• July 9, 2009

Continuing its McCafé marketing juggernaut, McDonald's is projecting that it will give out about 10 million samples of mocha-flavored beverages during an upcoming "Mocha Mondays" promotion. That will make it among the largest sampling programs ever done by the chain.

During the promotion, which will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays between July 13 and August 3, consumers will be entitled to a free seven-ounce Iced Mocha or eight-ounce Hot Mocha.

Also, between July 13 and 26, McD's is encouraging consumers to log on to mcdonalds.com/mccafe to vote on which two semi-finalists in the McDonald's/Visa "McCafé Your Day" contest/sweepstakes should win the grand prizes of a $50,000 Visa gift card and a $500 McDonald's Arch Card. An independent panel reviewed McCafé-related stories submitted by more than 12,000 entrants to choose the semi-finalists, whose stories will be posted for review by the public starting on Monday.

All five finalists will each receive a $1,000 Visa Gift card and a $50 McDonald's Arch Card. --Karlene Lukovitz