A gimmick is a unique or quirky special feature that makes something "stand out" from its contemporaries.
Finding a successful gimmick for an otherwise mundane product is often an important part of the marketing process. For example, toothbrushes are often given various gimmicks, such as bright colors, easy grip handles, or color-changing bristles so they appear more exciting to consumers.
Product gimmicks are sometimes considered mere novelties, and not really that relevant to the product's functioning. However, some seemingly trivial gimmicks of the past have evolved into useful, permanent features.
In television, gimmicks are often employed to make a series memorable, or help create a distinct "theme."
Some paticularly "gimmicky" shows include:
- South Park, in which the character of Kenny is killed off in every epsiode
- Frasier, which features "title cards" that introduce each scene
- Home Improvement, which uses comical, computer-generated "wipes" to change scenes
