NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Free sample giveaways -- a practice that has long-been associated with marketers who couldn't afford mass-media advertising -- is moving upmarket. Top tier players like McDonald's, Starbucks, Coca-Cola and Dunkin' Donuts have been adopting free sampling on a massive scale. Also in this 3 Minute Ad Age report, a market study finds that the death of actor Heath Ledger has pushed public awareness of his upcoming new Batman film to 100%. And, the Los Angeles Times continues its effort to reinvent itself.
