Take this for all that you can because you won't get much more of it. Two of my least favorite companies have joined up to offer what I consider one of the best promotions ever ... Pepsi and Apple's 100 Million Free Song Downloads.

Coke and PC fans, don't stop me, this is totally necessary, but I will try to keep it brief. The commercial is good (right down to the "actors" and background music), the idea is great, the timing is right, and it withstands the most important marketing test of all - it sells both products. If you're an iTunes user that drinks Coke, you can't pass up on the opportunity for a free download or two (1 in 3 - great odds, but that's a lot of Pepsi). If you own an MP3 player and drink Pepsi, well that's free money right there buddy.

The whole concept is just great. And while I don't think it will put a dent in illegal downloading, it definitely offers a new perspective for attacking the issue. Why not try and befriend your customer base rather than alienate them? Instead of prosecuting them, persuade them, convince them that you're not just after their money - that, at the risk of sounding crazy, you actually care about what they want.

Anyway, I just wanted to give them muchos kudos for what they're doing. It's not often I give props to "enemy" companies, but I figured this was worth it. Oh, and Jobs, I'm a little upset about the whole Pixar-Disney thing. I know you want your money and stuff, but come on, you can't tell me some of that dough isn't comin in solely because of the Disney name. And Pepsi Dudes, thanks for leaving NC, it gives me lots of ammunition when people try to tell me I'm not a true North Carlolinian because I drink Coke. It's nice to shoot back with the thousands of jobs you give people in Purchase, NY.

Oh, and even though I really like the ad campaign, I haven't bought any Pepsi, nor have I downloaded any songs ... off of iTunes that is.