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“AVATAR”: has more than 125 licensed products across four major categories, including toys, apparel, publishing and video games. This fall, Fox Consumer Products will have more merchandise lined up to take advantage of back-to-school, Halloween and holiday, including new entrants into the costume, board games, bedding and social expressions category. Additional partners include Rubie’s, Mega Brands, JLA Home, Trends International and Abrams.

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HALLMARK: is offering virtual gifts on its Facebook page, one each day via its SocialCalendar, that can combined with a personal message and shared with friends. The limited-edition gifts are a fresh take on the classic 12 “days of Christmas.”

HOUSE PARTY: has named serial entrepreneur Rishad Tobaccowala to its advisory board. Tobaccowala is a director of Vivaki, the interactive arm of Publicis, where he also works as resident futures and re-invention expert. He had been the CEO of Denuo. House Party specializes in activating and building word of mouth through experiential campaigns.

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DANICA PATRICK: will race the No. 7 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet in a partial nationwide NASCAR schedule next season, plus one ARCA race. She will race as a member of the JR Motorsports team owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Rick Hendrick, Kelley Earnhardt and Tony Eury, Jr. through 2011.

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PAPA JOHN’S: and NINTENDO are running a sweepstakes through Nov. 29 for a chance to win one of 300 Wii Sports Resort prize packages, which include a Wii system, Wii Sports Resort video game, Wii Remote controller, Nunchuk controller and Wii MotionPlus accessory (an approximate retail value of $330). Players enter at http://www.papajohns.com/wiisportsresort.

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MASTERCARD WORLDWIDE: has debuted the Priceless Picks iPhone application which lets users instantly find shopping deals, entertainment options, dining venues and special experiences just steps away from where they are or where they’re traveling to, for business or for pleasure. Priceless Picks is available for free download at the iPhone App Store or at www.itunes.com/appstore.

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RITE AID and COSMETIC PROMOTIONS INC.: are sending Hispanic female models to 10 community events in four markets to distribute 20,000 beauty and health sample bags to female attendees. The sample products include Smooth n’ Shine, Colgate, Tropez, Kiss, Jane Cosmetics, Clearasil, JNJ, L’Oreal, LA Looks, Palmers, Therma Flu, Dove and DeveloPlus. In addition, some of the bags contain a prize of a $100 Rite Aid gift card.

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RODALE INC.: has set up a digital kiosk at the Boston Public Market at Dewey Square that displays information about the farmers selling in the market and the harvest season, as well as Rodale’s history, its magazines and international activities. The kiosk is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 15.

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REVOLUTION: the Chicago-based integrated sports marketing and media services agency has acquired Birdsong 3, a digital and youth culture agency. The move expands Revolution’s expertise in digital content, social media, creative, brand strategy and event marketing.

RAZORFISH AMERICAS: the digital agency, which in April appointed Bob Lord CEO, has restructured and named Dave Friedman, formerly regional president for the Central region, as the head of operations in the Americas. Lord was president of the eastern region before assuming his new post; a third regional president, Colin Kinsella, is swapping charge of the Western region for a job as chief innovation officer at the agency. Last year the Microsoft-owned company appointed its first presidents for the European and Asia-Pacific regions. Razorfish recently acquired Spain-based agency Wysiwyg and under Friedman’s direction reportedly plans to expand into South America.

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CRAYOLA: is running a nationwide wellness campaign called the “Crayola Outdoor Challenge.” The initiative is aimed at inspiring families to spend more time outside exercising their bodies and minds. The Challenge asks families to pledge time each day to outdoor creative play this summer. The national goal is to reach 1 million hours of pledged time, which can be made through the end of the summer at http://www.Crayola.com. To kick off the challenge, Olympic gold medal decathlete Dan O’Brien, will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s fastest game of hopscotch, which currently stands at 1 minute and 23 seconds.

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MARS ADVERTISING: a shopper marketing advertising agency, has promoted Sue Golden to senior vice president and general manager for the agency’s Chicago and Cincinnati offices and has named Kim Pawlak vice president and director of creative operations in its Southfield, MI, corporate headquarters.

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SUNNY DELIGHT BEVERAGES: is introducing Fruit Simple, a all-natural fruit smoothie in key upstate New York markets any minute now. The beverages are available in the following flavors: Pomegranate Blueberry, Strawberry Banana, Orange Mango and Mixed Berry. Local network and cable TV advertising, in-store promotional activity and sampling support the launch markets: Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica

COMCAST: will partner with Sony USA to open a brick-and-mortar store in the cable provider’s downtown Philadelphia headquarters. The Sony Style Comcast Labs will showcase product and service innovations from both companies and offer previews of coming Comcast technologies, including a cordless home phone that receives e-mail, text messages and Web Yellow Pages. Sony will use the store to showcase its Bravia HDTV line, Vaio PCs and PlayStation products.

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PAM: that non-stick cooking spray from ConAgra Foods, has kicked off a new advertising campaign that emphasizes PAM as a convenient kitchen aid that helps consumers using the tag line: “Relax, PAM helps you pull it off.” TV spots began airing this month during prime-time network programming and cable programs on channels such as The Food Network, American Movie Channel and Home & Garden Television. Additional ads are scheduled to run later in the year. Print ads will run in women’s lifestyle magazines in April and May.

BIG LOTS: the closeout retailer, will be the exclusive sponsor of ABC daytime’s “The View from The Walt Disney Studios,” to broadcast live March 9-13 from Disney Legends Plaza on the Walt Disney Studios lot. “The View” features Barbara Walters, Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Sherri Shepherd. Throughout the weeklong broadcast celebrity designer and television host Jennifer Farrell will provide tips on how to decorate affordably. Big Lots will also feature Farrell in connection with its May 2009 in-store Home Event, which offers a collection of upscale, affordable furnishings. Big Lots operated more than 1,300 stores in 47 states.

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BROOKSTONE: CEO and President Louis Mancini will step down from his post on March 4. Mancini joined Brookstone in 2006 after working as CEO of Murray’s Discount Auto Stores, Inc. Philip W. Roizin will be interim president and CEO and act as a director of the company. Roizin, 50, has been Brookstone’s executive vice president, finance and administration since December 1996.

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LITTLE CAESERS ENTERPRISES, INC.: and Pepsi have teamed up to launch a national scratch-off game. The “Buzz in to Win” promotion with Sony Computer Entertainment America gives customers a chance to win one of 450 PlayStation Trivia PrizePacks. Customers receive a scratch-off code card at participating restaurants and buying a Hot-n-Ready pizza with any Pepsi beverage. People scratch off their code card and enter the code online to determine if they have won. Visitors who buy a Hot-n-Ready pizza may also receive a $5 off coupon for any new Buzz video game at GameStop stores. In addition, a coupon for free Little Caesars Crazy Bread will be available on Buzz video games. The scratch-off game runs through April 27. Online marketing and in-store signage support the promotion.

JAY SCHAEFER: Will join St. Louis-based experiential marketing agency Switch as account development manager. Previously Schaefer worked for Circuit City for 13 years, handling brand partnerships, event marketing and most recently category marketing management for the consumer electronics category. In that capacity Schaefer collaborated with Switch several times, notably on the “Circuit City Ride Tour” a 2006 vendor-funded vehicle tour showcasing consumer brands available at Circuit City. Schaefer will work out of the Phoenix, AZ, Switch office with West Coast-based clients.

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MYSPACE MUSIC: is letting U.S. users stream U2’s new album in its entirety from the band’s official MySpace Music profile. The promotion will give fans a chance to preview the album before the U.S. release on March 3. “No Line On The Horizon” will be available on MySpace Music on March 3.

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NEXCEN FRANCHISE MANAGEMENT: said it will combine Pretzelmaker and Pretzel Time, its two mall-based pretzel stores, into one business in April. The consolidation will transition Pretzel Time locations to the Pretzelmaker name.

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THE WALT DISNEY CO.: and the Lego Co. have signed a multi-year licensing deal, which gives Lego the chance to launch a new line of products based on Disney properties, including Disney Pixar. The first three lines will roll out in 2010 and will be based on “Toy Story,” “Cars” and “Prince of Persia.”

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HOUSE PARTY: a consumer activation and experiential marketing company has named Greg Besner as COO, a new post. Besner, who started the job this month, oversees finance, human resources and technical development, as well as supports the company’s operational aspects. Prior to joining House Party, he was president and co-founder of Computershare Executive Services. House Party specializes in host in-home parties where brand or products are the focus of the events.

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CIAO BELLA: has named Stan Fabian as CEO. Previously, Fabian oversaw eastern operations as senior vice president of sales and distribution for Dreyer’s, which owns brands including Edy’s, Haagen-Dazs, Nestlé Ice Cream and Skinny Cow. His appointment ends the company’s six-month search for a replacement.

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SWEET LEAF TEA: has placed Adi Wilk in charge of overseeing its national marketing efforts. Wilk joined the company in 2008 as its director of field marketing. Previously Wilk has held marketing posts with the University of Texas and Coors Brewing Co., where he served as on-premise marketing manager. In 2005 he founded Innovative Experiential Marketing and Consulting, an Austin TX-based firm.

HARRAH’S RESORT ATLANTIC CITY: gave away 5,000 free guest rooms last Friday in New York City as part of the company’s $1 million room giveaway promotion. “Sweet Dreams” models distributed free overnight stays to the Waterfront Tower at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ, and to celebrate the grand opening of the new Jacques Torres Chocolate store, Temptations Fine Chocolate and Coffee. The store opens on Feb. 15.

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PIZZA HUT: is commemorating Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday today with a sales promotion. Under its Penny Pizza Deal, the company is offering customers a one-topping medium pizza for one cent with the purchase of a large pizza at menu price. Orders can be placed online, via text message or mobile Web, through the Facebook platform.

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NICKELODEON: and children’s footwear brand Stride Rite have teamed up with the Keds Kids brand to create a fashion line for girls based on the “iCarly” television series. The three styles are: L8R, a lace athletic with charms, ASAP, a surfer inspired slip-on and TTYL, a Mary-Jane athletic with retro phrases printed on the side. The shoes will sell for $35 in toddler and girl sizes during the fall back-to-school season. P-O-P will support the launch.

THE ROCKPORT CO.: has kicked off a new campaign called “Choose to Walk” to promote its spring 2009 collection. It features four people who have chosen interesting and often unexpected paths to success and personal fulfillment. The campaign, developed by Hill Holliday, will launch in more than 70 countries worldwide later this month and will appear in print, on in-store displays, on the Rockport Web site and in out-of-home executions globally.

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LIST MANAGEMENT CHANGES
–Business Facilities
Group C Media Inc. has appointed Information Refinery Inc. manager of a list of 70,604 subscribers to Business Facilities. This controlled circulation title targets professionals involved in site selection for businesses. Kroll Direct Marketing Inc. formerly managed this file.
Selections: Job title, number of employees, company involvement, gender, state/SCF/ZIP
Price: $175/M
Contact: Information Refinery Inc., Michael San Inocencio (908-378-5842; [email protected])

NEW TO MARKET LISTS
–MP3MusicHQ.com
Buyers listed on this master file spent $35 to $48 on software giving them access to music or movies. The count is 501,931. These are credit card buyers. E-mail addresses and telephone numbers are available.
Selections: Age, gender, ethnicity, hotlines, income, lifestyle, state/SCF/ZIP
Price: $80/M (base)
Contact: True North List Marketing LLC, Lynn Starr (203-459-4348, ext. 305; [email protected])

–Sgt. Grit Marine Corps Specialties
More than 60,000 last-12-month buyers from the Sgt. Grit Marine Corps Specialties catalog are named. Products sold range from apparel and pet supplies to memorial items and jewelry. Customers are typically men 50 to 65 who have a $75,000 or better income.
Selections: Purchase amount ranges, hotlines, state/SCF/ZIP
Price: $100/M
Contact: Direct Media Inc., Kristina DiFrancesco (203-532-2361; [email protected])

–Single Moms Seeking Online Education
More than 225,000 single mothers who indicated interest in online education are named. A majority are between 25 and 45. The sources are online surveys, Web registrations and public records. Neither telemarketing nor list exchanges are allowed
Selections: Quarterly hotline, age, credit card, donor, education, ethnicity, high-speed Internet connection, homeowner, household income, length of residence, mail order buyer, occupation, presence of children, recency divorced, state/SCF/ZIP
Price: $85/M
Contact: ListSolutions, Sandy Ostrander (732-729-0500, ext. 17; [email protected])

–Ultimate Catholic Indicator
Some 8.2 million postal addresses and 3.5 million e-mail addresses of Roman Catholics have been assembled. The sources are direct mail and e-mail.
Selections: Telephone number, gender, hotlines, mail order buyer, age, income, ethnicity, household income, age/gender/presence of children, new vehicle purchase, credit card, lifestyles, state/SCF/ZIP
Price: $80/M (postal file); $150/M (e-mail file)
Contact: Trinity Direct, Bob Stein (973-283-3600, ext. 225; [email protected])

IN THE NEWS
–InfoGroup Reports Revenues Rose 7% in 2008
Although its fourth quarter revenues declined 4%, InfoGroup reported $728.3 million in revenues for the 2008 fiscal year ending Dec. 31, which reflects a 7% increase compared to the previous year. For more, click here (directmag.com/lists/0210InfoGroup-Revenues).

–MBS Provides Database Services for North Shore Animal League
MBS has been hired to coordinate database marketing and fundraising campaign management services for North Shore Animal League America. For more, click here (directmag.com/lists/0210North-Shore-Animal).

LIST TALK
–Spam Fever? Treat the Causes, Not the Symptoms
By Andrew O’Halloran
Getting complaints about spam is like having a fever. They’re not an illness in their own right, but rather but a symptom of an underlying issue. For more, click here (directmag.com/lists/0209-spam-fever).

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RAQUEL WELCH: the spokesperson for eyewear designer FGX International, began appearing yesterday in a new television ad campaign for Foster Grant. The ads are airing on national network cable and send the message that over-the-counter reading glasses can be fashionable and affordable. The messaging recalls the recognized tagline: “Isn’t that Raquel Welch behind those Foster Grants?”

BIGELOW TEA: is out with two new flavors for Valentine’ Day, White Chocolate Kisses and Sweetheart Cinnamon. The limited edition teas will be available exclusively during the Valentine season, both in-store and on the Bigelow Tea Web site.

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MARS SNACKFOOD US: is running the TWIX Funniest College Student on Campus contest that offers students a chance to win $3,000 and a week-long internship for the TBS Presents A Very Funny Festival: Just for Laughs event in June. Students can enter through April 1.

DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP, INC.: is donating a portion of its proceeds to breast cancer organization Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Certain diet brands will include the signature pink Susan G. Komen for the Cure on bottle caps. For every customer that buys 20-ounce or 2-liter bottles, the firm will make a donation to the cause, up to $250,000. The pink cap will appear on more than 40 million bottles of Diet Dr Pepper, Diet 7UP, Diet Cherry 7UP, Diet A&W, Diet Sunkist Soda, Diet Rite, Diet Canada Dry Ginger Ale, Diet RC, Diet Squirt and Diet Big Red through the end of March.

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DKNY JEANS: is teaming up with actress and recording artist Hilary Duff to launch a new line of apparel called Femme for DKNY Jeans. The collection will debut in department and specialty stores nationwide in August, marking the debut of Duff’s new beauty and lifestyle brand, Femme. The retail price for the line will range from $39 for a T-shirt to $129 for outerwear.

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DUNKIN DONUTS: has added a new breakfast item to its menu: waffles. The chain rolled out its Waffle Breakfast Sandwich, an oven-toasted sandwich featuring bacon, scrambled eggs and cheese between two waffles. The item is available for $2.99 through March 17. The quick service chain is the first to serve a breakfast sandwich featuring waffles, the company said.

COLD STONE CREAMERY: has launched a new product, ice cream cupcakes. The dessert is layered with cake, fudge and premium ice cream and topped with frosting and an edible decoration. The ice cream cupcakes sell for $9.99 a pack.

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PROCTER & GAMBLE’S Head & Shoulders has teamed up with CBS Interactive to launch its new original scripted Web series called “Heckle U.” The 10-Webisode series will premiere starting Feb. 9 on www.cbs.com, www.TV.com. The series features the story of Chance Stevens’ road to glory as a professional heckler for the fictional Montana University. Also online, viewers can upload original, comedic videos in the “Thoughtless Thoughts: Your Mind is Free to Wander” sweepstakes for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas with four friends. Users can also find bonus content, a “best heckle” widget and Head & Shoulders vignettes on the site.

THE JIM HENSON CO.: has named Hasbro, Inc. as its master toy and game licensee for its “Sid the Science Kid” property. Sid is an educational animated television series airing daily on PBS Kids, which uses comedy to promote exploration, discovery, and science readiness among preschoolers. The four-year deal grants Hasbro the rights to introduce an array of Sid products scheduled to debut at retail this fall.

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BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE: and Jim Beam Bourbon are partnering with Mavericks Surf Ventures, Inc. to sponsor The 2009 Mavericks Surf Contest. The brand will also introduce the “Jim Beam Jersey,” which will be worn by the 2008 champion, Greg Long, as he participates in this year’s contest. Some 10,000 of the jerseys will be given to other contestants and distributed at local promotions. The contest will be held at Half Moon Bay in California at a date prior to March 31 to be determined by wind and wave conditions. Jim Beam has been involved in the Australian surfing scene for several years, but this deal marks its first U.S. sponsorship.

OFFICE DEPOT: is out with a sweepstakes tied to its sponsorship of the Tony Stewart and the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevy Impala SS. Customers enter transaction codes from any Office Depot receipt through Feb. 28 for a chance to win a $14,000 shopping spree during the Coca-Cola 600 race week May 23-24 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C. In addition, the winner will receive a ride-a-long experience with Stewart. Online marketing supports the sweeps.

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NOW: That’s What I Call Music!, and “American Idol” founder Simon Fuller are partnering to create a new interactive global music show using the TV and the Internet. The show, aiming for a late summer debut, will feature music artists performing their tunes live. NOW, a joint venture of EMI, Sony Music and Universal Music, issues CD compilations that have sold 72 million copies in the U.S

CARIBOU COFFEE: ran a coffee giveaway promotion last Friday in the wake of Starbucks’ decision to eliminate decaf coffee in the afternoons. The chain offered free 12-ounce cups of decaf from noon until closing. The company expected to hand out about 100,000 free cups of coffee through the promotion.

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GAP INC.: said Mark Breitbard is returning to the company as chief merchandising and creative officer. In that role, Breitbard, 40, will lead design and merchandising functions for Old Navy and guide product strategy for the brand. He will report to Tom Wyatt, president of Old Navy. He rejoins the company from Levi Strauss & Co, where he was president of the retail division since 2007. He was responsible for Levi’s retail division, including design, merchandising, marketing, stores and ecommerce.

COX TARGET MEDIA: has named Greg Bicket president. Bicket had been working as interim president since November. The company owns and operates Valpak, a direct marketing company.

KODAK: has expanded its marketing partnership with the PGA Tour. The firm is now the official imaging provider, in addition to its prior designations as the official camera, printer and scanner for the PGA Tour. The Kodak Challenge, already part of the six-year deal, has also been expanded to include 30 holes on various courses on the golf tour, with the winner to receive a $1 million prize.

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MISS SIXTY: an Italian lifestyle company is partnering with King Features Syndicate to create a limited-edition Miss Sixty Olive Oyl collection featuring the cartoon character. The collection, which launches worldwide in February, marks Miss Sixty’s debut in the licensed cartoon character apparel category. It includes three soft cotton T-shirts is branded with images of Olive Oyl and will sell for $79 and $99. The apparel will be available at Miss Sixty stores nationwide in the U.S. and will also be sold in Italy, the U.K., France, Germany, Spain, Japan, China and Canada.

SCHUNCK MARKETS: has enhanced its Web site to include recipes shoppers find at the grocer’s popular Recipe Center. Visitors can print their favorite dishes from the site from the Schnucks Cooks feature. On the site, people who create a personal account can build shopping lists, save favorite recipes and write reviews. Schnucks Cooks recipe kiosks are in 30 supermarkets, and additional kiosks will be added in the coming months, the company said.

CARLSON RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE: has named Nick Shepherd as and chief executive officer. He replaces Richard Snead, who announced his retirement. Most recently, Shepherd was chairman and CEO for Sagittarius Brands, Inc., a private equity-owned restaurant holding company that owns and operates the Del Taco and Captain D’s restaurant brands. Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc. is the parent company of T.G.I. Friday’s Inc. and Pick Up Stix.

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BIG BOY RESTAURANTS INTERNATIONAL: has named Keith E. Sirois as CEO. The post took effect on Jan. 26. Sirois, 57, who previously was CEO of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, is in charge of strategic planning and operating responsibilities for the Big Boy chain.

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CONVERSE: has launch a new collection of spring designs for its 1Hund(RED) Artists footwear, the brand’s project to support its partnership with Project (RED), a celebrity-backed cause that sends a percentage of product sales to The Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa. The collection, which will sell for $55, features designs from musician The Edge from U2, artist Andrew Mania and fashion designer Basso. Ten percent of the net wholesale price will benefit the Global Fund.

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BEST BUY: has named Brian J. Dunn, the consumer electronics chain’s president and chief operating officer as its new chief executive effective June 24. Dunn, 48, will replace CEO Brad H. Anderson, 59, who is retiring. The company said it has not yet selected a replacement for Dunn.

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MACY’S: is celebrating American Heart Month and National Wear Red Day on Feb. 6 with a 20% discount off select merchandise for those who wear red or buy a Go Red For Women Red Dress pin for $2 between Feb. 4-8. Proceeds from the pin will benefit the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement. The retailer is a national sponsor of Go Red For Women, which has helped raised more than $18 million for the cause since 2004.

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FILA: will develop a line of men’s apparel and footwear with U.S. tennis star James Blake. The yet unnamed line will include tennis, golf and lifestyle apparel and footwear, with Blake collaborating on the designs. The first products will be introduced prior to the 2009 U.S. Open Tennis Tournament. The deal is projected to be a long-term licensing business between Fila and Blake.

MICHAEL PARKS: a former vice president of corporate communications for Centocor, Inc., an operating company of Johnson & Johnson, has opened a public relations consultancy, Pitch360 Inc. Pitch360 is a public relations, marketing communications, and issues management consultancy that leverages its pharmaceutical and biotechnology experience to service clients.

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ELLEN DEGENERES: debuts her new line of pet products, HALO, Purely for Pets, on the QVC cable network on Jan. 17. Degeneres will offer QVC viewers a selection of dog and cat food choices, natural treats and grooming supplies in her Friday afternoon segment on QVC. The products will be available online.

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MUNCHKIN: a designer and manufacturer of infant and toddler products, has inked a deal with Church & Dwight Co., Inc., the makers of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda, to create an exclusive line of deodorizing products for the nursery and on-the-go. The products, which will be available at retail this month, include: Diaper Fresh Dispenser & Disposal Bags; Disposable Changing Pads and Multi-Use Pads with Baking Soda and Fresh Totes.

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KATZ MEDIA GROUP: has launched a national marketing unit that aims to customize advertising buys for multi-platform radio marketing. Katz Marketing Solutions will work with national advertisers and their agencies from the earliest stages of their planning processes to help fashion campaigns to reach over the air and online listeners.

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SAPUTO’S: Frigo Cheese Head’s brand is running an on-pack promo tied to “High School Musical 3” where people who purchase two of the cheeses and send in the proofs of purchase, will get an exclusive poster of the film with signatures from the cast members. The promo appears on more than 125 million individual wrappers.

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TECATE: Will sponsor the Jan. 24 Los Angeles championship fight between Antonio Margarito and “Sugar” Shane Mosley. The multi-platform campaign will include an on-pack mail-in rebate on Tecate 18-packs or larger for $20 off a two-month subscription to HBO, which will carry the fight. Other pre-fight elements include POS materials, regional radio and in-store autograph sessions with the Oscar de la Hoya’s Golden Boy fighters. Tecate and the Staples Center arena will also run a text-to-win mobile promotion to give attendees a chance to upgrade their seats for the bout.

M&M’S: has a licensing deal through its Mars Direct unit to create My Team M&Ms NFL Blends candies, featuring customized team logos of the 32 National Football League Squads. Consumers can order the customized chocolates for $12.99 per bag or $140 for a five-pound bag by ordering online or by calling 888-696-6788.

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TREMOR MEDIA: has hired former Coco-Cola director of emerging media and online advertising Shane Steele as its new vice president of marketing. Steele, who left Coke a year ago to set up her own marketing consultancy, will replace Tad Davis, formerly the vice president of marketing and creative services for Tremor and no longer with the company. Clients running in-banner and in-stream ads on Tremor’s video network include such brands as AT&T, Mars, Fox Searchlight, Tide, L’Oreal, Sony, Pfizer and Coca-Cola. ComScore Media Metrix puts Tremor’s online video inventory fifth in size, behind YouTube, MySpace, Yahoo and MSN.

MEREDITH CORP.: has signed a partnership with bedding company Five Star Mattress to develop and license a new line of Better Homes and Gardens branded mattresses. The collection will consist of innerspring and specialty beds featuring pocketed coils for reduced motion transfer, foam encasement for superior edge support, and temperature-friendly memory foam and latex. The line will retail at popular price points from $799 to $1,599 beginning in March, the company said. Last fall, Meredith and Walmart launched a line of Better Homes and Gardens-branded products for the bedroom, bathroom, dining room and living room. Another partnership with Universal Furniture markets Better Homes and Gardens branded furniture.

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NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE: Offers fans a free trial of its NHL Game Center Live starting Jan. 3. The online service, accessible at NHL.com, offers live video coverage of up to 40 pro hockey games weekly with multiple camera angles. Fans can subscribe to the season-long service for $109 from Jan. 1-4; the price rises to $119 from Jan. 5 through Feb. 15.

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THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS: and their official ball supplier, Spalding, have created four “official” red, white and blue presidential basketball balls especially for President-elect Barack Obama. As part of the gift, the Globetrotters will also donate 50 new game balls from Spalding to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington, D.C.

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UNIVERSAL POWER GROUP: has inked a licensing agreement with Eveready Battery Co., a division of Energizer Holdings, to develop a line of consumer products under the Energizer brand for distribution through mass, specialty and automotive stores. The four-year deal gives UPG the exclusive rights to develop, market and sell Energizer-branded automotive battery chargers and maintainers, and automotive jumpstarters. In addition, UPG will have non-exclusive rights to develop, market and sell Energizer-branded power inverters used primarily in the automotive market. The new product line will be introduced at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Jan. 9-11, 2009. The products are expected to appear on retail shelves in summer 2009.

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ZAZZLE: an online on-demand retail store, is now offering “Star Wars” and “Clone Wars” themed shoes and ties. The products include close to 20 shoe designs and 10 tie designs with images from the Star Wars Saga including the hit new animated TV series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”. All products are customizable.

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RUDOLPH FOODS: has launched a Mamma Mia—Greek Isle Sweepstakes. The promo at www.RudolphFoods.com runs though Jan. The winner receives a trip for two to Greece, free Rudolph Foods Cinnamon Churros for a year and a copy of Mamma Mia The Movie DVD.

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THE GAP: has kicked off the voting phase of its national Gap Casting Call contest to find the next young faces for babyGap and GapKids. Twenty finalists appear at http://gap.com/castingcall and can be voted for through Dec. 21. The winners will be featured in store windows in 2009 and will receive other such prizes as a year’s supply of clothing from babyGap or GapKids and $450 worth of photo gifts from Snapfish.

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TOYS R US: is running a giveaway at http://www.ToysrusHotHolidayGiveaway.com through Dec. 14. At the site, people can play the instant-win by clicking on four gift boxes to unwrap what’s inside. Discovering the same toy in three of the four boxes makes the player a winner. Four hundred people will each win a toy that will be delivered to their homes free of charge and in time for Christmas Eve. Players are automatically entered for the chance to be a grand-prize winner of 10 toys valued at about $1,500.

NIKE: struck a partnership with FC Barcelona and the United Nations High Commission for refugees to fund a project that contributes to sports and education for disadvantaged youth worldwide. The partnership, dubbed Mes (“Més que un club,” or “More than a club” is the legendary Catalan football club’s slogan), will distribute products branded with its name. Contributions to the effort can be made online at
http://www.mesfootball.org.

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WRANGLER: renewed its deal with NASCAR star driver Dale Earnhardt, Jr. for a sixth consecutive year. Earnhardt will be featured in high-profile consumer promotions and Wrangler marketing efforts. Wrangler’s collaboration with Earnhardt has generated $175,000 in charitable contributions over the past five years.

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CROWN ROYAL: will debut its first national brand advertising campaign in more than five years this month. The ads will show accomplished individuals who despite their success, stay true to their values revealing an inspirational strength of character, the company said. Grey Worldwide New York created the spots directed by Fredrik Bond.

MOLSON COORS BREWING CO.: and Spendrups Brewery have partnered to introduce Coors Light in Sweden. The beer is now available in a selection of sports bars and casual dining restaurants and in state-run liquor stores.

The stores carry the cold activated bottles which feature mountains on the label with thermochromatic ink that turns blue when Coors Light has been chilled to the perfect temperature.

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V8: will donate $1 million, or 30 million servings of its vegetable juice, to Feeding America’s National Produce Program. Through Feb. 2009, anyone purchasing the juice will be contributing to the donation as part of V8’s “Make Every Serving Count” campaign.

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JAMESON: is projecting outdoor ads beginning this month in Boston, Chicago, Denver and Minneapolis. In high foot-traffic areas across both cities, Jameson will use live wall projections to reach its audience. The brand also has unveiled a new radio ad in 20 markets, as well as a trade.

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JONES SODA: is offering all visitors to its Web site, 25% off on all orders for the holiday season.

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NEW YORK MUSIC STATION 106.7 LITE FM: has partnered with JetBlue Airways and State Farm Insurance for skating in Central Park in New York. On Dec. 13 and 14 at Wollman the first 1,000 people to show up each day will receive free admission and skate rentals for that day. Skaters will be also encouraged to stop inside the 106.7 Lite fm activation tent to receive free giveaways, a chance to win round trip travel from JetBlue Airways and to enter the State Farm $100,000 Holiday Shopping Spree Sweepstakes.

WAL-MART: has struck an exclusive deal with CBS Consumer Products to offer clothing and accessories based on—though not necessarily seen on– the hit CW reality show “America’s Next Top Model.” The contemporary designs in clothing, handbags, hats, fragrances and room décor are aimed at juniors and young women and meant to show that “you don’t have to be on the catwalk to look hot,” CBS said in a statement. Wal-Mart will support the new ANTM line with in-store signs.

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JAMAICA: is launching a $3 million advertising campaign to lure tourists to the island despite a global financial crisis. TV and radio ads are targeting the United States, which is traditionally Jamaica’s strongest market. Bookings for the island for early 2009 have dropped 30%.

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LOS ANGELES DODGERS: have committed to add 42 “Dodger Dreamfields” to its roster of new and refurbished local baseball field projects, bringing the total to 50. The Dodgers have created or refurbished eight ball fields for Los Angeles area youth since 2003. The Dodgers are fielding suggestions for future projects in other cities at [email protected].

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NATIONAL BASKETKBALL ASSOCIATION: struck a strategic international partnership with the Harlem Globetrotters. The partnership kicks in with the Globetrotters taking part in activities during the NBA All-Star 2009 weekend in February. The NBA and the Globetrotters will work together to plan the entertaining exhibition teams schedule of international games and events.

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DIAGEO: has a new rum: Captain Morgan 100 Proof Spiced Rum. The spirit has a hint of vanilla and dry fruits and is available nationwide in a range of sizes from 50ML to 1.75L.

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DUNKIN’ DONUTS: has opened its first shop in Shanghai, part of its plan to open 150 shops in Mainland China over the next 10 years.

WALGREENS: is lighting up New York’s Times Square with outdoor digital video signage on the Great White Way. Conceived and designed by branding and design firm Gilmore Group, and constructed by D3, New York City, Walgreens the sign wraps three sides of the landmark soaring 17-stories in a continuous display of video and animation produced by 12 million LEDs and numerous giant plasma video screens.

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UPSHOT: has promoted Scott Fujii from vice president, production to senior vice president, production; Brian Priest from vice president, creative services to senior vice president, creative services; and Mary Van De Walle from senior planning director to vice president, planning.

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PIZZA INN: has named Scott Richter as senior director of marketing and Samuel “Bud” Boswell as executive chef and director of research and development. Most recently, Richter worked at senior director with Razor Driven LLC, a Dallas, TX, advertising agency whose clients included Domino’s, Wendy’s, Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins. Boswell had worked as corporate executive chef and director of purchasing for Spaghetti Warehouse.

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HOTELS.COM: the largest provider of lodging worldwide, is celebrating the approach of 1 million reviews on its site with the “Millionth Review” sweepstakes. The sweepstakes, which runs through Jan. 15, will award five weekly winners a three-night getaway for two in the United States and one winner a vacation for two to a five-star resort in Bora Bora. All hotels.com guests who write a review during the sweepstakes entry period will be automatically entered to win the international trip.

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DICK’S SPORTING GOODS: is again partnering with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the 5th anniversary of the Thanks and Giving campaign. In its second year to participate, Dick’s asks consumers to make a donation at point of purchase to benefit St. Jude, which works to find cures and save the lives of children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases.

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U.S. AIR FORCE: unveiled a partnership with Gillett Evernham Motorsports as a primary and associate sponsor for the No. 10 car driven by Reed Sorenson for the 2009 Nextel Cup Season. GSD&M Idea City, the Air Force’s ad agency, brokered the deal and plans to launch a multimedia campaign to support the partnership early next year.

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BEST BUY: will hold in-store workshops about the transition to digital television in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters next week. Local TV personalities and Best Buy BlueShirt employees will be hosts at stores in 24 cities around the country on Nov. 17. Information about the DTV transition is available at www.dtvanswers.com and www.askablueshirt.com.

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CONVERSE: has formed a long-term, strategic partnership with professional basketball star Elton Brand to create signature performance basketball footwear available exclusively at JCPenney locations and online. The launch kicked off Nov. 1 with the EB1, a signature performance basketball shoe brand that will debut for the 2008-09 basketball season.

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CIRCUIT CITY: will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but will remain open during the holiday selling season while it seeks a reorganization plan, the company said Monday. The consumer electronics chain said last week that it would shutter 155 stores in 55 markets and cut its work force by 17%. After the closings, the chain will have 566 stores in 153 U.S. markets. Circuit City has posted losses in five of its last six fiscal quarters.

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CLEAR CHANNEL RADIO: will air previews of debut albums from last year’s “American Idol” finalists prior to their release dates this month. A self-titled album from David Cook, who won the seventh season of the reality show, will be aired on the Sneak Preview show carried on 190 Clear Channel radio stations one week prior to its Nov. 18 release. A preview of another self-titled release from last year’s runner-up, David Archuletta, will be aired on the show days before its Nov. 11 release date.

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CBS CONSUMER PRODUCTS: a division of CBS Entertainment, and Mattel has formed a partnership to create products based on “90210,” the new hit drama from CBS Paramount Network Television, airing on The CW. The “90210” and Mattel collaboration is slated to hit retail shelves in September 2009. The announcement marks a return to the toy aisles for the “90210” franchise. In 1992, Mattel unveiled a line of dolls resembling the original characters from the franchise, including Brenda, Dylan and Brandon.

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MOOSYLVANIA: has hired Rodney Mason as chief marketing officer for the digital, branding and promotion agency. Most recently, he was the chief marketing officer and managing director at Hawkeye. Prior to that, Mason opened and ran the Chicago office of Loew-Zipatoni.

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PAPA JOHN’S: is playing off election day today to run an online promotion. The third-largest pizza chain is pitching a large pizza with up to three toppings for only $11.04—today’s date—available only online today. The promo is being advertised on the firm’s home page.

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EEI GLOBAL: an experiential marketing agency, has been hired by Alpine Electronics of America to manage its exhibit at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Alpine, a supplier of automotive mobile media solutions, is headquartered in Japan with facilities in the U.S, Europe and China.

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EURO RSCG DISCOVERY: the customer loyalty marketing and global data analytics division of Euro RSCG Worldwide, has named Richard Hren has strategy director, effective immediately. He will be based in Chicago. Hren will help build the agency’s strategic capabilities and work closely with the company’s new business team to identify new clients and assignments. Most recently, he worked as director of product marketing for SPSS, Inc. in Chicago.

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CAMPAIGN FOR A COMMERCIAL-FREE CHILDHOOD: sent a letter to 24 toymakers and retailers urging them to market to parents, not to kids, this holiday season, in light of the current economic downturn and the financial burden many families are feeling. “We understand the need to create awareness of your products,” says the letter sent to CEOs at Mattel, Toys “R” Us, Disney, Ganz, V-Tech and others. “We urge you to do that by advertising directly to parents instead of enlisting children as lobbyists for their holiday gifts. Since it’s parents, not children, who can truly understand their family’s financial situation in these difficult times, it is more important than ever that you respect their authority as gatekeepers.” Boston-based CCFC is also encouraging parents to write to the companies and share their concerns.

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PUTTIN’ ON THE HITS: the hit TV series, is once again searching for the best Lip Sync look-a-like performers across the country. The contest will visit 100 U.S. cities before it’s complete. Winners representing each city will appear on an all-new television series to air next year. The first auditions took place last week in San Diego. The contests are being conducted in clubs, colleges and malls.

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COCA-COLA: says it will put calories per serving on the front of all the packaging for its entire U.S. beverage portfolio, along with the number of servings contained in a package. The new labeling, slated to appear on Coke products next year, is meant to help consumers keep track of their total daily calorie allotment when making diet choices, the company said. In 2003 the Food and Drug Administration’s obesity working group recommended that calorie counts get more prominent display on food labels.

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OCEAN SPRAY: is expanding its marketing partnership with the New England Patriots with a 2,100-square-foot cranberry bog exhibit in front of the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium on Oct. 25 and 26. Pats’ wide receiver Wes Welker will be inducted as an honorary Ocean Spray grower at the unveiling of the bog. Visitors will be able to learn about the health benefits of eating cranberries, receive free recipes and sample Ocean Spray products at the exhibit, which will include 2,000 pounds of cranberries.

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BASKIN-ROBBINS: has named the winning flavor of its presidential Flavor Debate ’08: Whirl of Change, representing Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama with 51% of the popular vote. Nearly 500,000 people voted for either Whirl of Change or Straight Talk Crunch (for John McCain). Voters cast their ballots at Baskin-Robbins stores and

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ARMAAN SWISS DIAMOND WATCHES: has signed Olympic gold medal basketball team member Dwight Howard as its official NBA brand ambassador for all brand related initiatives, including marketing, promotion and publicity. To honor Howard’s efforts, the company designed a $100,000 diamond watch for him. The NBA star will be making a series of in-store appearances at select Armaan retailers in the U.S. in 2008 and 2009.

SHOP.COM: has announced the winner of its “Save Green, Live Green” Giveaway as part of it initiative to highlight realistic everyday ways consumers can help the environment, while saving money at the same time. James Grant of Saranac, MI will receive $10,000 worth of energy-saving home appliances. His entry was selected in a random drawing of over 16,000 online submissions made online.

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CBS NEWS: will run a live webcast on Nov. 4 featuring network news anchor Katie Couric to start after its live coverage of Election Night results. The webcast will include questions submitted by viewers before and during the streamed coverage on CBSNews.com. The Web site has staged similar webcasts following the three debates between the major party presidential candidates and the debate between the vice presidential candidates.

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THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP: has signed on as the first major corporation to enroll its employees wireless phones in the Wireless AMBER Alert Program, a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies and the transportation and telecommunications industries. The program issues urgent public bulletins to help solve child abduction cases. More than 27,000 U.S. employees will now receive text messages on their company-owned cell phones whenever an AMBER Alert has been issued in their community.

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ALL TERRAIN: aids Al Gore with a campaign to raise funds for We Can Solve It.org, Gore’s anti-global warming non-profit. The campaign celebrates the tenth anniversary of Chicago-based All Terrain by driving traffic to a Web site where visitors can make $10 donations to Gore’s campaign to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy within 10 years. To build site visits over the coming weeks, All Terrain is launching a series of ecology-related skits on the Dude microsite and YouTube.com. All Terrain was named to the 2008 Promo 100 list of outstanding promotional agencies.

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ORVILLE REDENBACHER: is supporting its newest popcorn flavor, Lime & Salt, by teaming up with celebrity party planner Jo Gartin. Under the partnership, Gartin offers busy moms tips on how to throw a party and enjoy some “girlfriend time.” Visitors can find party planning advice, theme ideas and tools, and send a custom Orville Redenbacher’s “Girls Night In” Evite invitation for their function. People can also download a coupon for Orville Redenbacher’s products. The Lime & Salt flavor is available at Wal-Mart stores.

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THE HERSHEY CO.: is featuring pink packaging on some of its core brands to help raise awareness during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Products include Hershey’s Kisses, Brand Milk Chocolates, Hershey’s Nuggets Chocolates, Hershey’s Syrup, York Peppermint Patties and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Miniatures. The company also sponsored a four-day charity bike ride this week, Hershey’s Tour de Pink, to support the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), a non-profit network of breast cancer survivors and supporters. The company is making a $300,000 lump sum donation to YSC to raise breast cancer awareness and funding for programming and research.

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BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE: has formed a partnership with funkin, Ltd. to bring a fresh line of cocktail mixes to the U.S. Funkin offers ready-to-pour, all-natural purées, syrups and cocktail mixes that help bartenders quickly create cocktails Funkin is the United Kingdom’s leading supplier of all-natural fruit purée cocktail mixers available in 24 flavors.

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JCPENNEY CO. INC.: is launching a new women’s fashion sportswear line designed by Charlotte Ronson, called I “Heart.” The collection, created for JCPenney’s lifestyle customer, will debut in JCPenney stores, online and via catalog in the spring. The apparel line, which targets 21- to 35-year old woman, will feature of T-shirts, knit tops, blouses, sweaters, jeans, skirts, dresses and jackets. Prices will range from $15.00 to $65.00. The new brand will be supported by print, direct mail, preprint, specialty catalog and Internet marketing, the company said.

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BANANA REPUBLIC: is teaming up with Goodwill Industries for a cause-related promotion. Customers who donate gently worn sweaters or coats at any store in the U.S. or Canada from Oct. 16 and Oct. 26 will receive a 30% discount off regular merchandise in the store. All donated items will be sold in Goodwill stores. This is the second year of the program. Last year, people donated more than 110,000 sweaters for the cause.

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TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX: has appointed Gary Rosenfeld to senior vice president of New Media Licensing. In this new position, Rosenfeld will oversee Fox’s portfolio of video game projects based on its property library and manage Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising’s games development staff. He will be in charge of exploring opportunities in the PC and online game space and investigating new business models and partnerships in the console publishing area. Prior to joining Fox, Rosenfeld was senior vice president of business development at THQ Inc., where he managed the worldwide activity for product acquisitions and licensing.

PEPSI-COLA NORTH AMERICA BEVERGES: has launched two interactive Web sites that emphasize its efforts in environmental sustainability and encourage consumers to become more environmentally responsible: PepsiEcoChallenge.com and PepsiRecycling.com.

CABLEVISION SYSTEMS CORP.: and The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research are running a campaign dubbed curePC to combat pancreatic cancer. Public service announcements will run on the Rainbow national cable networks, AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel and WE tv. Print ads will run in publications that are part of Cablevision’s Newsday Media Group, including Newsday and amNew York. The campaign will also include online advertising and outdoor ads to build awareness about the effort to fight the disease at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and the Beacon Theatre in New York City.

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LORD & TAYLOR: has named Brendan L. Hoffman as the company’s new president and CEO effective Oct. 6. He will replace Jane Elfers, whose contract expired after nine years in that role. Hoffman joins the firm from Neiman Marcus where he was president and CEO. He will report to Jeffrey Sherman, president and CEO of Hudson’s Bay Co., a subsidiary.

SCHNUCKS MARKETS, INC.: has launched ShoptoCook Recipe Solutions Centers in 27 stores following a pilot in one of its flagship supermarkets last year. Each store features three kiosks in the meat perishable, and wine departments, which offer printed recipes, accompaniment ideas, information and recipes on a variety of health and wellness conditions and information on the preparation and storage of fruits and vegetables. The kiosks offer a product locator and let shoppers view and print the aisle locations of any item in the store. The mid-Western grocery chain plans to roll out kiosks to other locations in October.

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FORD: provided a $3 million grant for the Ford Motor Co. Fund Education Center in Gettysburg, PA, which opened Friday as part of the grand opening of the new Museum and Visitor Center at Gettysburg National Military Park. The education center comprises indoor and outdoor education spaces intended to complement the military park’s education programs. The Gettysburg battlefield is among the best preserved sites among the nation’s historic Civil War battlefields.

STAGES STORES: said Chairman and CEO Jim Scarborough will retire after more than eight years with the company, effective Nov. 3. Scarborough, 58, will continue as chairman of the board. Andrew Hall, president and COO, will assume the post of president and CEO on that date. Hall, 47, who joined the company in February 2006, will be responsible for developing and executing the firm’s long term growth plans, and will oversee all daily operational aspects of the business. He will also sit on the board of directors.

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RITE AID CORP.: has named John T. Standley as president and chief operating officer, a post he previously held with the company. The position takes effect immediately. Standley previously worked at Pathmark Stores, Inc. as CEO and board director from 2005 to 2007. He reports to Mary Sammons, Rite Aid’s chairman and CEO.

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GENERAL MILLS: is expanding its outreach to Hispanics with a yearlong partnership with Spanish-language TV network the Univision Network. Karla Martinez, co-host of Univision’s “Wake-Up America” morning show will star in 30-second vignettes that will air nationwide over the next year. Each will offer cooking- and nutrition-related tips for 14 General Mills brands. The company already publishes a quarterly Spanish-language women’s magazine, Que Rica Vida (“What a Good Life”) and houses content on its Web site, which are part of an ongoing Hispanic marketing effort of the same name. The magazine is sent via direct mail and is available in stores and at community-based venues. Next year, a condensed version will also be distributed to more than 600,000 households as an FSI in various newspapers nationwide.

AMERICAN AIRLINES: has teamed up with MasterCard to launch a sweepstakes offering the chance to win a trip to Milan, Italy. People can enter the “Flight to Fashion Sweepstakes” who book travel using a MasterCard card and use the promotion code AACOMWOMEN. Visitors can also enter at www.aa.com/flighttofashion. The grand-prize winner will win a trip for two to Milan during Fashion Week in February, a three-night hotel stay, front-row seats at a fashion show and a $10,000 pre-paid MasterCard. Online marketing supports the promotion.

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FUNTANK LLC: an online entertainment publisher has acquired online gaming destination http://www.Candystand.com from the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. for an undisclosed sum. The branded gaming portal has grown over the past 11 years to become one of the most successful, garnering nearly 10-million user visits per month. Funtank’s sister company, WDDG, Inc., has managed and maintained the site since 2005, and will open it to select brands and advertisers this year.

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EASTMAN KODAK: is partnering with Paige Davis and TLC’s “Trading Spaces” show to demonstrate Kodak Easyshare cameras in 30-second TV spots. Davis will also be featured in how-to videos on Kodak.com and TLC.com as part of a deal that runs through March 2009. Kodak and TLC are also co-sponsoring a consumer contest to win a room makeover later in November.

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MACY’S: is hosting its third annual “Shop For A Cause” charity shopping event on Sept. 20. The event has which raised nearly $19 million over the past two years for charities across the U.S. Macy’s offers shopping passes to regional and local charities in its markets nationwide, which are then sold by the charitable organizations for $5 each. Organizations keep 100% of the shopping pass proceeds. Pass holders can redeem their passes at any Macy’s store or online at http://www.macys.com on Sept. 20 to receive 20% off most men’s, women’s, kids, and accessories merchandise and 10% off most home items. Passes are also sold at online and at Macy’s stores leading up to the event.

HY-VEE: stores are donating 200,000 trees ready for planting to schools and organizations in partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation. Community groups and more than 500 schools throughout the chain’s seven-state region will participate in the project. The Arbor Day Foundation Tree Giveaway program aligns with Hy-Vee’s sustainability mission to promote the well being of customers, employees, communities and the environment.

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IPROSPECT ACQUIRES RANGE ONLINE MEDIA: in a deal that will add clients in luxury retail, travel and hospitality to iProspect’s current roster of search marketing customers and add 60 employees to its U.S. operations. Range co-founder Misty Locke will continue in her current post as president but will add a new post as chief strategy officer for iProspect, a subsidiary of Aegis North America and part of its Isobar digital marketing network. Range recently won the Search Engine Strategies Award for most innovation search engine optimization campaign for its work with the online NikeStore.

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MARS SNACKFOODS U.S.: has extended its M&M’s line to include a new product: M&M’s Premiums. The candy is available in five varieties, including Mint Chocolate, Raspberry Almond, Triple Chocolate, Chocolate Almond and Mocha. The product debuted this week with a fashion event during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, with actress Eva Longoria and the brand’s Ms. Green character. The six-ounce packages sell for $3.99 each in food, mass, convenience and drugstores. TV spots support the launch.

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PEPSIAMERICAS, INC.: is teaming up with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer with a mail-in coupon on specially-marked packages. The Pepsi bottler will donate 25 cents for every coupon received to the cause, with a minimum donation of $100,000. Special packaging will be available through Oct. 31 on all 12-ounce, six-packs and half-liter bottles of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Diet Mountain Dew and Sierra Mist.

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BRAND SENSE PARTNERS: has signed an agreement with actress and comedian Jenny McCarthy to create a lifestyle brand and consumer product line for kids. Under the deal, McCarthy wants to extend her Too Good brand into children’s bedding, apparel, food and beverage, feeding, products, toy and activity sets, cleaning products and bathroom textile products. Under the deal, Brand Sense Partners will identify and develop partnership opportunities that align with McCarthy’s mission to build a better environment for children.

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ASSOCIATION OF NATIONAL ADVERTISERS: is protesting the Google/Yahoo Deal, saying in a letter to the Justice Department that the pact, which will let Yahoo run Google pay-per-click ads where profitable, is anti-competitive. The letter says since the pair handle 90% of all search ad traffic, the deal will limit advertisers’ choices and “potentially raise prices for high quality, affordable search advertising.” The ANA represents large consumer marketers such as Procter & Gamble, General Motors and Apple. Federal and state regulators are examining the search ad deal, on hold since its announcement last June.

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SEARS HOLDINGS CORP: is launching a sportswear collection inspired by the First Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. The collection will debut in 550 Sears stores and on Sears.com in October. The effort marks the first time the U.S. Army has licensed the use of its marks and insignias. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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NICKELODEON & VIACOM CONSUMER PRODUCTS: and Lucky Brand today have partnered to rollout a line of election-themed kids’ T-shirts inspired by Nickelodeon’s Kids Pick the President campaign. The shirts will have a limited-run nationwide in 115 Lucky Brand Kids, Lucky Brand Adult, and Nordstrom Department stores in U.S. cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Miami and Washington D.C. The shirts, which will be available in both boys’ and girls’ sizes, will retail for $34 hit shelves in mid-September. Each will feature a Kids Pick the President hang tag describing the campaign and how kids can get involved. Nickelodeon’s award-winning Kids Pick the President campaign is designed to involve kids in the election process and give them a voice in the U.S. presidential election.

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ELISABETH HASSELBECK: will join Ronald McDonald today to read her favorite storybook to a group of children at the McDonald’s restaurant located at 427 10th Ave. at 34th Street in New York City at 1:30 p.m. The event helps celebrate the 10th anniversary of McDonald’s “Check it Out” Reading Program.

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DENNY’S: has launched its Rockstar menu presented by Dr Pepper, a new offering created by top musicians, including the All-American Rejects, Taking Back Sunday, Plain White T’s and the Eagles of Death Metal. The Rockstar menu complements the restaurant’s Allnighter menu, which rolled out this year. It’s part of the casual dining chain’s goal to appeal to its late-night crowd from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The initiative also includes alternative rock music playing and servers wearing T-shirts and jeans instead of uniforms.

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DR PEPPER SNAPPLE GROUP: has reached an agreement to acquire a minority interest in Big Red, Inc. A privately-held company based in Waco, TX, Big Red markets its namesake red carbonated soft drink, as well as Big Peach, Big Pineapple, Big Punch and other flavored soft drink brands. DPS is the largest distributor of Big Red products in the country, accounting for approximately 80 percent of the brand’s overall case volume. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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KOHL’S CORP.: has named Kevin Mansell president and CEO, effective immediately. Mansell, 56, is responsible for the development and execution of strategic initiatives, day-to-day operations, and Kohl’s long term growth plan. His currently manages product development, logistics/store planning, merchandise planning, information systems, ecommerce, marketing and business development, and will take management of finance and store operations. He succeeds Larry Montgomery, 59, who will remain chairman of the board and will hold full time management responsibilities for the organization’s strategic growth and talent management initiatives.

CHEVRON: is dropping its NASCAR sponsorship after the 2008 season. It will end a 20-year relationship with NASCAR in favor of a more local and regional marketing strategy. Chevron has been a primary sponsor of the Chip Ganassi racing team and its star driver Juan Pablo Montoya.

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DAIRY QUEEN: is adding a new item to its menu: Iron Grilled Sandwiches. The sandwiches include turkey with Swiss cheese; the Classic Club with turkey, ham and cheddar cheese and the Supreme BLT. All are served on grilled Panini-style bread with lettuce, crisp bacon, tomatoes and garlic mayonnaise. The launch will be supported by TV spots and radio, print and billboard ads in some local markets.

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GLOBUS: family of brands, which offers first-class, escorted travel, has renewed its contract with interactive marketing agency 90octane, LLC. The agency has provided search engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising services to Globus since 2003.

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ANN TAYLOR STORES CORP.: has named Christine M. Beauchamp as president, effective immediately. Beauchamp, who has been working as a strategic consultant to the company, succeeds Adrienne Lazarus, who is leaving the firm. She will report to Kay Krill, president and CEO. Beauchamp was previously with Limited Brands, most recently as president and CEO of Victoria’s Secret Beauty.

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COLD STONE CREAMERY: is seeking votes in its iMix America Creation contest to find the best signature ice cream creation. The contest, which launch in April, recruited high school students via social networking sites and P-O-P as contestants to develop and market a custom Cold Stone Creamery ice cream creation. Any customer that orders an iMix America Creation will receive a voting code, which they can use to vote online at www.iMixAmerica.com. The first phase of voting runs through Sept. 30. The entrant with the most votes will receive a prize package worth $30,000, which includes automotive, travel, electronics and cellular products and services.

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JACK IN THE BOX: restaurants have added a new item to its menu: Breakfast Bowls. Each offers a complete breakfast served in two styles, the Denver Breakfast Bowl, a mix of scrambled eggs, hash brown sticks, ham, red and green bell peppers, white cheddar cheese sauce and shredded cheddar cheese, or the Hearty Breakfast Bowl, which includes scrambled eggs, hash brown sticks, bacon, sausage, white cheddar cheese sauce and shredded cheddar cheese. The Breakfast Bowls are available for $2.99 at participating locations.

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REEBOK: has teamed up with Hasbro to launch a Monopoly-inspired footwear collection. The rollout, which occurs this month, coincides with the release of Hasbro’s Monopoly Here & Now: The World Edition board game. The collection by Reebok will feature a variety of different styles for toddlers, kids and adults available at select mall based retailers globally. Reverse Jams will be available for $40 for toddlers and $85 for men’s sizes. Women’s Courtee designs will be available in both a mid and low cut for $75 to $80. In November, the Reverse Jam design of the Community Chest, hotels, houses and Chance from the board game will be available for men, toddlers and women.

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BURGER KING CORP: has partnered with Visa to launch a sweepstakes offering the chance to win a $1,000 Visa gift card. Through Oct. 5, customers who use their Visa card for purchases at nearly 7,200 Burger King restaurants in the U.S. will be entered to win. Fifty winners will named a part of the promotion. Visa will also donate $50,000 to Have It Your Way Foundation’s Burger King Scholars Program. In-store P-O-P will support the sweeps. Details are available at http://www.BK.com/visa.

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CARIBOU COFFEE: has named Michael Tattersfield as president and CEO. He succeeds Rosalyn “Roz” Mallet who was appointed interim CEO in November. In his new role, Tattersfield will help guide the company through its growth and expansion plans. Prior to joining the coffee chain, he was chief operating officer and executive vice president of lululemon athletica, a yoga-inspired athletic apparel company. He worked for 13 years at Yum Brands for a number of its brands including, top-level positions such as CEO and managing director of Puerto Rico for Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut, as CFO of Yum Brands’ Mexico business and as president of A&W All American Food Restaurants. His retail positions have included vice president store operations at Limited Brands.

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SARA LEE: has rolled out a new product to its line-up, Sara Lee Fresh Ideas Sandwich Dressings. The sandwich dressings are available in six flavors: Sweet Honey Mustard, Creamy Ranch, Savory Horseradish with Garlic, Smokey Bacon, Zesty Pepper Trio Mustard and Sub Sandwich Oil. The eight, single-serve individual packets sell for a suggested price of $1.99.

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20TH CENTURY FOX LICENSING AND MERCHANDISING GROUP: and Hallmark Cards, Inc. today announced a partnership that will give Hallmark access to sound clips and iconography from some of the company’s popular and TV, film, animation, and sports properties. Through the agreement Fox properties will be available for adaptation across a variety of social expression products such as cards with motion and stereo sound, will. The items will be available in Hallmark Gold Crown stores and other retailers this month. Hallmark will support the launch with front of store displays, signage and a robust print advertising campaign.

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PREMIERE RETAIL NETWORKS INC.: a provider of digital media solutions at retail has teamed up with GSN (Game Show Network) to bring branded content to shoppers on PRN’s Checkout TV network in supermarkets nationwide. Shoppers who tune in to “Catch 21 in Line,” can play a game by answering trivia questions worth a total of 21 points. The campaign runs through Aug. 3 in 1,004 supermarkets.

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OFFICE DEPOT: and The Office Depot Foundation said Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Office Depot Ford in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will donate 2,250 backpacks to non-profit organizations and schools in the Indianapolis, IN, area. The donations are part of the National Backpack Program. The foundation, a charitable arm of Office Depot, will donate a total of 300,000 backpacks to non-profit groups and schools across the U.S. and Canada. Each bag contains a pencil pouch containing essential back-to-school items.

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VESTCOM INTERNATIONAL: a provider of data-driven shelf-edge marketing solutions to retailers and brand manufacturers in the grocery, drug, and mass merchandising industries, has hired Jeff Weidauer as vice president of marketing. Most recently, he worked as vice president of marketing for CBS Outernet, where he built a marketing team to develop a new market position and a supporting ad campaign that included print, on-line and in-store media, as well as trade shows.

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AMERICAN GREETINGS CORP.: and MGM Consumer Products have signed a licensing deal to give the greeting card manufacturer access to the studio’s film catalogue for use in new social expression products. Characters and scenes from MGM films such as “The Pink Panther,” “Legally Blonde,” and “Dances with Wolves” will be integrated into the company’s products beginning in September. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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BORDERS: and Waldenbooks stores nationwide will host an in-store book release party Aug. 1 to celebrate the release of “Breaking Dawn,” the fourth and final book in Stephenie Meyer’s vampire-inspired “Twilight” series. The event will begin at 10 p.m. and include costume contests, trivia contests and debates on themes from the book series. A list of participating stores is available at http://www.Borders.com.

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THE TOOTIE PIE CO. a baker and seller of handmade pies, is teaming up with Blue Bell Ice Cream in a summer campaign in HEB Central Market stores. The promotion gives shoppers a free half-gallon of Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla ice cream with the purchase of Tootie Apple Pie through July 8. The offer will also be featured at two Round Rock Express baseball games, including the July 4th celebration game.

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THE COFFEE BEAN & LEAF: will offer free Yogurt Ice Blended beverages to celebrate the launch of the drink between 4 and 5 p.m. June 24 at company-owned locations in Southern California, San Francisco, CA, Arizona and franchised locations in Las Vegas, NV. The giveaway is part of the “Yogurt Ice Blended Power Hour.” The drink is available in Strawberry or Mango flavors.

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THE VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND MARKETING: is launching a gas card giveaway to encourage visitors and residents to explore the state. People can register for the “Vermont Fuels Your Vacation” at www.VermontVacation.com/fuel through late September for a chance to win a $100 gas card voucher redeemable at participating Vermont gas stations. Online marketing supports the third annual promotion.

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DAVID BECKHAM: will unveil today the new Emporio Armani Underwear advertising campaign for Autumn/Winter 2008-09 with a giant mural at Macy’s in San Francisco. The soccer phenom will be on hand to greet customers and debut the new image that overlooks an outdoor amphitheatre with seating for 6,000 spectators. The campaign will appear in sport, fashion and lifestyle magazines and on signature billboards in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, London, Milan, Rome, Paris and Tokyo. The print magazine debut will be in the August edition of Vanity Fair USA.

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KOHL’S: has signed a licensing agreement with American Brand Holdings LLC to be the exclusive U.S. retailer for Hang Ten apparel and accessories. Hang Ten, a California lifestyle collection, would include apparel and accessories, and launch in the spring in close to 240 Kohl’s stores and online at www.Kohls.com before a nationwide expansion. The collection will feature Hang Ten’s footprint logo and merchandise in juniors, young men’s, boys and girls sizes. The company also signed an agreement with Quiksilver Inc. to design the Hang Ten collection and its packaging.

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MCDONALD’S: in offering customers in southern Los Angeles a $10 discount and a complimentary second visit to SeaWorld through June 23. A $2 donation will be made to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego for each coupon redeemed from a San Diego restaurant. Families from the Ronald McDonald House—along with Ronald McDonald and representatives from McDonald’s, SeaWorld and Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego—will kick off the partnership May 29. The day’s activities include feeding the dolphins at Rocky Point Preserve, a Shamu show and a milk and cookie reception at SeaWorld’s newest attraction, Sesame Street Bay of Play. The SeaWorld discount coupon is available in all McDonald’s restaurants located in San Diego County, Los Angeles, Bakersfield and the Central Coast.

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HASBRO INC.: has named Brian Goldner as CEO. Golder, 45, replaces Alfred J. Verrecchia, 65, who transitioned to chairman of the board. In his first act in the post, Goldner named David Hargreaves, 55, a 26-year Hasbro veteran, as Hasbro’s chief operating officer. In his new role, Hargreaves will be responsible for the in-market execution of the company’s sales and marketing strategies around the world, as well as global manufacturing and sourcing operations. He will remain Hasbro’s chief financial officer.

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WENDY’S: has added a new line of Frosty Shakes to its menu, the first time in 39 years. The three flavors include Vanilla Bean, Chocolate Fudge and Strawberry. Each is topped with whipped cream and a cherry. The company debuted its original Chocolate Frosty in 1969. The firm also plans to roll out a Nestlé Toll House Cookie Dough Twisted Frosty this month. National advertising will support the launch.

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MARS SNACKFOODS U.S.: is giving people another way to personalize the chocolate candy. The company new offering, My M&Ms Faces, lets consumers print their faces on M&M candy. Orders can be placed at www.mymms.com. The company unveiled the product at the National Confectioners Association All Candy Expo yesterday.

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STEVE & BARRY’S: is teaming up with FremantleMedia Enterprises, the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, to bring popular game show brands to the national apparel retail chain for the first direct-to-retail program. The apparel line will incorporate signature phrases and iconography from classic shows, such as “The Price is Right,” “Press Your Luck,” “Password,” “Match Game” and “Card Sharks. The collection is to launch nationwide in the fall with short-sleeved T-shirts for men, women and juniors. Potential expansion categories include sweatpants/athletic pants, jerseys, jackets, windshirts, shorts, hats, underwear, performance body wear, pajamas, onesies and accessories.

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NIKE: is teaming up with The Finish Line to open a concept store in Phoenix focusing on running and training athletes. The store, known as The Finish Line Ltd., features an assortment of Nike footwear reflecting the colors of local high schools in the Greater Phoenix area.

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IV GEAR INC., has signed a licensing agreement with Gecko Trading Co. Inc. to launch the first Gecko Girl collection of sportswear. The collection, which is slated to launch next spring, will include girl and junior graphic T-shirts, fashion knit tops, surf shorts, headwear and beach bags with an emphasis on surf and beach-themed graphics.

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BURGER KING CORP.: is incorporating green messaging in its Kids Meals packaging in the U.S. Starting in July, Kids Meals will be packaged in bags made from 100% recycled materials. Beverage cups ordered with each meal will be made from 10% percent recycled materials. The new packaging will also feature information on recycling and other steps kids can take to make a positive impact on the environment.

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BURGER KING: has temporarily added a new item to its breakfast menu: the Cheesy Bacon BK Wrapper. The item comes with eggs, bacon, has browns, American cheese and a Smokey cheese sauce served in a flour tortilla for $1.39 for a limited time.

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MARS DIRECT INC.: a division of Mars Snackfood U.S. has signed a licensing partnership with Major League Baseball Properties to create new My Team M&M’s brand Chocolate candies. The candy features team logos of any of the 30 MLB clubs on M&Ms. It can be purchased online at www.mymms.com/mlb.

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EVERLAST WORLDWIDE: the boxing and apparel brand, is launching a new advertising campaign and tagline targeting the active gym consumer, as well as communicating its brand attributes of strength, dedication, authenticity and individuality. The initiative carries the tagline, “Greatness is Within.” It will include print and online advertising, a new Web site launch, athlete endorsements, gym partnerships and PR. Kanter International of Philadelphia, PA, is responsible for the ad campaign and media plan, which rolls out this month.

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KOHL’S CORP.: has signed on singer Avril Lavigne to launch a new juniors’ lifestyle brand called Abbey Dawn. The new line blends authentic rock with a feminine edge. It will rollout in Kohl’s stores nationwide and online at www.Kohls.com in July. Kohl’s will be the exclusive U.S. retailer for the brand, which will feature new fashion collections every 60 days. Apparel prices will range from $24 to $48.

FACEBOOK: has named Sheryl Sandberg, former vice president of global operations and sales for Google, will step into the chief operating role at Facebook. In her new role, Sandberg will help the fast-growing social network implement advertising and expand to overseas markets. She will also head up its marketing and human resource departments and oversee privacy protection initiatives. Over the past year, Facebook has encountered resistance to programs that posted members’ activities and integrated their off-site behavior into Facebook ads.

STUDIOCOM: has launched an in-house mobile marketing department, naming Matthew Roth as mobile practice lead to head up the new division. In his new role, Roth will be in charge of utilizing and demonstrating measurable results for innovative mobile marketing technologies, including mobile messaging, for a range of clients. Prior to joining Studiocom, Roth co-founded Blumo, a mobile marketing firm, whose clients included State Farm, Chevron, Luxor Hotel and collegiate and professional sports teams.

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PAPA JOHN’S: is celebrating Leap Year birthdays with a special promotion. The company is offering a free, one-topping Papa’s Perfect Pan pizza to people with birthdays on Feb. 29 who order their pie online at www.papajohns.com. Pizzas must be picked up at Papa John’s locations to verify date of birth. An estimated 20,000 people are born on Leap Year in the U.S. Online marketing supports the promotion.

THE VIETNAM POST CORP.: and the La Poste Group of France will jointly launch a direct mail service in the country in April. The service will be run by Smart Media, a unit of the Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Group.

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SHERATON HOTELS AND RESORTS: is offering guests a sneak preview of the Showtime series “The Tudors” in more than 50,000 hotel rooms nationwide beginning March 16. Under the partnership, guests will receive advance access to the second season premiere episode before its March 30 debut on Showtime. Guests will also receive a $25 rebate toward a new Showtime subscription. The hotel chain will also host a red carpet world premiere screening event for “The Tudors” on March 19 at the Sheraton New York Hotel and Towers. The promotion is part of Sheraton’s in-room entertainment initiative, “Scene@Sheraton.”

PLAYBOY: is launching a new energy drink, which will carry the Playboy rabbit silhouette when it rolls out to Miami, Las Vegas and Los Angeles next month. Packaged in an 8.4-ounce can, the Playboy Energy Drink— incorporating ginseng root, guarana extract and damiana leaf—will retail for $1.99 and come in regular and sugar-free varieties. The drink was introduced on college campuses in the Southeast with a promotional bus tour this year.

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NIKE: is launching its first performance basketball shoes made from manufacturing waste. National Basketball Associate Star Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns wore the shoe last week in a game against the Dallas Mavericks. The shoe is made from leather and synthetic waste from the factory floor, scrap ground foam and environmentally preferred rubber that reduces toxics. The company is releasing a limited number of the Nike Trash Talk shoes in April. The footwear will retail for $100 a pair.

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GUINNESS: campaigns for National St. Pat’s Holiday with a Web site where U.S. supporters can sign on to www.Proposition317.com, as well as in-store, in-bar and via mobile petitions. The Diageo-owned stout wants to gather a million signatures asking Congress to make March 17—a Monday this year—an official holiday. Guinness points to research that says 36% of over-21 adults have marched in a St. Pat’s parade, 45% have toasted with a beer, and 59% have eaten corned beef and cabbage.

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THE ROCKPORT CO.: is rolling out a new campaign to promote the authentic and wearable nature of its Rockport shoes. The campaign, called “Live in Rockport,” includes print ads, radio spots, online advertising and in-store displays. Holiday Hill handles the effort. It is launching in more than 60 countries this month.

DICK’S SPORTING GOODS: struck a multi-year sponsorship deal with Major League Lacrosse. The sporting goods chain will be an advertiser on national MLL broadcasts on ESPN2. The company also retains rights to use the MLL and team logos, and will be the uniform sponsor of the Denver Outlaws.

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MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT INC.: has partnered with Pottery Barn Kids, to launch a collection of Spider-Man merchandise. The products feature vintage character art and graphics, including bedding, lighting, play furniture, room décor and accessories. The partnership lets Marvel extend the reach of its superhero franchise to new audiences, the firm said.

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PROJECT SUPPORT TEAM, INC. & TEAM DIGITAL, LLC: have moved their offices to 6 Berkshire Blvd., Bethel, CT. The 17,000 square-foot space was designed to house the two sister agencies. Project Support Team provides games, sweepstakes and contest management. TeamDigital offers creative and technical development services for interactive and new media promotions.

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COLD STONE CREAMERY: is driving purchases of its Triple Chocolate Romance cake with a free giveaway. People who buy the cake will receive a free bag of Ghiradelli Squares assorted chocolate while supplies last.

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THE COCA-COLA CO.: has purchased a 40% stake in Honest Tea Inc. the maker of certified organic beverages, including Honest Tea. Coca-Cola may elect to buy the remaining interest in the future. Financial terms were not disclosed.

THE REPUBLIK: ad agency, has opened a product development division, Sanction to create and sell new products in new categories that embody the brand attributes of existing clients in their own categories.

BRAND KEYS: a customer loyalty and engagement measurement company has named Amy Shea as executive vice president, global director of its brand development practice. The post took effect on Feb. 1. Prior to joining Brand Keys, Shea, 50, was vice president and research director for Ameritest, where she worked on global brand research for top advertisers.

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GATORADE: for the first time, has introduced a limited edition Gatorade bottle available exclusively at http://www.gatorade.com. This special collector’s item highlights the New York Giants as National Football League champions. The bottles cost $2.25 a piece or $24.99 for a case of 24 (there are 2,520 bottles in stock). Gatorade is a division of PepsiCo.

HASBRO’S: Littlest Pet Shop brand is sponsoring an upcoming tour of the sibling pop duo Aly & AJ. To kick off the sponsorship, Hasbro has launched a sweepstakes offering the chance to win VIP tickets to one of the concerts. Codes have been placed in more than 4 million packages of the “new look” mini-dolls. Visitors to http://www.LittlestPetShop.com enter codes through April 30 for a chance to win. Other prizes include Littlest Pet Shop products. On-pack materials and online marketing supports the promotion.

KELLOGG: is extending its Frosted Flakes cereal with a whole grain option. The new product, called Frosted Flakes Gold, is made with 10 grams of whole grain and honey. The cereal is the company’s latest rollout of better-for-you food options.

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YANKEE CANDLE: is running a cause-marketing program tied to the American Heart Association’s national Go Red for Women movement. The company will donate $1 for every limited edition Yankee “Go Red” Candle purchased, as well as from purchases of other red candles including, Black Raspberry, Sweet Strawberry, Mandarin Cranberry, Cranberry Chutney, Juicy Watermelon, Berry Jam, and Black Cherry. In addition, Yankee Candle will donate 10% of the proceeds from its new, limited edition “Go Red” Car Air Freshener products. Items are available at Yankee Candle locations nationwide and at http://www.yankeecandle.com.

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DRAFTFCB CHICAGO: has named Ross McLean to lead the Kraft Foods planning team as senior vice president, group strategic planning director. Most recently, he worked as group strategic planning director on the KFC team. He will report to Draftfcb Chicago Director of Planning Jamie Shuttleworth.

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DELIA’S: has named Michele Donnan Martin as president. In her new role, Martin will lead product design and merchandising for the Delia’s retail and direct-to-consumer divisions. She will report to CEO Robert Bernard. Prior to that, Martin oversaw product design and development for Martin & Osa, a brand that is part of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. She also held merchandising posts at J Crew and Macy’s.

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CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL: has hired DeVito/Verdi of New York as its advertising agency of record. The work will include outdoor, print, radio, digital and non-traditional executions, as well as national media planning and buying.

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CVS/PHARMACY: is launching a new monthly publication, called Great Health Magazine to target women. It will include news and health expert advise. Great Health, which will be sent to 500,000 high-end customers in May, will have its own Web site with links to CVS online. It will also include an e-mail newsletter and storewide promotions and events.

DELL: and Windows are the newest partners supporting (Product Red), the non-profit initiative aimed at eliminating AIDS in Africa. The two will make a contribution of $50 to $80 to the Global Fund cause with every purchase of a Dell (Product) Red PC. Dell

will also donate $5 for every cause-related printer sold. Details are available at
http://www.Dell.com/JoinRed.

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NIKE: has teamed up with National Basketball League star LeBron James to launch a new sneaker that pays homage to the player’s favorite team: The New York Yankees. The Air Zoom LeBron V shoe, the newest in the athlete’s Nike line, features the Yankee pinstripes and the No. 23 after James. The shoe is slated for released in March in New York.

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WOMEN’S PROFESSIONAL SOCCER: has created a Web site at http://www.womensprosoccer.com and unveiled its logo. The WPS is expecting to kick-off its first season of play in the spring of 2009 with teams in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis and Washington, D.C.

RYKA: is teaming up with talk show host Kelly Ripa to co-design a footwear and apparel collection to include active and lifestyle products. Under the three-year partnership, Ripa will act as Ryka’s official spokesperson effective immediately, the company said. The campaign includes print ad campaigns, online programs and in-store P-O-P packages starting this spring. The collection is slated to rollout in retail locations nationwide and internationally in August.

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AEROPOSTALE: has rolled out a cause marketing campaign with its teen non-profit organization, Do Something, to raise awareness around the homeless teens in the U.S. and Canada. Under the Teens for Jeans program, the company is asking shoppers to collect more than 100,000 pairs of donated jeans from Jan. 22 to Feb. 10. In return, Aeropostale will give donors 20% off discounts toward a new pair of jeans. The firm also plans to donate 10,000 pairs of new jeans to the cause

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DUNKIN BRANDS, INC.: has realigned its organizational structure combining the U.S. and international teams for its Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins brands. Previously, each division operated under separate leadership. Heading up the effort is Will Kussell, 49, who was named president and chief brand officer for Dunkin’ Donuts Worldwide. In his new role, Kussell, formerly Dunkin’ Brands chief operating officer, will oversee domestic and international components of the Dunkin’ Donuts brand. In addition, Srinivas Kumar, 45, now takes over as chief brand officer for Baskin-Robbins Worldwide. He previously worked as vice Ppesident of international (Americas, Canada, Middle East & Europe) for Dunkin’ Brands. Kumar will be responsible for the Baskin-Robbins brand globally.

ABERCROMBIE AND FITCH: is launching a chain of lingerie stores called Gilly Hicks. The first outlet is slated to open in Natick, MA this year. Other locations include Lake Grove, NY, Auora, IL, Bloomington, MN and Farmington, CT. An age-restricted promotional video on the brand’s Web site features images of topless women modeling underwear. Visitors must be at least 18 to view the content.

BECKER GROUP: an experiential marketing company, was acquired by Phoenix, Arizona-based Viad Corp. Viad provides experiential marketing services to exhibition and event organizers and exhibitors worldwide, as well as travel and recreation services in the U.S. and Canada.

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THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: has unveiled NBA China, a venture with five strategic partners created as an entity to conduct all league business in that big far east market. ESPN, Bank of China Group Investment, Legend Holdings Limited, Li Ka Shing Foundation and China Merchants Investments will collectively invest $253 million for an 11% stake in the new NBA company.

DUNKIN’ DONUTS: has teamed up with Mars to launch two new chocolate menu items featuring Milky Way and M&Ms brands. The company has expanded its beverage line with Milky Way Hot Chocolate, a blend of chocolate, caramel and vanilla nougat flavors topped with whipped cream. The new drink is a permanent menu addition. In addition, the chain is offering the M&Ms Donut, a treat covered in chocolate or vanilla icing sprinkled with mini M&M’s candies and its own Triple Chocolate Muffin. Both products will be available through March. TV and in-store signage support the launch.

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SKECHERS: has signed a licensing agreement with bebe stores, Inc. to design, develop and market Bebe Sport women’s footwear. The line is set to launch in the U.S. this spring with a campaign featuring actress Eva Longoria. The collection is designed to appeal to the hip, sophisticated, body-conscious woman who wants to look sporty and sensual at the same time. It will be available at department stores, multi-branded footwear specialty chains and upscale footwear specialty boutiques

DIAGEO: has introduced three products to its progressive adult beverages category: Smirnoff Ice Light, Smirnoff Ice Strawberry Acai and Captain Morgan Parrot Bay Mojito.

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DOLLAR RENT A CAR: is running a sweepstakes through Jan. 31 at http://www.dollar.com that awards daily prizes of a free week of car rental in the U.S.—up to 31 chances in all. In addition, one winner will also receive a grand prize of 250,000 Delta SkyMiles, a $1,000 Best Western gift certificate and a free week of car rental from any Dollar Rent A Car location in the U.S. The sweeps is an effort to bring attention to the newly redesigned site’s features and tools.

DRAFTFCB: has promoted Wendy Lurrie to chief strategy and marketing officer from general manager of Draftfcb New York. In this newly created role, she will oversee the worldwide agency network’s global capabilities leadership team. She will also be responsible for new business development worldwide

BLOGHER’s: new vice president Gina Garrubbo is now executive vice president at the BlogHer network of 1,200 independent, woman-oriented blog sites. Garrubbo has managed ad sales divisions for Discovery Communications and Oxygen Media and helped launch the Learning Channel cable brand. She was most recently a founder and CEO of the Terralina luxury skincare line.

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PUMPTOP TV: an out-of-home digital media network is partnering with ABC to produce and deliver custom news content throughout each day to U.S. gas station consumers. The network will produce a daily lineup of news features through its “ABC News Now” property, a 24-hr digital cable network. PumpTop TV’s network has more than 2,500 screens at gas stations in Los Angeles and San Diego. Installations have begun in the San Francisco and Sacramento markets, with Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston slated this year.

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TOSTITOS: will honor the University of San Francisco Dons 1951 football team in a halftime tribute at this year’s Tostitos Fiesta Bowl on Jan 2. The San Francisco squad finished the ’51 season with a 9-0 record. It received a bowl bid, but declined because of a stipulation that they would have to play without two African-American members of their team, Ollie Matson and Burl Toler. Matson eventually became a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. After dcclining the bid, the school dropped its football program due to financial losses. A video tribute to the team will be aired during the Fiesta Bowl halftime show.

Editor’s note:
Promo Xtra will resume publication January 2.
From Larry, Patty, Amy, Rich & Brian (the Promo editorial staff),
Happy New Year!

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SAMSUNG: announced the winners of two Mini Cooper S cars, from Katy, TX and Red Lion, PA in a sweepstakes that was part of a an ad campaign for Samsung color laser printers. Samsung had accepted sweepstakes submissions for its “Win a Mini” sweeps for six weeks starting on Aug. 15 both online and by mail.

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CHRYSLER FOUNDATION: donated $100,000 to Marine Toys for Tots and enough toys to fill five Chrysler and Dodge minivans. Chrysler and its manufacturing plants have been supporters of Toys for Tots for more than a decade.

WENDY’S: is rolling out of a new double cheeseburger with a smaller price point to lure customers. The Stack Attack is available for 99 cents, part of the company’s effort to gain an edge on competitors. The burger includes two beef patties with cheese in the center, topped with mayonnaise and ketchup. TV spots will support the effort starting Dec. 31 and will run through January.

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LEAN POCKETS: is extending its line with new products featuring whole grain sandwiches. The line comes in seven varieties and hits stores in January. The items will sell for $2.46 per box.

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QUEST COMMUNICATIONS: has hired Draftfcb of Chicago as agency of record for its consumer advertising programs. The announcement follows an extensive review. The deal does not impact existing partners for small and large business, online advertising, events, Hispanic marketing and advertising, sponsorships and direct marketing, the company said.

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HILL’S PET NUTRITION: is out with a cause marketing campaign designed to help homeless cats and dogs for the holiday season. Under the Feeding is Believing initiative, people can post stories about their dog or cat and send heartwarming holiday e-cards from http://www.feedingisbelieving.com. Each time a story is posted through Dec. 31, Hills will donate $1 (up to $20,000) to shelters within its network to support the health and welfare of cats and dogs. The company is also donating 1.5 million pounds of Science Diet pet food to shelters this month. Online marketing supports the campaign.

ABI RESEARCH: has found in a new study that mobile marketers in Japan and South Korea will spend $1.2 billion and $684 million respectively to get their messages in front of wireless customers in 2012. Those markets are traditionally far ahead of Europe or North America in both consumer reliance on cell phones and acceptance of ads over their devices. But the study also detects growing resistance in those nations to text-only marketing messages, increasingly perceived by recipients as annoying spam. As a result, ABI says, advertisers are migrating to MMS (multimedia messaging service) to create richer multimedia ads.

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DISNEY STORES: are offering an in-store incentive to drives sales of the “High School Musical 2” DVD. People who buy the DVD or redeem their pre-sold DVD ticket in store will receive $6 off any Disney Store “High School Musical” product valued at $6 or more. The offer is good on CDs, interactive games, apparel, home product and accessories. In-store signage supports the promotion.

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TOYS R US: and Jakks Pacific have teamed up to launch a new line of doggy chew toys, clothing, beds and collars. The collection is based on the new American Kennel club Jr. and Totally My Pet brands.

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WARNER BROS. is out with a sweepstakes tied to the DVD release of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” People can enter for a chance to win a trip for four to London, England to see the set of the “Harry Potter 6” movie. To enter, fans can visit http://www.facebook.com and add the Sorting Hat widget to their Facebok profile page or by visiting http://www.harrypotter.com through Jan 5. Online marketing supports the promotion. Eprize handles the sweepstakes administration.

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MASTERCARD: has signed on as presenting sponsor for the PBS “Soundstage” concert series in 2008. MasterCard “bumpers” will embellish the broadcast and opening and closing credits for the series. The series commences with a two-part 30th anniversary performance of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on Jan. 10 and 17. Lifehouse, Daughtry, John Fogerty and Matchbox Twenty are the performers scheduled thus far.

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DRAFTFCB AUKLAND: has won the BMW and Mini communications accounts.

CROCS: is handing out free “Pirates of the Caribbean”-themed Jibbitz charms to people who buy Crocs shoes inspired by the film series at company-owned kiosks and retail stores. The promotion ties in with the DVD release of “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” released last week. Jibbitz, a wholly owned subsidiary of Crocs, Inc., is an accessory brand that produces Jibbitz charms, snap-on products made for Crocs shoes.

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AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS: has launched its latest original Web series. “AE Winter Tales.” Two episodes, “Home for the Holidays” and “Devil’s Peak” are available on 77E, American Eagle Outfitters’ entertainment channel on http://www.ae.com. Virgin Mobile USA is offering the content to customers who are signed onto Sugar Mama, the firm’s opt-in mobile advertising program.

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SHOP.COM: is running a holiday-themed contest tied to the 12 days of Christmas. People who create a Joy gift registery on the site and add items to it valued under $100 will have a chance to win that item. The online retailer will randomly choose one Joy gift registry per day starting Dec. 13 through Dec. 24. Details are available at http://www.shop.com/12days. Online marketing supports the contest.

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BROOKSTONE: is teaming up with Starz Entertainment in a co-marketing deal. People who place orders of $100 by phone or e-mail will receive a 30-day free trial to the Vongo broadband movie download service. Brookstone will also help promote Overture Film’s new movie, “Mad Men,” in-store and distribute a limited number of advance screening passes to customers. The film hits theaters on Jan. 18.

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COCA-COLA: is donating 100,000 gifts to Toys for Tots this holiday season and is asking consumers to donate My Coke Rewards Points to add even more gifts to the cause. Through yearend, codes found under product caps can be entered at http://www.mycokerewards.com and earmarked for Toys for Tots, who will redeem the points for gifts. Coca-Cola is also donating an additional $150,000 to Toys for Tots. New York-based sculptor Nathan Sawaya was commissioned to create two pieces of art made from 43,000 bottle caps (a replica of the Toys for Tots train and a mosaic depicting the Coca-Cola Polar Bear). The sculptures will be on display at the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta through the end of the year.

GAP: is expanding its partnership with accessory designer Pierre Hardy to launch a new line of women’s shoes in its U.S. stores. The collection, called Gap Design Editions, will features a variety of styles, including platforms, flats and sandals ranging from $78 to $98. The show line will be available online and in select Gap stores nationwide starting in February.

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GENERAL MILLS’: Betty Crocker brand is out with a holiday cause-marketing program that lets people send e-cards to benefit Toys for Tots. People who visit http://www.BakeLifeSweeter.com can decorate cookie e-cards and send them to a friend. The company will donate 10 cents for each card sent, up to $25,000. The site also offers cookie and baked good recipes.

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HEELEYS: is getting a starring role on Broadway in the new musical adaptation of Disney’s “The Little Mermaid.” The cast wears the shoes (with wheels attached) to simulate gliding across water while performing songs. For its part, Heelys gets a program credit “Gliding by Heeleys.” In turn, the brand is sponsoring the Heelys’ “Little Mermaid” national sweepstakes and hosting Team Heelys events at select Nordstrom stores in November and December. The grand-prize winner gets a trip for four to New York City to see “The Little Mermaid.” Fifteen first-prize winners will receive gift bags with cast-autographed posters, cast albums, key chains, hats, bubbles and T-shirts. The sweepstakes at http://www.heelys.com runs through Jan. 15.

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JACK DANIEL’S: will hold a “Toast to the Troops” Stuffing Party with the USO of Missouri at Scott Air Force Base near St. Louis to prepare 10,000 USO Care Packages for U.S. troops overseas. The Dec. 4 event marks the third year the distiller has conducted the event, which will include a barbecue and concert by country music star and Army veteran Craig Morgan.

1-800-FLOWERS.COM: is rewarding customers who buy flowers and gifts from its free shipping collection between Nov. 23 and Nov. 26 with free gourmet cookies from Cheryl & Co. The company created the “Relax and Have a Cookie” campaign to entice Internet shopping and boost holiday sales. Online marketing supports the offer.

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CIRCUIT CITY: and Kodak have launched a nationwide search to find the perfect dog to star in a TV commercial for the retailer’s firedog services unit. People can upload digital photos of their dogs at http://www.firedog.com/kodak through Dec. 8. A panel of judges will narrow down the field to 20 entries. Consumers will pick their favorite from Jan. 6 to 26. One grand-prize winner lands their pooch a role in a firedog TV commercial, a Kodak EasyShare digital camera package and gets to make a $50,000 donation to a local humane society of their choice. Circuit City’s firedog brand offers personal computer services, home theater installations, integration of home electronics, automotive electronics and more. Online marketing supports the contest.

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COORS: will award $10,000 in scholarships to both Grambling State University and Southern University as part of its sponsorship of the annual State Farm Bayou Classic in New Orleans on Nov. 24. Scholarship checks will be presented to each school after the traditional match-up, which Coors has co- sponsored through most of its 34-year history.

KOHL’S CORP.: has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Fila naming the department store chain as the exclusive U.S. retailer to carry the Fila Sport collection. The line, which includes apparel for women, men and children, accessories and footwear will be available in stores and online in the fall of 2008. Kohl’s will work with Fila on apparel and accessory design and lead the product, distribution, sales and marketing of the products, the company said. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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SHOPKO: a retailer that sells family basics, casual apparel and seasonal products, has named W. Paul Jones as president and chief merchandising officer of the company. He will oversee the direction of all merchandising and marketing activities of the regional mass retailer. The position takes effect Nov. 14. Jones has more than 20 years of retail experience and has held senior merchandising roles at May Department Stores, Kohl’s and most recently Sears. He replaces Paul White who left the position in July, Shopko said. Shopko Stores Operating Co., LLC is an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc. The company operates more than 135 stores in 13 states with annual sales exceeding $ 2.2 billion.

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MCDONALD’S: restaurants nationwide are kicking off World Children’s Day, a global program that raises millions of dollars for Ronald McDonald House Charities, with a celebrity tour featuring actress Hayden Panettiere and multi-platinum artist and songwriter Ne-Yo. The two will visit McDonald’s restaurants, Ronald McDonald Houses, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles in Dallas, Fort Worth, TX, Detroit and New York City and Philadelphia Nov. 19-20 to promote World Children’s Day on Nov. 20. On that day, participating restaurants will donate $1 from the sale of select menu items to the charities. Customers can also donate directly by buying a paper Give A Hand for $1. The hands will be displayed through the restaurants as part of the campaign.

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IZZE: sparking juices are getting a new look this holiday season. The brightly colored packaging for the four-packs of 8.4-ounce cans will be swapped for a simple silver one for a limited time. This is the first time holiday packaging has been designed for Izze. The juices are a blend of fruit juice and sparkling water.

BESTBUYS.COM: an online retailer of brand-name techie gadgets has launched a contest offering the chance to win one of three Nintendo Wii gaming systems. Entries can be submitted to
http://www.bestbuys.com/contest.php through Nov. 30. Additional entries will be given to people who refer a friend. Online marketing supports the promotion.

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DRAFTFCB CHICAGO: has named three members of its creative team vice
presidents. Melody Jeter, Mark Myers and Michael Stout have been named vice
president, director of creative technology; vice president, associate creative director; and vice president creative director, respectively.

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ALAMO RENT A CAR: has extended its alliance with Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Under the agreement, Alamo retains the rights as the official rental car company of the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando and Disneyland Resort in California. The marketing pact also makes the company the official rental car supplier for Walt Disney Travel Company, Inc. The firm will promote the partnership with TV spots, online advertising and at its rental locations. Alamo will also sell Disney tickets on its Web site.

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Nestle Purina PetCare Co.: is partnering with mobile entertainment network Limbo to sponsor free daily text messages to pet lovers. Limbo’s Lowdown, an ad-supported mobile content service, sends out more than 6 million text messages a month to users who have opted to receive alerts in categories ranging from news, sports and celebrity gossip to jokes, horoscopes and Bible quotes. “Limbo’s mobile advertising solutions are effective because they don’t feel like advertising,” Nestle Purina interactive marketing director Michael Moore said, in a statement, adding that the partnership will let Purina “offer relevant content and engage consumers” via their cell phones.

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WAL-MART: is getting an early start to its holiday sales. The retailer will offer “Black-Friday” prices on Nov. 2, three weeks sooner than the typical post-Thanksgiving day period. People can sign up for email or text message alerts or visit http://www.walmart.com/secret starting today to learn what items will offer deep discounts.

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DRAFTFCB: has promoted New York Executive Vice President, Group Creative Directors Sandy Greenberg and Terri Meyer to executive creative directors. The two handle the Kraft, Gerber, Trane and American Standard accounts. The new roles take effect immediately. Both will continue to report to Chris Becker, chairman and chief creative officer of Draftfcb New York.

ACE MARKETING & PROMOTIONS: has signed a two-year exclusive deal to with the New York State Troopers (Police Benevolent Association) PBA. Under the agreement, Ace will develop, operate and maintain the troopers’ online company store and ecommerce site with an option for an automatic one-year renewal.

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MACY’S: and Tommy Hilfiger have signed a deal under which Macy’s will be the exclusive department store to sell Tommy Hilfiger men’s and women’s sportswear in the U.S. starting in the fall of 2008. Under the agreement, Macy’s will expand Hilfiger merchandise in its stores and on its Web site. The company also plans to feature Tommy Hilfiger collections in its marketing campaigns. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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WAL-MART STORES INC.: has inked a multi-year licensing deal with Meredith Corp. to design, market, and sell a range of home products based on the Better Homes and Gardens brand. Merchandise in development includes bedding and thros, bath accessories, dinnerware and kitchen textiles and decorative pillows. The new line is expected to hit stores by the fall of 2008. Financial terms were not disclosed. The two companies currently have a licensing agreement for a line of garden and outdoor products, which will continue.

GUINNESS: Beverage historian Bill Yenne has just released his latest book entitled “Guinness: The 250 Year Quest for the Perfect Pint.” Yenne traces the colorful and complex history of the beer.

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VALASSIS COMMUNICATIONS: is using direct mail for its free standing inserts (FSIs) as a marketing vehicle to reach more consumers. The company forged a deal with Stop & Shop to deliver FSIs and store circulars via the shared mail package in select markets starting in January to better cover Stop & Shop’s stores, the companies said. The shared mail model will better align CPG partners’ promotional content with grocery store circulars, Stop & Shop said. The retailer began distributing its circular via the shared mail package in August 2006.

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THE FALLS AGENCY: has added seven new members to its team: Michelle Schumacher, director of operations; Jon Hartman, director of client services; Jill Ledin, account director; Danielle DePillis, senior art director; Mischelle Offerman, project/traffic manager; Debra Volk, production manager; and Jesse Raymond, account executive.

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Canon USA: struck a three-year marketing and sponsorship deal with the National Hockey League’s New York Islanders. As part of the pact, the Canon logo will be displayed for all Islander home games on signage behind the home and visiting teams’ benches and in the ice. The Canon brand will also be featured in Islanders’ game programs and annual yearbook. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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PROMOWORKS: has named M. James Rollberg as vice president of its consumer insights group, a new position. The post went into effect Sept. 10. In his new role, Rollberg provides agency clients with consumer insights on channel and category-specific sales trends, target demographics and return on investment details. He previously worked as director, panel and testing solutions group at Information Resources, Inc. In that role, Rollberg was in charge of managing IRI testing solutions, product innovation and development, and delivering insights and analytical strategy to top consumer package goods companies.

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JAKKS PACIFIC INC.: has signed a deal with Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products to create toys and products based on the hit animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants.” The toy line, which will roll out in 2008, will include a collectible micro figure program and plush products based on cartoon characters. Other licensed items include play sets, preschool toys, youth electronics and water toys. Since the TV show’s launch in 1999, SpongeBob SquarePants products have reached more than $6.3 billion in retail sales to date, Nickelodeon said.

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MOROCH: has added two employees. Monique Davila joins the San Antonio office as senior account executive for the McDonald’s brand. Brian Bell is working in the Dallas office as account coordinator on McDonald’s.

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JCPENNEY CO. INC.: is marking the opening of its latest stores in Riverdale, TX, and Little Rock, AK, with an in-store sweepstakes for a chance to win a $1,000 gift card. Customers can also win 50 $100 gift cards toward any store purchase. The sweepstakes at http://www.Jcp.com runs though Oct. 13. PR and online marketing supports the promotion. The new stores open on Oct. 5.

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MKTPARTNERS: the entertainment and sports marketing agency, has hired Joel Chestler as senior vice president of account management; James Christian as vice president of creative and design and David Arnold as executive vice president of production.

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DHL: is running a sweepstakes contest offering a trip to two to the World Series as part of its promotion around the DHL Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award. Fans can vote on MLB.com for one of 10 top relief pitchers on this season’s ballot, and simultaneously register for a chance to win tickets to the fall classic.

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COTY: and ZoomSystems are introducing next month Star Scents, a 30-square foot automated retail store concept. The concept uses sampling technology, via custom built atomizers, that releases fragrance microparticles into the air with the touch of a button. Every sample will be tracked by a proprietary electronic system that measures conversion rates. Fragrances will feature top celebrity icons, including Jennifer Lopez (Glow, Glow After Dark, Live and Live Luxe) for women, and RSVP by Kenneth Cole featuring Jon Bon Jovi and David Beckham Instinct for men. The tests will run for six months in 10 national locations including high-traffic malls, airports and lifestyle grocery centers in major metropolitan locations such as Las Vegas, Atlanta, Dallas, Miami, New York, Chicago and San Jose, CA.

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SAKRETE: and the Los Angeles Dodgers presented a check for $11,000 to HomeAid, a non-profit provider of housing for the homeless, at last night’s game against the Colorado Rockies. As part of the Sakrete Diamond Play of the Game program, the company designated $200 for each Dodgers win during half of this season. The Baltimore Orioles also participated in the inaugural season of Sakrete’s program.

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BLACK DOG ALE: is partnering with humane shelters to publicize October as national Adopt-a-Dog Month by adding a splash page to its Web site that offers visitors information about the program and lets them find the addresses of participating human societies in 16 states. The brand, from Spanish Peaks Brewing Co., features the founder’s black Lab “Chug” on its packaging and logo.

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US AIRWAYS: unveiled an Airbus A319 aircraft decorated with the Carolina Panthers logo and colors last week at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, its largest hub. The plane is the fourth US Airways passenger jet to undergo a similar transformation. A Pittsburgh Steelers-branded plane was introduced earlier this month, following Arizona Cardinals and Philadelphia Eagles-themed planes introduced last year.

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SPRINT NEXTEL: has identified the 12 finalists whose chances to win $1 million in The Sprint Speed Million sweepstakes presented by Motorola lie with the 12 Nextel Cup drivers who are battling it out in the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. Finalists were randomly drawn and paired with the 12 drivers they selected in the entry phase. The finalist paired with the driver who wins the championship will win the $1 million prize at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 18.

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TBWA/CHIAT/DAY: has hired for creative posts and promoted other employees in its Los Angeles office. Mike Yagi has been promoted to creative Director on the Nissan account. He was previously the associate creative director on Nissan. Chris Adams and Margaret Keene have both been promoted from associate creative directors to creative directors, working on Pedigree, Whiskas and Leap Frog. Robin Fitzgerald has also been promoted to associate creative director. She has worked on Nissan and Leap Frog. Rodrigo Burtori and Kristina Slade both join the agency from Ground Zero Advertising, as associate creative directors on the VISA account.

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CAMPBELL SOUP CO.’S: Pepperidge Farm brand is out with an instant-win game tied to its breakfast products, which award “rise and shine” prizes for 57 days. People visit http://www.pepperidgefarm.com through Oct. 31 and enter 10-digit UPC codes from participating Pepperidge Farm breakfast items. Prizes include Krups coffeemakers, Kitchen Aid Toasters, Bose alarm clocks, six months of Pepperidge Farm breakfast products and Starbucks gift cards. Online marketing supports the promotion.

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LIFELOCK: will be the title sponsor for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series race at the Kansas City Speedway on Sept. 30. The LifeLock 400 will be the third race of the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup. LifeLock has previously had NASCAR sponsorships with driver Rusty Wallace, McClure Motorsports and Phoenix International Raceway.

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BAJA FRESH: is thanking its customers for their vote as a top choice in Mexican food chains with a free Churros giveaway on Sept. 16. The company was recently named the Platinum award-winning Mexican Chain in America by Restaurants & Institutions’ Consumer Choice in Chains study. The giveaway will be available in 289 restaurants nationwide.

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PORSCHE: signed up as the official automotive sponsor for the Nation’s Triathlon on Sept. 29 in Washington, D.C. Porsche will have signage and vehicle displays at the event, which will be preceded by a United Healthcare Sports & Fitness Expo. Precision Sports Entertainment has lined up sponsorships for the event.

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MOROCH PARTNERS: has been named to handle ad duties for the 46-store McDonald’s Rochester, NY, market. The deal brings the number of U.S. McDonald’s markets handled by the agency to 53. Work includes strategic planning, development, execution, media planning and buying. To handle the duties, Moroch will open another office in Rochester, with Heidi Baumer named as senior supervisor. Arnold Worldwide had had the work for 30 years.

KIMBERLY CLARK CORP.: is launching GoodNites Sleep Boxers and Sleep Shorts, absorbent underpants that look and feel like boxer-style underwear, in North America for boys and girls. The product line follows a July launch in the UK. The items will be available at major retail throughout North America this month. To support the rollout, the company is kicking off a marketing campaign, including FSIs, PR activities, TV and print ads and direct response TV with sample offers and in-store signage.

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STARBUCKS CORP.: struck a deal with Apple Inc. to let patrons buy tunes from Apple’s iTunes music store in Starbucks coffee shops without paying WiFi connection fees. The service will be available in Starbucks stores in New York and Seattle on Oct. 2 and will roll out to other top cities this year. Under the deal, the coffee chain hopes to boost sales, while Apple hopes to sell more music downloads. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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PROCTER & GAMBLE: is rolling out a travel-sized version of its Febreze household fabric refresher. The 2.8-ounce bottle can be carried in cars, the office and on planes. Febreze has teamed up with the America Automobile Association to hand out travel brochures in AAA locations, which include travel tips and a coupon toward the new travel-sized version of the product. The item, which hits stores this month, will sell for about $2.00 or $4.99 for a package of three.

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PLAYTEX: has launched a multimillion dollar marketing campaign to better interact with women. The “Girl Talk” campaign, which kicked off Monday, shows confident women talking about their breasts and the quest to find the perfect fitting bra. TV spots, print ads and online marketing supports the effort. The company refreshed it Web site at PlaytexFits.com lets visitors submit bra banter lines and vote for their favorite. The site also lets people send “Girl Talk” e-cards, submit videos of personal bra stories and consult with a virtual bra fitter. Playtex is also using YouTube and American Greetings’ online channels to promote the Web site. Kraftworks LTD created the campaign, which runs through December.

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JJILL: is out with an online sweepstakes offering the chance to win a $1,000 JJill wardrobe. People who complete the survey at JJill.com through Sept. 3 will be entered to win the grand prize. Five runners up will each receive a $500 gift card. Visitors can earn additional entries by referring friends to the promotion. Online marketing, e-mail blasts and in-store signage supports the sweepstakes.

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SAKRETE: will partner with six NFL teams for its second annual Sakrete Sack Program to raise money for housing for the homeless. The Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks and Atlanta Falcons are the participating teams, with $5,000 to be donated in the name of each team’s sack leader to HomeAid, a national provider of housing for the homeless. Sakrete will donate $10,000 in the name of the league sack leader.

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HIT ENTERTAINMENT: has named Franco Apparel as the new master apparel partner for its Barney brand. Under the deal, Franco Apparel will design new Barney clothing to include layettes, onesies and sets for kids up to three. The collection is scheduled to launch next spring.

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PHILLIPS VAN HEUSEN CORP.: has launched a cause-marketing campaign designed to raise awareness and funds toward restoring buildings on Ellis Island in New York. It directs people to WeAreEllisIsland.org, a site featuring user-generated content where visitors can post their own families’ stories and pictures. Links to donate to Save Ellis Island, Inc., a non-profit organization, are included on the site. The company’s Arrow brand is heading up the effort. TV spots, print ads, in-theater advertising and online ads, which break in September, will include stories from actors, athletes, celebrities describing their families’ Ellis Island arrival and experiences. The multi-million dollar campaign, was developed in-house by Van Heusen’s advertising and marketing group.

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GEICO: won platinum honors for its CavemansCrib.com Web site in the Hermes Creative Award competition, sponsored by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals. The site offers a glimpse into the lives of the popular commercial’s cavemen, who are going to star in an ABC sitcom debuting Oct. 2. Cavemanscrib offers interactive videos, photos and audio files, along with some oblique promotions for the insurance company. The site has received 50 million hits and more than 1 million unique visitors since its launch last spring.

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WAL-MART: is offering a free MP3 download of the radio-released Eagles’ single “How Long” with a purchase. The retailer is accepting advance orders for the band’s first studio album of new music in 28 years, “Long Road Out of Eden.” This week, fans can visit a microsite at Walmart.com/Eagles to view the “How Long” music video, photographs of the band and concert tour information. The CD, scheduled for an October release, will be sold at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club in the U.S. and Canada and at Walmart.com and Samsclub.com for $11.88 and the digital format for $10.88.

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NESTLE’S LEAN CUISINE: is teaming with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to offer insulated lunch bags. The limited-edition bags, available in three styles, go on sale Sept. 1. The company will donate $5 of the $9.95 purchase price to Komen for the Cure. It is the sixth year it has run the fundraiser, the company said.

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STARZ HOME ENTERTAINMENT: is promoting the DVD release of “Elvis: The Miniseries” distributing free flip books at a host of celebrations in Memphis, TN that mark the 30th anniversary of the singer’s death. The books show images of the icon by playing full-motion clips from the DVD with the flip of a thumb. Starz also plans to use the flip books as promotional items at consumer and trade shows and as pre-order gifts for DVD on consumer Web sites. Flippies produced the flip book for Starz.

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SALON CITY: is producing its first original Web series based on the content in Salon City, SCI’s flagship magazine. The webisodes will be paired with original content and we be the anchor of the company’s new Internet programming, Salon City Network (SCN). Matrixx, a branded entertainment production company, will create and produce each webisode.

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CHAMPION: launched a multimedia campaign to promote the 100th anniversary of its popular spark plug brand, including an online sweepstakes. Visitors to AlwaysAChampion.com can register in Champion’s “Performance-Drvien Sweepstakes” to win a trip to a NASCAR race on Oct. 13 and other prizes.

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FUSION SPORTS MARKETING GROUP: has launched the Ultimate Fan mobile quiz contest for Lito Sheppard, a two time Pro Bowler, and starting cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles. People can enter at Lito26Sheppard.com. Players must answer a series of four quiz questions. The winner gets two tickets to a home game, a meet and greet, signed jersey and football and photo taken with Sheppard. Textopoly Inc. administers the contest.

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SHARPER IMAGE CORP: has signed a multiyear licensing agreement with The EnE Group, LLC, a developer, manufacturer and marketer of luggage, computer cases and related travel accessories. Under the agreement, The EnE Group will offer a wide range of luggage pieces, business cases, laptop computer cases, travel accessories, plus camera cases and backpacks under The Sharper Image brand name.

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RUSSELL STOVERS: has inked a licensing deal with Pine Valley Foods, Inc. to launch a line of cookie dough. The Russell Stover Cookie Dough will include four flavors: Homemade Chocolate Chunk, Pecan Caramel Delight, Triple Chocolate Truffle and Chocolate Peanut Butter. It will be available in two-pound decorative tubs and three-pound 48-count pre- portioned boxes. Packaging features the brand logo and trademark red. Pine Valley Foods manufactures and supplies frozen/perishable foods to the Fundraising Industry in North America. The company produces more than 25 flavors of cookie dough for more than 10 different brands

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TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT: and MGM Home Entertainment are teaming up with Susan G. Komen for the Cure on a multi-title DVDs for the Cure promotion to raise awareness for the cause. The companies have pledged a minimum of $250,000 donation. Each will donate 50 cents from the sale of select DVDs packaged in pink with the Komen logo to the cause. The campaign, which marks National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, includes 12 titles such as “An Affair to Remember, “A Walk in the Clouds,” “Ever After,” “Mermaids” and “There’s Something About Mary.”

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STEAK-UMM CO.: is looking for creative recipes for its product as part of a new promotion. Recipes can be submitted to the “Any Time Is Steak-umm Time” contest at SteakUmm.com or by mail. Each entry must use Steak-umm sandwich steaks and will be judged on originality, taste, visual appeal and creative use of the item. One grand-prize winner will receive an under-cabinet kitchen clock radio/CD player and a 10-inch limited-edition Steak-umm frying pan. The contest runs through Oct. 15. Online marketing supports the effort.

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BEN AND JERRY’S: has created a new ice cream flavor to tie-in with “The Simpsons Movie”: Duff & D’oh-Nuts. The company brought the beer-and-doughnut-flavored creation to Springfield, VT, for the premiere of the movie last weekend. The town won a contest this month among others named after the fictitious location where the animated show takes place to show a screening of the movie, which opens nationally on July 27 (Promo Xtra, July 17, 2007).

The one-day-only flavor featured a combination of chocolate and cream stout ice cream with glazed chocolate doughnuts.

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CELLFIRE INC.: is teaming up with Virgin Megastores to offer in-store discounts to customers that use Cellfire’s free mobile coupon and discount offer service in New York and California stores. Users can receive coupons for stores in New York City, Orange, CA, Hollywood, CA; Los Angeles, Ontario, CA and San Francisco, CA and redeem offers for 20% off a regular priced CD, DVD, book, or apparel and 25% off 512 MB, 1 GB, or 2 GB ATP memory sticks or cards for the mobile phone. People can subscribe at Cellfire.com or by texting “vm” to 22888.

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CALISTOGA BEVERAGE CO.: plans to reinvigorate its flagship Calistoga Brand Mineral Water and introduce of a new line of Sparkling Juice Organic Beverages with a mineral water base. A new campaign includes a focused distribution plan, a new logo, labeling and packaging, a new ad campaign in North California and increased charitable contributions. With the effort, the Northern California-based company said it plans to triple the business over the next three years.

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ESTEE LAUDER: plans to acquire Ojon Corp. The company sells a line of shampoos, conditioners and styling products made from ingredients gathered in Central America. Canadian-based Ojon sells its products through specialty retailers and 300 salons.Terms of the deal, which is expected to close later this month, were not disclosed.

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RED ROBIN GOURMET BURGERS: and the Denver Broncos have launched the Denver Broncos Kickoff Kid sweepstakes. Ten kids, ages six to 12 years old, will win the opportunity to be the official Kickoff Kid during a Denver Broncos home game this season. That designation gives the child responsible for removing the tee from the field after each Broncos kickoff. Kids can enter at their local restaurants through Dec. 16.

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DISNEYFAMILY.COM: is the exclusive presenting sponsor of the third annual M2MomsT—The Marketing-To-Moms Conference, scheduled Oct. 23-24, at the Chicago Cultural Center. Presenters will address issues including marketing to Hispanic moms, the affect childhood obesity has with mom consumers and effectively reaching moms-to-be. The conference will also offer workshops, discussion groups, case studies and networking events. Associate sponsors of the event include BabytoBee, Draftfcb, Ketchum, Lucid Marketing, Mothers Work, MomsEasyChair and Paramount Market Publishing.

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AFLAC: has hired Momentum Worldwide to handle events marketing and Zubi Advertising for Hispanic marketing for the insurance company. The Ogilvy Group picks up more advertising work. Ogilvy has handled digital marketing for two years and now adds responsibilities for Aflac’s business-to-business and worksite marketing. Kaplan Thaler Group—creators of the Aflac duck—remains as lead creative agency. Fitzgerald & Co. continues to handle media planning and buying.

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DUNKIN DONUTS: is adding a new item to the menu: Iced Tea. The product, which is available in New England and upstate New York, comes in three flavors—original, raspberry and peach. It sells for $1.69 for a small, $1.89 for a medium drink and $2.09 for a large. The new beverage coincides with the company’s expansion into new cities in the Southern and Western portions of the U.S. Dunkin’ Donuts franchise stores will triple in the U.S. to 15,000 by 2020.

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GAME MEDIA PROPERTIES: has appointed Keith Kane as senior vice president of advertising sales, a new position. In his new role, Kane will be in charge of growing the company’s advertising team and increasing advertising and sponsorships for the group’s World Series of Video Games, Presented by Intel events. He will also help expand the company’s new online advertising network, which includes a variety of Web sites that focus on competitive gaming. Kane previously worked for Cdigix as vice president and chief advertising and marketing officer, and as vice president of sales at Alloy Media & Marketing.

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GENERAL MILLS: is launching dedicated commerce sites for two of its biggest brands, Betty Crocker and Pillsbury. The sites, BettyCrockerStore.com and PillsburyStore.com, will sell kitchenware and cooking utensils. Both sites are extensions of the brands’ existing general sites, BettyCrocker.com and Pillsbury.com. E-commerce specialist Cooking.com will manage the two new sites for General Mills.

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H.J. HEINZ CO.: has been celebrating consumers’ 57th wedding anniversaries for eight years now, giving each couple a commemorative porcelain bell decorated with the Heinz 57 Keystone icon to mark the occasion. This summer, the company will give away its 5,700th anniversary bell, and host a $5,700 anniversary party for the couple and 57 friends. Heinz used to mark consumers’ 57th anniversary by giving them a basket of 57 different Heinz products, but the company stopped doing that when its brand portfolio grew too large.

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WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT: and licensing partners Hybrid Tees and Fifth Sun are expanded the brand’s presence beyond live events and online into retail outlets and specialty stores. Hybrid Tees’ WWE branded T-shirts, tank tops, fleeces and hats have shipped to JCPenney, Kohl’s, Mervyn’s, Goody’s and Target stores. This fall JCPenney boys will offer a shop of WWE products, including short and long tees and fleece apparel. Fifth Sun items include branded T-shirts, tank tops, fleeces and onesies in specialty stores, including Hot Topic, Spencer Gifts and Urban Outfitters. New licensee Steve & Barry’s is rolling out WWE-branded sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats.

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CANNES, CANNES: This year Promo has two agency executives sharing their thoughts each day from the Cannes International Advertising Festival. This is the second year that the festival will give Cannes Lions awards for promotions. Promo’s blog has an insider’s view with daily postings from Tom Hansen, executive creative director at Wunderman and the only U.S. judge on the Promo Lions jury this year. A second perspective comes from Tina Manikas, Draftfcb’s chief global retail and promotions marketing officer, as she works the conference and talks with promotion experts from around the world to shape her perspective on global promotional trends.

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MCDONALD’S: restaurants in the Dallas, TX area are partnering with the World Series of Video Games to let local gamers participate in the event. Over the weekend, the first 100 customers at 285 McDonald’s in the region received a free spectator pass to the championships. Tickets would be distributed as long as supplies lasted and were limited to one per customer. The event, presented by Intel, is a four-day gaming festival to be held July 5-8 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Grapevine. It features $90,000 in cash prizes.

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GOODY’S FAMILY CLOTHING: will launch a new fashion line by actress Ashley Judd this fall. The collection will feature three new labels: AJ, Love Ashley and Ashley Judd exclusive to the company. The entire line will include classic and modern denim, organic and knit tees and sweaters, blazers, blouses, skirts, cardigan sets and trousers.

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BIG TENT ENTERTAINMENT: has been appointed the North American licensing and marketing agency of record for the preschool band The Wiggles. As part of the long-term agreement, the company plans to build up the Australian music group by attracting partners that incorporate its core values, including the learning through music.

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LEADING BRANDS: has launched a new energy drink called Stoked. As part of the debut, the brand is expected to appear in video games brand. The beverage has a dedicated Web site at StokedEnergy.com.

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BORDERS: the exclusive CD, book and DVD retail sponsor at the 2007 CMA Music Festival, will host onsite booths at the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall in the Nashville Convention Center and at the Greased Lightning Daytime Stages in Riverfront Park throughout the four-day event beginning June 7. Autograph sessions will be held for new CDs and book by a host of authors and artists.

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SONIC DRIVE-IN: is kicking off its celebration of summer with free Root Beer Floats on June 7 from 8 p.m. and midnight at participating locations. The company plans to serve more than 3 million floats during the promotion. Customers can text the message “free float” to 74574 for a reminder about the offer. Banner ads support the giveaway.

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AMERICAN ITALIAN PASTA CO.: is launching new packaging for multi-grain versions of three pasta brands, Mueller’s, Heartland and Golden Grain. The packaging labels the products as “whole grain,” to differentiate them from other better-for-you brands. Packages also carry the American Heart Association’s heart-check mark that denotes heart-healthy products low in fat and cholesterol.

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ARBY’S: is offering the chance to win a 2008 Ford Fusion via an instant-win game on its 32 ounce Twist ‘n Go cups. Codes can be entered at Arbys.com to reveal the winners. Lesser prizes include an entertainment package, Arby’s gift cards and racing caps. The promotion leverages the company’s sponsorship of NASCAR driver Matt Kenseth and the No. 17 Arby’s racecar. The sweepstakes runs through Sept. 14. In-store signage and online ads support.

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MILLER BREWING CO.: has reupped with longtime agency GMR Marketing to continue handling sports and music events. Miller was GMR’s first client when the agency opened in 1979; the contract renewal marks the 28th straight year that GMR handles event marketing for the brewer.

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PROCTER & GAMBLE: is launching PUR Flavor Options, a product that lets consumers choose flavored or unflavored water from their home water filter. Flavor cartridges come in three flavors: raspberry, strawberry and peach. Five dollar off coupons are available at Purwater.com.

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FISHER-PRICE: is teaming up with Dream Apparel, a children’s sleepwear manufacturer, to produce a collection of branded sleepwear for infants and toddlers. The line will feature an Animals of the Rainforest design and include one-piece and two-piece pajama sets, nightgowns and robes for newborns through size 7. The collection debuts in October in select retail outlets.

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RIGHT GUARD: has renewed its event title sponsorship of the AST Dew Tour for 2007. The marks the third consecutive year the brand, made by Dial, has held event title sponsorship of the Right Guard Open, one of five tour stops on the tour. The event takes play July 19 – 22 in Cleveland, OH.

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COMEDY CENTRAL: is awarding a grand-prize trip for two to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico as part of its Virtual Vacation sweepstakes. Registration is available at ComedyCentral.com/Sweepstakes/VirtualVacation_Sweeps. The promotion, sponsored by Sonic, runs through May 30. Online materials support it.

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INFINITY PARTNERS: hired Eric Mower & Associates as agency of record for the upscale real estate developer. The agency will handle branding, advertising, PR and interactive marketing for Infinity, starting with The Woods, a residential development in Weddington, NC.

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J.JILL: is out with a new contest asking consumers to submit original T-Shirt designs of their favorite inspiration of nature for a chance to win a women’s only Artista Creative Safari for two in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA. The company will select 10 finalists and customers can vote for their favorite design in-store in July. The grand prize includes airfare for two, use of yoga and spa facilities, four days of abstract painting and a $1,000 J. Jill shopping spree. Entries can be submitted through May 28 at JJill.com. Online materials support the promotion.

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AQUAFRESH WHITE TRAYS: is inviting consumers to guess who the celebrity is behind the “beautiful” smile at HowMuchIsThisSmileWorth.com. One hundred participants will receive an Aquafresh White Trays Perfect Fit Kit just for playing. The person behind the smile will be revealed in South Street Seaport in New York City and on the Web site on May 10.

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SKECHERS FOOTWEAR: has partnered with DreamWorks Animation’s upcoming film, “Shrek the Third,” to launch a new line of “Shrek”-themed sneakers. The footwear will feature characters including Shrek, Fiona, Donkey, and Puss in Boots and will coincide with the film’s release on May 18. TV spots, print ads, online materials, outdoor advertising and a gift with purchase incentive will support the promotion.

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POSTAL RATES: go up two cents on May 14, so online postage retailer Dymo Stamps will give away two-cent stamps, starting next week. Consumers register at Dymo.com/TwoCents to get a set of 10 two-cent stamps. The offer runs through Sept. 1. Dymo, whose online service lets consumers print postage via their computers, primarily targets small businesses. The company is part of Newell Rubbermaid’s Sanford Office Products Group.

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DISNEY.COM: is offering an extended nine-minute trailer to promote the upcoming animated Walt Disney/Pixar movie “Ratatouille.” Disney is marketing the campaign online and via TV spots. “Ratatouille” tells the tale of a rat names Remy who lives in a world-class Parisian restaurant and wants to become a chef. But Remy’s family and a rat-despising staff hinder him in his dream. The movie opens nationwide June 29.

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CREW CREATIVE: an entertainment ad agency, has partnered with Discovery Communications to support interactive marketing, creative and communications work for Discovery’s family of networks. The networks include the Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet. Crew will be involved with the development of online ad campaigns, micro-sites, online games and newsletter design, among other efforts.

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AARP: is launching a statewide campaign in California on health care reform. The campaign will include television, radio, online, and print advertising, as well as grass roots advocacy. To view the television spot, go to AARP.org/ca. The effort also includes a series of forums on the issue.

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SIX FLAGS: is teaming up with corporate alliance partner Nintendo to launch a sweepstakes offering the chance to win a Wii gaming system. Visitors to SixFlags.com who become a member of Team Six can enter the Win a Wii a Week sweepstakes. Team Six is a new program that gives customers information about the park and access to exclusive rides, events, discounts and entertainment. The sweepstakes runs through Sept. 9. The promotion is part of the theme park’s ongoing partnership with Nintendo, under which the Wii is the official gaming console of Six Flags (PROMO Xtra Jan. 25, 2007).

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DUANE READE: has signed a deal to install more than 140 Coinstar Centers in its drug stores in the metropolitan New York City area this year. The machines let people turn loose change into cash or a voucher that can be used towards in-store purchases. Or, people can choose to exchange their coins for a gift card or eCertificate from a variety of retailers including Amazon.com, iTunes, Circuit City and Starbucks.

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KRAFT FOODS: has begun flagging packages of its healthier products with a Kraft Sensible Solution label. The green label flags items with nutritional benefits (such as fiber) and those that qualify as “reduced,” “low” or “free” in calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar or sodium. Both criteria are based on the FDA’s U.S. Dietary Guidelines and input from Kraft’s Worldwide Health & Wellness Advisory Council. Kraft plans to expand its current line of 500 items that fit Sensible Solutions criteria, across brands including South Beach Diet, Crystal Light, Oscar Mayer, DiGiorno and Breakstone’s. The company also has relaunched its KraftSensibleSolution.com Web site.

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VITAMINWATER: is kicking off a two-week sampling campaign in the New York region to promote vitaminwater essential, an orange-flavored enhanced water. The effort, which takes places in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, will target morning commuters as they go to work. The goal is to have consumers to try the product with Bear Naked Granola and promote the two as a healthy morning breakfast combination. The promotion runs April 23 through May 3. LeadDog Marketing Group, New York, handles the program.

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MATTEL: has launched a beta site its first global online community for girls at BarbieGirls.com. The site is part of a new platform the company plans to unveil April 26 in New York City. The community lets fans customize their own virtual character, design their own “room,” shop at the mall, play games and chat with other girls.

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BEN & JERRY’S: is back with its free cone day promotion offering a free cup or cone on April 17. New ice cream flavors this year include crème brulee, cinnamon buns and fair trade certified vanilla and fair trade certified chocolate. Last year, the company handed out more than 1 million free cones worldwide.

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BURGER KING: is testing a new drink, the Mocha BK Joe Iced Coffee, in an effort to gain market share from specialty coffee chains. The beverage, made with coffee, chocolate syrup and ice, sells for $1.99 for a 22-ounce cup. The drink is available for a limited time.

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BUILD-A-BEAR WORKSHOP: is partnering with Major League Baseball again this year to let fans make plush dolls of MLB team mascots. The MLB Mascots line is available at Build-A-Bear outlets in five stadiums in Philadelphia, Cleveland, Cincinnati, San Francisco and St. Louis. This year, a sweepstakes overlay will award tickets to Game 1 of the 2007 World Series; second prize is a collection of all the MLB Mascot toys. Fans register for the sweeps at all Build-A-Bear stores through April 9. The retailer rounds out the campaign by giving away plush premiums of mascots for nine teams. Those exclusive premiums will be distributed at ballparks throughout the summer, with giveaways scheduled for one to three days at each park.

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JONES SODA CO.: has named Peter Burns as senior executive vice president, sales and marketing. Burns joins the company after working at Izze Beverage Co. as vice president, sales for nearly two years. Prior to that, he was executive vice president, sales for the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corp.

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SHARP ELECTRONICS CORP.: has named Relay Worldwide its sports marketing agency of record. Relay will manage the company’s 25 sponsorships of professional sports teams, clubs and venues. In addition, it will help Sharp develop new marketing initiatives. The Chicago-based agency will manage Sharp’s sports marketing and consulting account out of its New York office.

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MATTEL: has signed a deal with Oasys Mobile Inc. to expand its distribution of mobile games titles to include Barbie, Uno, Magic 8 Ball and Max Steel. Under the agreement, the two will develop games and other content for the Barbie brand targeting teenage girls in Japan and Taiwan. Mobile carriers will make the Uno game available in Japan, China, Korea, India and the Philippines starting in April. Oasys Mobile already distributes the mobile game in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Central America and South America. The Max Steel game will be offered in Latin America and Magic 8 Ball will have worldwide distribution starting in June.

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ARIZONA BEVERAGE: has signed Andy Roddick in a long-term endorsement deal for a new beverage that will launch later this year. Roddick is a US Open Champion, a Wimbledon Finalist, and an Australian Open Semifinalist. He has won 21 career singles titles and is currently ranked No. 3 in the world.

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JC PENNEY: and Chip & Pepper are launching a new denim and sportswear line that will be sold exclusively at the retailer. The brand targets the company’s teen and young men’s shoppers. The collection, which hits stores this fall, will include jeans, skirts, Bermuda shorts and crop pants, T-shirts, tops and fleece. Identical twins Chip and Pepper Foster, who created the line, will enhance their style into JCPenney’s marketing of the collection.

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ELECTRONIC ARTS: is out with a contest that lets top art school students design The Sims-inspired art for a chance to win $12,000. The contest is open to Parsons The New School for Design in New York, Academy of Art University in San Francisco and Otis College of Are and Design in Los Angeles. Reps from each school and EA will judge the work starting April 19 through Aug. 11. Competition details are available at TheSims2.ea.com/HandsofArtists.

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HOLIDAY INN AND RESORTS: has introduced a line of vintage T-shirts inspired by the brand’s heritage. Junk Food Clothing designed and distributes the tees. The designs include imagery and catchy slogans formerly associated with the brand. The tees are available in such stores as Kitson, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Nordstrom and Macy’s Northwest.

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CONSTELLATION BRANDS: has closed the acquisition of the SVEDKA Vodka brand and related business. Constellation’s portfolio includes Almaden, Arbor Mist, Vendange, Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi and Hardys.

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MCDONALD’S, SUBWAY, and CHUCK E. CHEESE: are top restaurant choices among Americans ages six to 17, according to a study by Decision Analyst in conjunction with Hypothesis Group. In the survey, boys and girls were asked to list their three favorite restaurants. McDonald’s was named top restaurant by 42.4% of respondents, Subway by 18.8%, and Chuck E. Cheese by 16.9%. Among all age groups, McDonald’s was most popular among boys six to eight years old, with 80.6% of those respondents choosing McDonald’s first. The restaurant is least popular with females aged 13 to 17, with only 18.9% of those respondents favoring McDonald’s. Following these restaurants in popularity were Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, Burger King, Wendy’s, Olive Garden, and Applebee’s. At the bottom of the list, which included 35 restaurants, were Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Jack In The Box, and On The Border.

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DIRECTV: has named Euro RSCG Latino as the creative and media agency-of-record for its Spanish-language programming service. The New York-based firm will handle all marketing communications functions.

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LENDER’S BAGELS: celebrates its 80th anniversary with a Lender’s for Life contest that invites consumers to share their best “bagel moment.” Consumers enter an essay, video or photo via mail or at BHGpr.com by May 31. The grand prize is a spa day and a lifetime supply of Lender’s bagels. Seventy-nine finalists will get a Lender’s gift basket. PR shop Bender Hammerling Group, Upper Montclair, NJ, handles the contest for Pinnacle Foods, which markets Lender’s Bagels.

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AEROPOSTALE: a mall-based specialty retailer of casual and active apparel for young women and men, has named Mindy C. Meads as president and chief merchandising officer. Most recently she worked as president of Victoria’s Secret Direct, a division of Limited Brands, Inc. Yesterday, Aeropostale reported total net sales for the four-week period ended March 3, increased 11.5% to $75.6 million, from $67.8 million one year ago.

BMW: yesterday kicked off its 11th Annual BMW Ultimate Drive Supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure in support of breast cancer research. The million-mile, cross-country grassroots fundraising drive has raised more than $10 million for the foundation over the past decade. The drive began yesterday in Athens, GA, as 38 specially badged BMWs, decorated with pink modernist maps, arrived for the official start. Over the next eight months, the program will travel throughout the country, stopping at 237 BMW Centers nationwide with the goal of donating an additional $1 million to the cause.

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HALLMARK CHANNEL: has promoted Tara Donnelly to director, consumer marketing for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. In her new role, Donnelly will handle planning and executing marketing initiatives on Hallmark’s consumer Web site. She will continue to manage the company’s consumer media plan, including developing the strategy and creative materials. In addition, Donnelly will fulfill her previous duties as senior manager of consumer marketing, where she was in charge of developing Hallmark Card opportunities, including promotions with Hallmark Gold Crown Stores. Prior to joining Hallmark, Donnelly was marketing director at MTV networks.

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JACK DANIEL’S: is out with a sweeps that sends the winner on a trip for two to the Jack Daniel’s Racing V.I.P Party in Daytona Beach, FL on July 7, the day of the Pepsi 400 NASCAR race. The trip includes round trip airfare, a meet and greet with a NASCAR driver and an autographed pit crew shirt. Players enter at JackDaniels.com or JackDanielsRacing.com. The promotion ends April 23.

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COLUMBIA PICTURES: is generating early buzz around the May 4, release of Spider-Man 3 showing a one-minute clip of the film during the broadcast of NBC’s TV show Heroes. Following the show, fans can go online to watch a seven-and-a-half-minute scene of the movie at NBC.com. Print ads in USA Today, Los Angeles Times, New York Times and TV Guide, online materials, radio and TV spots will support the promotion.

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THE ATHLETIC FOOT: has named Warschawski as its agency of record. Under the agreement, Warschawski will handle PR, including strategic planning, branding and media relations. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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ADVO STOCKHOLDERS: last week approved the terms of Advo’s amended takeover agreement with Valassis Communications. Valassis will buy Advo for about $1.08 billion, and assume about $125 million in Advo debt. The deal is now expected to close next month. The companies sued each other last fall when Valassis tried to rescind its offer, charging that Advo withheld information during acquisition negotiations. Both suits were dismissed in December (PROMO Xtra, Dec. 20, 2006).

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WAL-MART AND SAFEWAY: have joined the new produce branding campaign “Fruits & Veggies—More Matters” that the Produce for Better Health Foundation is launching on March 19 (PROMO Xtra, Feb. 20, 2007). The campaign, encouraging consumers to eat more produce, will run in 20,000 stores nationally through 33 retail companies that have licensed the “More Matters” brand from the foundation. So far, the Wilmington, DE-based foundation has licensed the brand to nearly 170 companies, including growers, shippers, packers and processors as well as retailers.

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WISE FOODS, INC.: has been named the official potato chip and Cheez Doodle sponsor of the Boston Red Sox. Under the three-year agreement, the company will supply Wise potato chips, Wise kettle chips and Cheez Doodles to Red Sox games at Fenway Park. Wise will have wall signage and sponsor a new feature segment on the main Red Sox scoreboard. The company will have rights to use team logos and marks on its products and in promotions throughout New England.

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JACK DANIEL’S: is giving away 50 grand prizes in a new sweeps: Jack Daniel’s barrels (empty), valued at $96. The barrels were used at the Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, VA. Participants enter at JackDaniels.com/PieceOfLynchburg.com.

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WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS: has formed a licensing arrangement with Lot29, a division of Wicked Apparel, to create urban designs inspired by super heroes and villains, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and arch-rivals The Penguin, The Riddler and The Joker. The sportswear line for young men and juniors will hit retail this fall.

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PILGRIM’S PRIDE CORP.: is running its annual Winning Taste recipe contest with a $50,000 prize pool and a grand-prize trip for four to Provence, France. Entrants submit a chicken recipe in five categories (appetizer, main dish, light eating, grilling, and quick-and-easy). The contest runs online at WinningTasteRecipe.com through April 30; six winners will be announced in June. Prize packages include cooking equipment from Fire Magic (grills), ScanPan (cookware) and J.A. Henckels (cutlery). This is the 19th year that Atlanta-based Pilgrim’s Pride is holding the contest.

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CLAIROL HERBAL ESSENCES: is running a Fabulous February sweeps. The grand prize is a $25,000 shopping spree and a three-night trip for the winner and three guests to New York City. The winner also gets a session with a fashion consultant. One hundred and fifty people will receive the first prize, a gift pack including a selection of Herbal Essences products and a $100 pre-paid debit card. D.L. Blair administers the promotion.

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POLARIS INDUSTRIES: has named The Integer Group its agency of record for all marketing, including retail promotions. Denver-based Integer will create TV, print and interactive ads and handle media buying. The agency has handled retail and one-to-one marketing for a few years.

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KASHI FOODS: will distribute 1 million GoLean Crunchy snack bars in health clubs in April, through the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). Kashi will return to IHRSA clubs again in October with another 1 million samples; the product for that sampling push hasn’t been decided yet.

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TIMBERLAND: has signed a licensing agreement with Block Corp. to develop a line of work wear for its Timberland Pro division in the U.S. and Canada. The new apparel line will include long-sleeved woven and knit shirts, performance outerwear and pants. The agreement also calls for Block to drive develop and distribute a Timberland PRO line of men’s work wear apparel. The fall collection will debut at the Magic Show Feb. 13-16 in Las Vegas.

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MATTEL: teamed up with Crest in a licensing deal to promote its Barbie and Hot Wheels brands. The new Crest BarbieCrest Oral Care Line features Barbie toothpaste and Zooth manual and power toothbrushes. The Hot Wheels line includes Hot Wheels Zooth toothpaste and a new line of Zooth manual and power toothbrushes. The products are now available at Target, Wal-Mart and food retailers.

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JCPENNEY: plans to launch a new lifestyle brand created by Polo Ralph Lauren’s Global Brand Concepts called American Living. The launch, the largest in the company’s history, will include merchandise for women, men and children, as well as intimate apparel, accessories and home. The collection will be in JCPenney’s stores, its catalog and Web site JCP.com in the spring of 2008.

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PUBLICIS GROUPE: has completed its $1.3 billion purchase of Digitas Inc., including all three divisions: Digitas, Modem Media, and Medical Broadcasting LLC (PROMO Xtra, Dec. 22, 2006). The digital marketing company now becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Paris-based Publicis, giving the global holding company gives Publicis Groupe an immediate advantage in interactive marketing, one of the fastest-growing marketing services. Publicis projects that digital and interactive marketing will account for 10% of total marketing spending worldwide by 2010.

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MOMENTUM WORLDWIDE: has consolidated its St. Louis staff in new office space. All 270 staffers move from two separate offices into a newly constructed, 60,000 square-foot space with room to grow. St. Louis, once the headquarters of Momentum (which is now based in New York City), has been the agency’s fastest-growing division: That office grew 30% last year, the agency said.

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THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL: has issued a $3.6 million grant over three years to the American Legacy Foundation to expand ALF’s “truth” anti-tobacco campaign. The non-profit ALF will use the grant to boost its advertising in 45 cities in 18 states, including smaller markets where “truth” ads have not run before. The grant money for 2007, $1.2 million, brings the media budget for “truth” to $4 million. Arnold Worldwide, Boston, and Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, Miami, handle the campaign for Washington, DC-based ALF.

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NIKE: has named Clare Hamill president and CEO of the company’s Exeter Brands Group. The division designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear and apparel under the Starter, Team Starter, Asphalt, Shaq, Dunkman and Tailwind brands. Hamill recently worked as vice president of new business development for Nike, Inc. affiliate brands. In that role, she helped Exeter develop new products, brands and distribution and marketing partnerships. She succeeds Lisa Kempa, who has headed Exeter since 2005 and previously worked as chief financial officer of Converse. Kempa will now handle new business development for the company.

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OFFICEMAX: will print and bind a 28-page section of the Jan. 29 edition of The Wall Street Journal to show off its new ImPress printing services. Traditional media supporting the new service includes national network radio spots (via DDB Chicago Advertising), spot TV in Chicago, Las Vegas, Cleveland and Orlando and newspaper ads nationally. Online, the launch gets banner ads, e-mail, and office-themed games at Officemax.com/arcade.

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HERBALIFE: a global nutrition direct-selling company, has signed a three-year sponsorship deal with the Finnish Ice Hockey Association. The deal names Herbalife the official nutrition partner of the league. It is the first major sponsorship agreement of its kind for Herbalife in Finland. The agreement covers the national team, as well as the women’s and junior teams. As part of the deal, Herbalife will be providing product and nutritional training to each of the players from all three teams.

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JACK IN THE BOX: is using bits of Oreo cookies, vanilla ice cream and bittersweet chocolate syrup to make the Chocolate Oreo Cookie Shake. The drink will be available for a limited time and is a twist on Jack’s Oreo Cookie Shake, which has been a guest favorite and menu staple for several years, the company said.

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MATTEL, INC.: President Neil Friedman will be inducted into the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA) Murray Altchuler Licensing Industry Hall of Fame at the Annual LIMA Awards Gala. A ceremony is scheduled for June 20 at the Marriott Marquis Times Square in New York City. Friedman will be recognized for active involvement in the licensing industry and leadership skills. LIMA is the trade association for the licensing industry.

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COUPONS, INC.: has named Jon Schwartz as vice president of sales. He had been vice president of sales at Yahoo. Schwartz will be responsible for continuing the company’s drive to shift to online coupon programs, the company said. Coupons, Inc. said that it enables more than 99% of coupon offerings online and works with more than 400 brands in consumer package goods, healthcare, electronics, retail and entertainment.

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POLO RALPH LAUREN: has formed a new group called global brand concepts, which will develop new lifestyle brands for specialty and department stores. It will handle design, marketing and advertising full lifestyle products, including men’s, women’s, children’s, home and accessories

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BURGER KING: has sold more than 2 million units of its BK Xbox games since their launch on Nov. 19. The three video games (Pocketbike Racer, Big Bumpin’ and Sneak King) are still available at participating restaurants while supplies last for $3.99 per game with the purchase of a BK Value Meal. The games are compatible with the Xbox and the Xbox 360 gaming systems and are rated “E” for everyone.

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WORLD WRESTLING FEDERATION: has a signed new agreements with international companies to air mobile content of its programming. The new deals were signed with Orange, Britain’s third-largest network operator, Heylife, a Portugal mobile, Internet and TV content producer and distributor and German broadcaster Tele5. Terms of the deals were not disclosed.

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NIKE: is marking the 25th anniversary of the Air Force 1 performance basketball shoe with a new incarnation of the Air Force 25. National Basketball Association players Tony Parker from the San Antonia Spurs, Emeka Okafor from the Charlotte Bobcats and Shawn Marion from the Phoenix Suns were among the first Nike athletes to wear the shoes during games. The footwear hit stores this month, selling for $175.

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TRAVELOCITY: is out with a new way to reach customers: a blog. The Window Seat blog offers travel tips and insider details from travel experts at Windoseat.Travelocity.com. And soon, bloggers who visit the site can upload photos and view destination videos.

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KROGER CO.’S: grocery chain Fry’s Food & Drug Stores hired Sunflower Group as its exclusive provider of in-store marketing services for the 115-store chain. Overland Park, KS-based Sunflower begins managing in-store marketing for Phoenix-based Fry’s in January.

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GSN: is out with a new online game for critics of O.J. Simpson. The Throw the Book at O.J. game features Simpson at a fictional bookstore where his book signing was cancelled. In it, players throw books at him to earn points. Gamers can earn extra points by intercepting cartoon items that fall out of Simpson’s jacket pockets including bundles of money, a trophy and a glove. The game, which is part of GSN’s free suite of online games, is available at at www.gsn.com

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MATTEL: and Emerson and Radio Corp. have formed a new licensing partnership to produce a line of Barbie Real Electronics. It will include the Tune Blossom personal CD player, the Hour Garden talking alarm clock with nightlight, the Bloombox portable CD player, and a 13″ television with digital tuner and a matching DVD player. The products, which will be available next spring, will debut at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2007

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SPRINT: has rolled out a new promotion tied to the National Football League that lets fans meet and obtain autographs from some of their favorite players in select stores nationwide. Attendees can also enter for a chance to win a Motorazr phone or to have an NFL player record their voicemail greeting. NFL players making appearances include Reggie Wayne and Dwight Freeney of the Indianapolis Colts; Derrick Brooks and Michael Clayton of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and Sean Jones and Dennis Northcutt of the Cleveland Browns, among others. The effort is part of Sprint’s Twelve Days of Power Shopping campaign, which is designed to showcase some of the company’s products and services during the holiday season.

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DRIVE AGENCY: has been acquired by George Pace. In March 2005, Pace had acquired an interest in the company. Drive Agency is also owned by stockholder Dan Brothers, the founder of The LaSalle Group agency and Dan Curran, founder of Drive Agency. Brothers will continue as a board director for Drive; Curran will leave to pursue other interests. Pace will continue as CEO and is looking to fill the president post within the next few months. Drive Agency, St. Louis, was formed in October 2004 via a merger of The LaSalle Group. Drive Agency’s clients include Anheuser-Busch, Ardent Outdoors, Hardee’s, Houlihans, ATK Federal, Ride the Ducks and Mitre Shoes.

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TACO BELL: has begun selling breakfast items in some of its southern California restaurants in an effort to boost sales, according to news reports. The company plans to expand into additional markets next year. The news came as a number of Taco Bell restaurants in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania have been tied to an E.coli infection outbreak that caused more than 40 people to become ill.

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PIX FUSION: has signed a multi-year licensing deal with Marvel/Spider-Man Merchandising L.P. to license the Spider-Man family of characters. Under the agreement, PixFusion uses patented technology to publish a Spider-Man DVD using a child’s photo called I Am the Amazing Spider-Man. The image is transformed into a 25-minute film based on the Spider-Man—The Animated Series, which stars the child as the web-slinging hero. Terms were not disclosed.

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COCA-COLA NORTH AMERICAN AND CARIBOU COFFEE: plan to launch a new line of premium ready-to-drink iced coffees in the U.S. next summer. The deal marks the third licensing agreement for Caribou. Earlier this year, the company partnered with General Mills for a line of Caribou Coffee snack bars and with Kemps for a Caribou Coffee premium ice cream. Volume in the ready-to-drink coffee category has grown 17% in the last four years, and revenues are up 24%, Coke said. Coca-Cola has been innovating as well. In August, it launched a new line of premium indulgent beverages, Godiva Belgian Blends, in partnership with Godiva Chocolatier.

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DUNKIN’ DONUTS: is toasting Salvation Army volunteers and people who offer a minimum of a $1 donation with a free medium coffee or small hot chocolate Dec. 9-10 in Metro Detroit. In addition, the company will hand our one pound bags of ground coffee to donors at bell ringer sites. Three people will receive Dunkin’ Donuts’ certificates good for one free medium coffee every week for one year.

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CRACKER BARREL OLD COUNTRY STORE, INC.: is sprucing up it outdoor billboards amid a steady decline in restaurant and retail sales over the past few years. The images of a brown-and-gold graphic of a man seated next to a barrel will be replaced with color photos of food items like pancakes and biscuits on nearly 1,500 billboards primarily along U.S. interstate highways. The new advertising campaign begins this month.

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THEKNOT.COM: will run a month-long promotion timed to prime proposal season. The Diamond-a-Week Giveaway Game breaks Dec. 6, awarding one $15,000 engagement ring each week of December. Consumers register at the site, then play an interactive game to vie for a ring from jeweler Hearts on Fire. The site also hosts a ring-design tool, tips on shopping for diamonds, and a list of ideas for innovative ways to propose.

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KOHL’S: is hosting a pair of consumer events in Los Angeles on Dec. 2 and Dec. 9 to celebrate the holiday season with shoppers. The department store’s Santa Monica location will host the Kohl’s Holiday Sandman (with sandmen substituting for snowmen) and West Hills location the Kohl’s Winter Wonderland event. Eric Gagne of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Jordan Farmer of the Los Angeles Lakers will participate in consumer activities such as sand sculpting. An ice-skating rink and a Dress Like an Elf contest will involve kids; shoppers can pose for free photographs against a winter scenery backdrop.

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POLO RALPH LAUREN: has an interactive shopping window outside its Michigan Avenue Flagship store in Chicago. Similar technology was set up at the Ralph Lauren Madison Avenue store in New York for a US Open tennis-themed window. The touch screen is 67″ and gives consumers the touch shopping experience through Feb. 19.

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DURACELL: has partnered with the officials of the City of North Pole, AK, to be its official battery. As part of the deal, the company will provide all city residents with a supply of Duracell batteries and flashlights for the holidays. The partnership serves as reminder to have batteries on hand for battery-powered gifts, the company said. During the holiday season, visitors to Duracell.com can upload a photo of their houses decorated in festive lights and download a “Dear Santa” template to complete wish lists.

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VERIZON: is giving away one Alienware Aurora 3500 gaming computer and a 17-inch flat-panel monitor each day to users of its Verizon PlayLinc game browser and messaging service. The service allows consumers to use free private servers to play games online and communicate with friends. The sweepstakes, called 50 Aliens in 50 days, will run for 50 days before ending Dec. 29.

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COLUMBIA PICTURES: is building early buzz around its spring release of Spider-Man 3 offering a sneak peek of the film in a new trailer set to debut across a number the CBS Television Network tonight. The two-and-a-half-minute-long trailer will air at 10 p.m. on BET, CBS, Comedy Central, Logo, MTV, MTV2, Spike TV and VH1. In addition, Viacom’s networks will air the trailer online, including on MTV.com, Nick.com and VH1.com. In Spider-Man 3, Peter Parker learns to strike a balance between his love for M.J. and his duties as a superhero. But Peter starts to neglect the people that care about him most and soon faces the battle of his life against villains the Sandman and Venom. Spider-Man 3 opens May 4.

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ANHEUSER-BUSCH: is letting Missouri residents vote for “Missouri’s New Specialty Beer” at OriginalBeers.com. Votes will be cast for one of three new specialty beers as part of the company’s local specialty beers program. The three candidates are: Mule Kick Oatmeal Stout, Confluence Amber Wheat and Pilot House Imperial Pils. The beers were crafted and brewed by a small team of local employees at the St. Louis brewery. Beginning Jan. 8, the winning beer will be available in the state and in other select markets as a draught-only beer. Similar contests have already been held this year at Anheuser-Busch’s Merrimack, NH and Columbus, OH, breweries.

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DOCKERS: has entered into a three-year agreement with professional golfer Arron Oberholser to begin in 2007. As part of the agreement, Oberholser will wear Dockers Golf apparel on the Professional Golfers’ Association Tour and feature Dockers Golf branding with the flying D golf logo on his cap, shirt collar, sleeve and chest. He will appear as the face of Dockers Golf in the brand’s marketing campaigns and related activities, including the Dockers Pressure Challenge, a four-episode reality golf program scheduled to air on CBS Sports in May 2007. Oberholser will officially debut his new Dockers Golf look at the 2007 Mercedes Championship at Kapalua, Hawaii, in January. The Dockers brand is actively re-engaging in golf apparel as part of its Four Wearing Occasions (work, weekend, dress and golf) campaign, launched in September 2006. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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THE HISTORY CHANNEL: is boosting its brand by adding a float to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The History Channel will celebrate the parade’s 80th anniversary with a float designed as a child’s wind-up toy showcasing key figures, dates and celebrations in New York City history, including the Empire State. The History Channel will air a special documentary on the parade on Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will take place Nov. 23.

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JUPITERRESEARCH: has launched a new research service to report on mobile media and marketing. The service debuted with a new report that found that total advertiser spending on mobile messaging and display advertising is projected to grow from $1.4 billion in 2006 to $2.9 billion in 2011. Some 22% of online advertisers are engaged in mobile marketing, the firm said. Early adopter industries include media, wireless carriers, automotive, financial services, consumer packaged goods and food services. Brands leveraging mobile marketing tend to be youth oriented, but not exclusively so, the company said.

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JAKKS PACIFIC: has renewed its long-term licensing agreement for its Flying Colors division with Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products. Under the agreement, Jakks will develop a range of activity items based on Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. properties, including Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go!, SpongeBob SquarePants and The Backyardigans.

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CHRYSLER: will give consumers the opportunity to test drive its full line of 2007 Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products in its Full Throttle Test Drive Event at Miller Park in Milwaukee. Event attendees will receive a $400 consumer rebate certificate to be used toward the purchase of an eligible vehicle. As an added bonus, one event attendee also has the chance to win a new Chrysler Crossfire Coupe. Consumers pre-register for the free event at RideDriveWin.com/pr. The event is slated for Oct. 28-29.

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REEBOK: and the National Hockey League (NHL) has launched two NHL-licensed apparel collections for women (42% of the NHL’s fan base) and children (24% of its fans base). The women’s line includes T-shirts, tracksuits, outdoor jackets, headwear and pink and powder blue jerseys, each featuring NHL team logos. The children’s line features more than 75 styles of children’s wear, including replica team jerseys, locker-room apparel, onesies and creeper sets. The collections are available in the shop section of NHL.com, at NHL team stores and in retail stores throughout North America. Retail prices range from $19.99 to $89.99. Retail store partners JCPenney, Dick’s Sporting Goods, The Sports Authority, Omega Sports and Sports Fan Attic will carry items from the collections.

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CHRYSLER GROUP: has once again chosen Brandimensions, Inc., an online brand protection and marketing intelligence company, to monitor online consumers’ buzz for its Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge brands. An earlier agreement was forged in fall 2005. Chrysler will use data collected to fine tune its marketing campaigns, consider consumer feedback when designing new vehicles, measure effectiveness of its promotions and analyze the impact of industry-wide issues on consumer purchasing behavior. The automaker evaluated several providers of online market intelligence services before making its decision.

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AMERICAN EDUCATION SERVICES: has launched The $20,000 Lighten Your Loan Sweepstakes to help cash-strapped students pay back their college loans. Four prizes include: $10,000, $5,000 and (two) $2,500 loan payments to be made towards each winner’s loan balance. The sweepstakes ends Dec. 1. and is open to all AES customers holding a Federal Family Education Loan Program loan guaranteed by AES. Students enter the sweeps at YouCanDealWithIt.com.

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WARNER BROS. CONSUMER PRODUCTS: has appointed Thinkway Toys the master toy licensee for the Scooby-Doo franchise. Under the deal, Thinkway Toys will introduce a new line of action figures and toys based on the crime-fighting cast of Scooby-Doo. The collection will include five different themed versions of Scooby and Shaggy, as well as a new version of The Mystery Machine, which opens up to reveal a projectile launcher on the van bed. The toy line will also include plush figures of all Scooby-Doo characters and talking themed plush figures of Scooby and Shaggy, a remote-controlled skateboarding Scooby, mini wacky vehicles, a camera with talking sound effects and a flip cell phone with Scooby-Doo voice and sound effects. WBCP and Thinkway will introduce the new Scooby-Doo line at Toy Fair 2007 in New York. Products are expected to hit retail shelves nationwide in fall 2007.

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DIC ENTERTAINMENT: has named Leila Pirnia to VP-global brand management, a new position at the company. In the role, Pirnia will oversee a group of global brand managers at DIC to guide strategic direction across all business platforms, including TV, home entertainment, consumer products and new media. She will supervise brands including SPG: Slumber Party Girls, Horseland, Cake, McDonald’s, Strawberry Shortcake, Madeline and Classic Trolls. Previously, Pirnia worked as VP-strategic planning & business development at DIC where she analyzed joint ventures, new business initiatives and corporate acquisitions.

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SHELL: has awarded Chuckey, TN, resident Donald Snyder with gasoline for life as part of its Million Gallon Giveaway sweepstakes (PROMO Xtra, June 26, 2006). Snyder picked up a winning scratch-off game card at a Shell station near his home. He is one of six grand-prize winners to whom Shell will award the gasoline prize. The gasoline prize will be distributed in the form of $300 Shell Gift Cards (the total prize is worth more than $90,000). Shell is in the process of verifying three other potential grand-prize winners in the sweeps, leaving two winning cards still unclaimed.

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KOHL’S CORP.: and Food Network have signed a licensing deal to develop a Food Network-branded line of cookware, dinnerware, kitchen gadgets, cutlery, pantry ware and food storage, kitchen electrics and table linen. The new line launches in Kohl’s stores nationwide and at Kohls.com in the fall of 2007. The deal marks the first home merchandise launch for Scripps Networks, Inc.—the parent of Food Network and HGTV, among others.

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MASTERCARD EUROPE: has appointed Pedro Rangel as group head of marketing. The newly created, Brussels-based position is effective immediately. In his new role, Rangel will be responsible for the strategic management of MasterCard Europe’s brand-building, promotional programs, customer marketing, sponsorship and events, investment strategies and other marketing activities. Rangel was most recently senior business leader, Marketing, for MasterCard’s Latin America and Caribbean Region, based in Miami.

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MCDONALD’S CORP.: is partnering with the Scripps Research Institute to fund research and programs aimed at preventing childhood obesity. The QSR is donating $2 million to the La Jolla, California-based Scripps Institute, its first-ever initiative to donate money to scientific research. The move comes as McDonald’s has been fending off accusations that the company is in part to blame for contributing to overweight children. The research will be under the newly created McDonald’s Center for Type 2 Diabetes and Obesity.

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AMSOUTH BANK: is offering its customers the chance to have their mortgage paid off this fall as part of the AmSouth Bank Home Free Sweepstakes. The sweeps kicked off Sept. 5 and each week over 10 weeks, one consumer or small-business person will win one month’s mortgage payment (valued at $2,500.) At the end of the sweeps, one weekly winner will be selected for the grand prize—a guaranteed minimum of $150,000 (up to a maximum of $500,000) paid toward their mortgage. To enter, consumers visit a participating AmSouth Bank through Nov. 10 and open any one of its qualifying checking or equity account products. Online materials, in-bank signage, and radio and TV spots support.

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BURGER KING: has teamed up with U.S. Youth Soccer in a new sweepstakes offering kids the chance to win one of 1,500 sets of soccer gear for their team. Consumer can enter online via BK.com/soccer or mail to win one of the soccer prize packs, which include a soccer bag, two soccer balls, eight cones and a stop watch. The sweepstakes runs through Sept. 30. Consumers can also view soccer tip videos hosted by Jimmy Conrad of the U.S. Men’s National Team on the site. In-restaurant merchandise and online materials support.

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SUBARU OF AMERICA INC.: is continuing its support of The Professional Ski Instructors of America (PSIA), American Association of Snowboard Instructors (AASI), and the National Ski Patrol (NSP) with a new five-year agreement. As part of the agreement, Subaru will fund the development of a new consumer-oriented, animated micro site within the PSIA, AASI and NSP Web sites. The sites, called “Yur Mountain,” will officially launch with the start of the 2006/07 snowsports season. The sites will target the tween audience and their parents to motivate them to go out and enjoy skiing and riding, while promoting the Subaru Tribeca or Subaru Outback brands. The partnership brings the number of years Subaru has been affiliated with the associations to 16. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: star Shaquille O’Neal has signed a deal with Chinese sportswear brand Li Ning to create a new line of “Shaq Dunkman” products. The five-year deal gives Li Ning the rights to market and produce professional basketball shoes and apparel in China. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

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B2 BEVERAGE CO.: has launched a non-carbonated tropical fruit and cream flavored premium malt beverage line called Hard Creamer, the “first in category”, the company said. A sub-brand, Kalima Hawaiian Hard Creamer also bows. The products will initially roll out in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. National distribution is expected within a year. The first two Hard Creamer flavors are Strawberry Daiquiri and Orange Cream. Kalima flavors include Fuzz Navel, Tropical Cream and Pina Colada. The beverages come in 12-ounce longneck bottles available in six-packs.

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HARPERENTERTAINMENT: and HarperCollins Children’s Books have signed a licensing agreement with DreamWorks Animation SKG for movie tie-ins, including novelizations, readers, storybooks and board books for Shrek the Third. A broad publishing program based on the film launches in spring 2007. HarperEntertainment will publish movie tie-in books for DreamWorks’ fall 2007 release of Bee Movie followed by Kung Fu Panda and the sequel to Madagascar.

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PAPA GINO’S AND D’ANGELO GRILLED SANDWICHES: has promoted Michael McManama to senior VP-brand development responsible for promoting the two brands, developing new products and overseeing overall communications, new image programs and purchasing decisions. He had been VP-marketing, research and development.

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BURGER KING: is out with a new microsite, a nod off its popular Subservient Chicken site. Only this time, the QSR is using a dancing hand puppet of its mascot the King. The site, Weemcee.co/kb.html, lets consumers choose one of 14 dances for the cartoon puppet to follow. Visitors can also send a dance to a friend via e-mail. Campbell Mithun, handles, according to news reports.

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JO-ANN STORES, INC.: has appointed Travis Smith, executive VP-merchandising and marketing, effective July 31. In his new role, Smith will oversee merchandising and marketing initiatives for all product categories and identify new opportunities for the brand. He replaces Dave Bolen, who left the position in Nov. 2005, the company said. Recently, Smith worked as senior VP- general merchandise for Fred Meyer, a super center division of The Kroger Co., where he oversaw general merchandise planning and replenishment.

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SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS AMERICA, INC.: has teamed with baseball’s Joe Torre, manager of the New York Yankees, in the fight against domestic violence. For every home run hit by a New York Yankee at Yankee Stadium during the 2006 regular baseball season, the electronics company will donate $1,000 to the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation. The campaign, dubbed Home Run for Kids, is an off-shoot of Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope, a philanthropy program that combines the forces of major national retailers with various sports, music and political boldface names to benefit children and communities in need.

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MCDONALD’S: is rolling out a new in-restaurant play area that features interactive game zones for kids four to 12. The McDonald’s R Gym, which launched in March, includes stationary bicycles, an obstacle course and other games designed to help kids increase their physical activity. The Whittier, CA-based restaurant opened the company’s second R Gym yesterday. It builds off the QSR’s focus on balanced, active lifestyles and promotes exercise for kids. McDonald’s plans to build more than 20 R Gyms in its restaurants throughout California over the next year.

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EDY’S ICE CREAM: will host 1,500 block parties across the U.S. as part of its Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute. Consumers nominated their neighborhood online; Edy’s chose 1,500 to receive a block-party kit, including enough Edy’s Slow Churned Light ice cream for 100 people, scoops, tablecloths and napkins, nametags and disposable cameras. This is the second year that Oakland, CA-based Edy’s is hosting the parties; consumers can submit nominations for next year at Icecream.com.

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JAMBA JUICE: has named Paul Coletta as VP-marketing and brand development, effective June 19. He replaces T.J. Williams, who left to spend more time with her family. In his new role, Coletta will oversee the development of Jamba’s brand strategy and marketing plans and will report to Jamba Juice CEO Paul Clayton. In addition, he will play a role in the company’s store environment, product innovation, advertising, promotions, community and p.r. and strategic alliances. Coletta recently worked as director of worldwide marketing for Hewlett-Packard, where he supervised printing supplies product marketing. He has held top marketing positions with The Walt Disney Co., Viacom, Freeborders Software Co. and Federated Department Stores.

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MAJOR LEAGUE GAMING: has signed leading four-man Halo 2 video game team, Final Boss, to a $1 million dollar contract and Tsquared, a top individual gaming pro, to a $250,000 deal. As part of the multi-year agreements, the gamers will serve as the league’s brand ambassadors. In a separate development, the league announced that Red Bull would become its official energy drink.

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SONIC: Shawnee, OK, has hired Firehouse to handle marketing for the 3,000 drive-in restaurant chain. Dallas-based Firehouse will position Sonic as “Your Ultimate Drink Stop” to tout its custom-made drinks (with more than 160,000 flavor combinations) and help drive restaurant traffic. First work breaks in July.

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CNN AND CENTURY 21: are teaming up for the Heat Up Your Kitchen sweepstakes that will award a $10,000 kitchen makeover as grand prize. The sweeps is an extension of Century 21’s ad buy on CNN Headline News’ weekly real estate series Open House. The sweeps runs July 17 through Aug. 11; an overlay for Century 21 realtors will award a trip to New York for a behind-the-scenes visit to the Open House set. Agents who download sweeps co-branded materials to use with their own customers are automatically entered in the realtors’ sweeps. Promotional spots on CNN programs and on its Web sites support. CNN Ad Sales handles.

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THE ASSOCIATION OF VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS: said that Southern California Toyota Dealers will become the title sponsor to its Hermosa Beach event scheduled for this weekend. Toyota will activate the sponsorship with TV features, in-telecast Scorebug, courtside signage, and on-site display space in the tour’s Sponsor Village. The four Toyota-sponsored tournaments air nationally on Fox Sports Net and on NBC. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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HEINEKEN NV: COO Marc Bolland, has been named CEO of William Morrison Supermarkets PLC. Bolland, 47, will take over Sept. 1, replacing Bob Stott.

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GM: has appointed Troy Clarke president of GM North America and GM group VP, effective July 1. Clarke, president of GM Asia Pacific since 2004, will work with GM chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner implementing the GMNA turnaround plan, and will oversee day-to-day operations of GM’s largest sales region. Wagoner has been leading GMNA since April 2005 to develop and drive the region’s turnaround strategy.

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WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT INC.: has added Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) as a third brand adding to its line up of RAW and SmackDown franchises. The SCI FI Channel will start airing one-hour episodes of the new ECW live television program in a summer series which begins June 13. The ECW will give licensees the opportunity to expand their product lines with ECW-branded T-shirts, caps, jerseys, sweatshirts and trading cards and through other partnerships.

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WHIRPOOL: has launched its Mother of Invention Grant for the second year. The program calls for consumers to create a solution to an unmet need in the marketplace and submit entries to Whirlpool.com/Moms. A Whirlpool panel will judge consumers’ entries and the top winner gets a $20,000 grant, a new home office and a two-day business boot camp. The deadline to enter is July 30.

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TOYOTA MOTOR SALES: said Tuesday that it is the exclusive sponsor of the Sunday Night Football Halftime Show on NBC, which begins in August. The Toyota Halftime Report will feature a wrap-up of the day’s games, along with a full-size Tundra pickup truck.

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PAPA GINO’S: is out with a new pizza product, the Rustic Pizza—its latest pizza offering since 1999. The one-size pizza gives consumers a more “grown-up” alternative to Papa Gino’s traditional thin-crust pizza, and sells for $11.99. Papa Gino’s is giving consumers a chance to sample a slice of its Rustic Pizza May 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in all of its restaurants. In addition, Papa Gino’s is offering a free small cheese pizza with every Rustic Pizza purchased through June 25. Online materials support.

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GREEN MOUNTAIN COFFEE ROASTERS, INC.: has purchased the outstanding shares of Keurig, Inc., a company that produces machines that brew single cups of coffee and other hot beverages, for $104 million. Green Mountain already owns 35% of the Wakefield, MA-based company. The deal is expected to close in June.

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NIKE: is expanding its licensing business under a new partnership with the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse organization, rolling out team uniforms, warm ups and casual sports apparel. The new uniforms will debut this summer when the Iroquois Nationals are expected to compete in the 2006 World Lacrosse Championships in London and Ontario. Under the partnership, the Iroquois Nationals will participate in research and company design studies intended to further develop Nike’s lineup of training and competition footwear and apparel for the sport. Nike supports 18 collegiate men’s and women’s lacrosse programs.

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DIAGEO-GUINNESS USA: is revamping its Guinness packaging with a “more stylish and contemporary” look that will remain true to the brand’s classic heritage and identity, the company said. The classic logo, which appeared on the front of bottles and cans, will be replaced with an updated logo that will show on both sides as well as other changes. The new packaging appears this month on Guinness Draught cans and bottles in U.S.

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ADIDAS: has entered a five-year marketing partnership with Heisman trophy winner Reggie Bush. Bush will be featured in a variety of marketing and advertising initiatives and will help develop of Adidas football and training-specific apparel and footwear, the company said. Bush will promote Adidas’ new Power Web Compression apparel geared to athletes. Financial terms of the partnership were not disclosed.

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FORD: has launched When It Fits, You Win, a national sweepstakes for automotive Mechanical Parts Installers. Eligible participants have a chance to win a 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 and other prizes by entering at Whenitfitsyourwin.com. The sweepstakes runs through Sept. 30.

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APPLE COMPUTER, INC.: said Wednesday that for its second quarter, the company generated $4.36 billion in revenues and a net quarterly profit of $410 million. The results compare to revenue of $3.24 billion and a net profit of $290 million in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 43% of the quarter’s revenue.

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FORD: is bringing back the famed Shelby GT-H Rent-A-Racer program this summer. A special run of 500 performance-modified Ford Mustang GTs will be available at select Hertz locations to mark the 40th anniversary of the program that offers car enthusiasts the opportunity to rent and drive a high-performance sports car.

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ALLOY MEDIA + MARKETING: New York, bought Sconex, Inc., a social networking site for high school students, for $6.1 million. The site complements Alloy’s portfolio of teen-targeted media, which includes Alloy.com, Delias.com, CCS.com, Collegeclub.com and Careersandcolleges.com. Alloy will market Cambridge, MA-based Sconex via Alloy’s in-school media, now in about 60% of high schools nationally. Sconex bills itself as “the unofficial Web site for your school” and lets kids build their own profiles and find information about other students in their own school and nationally.

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THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION: is asking for public comment on proposed information requests to beverage alcohol manufacturers regarding voluntary advertising placement provisions, sales and marketing expenditures and the status of third-party review of complaints about compliance with voluntary advertising codes. The comments must be received by May 8 to FTC/Office of the Secretary, Room H-135 (Annex J), 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC, 20580 or by e-mail to [email protected].

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NISSAN MOTOR CO. LTD.: said that Volvo AB will acquire 13% of its 19% shareholding in Nissan Diesel Motor Com. Ltd., the manufacturer of trucks and diesel engines. Volvo AB will become Nissan Diesel’s largest shareholder and will have the right to acquire the remaining 6% of Nissan Motor’s shares within the next four years. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

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FORD OF BRITAIN: completes its 2006 senior management line-up with two director-level changes, effective April 1. Mark Ovenden, 41, has been appointed director of marketing and replaces Steve Hood, who joins Ford Retail as director of marketing and strategy. Ovenden joins Ford of Britain from Ford of Europe where he was European small car brand manager.

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THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION: has named Greg Economou as the association’s SVP-marketing and communications effective April 3. Economou will direct the NBA’s marketing and brand development, and oversee the league’s domestic and international communications functions. Economou, 41, recently worked as the managing director and CEO of Brandthink, a management consulting firm.

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DISNEY: is building buzz around the upcoming computer animated feature Cars debuting the new theatrical trailer today in Disney stores, Disney Theme Parks and other outlets. The trailer will air in hotel rooms and retail outlets at Disney Theme Parks, more than 300 Disney stores in malls and shopping centers and on Disney cable outlets including the Disney Channel, Lifetime Television, ESPN and Starz channels and on ABC Supersign in New York Times Square. The Cars trailer will air at 8 pm tonight in all eight ESPN Zones nationwide.

THE PROMOTIONAL MARKETING ASSOCIATION: launched its newly-designed Web site this week with improved navigation. The association also plans a “Consumers’ Attitude Towards Entertainment Marketing” study later this year.

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MAISON GUERLAIN: has signed Hillary Swank as a spokesperson for its new fragrance set to launch in September. The deal lasts for three years.

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ESPN RADIO: is launching a 16-week promotion, Mike & Mike’s Marriage Madness, that offers one grand-prize winner a wedding at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, CT. Listeners-in-love can register online at ESPNRadio.com where they can tell hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg how sports brought them together and why they deserve the wedding at ESPN. Consumers will help decide which couples advance through the “Sweetheart 16,” “Engaged 8” and “Fabulous Four” competition, closely corresponding to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in March. One winning couple will be feted on May 26 in a ceremony to be held at ESPN. The contest ends March 3.

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AIRTRAN AIRWAYS: said it is the first airline to offer Black Cherry Vanilla Coke on all flights beginning immediately. Coca-Cola said in November that it would introduce Diet Black Cherry Vanilla Coke and Black Cherry Vanilla Coke this month based on consumer demand. Vanilla Coke and Diet Vanilla Coke were put on hiatus but may be brought back at a later time, the company said. The airline carries 13 different Coca-Cola products.

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TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES: is honoring one of Japan’s most celebrated filmmakers Hayao Miyazaki by rolling out a sweepstakes that offers fans a chance to win a collection of Miyazaki’s work. The Ultimate Hayao Miyazaki DVD & Book sweepstakes will award a grand-prize winner a hardcover copy of The Art of Howl’s Moving Castle, a Howl Moving Castle Film comic series, a picture book the Art of My Neighbor Totoro companion book and Hayao Miyazaki DVDs by Buena Vista Entertainment. To enter, consumers can log on to Turnerclassicmovies.com through Jan. 31.

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PROMOWORKS: Schaumburg, IL last week secured funding from private investment firm Eos Partners and business-development firm Allied Capital to expand its in-store sampling and events business. No management changes are planned. PromoWorks ranked No. 40 in the 2005 PROMO 100 with 2004 net revenues of $23.6 million, up 323% from 2002.

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DELTA AIR LINES: has donated 5 million miles on behalf of its SkyMiles members to 16 designated SkyWish charities. Delta launched the SkyWish program in 1995 to let SkyMiles members give miles to charitable organizations. More than 1 billion miles have been donated to SkyWish since the program’s inception.

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ARBY’S RESTAURANTS: has signed a deal to serve PepsiCo products at its restaurants, including Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist, Mug Root Beer and Tropicana Lemonade as well as Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages products Dr Pepper and Diet Dr Pepper. The chain has about 3,500 restaurants.

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DOUBLETREE HOTELS: are giving consumers a sweet treat for the holidays. The hotel chain is offering complimentary chocolate chip cookies to anyone who drops by its more than 150 properties in North American starting today through Dec. 31. The promotion is part of Doubletree’s Cookies for the Holidays campaign.

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CHICK-FIL-A: was scheduled to open a new, free-standing restaurant today at 136000 Baltimore Ave. in the Laurel section of Baltimore. As part of the grand opening, the QSR awarded a year’s supply of Chick-fil-A combo meals (52 coupons) to the first 100 adults 18 and older in line by 6 a.m. The coupon giveaway is part of a larger promotion Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A started in October 2003— First 100 Fans— which the QSR doles out coupons to 100 customers at every free-standing and in-line restaurant grand opening.

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CADBURY ADAMS USA: is this month debuting Trident Watermelon Twist sugarless gum, a mix of watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew melon flavors. The gum comes in 18-pack envelope-style EX-Close-Packs.

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MARKETING WERKS: Chicago, promoted Brian Balok and Lindsay McNamara to senior account managers, both new posts, from account managers; and Ashley Guida to senior account coordinator from account coordinator.

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VICTORIA’S SECRET: is on the hot seat again, under fire for racy in-store marketing. Stores in McLean, VA, and Wauwatosa, WI, are being protested by local parents and others who find its in-store merchandising obscene, USA Today reported. In particular, the group took offense to scantily clad and provocatively posed-mannequins. “The only thing missing is a whip,” one protester told the paper.

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COCA-COLA CO.: has introduced a new flavor to its Dasani Flavors line: Dasani Strawberry in both 20-ounce and six-pack half liter. The new flavor joins Dasani Raspberry and Dasani Lemon. The products have been on the market about eight months.

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LORILLARD TOBACCO CO.’S: motion to reargue its case against the American Legacy Foundation was denied this week. Lorillard’s 2002 suit argued that ALF’s “truth” campaign vilified Lorillard employees, thereby violating the 1998 Master Settlement Agreement between tobacco companies and 46 states. The Chancery Court of Delaware judge ruled in August that ALF ads don’t vilify Lorillard staff, and allowed the campaign to continue (Aug. 24 Xtra).

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VENTURA ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES: has named Gordon Prend senior VP-marketing. The position went into effect on Sept. 26. In his new role, Prend is responsible for marketing, publicity, creative services and strategic partnerships for both the company’s proprietary studios, including UrbanWorks, StudioWorks, Studio Latino and Ventura Select, and exclusive and non-exclusive distributed labels.

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EINSON FREEMAN: Upper Saddle River, NJ, has added six account-service staffers within the last month. Caryn Andreasen is account director for Bristol-Myers Squibb, Colgate Palmolive and LG Electronics; she had been VP-management supervisor at DVC Worldwide. She replaces Edna Kominsky. Natalie Cammerino becomes account supervisor on Reynolds Metals, a new post; she had been Consumer Promotion Resources Manager at Kraft Foods. Assistant Account Executives Colleen Raleigh (Reynolds Metals) and Jaime Swanson (LG Electronics) join Einson Freeman after graduating from Boston College and Quinnipiac University, respectively; Raleigh replaces Meghan Hillegas, and Swanson’s is a new post. Keene College grad Jess Kooy takes the new post of junior art director. Nora Carenza becomes accounts payable manager, a new post; she had been accounts receivable and collections bookkeeper at Park Avenue Auto Group.

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CALVIN KLEIN, INC.: has entered into a licensing agreement with Markwins Holding Co. Ltd. to launch a new line of color cosmetics and skin care products under the new brand, ck Calvin Klein Beauty.

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SUBWAY: restaurants will become the sole sponsor of Little League Baseball and Softball as part of a two-year sponsorship. Under the deal, Subway will use the sponsorship, which runs from 2006-2008, to spread health-awareness message to Little League players and their parents through a booth at the Little League World Series, direct mail, P-O-P and ads.

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