives
Beyond text messaging, Redbox incentivized online engagement through account creation and referral programs.
First Rental Offers
Signing up for a new account at Redbox.com typically included a promotional incentive. The standard offer was a free one-night DVD rental, which became available after the user completed their first rental. This mechanism encouraged new users to engage with the online reservation system.
Referral Program
Redbox also operated a referral program. Existing users could refer friends to rent movies online. When a referred friend clicked on the user's link and completed an online reservation, the referring user earned a free rental. The friend also benefited from the standard new user offer.
Mobile App Engagement
The Redbox mobile application was a key channel for receiving exclusive deals. Users who downloaded the app and enabled notifications could access special offers. The process involved downloading the mobile app, turning on Redbox notifications in the settings, and checking back after an hour to view the deal and reserve a movie. This method was highlighted as a way to secure the first movie rental for free.
Movie Selection and Content
While the sources primarily focused on the mechanics of acquiring free rentals, they also touched upon the available content. Redbox offered a wide selection of family-friendly movies suitable for road trips and summer viewing in 2016. Titles mentioned included Alvin and the Chipmunks The Road Chip, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Hotel Transylvania, Inside Out, Jurassic World, Minions, The Martian, Tomorrowland, and Zootopia. The selection also included all-time favorites such as Homeward Bound, The Wizard of Oz, Cars, and Madagascar.
Conclusion
The landscape of Redbox freebies in 2016 was defined by a robust text messaging system that delivered daily and promotional codes, strategic retail partnerships that placed physical codes on consumer products, and digital incentives for new account sign-ups and referrals. Consumers could maximize their access to free rentals by joining the text club, monitoring specific keywords, and participating in retail promotions like the 7-Eleven Big Gulp offer. The availability of these offers was time-sensitive, with specific expiration dates and usage limits applying to each code.