Earlier this month, the Treasury Department began its distribution of nearly $100 billion in economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households.  
 
But long before the checks came rolling in, marketing professionals were planning ways to capture consumer attention and grab a share of the windfall.  

The challenge was two-fold: 1) convince consumers that they should spend instead of save, and 2) make them spend it on their company’s goods and services.
 
The following NY Times article outlines several examples of companies pitching consumers on where to best spend, and stretch, their checks.
 
As Stimulus Rebates Go Out, Stores Want the Whole Check
By STEPHANIE CLIFFORD and MICHAEL BARBARO, May 10, 2008
 
“…The government wants the checks to spur the economy through consumer spending. But the oxymoronic nature of the marketing campaigns — spend money to save money — has prompted finger-wagging from some corners, particularly about offers that require consumers to spend hundreds of dollars at only one store…” Full article

Where's It Really Going?

Measuring the success of these campaigns may be easier than planned, as consumers are volunteering details on the things they are paying for with their stimulus checks through news articles, online forums and even blogs, such as How I Spent My Stimulus.