It seems like finally people are figuring out that product and offer sampling actually work and should be considered a marketing medium and not something relegated to aisle 12 of the local Stop'n'Shop. We have been extoling the virtues of this one-on-one medium for close to a decade and have seen such stellar results when you combine the right offering with a talented and eager staff, that it is astounding that more companies have not made this a central pillar of their outreach marketing strategy.
Sampling: The New Mass Medium (Ad Age)
UPDATE: Promo Mag on the Mcdonald's 8Mil sampling program


