Chief Marketer Staff

• Social Net Users Ready to Be More than Just Brand Friends: Study

  Almost a third of social-network users think they’re a good place to learn more about brands and the products or services they sell, according to a new survey by Publicis Groupe division Performics and analytics firm ROI Research

• Agencies

  Office Depot Instant-Win Game Promotes Smart Gifts Campaign

  Office Depot is hoping to boost sales with its “Top 30 Smart Gifts” campaign

• Emirates Shipping Taps GT Nexus

  Emirates Shipping Line has chosen GT Nexus to provide online marketing services.

• Illinois Sues Two So-Called Telemarketers

  The Illinois Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against a telemarketing company that allegedly promised to immediately reduce consumers

• Agencies

  Macy’s Narrows Losses In Quarter

  Macy’s Inc. posted a net loss of $35 million for the third quarter, compared to a net loss of $44 million in the prior year.

• Bluefly Cuts Expenses, Slouches Toward Profitability

  Bluefly Inc. is edging toward profitability. The online apparel marketer cut its net loss from just under $5 million in third-quarter 2008 to $915,000 in third-quarter 2009.

• Agencies

  Meet the Broker: Harold Pratt

  Today we meet Harold Pratt, president of Pratt Direct Marketing, Rosemont, IL, a company he has run since 1998.

• BK’s Global Marketing President to Step Down

  Russ Klein, the president of global marketing strategy and innovation at Burger King, will resign effective Dec. 15

• Agencies

  Casual Male Picks Data Warehouse Firm

  Casual Male has selected Netezza Corp. to provide a data warehouse appliance.

• Lime Wire Hires VP of Marketing

  Lime Wire has named Shoshana Winter VP of marketing, effective immediately.