It didn’t take long for Taco Bell to have to live up to its promise to give free tacos to anyone who wants one if a World Series player stole a base.
On Wednesday night, during the first game of the series, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett stole second base in the bottom of the fifth inning of Game 1. As promised, Taco Bell plans to give away millions of Crunchy Seasoned Beef Tacos to any takers next Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at its locations nationwide.
“You know we had Jason pegged as the guy who might steal millions of tacos for America,” said David Ovens, chief marketing officer, Taco Bell Corp., in a release.
Taco Bell advertised the promo with 15-second TV spots and a full-page ad in USA Today. A dedicated Web site offers all the details.
This is the second year Taco Bell has run the incentive, which turned out to be a great way to get consumers to sample its products. It gave away millions of tacos last year after Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury stole second base in the bottom of the 4th inning of Game 2.
Taco Bell is in its fifth year as the official quick service restaurant of Major League Baseball. The company also plans to donate $20,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, the official charity of Major League Baseball as well as Taco Bell, in the name of the player who steals the base in the 2008 series.