I’m sure it’s all economics, but whatever happened to the good old days when radio stations actually gave away promotional items to their listeners? We all remember the CHUM Charts (and some of us recall the CKFH ones that tried to compete in the early 70s.)
 
Both were great reminders to listen to the station you probably already tuned into at the time anyway. But I remember a host of other products and giveaways that would be doled out for free in the hopes you’d either win a contest of some kind or be able to use it to get some bucks off at a participating business.
 
Did I miss something or are the days of the free discount cards, car stickers, keychains and yes, my personal fave, T-shirts, all but gone? I know radio isn’t what it used to be but does anyone give these things away any more?
 
Here are just a few I recall.

The T-Shirts

They used to be a staple of radio freebies, but I haven’t seen a station give one away in years. The CFTR example below celebrates that station's “History of Rock and Roll” special they did in the early 80s. The Jay Nelson logo was on a sweatshirt that was given to me by the late great newsman Grant Forsythe.
 


 
Bumper sticker discounts

Note that 97 Rock in Buffalo had some sort of deal with Canada’s Wonderland in Toronto. Now you can't even get the station here.



Contest cards

Presenting this at a participating dealer would either get you a freebie or some money off the final bill. And who can forget this classic coveted card?


 
Tickets

Not only to shows and movies, but also making you eligible for the latest contest. But you’ve got to be listening to win.



 
Info Sheets
 
Similar to charts, but this would present you with some info on goings-on around town, as this one from Q107 illustrates.



 
Buttons
 
Who can forget the CHUM Star Sign button? Or how about this one, from CKFH. He's everywhere, he's everywhere!


 
The Records
 
They weren’t exactly freebies, but stations would often put out compilation albums of the music they played, as CHUM did in its oldies days or CFTR put on the racks when the 60s revival was all the rage. And don’t forget the huge number of Q107’s “Homegrown” series. 

 

 
Keychains
 
Nothing can unlock loyalty like seeing your station featured every time you unlock your front door or your car. At least that was the theory. The ones below were made for various local TV stations.


 
Belt Buckles
 
It was a station’s way of telling you “keep your pants on. These commercials won’t go on forever!” It probably won't surprise you that most of the ones below were for country music outlets.


 
Balloons
 
If they broke while you were holding them, it gave a brand new meaning to “pop” music.


 
Memory Magazines
 
These were a lot less frequent than the others above, but celebrating a milestone that only comes along every few years might have tempted some people to buy it.


 
Calendars
 
A handy giveaway that puts call letters in front of a listener for 12 months in a row. This one was from a station in Wichita, Kansas.


 
The Rest
 
OK, these are pretty rare compared to the others. But they existed at one time and here’s proof: the beach towels, the frisbees, the licence plates and yep, the Radio Rubik’s Cubes.