In light of the ringtone generation, music companies have leveraged their artists by submerging them into the realm of mobile music. Many businesses like Jamster have become models for having an extensive collection of ringtones. Even cellular phone companies are joining in on the emergence of free ringtone offers!

Free ringtones are a great promotional idea because consumers have access to their favorite artists in order to customize their phone ringers; customizable promotional products are an awesome way to engage your target market, creating an enjoyable brand experience.

Back in February, Pepsi launched a new promotional campaign called Pepsi Stuff, where you pretty much get free merchandise like music with your Pepsi merchandise. In the age of downloading, sampling music, and online shopping, getting complimentary music promotional items like free MP3 downloads is the ultimate incentive for customers to buy entire albums.

This might not qualify as merch, but it’s free and it’s music, so good enough! Starbucks and iTunes paired up a while ago to bring “Hear Music” to the world. Every Tuesday Starbucks releases 2 songs available for free download on iTunes. To download said songs you need to pick up a little card that has a promotional code you enter into iTunes. The cards are available at Starbucks.

The free music movement (as I call it) is really catching on despite the outrage of Music Executives (and Metallica, I’m sure).  Last year anyone who bought the Sunday Mail found Prince’s new album tucked within its pages.  Radiohead then allowed free downloading of their newest album in late 2007.  Artists’ Oasis and Jamiroquai are said to follow suit.  With the growth of free music there will probably be less free merch considering bands will no be dependent on the sale of things that aren’t albums for revenue.  Which would you rather get free music or free merch?