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Real Simple magazine earlier this month celebrated its 10-year anniversary with daylong events in Chicago and New York City. The events, titled Fifteen Minutes and You’re Done, consisted of 15-minute segments that featured workshops to help busy women make the most of their time, including samples, food tastings, gift bags, makeovers and manicures.

Back in the ’80s, AT&T wanted people to use their phones to reach out and touch someone. Now, marketers want people to use their camera phones to reach out and touch their 2D barcodes so they can send them product information, coupons and promotional messages.

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?

In anticipation of Earth Day on April 22, The Advertising Specialty Institute published its first-ever list of top ecofriendly giveaway items.

1. ELEPHANT-POO NOTEBOOK Yes, it’s made from elephant poop. No, it doesn’t smell like elephant poop.

2. BAMBOO DINNERWARE You’ve seen the utensils, now check out the plates and bowls. 3. SEED-PAPER POSTCARD Branded, biodegradable cards that sprout flowers when they’re planted.

To promote the second year of its spring training series “30 Clubs in 30 Days,” and to attract new viewers to the two-year-old network, the MLB Network this March took the show on the road to 25 spring training ballparks in Florida and Arizona. Outside each of the 30 stadiums, the network parked its mobile vehicle where fans took the opportunity to play first round draft pick and get virtually interviewed by MLB Network personalities Harold Reynolds and Hazel Mae.