Are restaurants getting more social this season? - SmartBrief

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Are restaurants getting more social this season?

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Restaurants have more social-marketing applications and options this season, and some chains have been announcing splashy social plans in recent weeks. Chili’s Grill & Bar, for example, is sending out a different offer each day leading up to Christmas via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, mobile website and app as part of the chain’s “Holidaily” promotion.

The 32-day campaign uses social tools to create richer marketing by building on the Holidaily tradition started two years ago, largely because updates are daily, instead of weekly website postings or e-mails, Chili’s says. “We’re seeing more and more engagement happening with our guests in the social space, so part of it is wanting to be where our guests are. If they have opted in on those social platforms to be friends of the brand, it’s a great way to let them know what’s happening,” Krista Gibson, senior vice president of parent Brinker International, told Nation’s Restaurant News.

Chili’s and others are experimenting with social media to figure out which channels work best to promote holiday offerings. Pinterest, which has exploded in the past year, is letting brands create a business page, according to media outlets including Advertising Age.

Forbes pointed out that for most brands, the change simply means migrating from a personal page, with many businesses already finding success marketing through Pinterest. “This is the first step to helping businesses make the most out of Pinterest,” Product Manager Cat Lee said. “We hope to basically give businesses more tools and more resources.”

Have you made Pinterest part of your holiday marketing? How are you using social this season? Tell us in the comments.