Black Monday was ‘invented’ by my former colleague Jerry Shereshewsky in 1997. His idea was that since people did so much shopping at work, the real shopping day for Christmas was today.

The important takeaway for most marketers is this: an ever-increasing share of consumer spending is being done during the day, at work. In a place and at a time where you don’t have a lot of reach or impact.

Bosses are already rabid about how much web-wasting goes on at work. Loud pop-ups and display ads aren’t particularly efficient or effective as a strategy. On the other hand, promotions like this one at Amazon seem custom made for Black Monday.

PS not to disappoint, here’s an interview about Meatball Sundae.