Top Ad Tricks During Recession: Pepsi, Burger King, and Beer Commercials Get Creative

As Americans scramble to find ways to cut costs and expenses in the face of the worst recession in a generation, advertisers and companies are offering extraordinary deals and incentives to lure consumers -- and their wallets -- back into their stores and restaurants.

Recession plagued companies are resorting to novel promotions to keep sales going.

(AP Photo/ABC Photo Illustration)

Car dealerships are running two-for-one promotions, high-end restaurant chains are advertising value meals and even Las Vegas is going downmarket.

"It's a fact that people have closed their pocketbooks," said Steve Hall, the editor of the marketing industry blog Adrants.com. "They're saving and listening to economic advisers who are saying do this and not that, and yet there are companies out there whose sole existence depends on people opening up their wallet, taking money out and giving it to them."

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The desperation to stay out of the red has forced many companies to do whatever it takes, says Hall, to retain their customers and possibly attract new business.

ABCNews.com took a closer look at the Top 10 ways advertisers and companies are turning to desperate measures to promote their products -- and consumer spending -- during the recession.