Sonia Andresson-Nolasco

To promote the April 25 second season premiere of “River Monsters,” Animal Planet unleashed five tricked out smart cars made to look like a swimming school of piranhas on the streets of New York City. From April 21 to 24, street teams—five drivers and five “monster anglers”—wearing branded fishing vests intercepted consumers to hand out branded hats, koozies and tune-in cards.

Want to keep your mobile tour fresh but don’t have the cash for a refurb? How about focusing on the area outside the 18-wheeler? Exterior event structures like tents, awnings, furniture and inflatable domes, and other interactive add-ons like rock-climbing walls can create a more spacious and fun environment around a vehicle that can revamp a tour without breaking the bank.

Ford this month hosted a casting call on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C. to find five stylish consumers to appear in national ads for its 2011 Fiesta automobile. The effort, called Inspired by Color, targeted young, urban, fashion-conscious African-Americans to represent the car, which comes in colors like Lime Squeeze, Bright Magenta, Red Candy and Yellow Blaze.

Sampling events are taking on a new level of sophistication. What were once trial-sized giveaway blitzes at major commuter hubs have become longer, more meaningful consumer interactions designed to generate positive word of mouth that can extend well beyond the bounds of the one-time event. Of course, there’s no better way to spread the word these days than through social media. Thanks to tools like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, one happy sampler can now spread her positive recommendations to thousands. The only hitch?

Terminix and kid's museums seem like an odd combination at first. But upon closer inspection (pun intended), they’re a perfect pair. Most kids are fascinated by bugs. And, where there are children, there are family decision-makers. On the heels of a successful museum tour started in 2008, Terminix has hit the road again this year with the help of a new technology.