GAP INC.: plans to launch a new online footwear business through its e-commerce division Gap Inc. Direct. The new business, which will feature top fashion brands for women, men and children, will be available for the 2006 holiday season, the company said. Online footwear is growing about 15% each year and is expected to become a $5.5 billion by 2010, according to a 2005 analysis by Forrester Research.
CBS CORP.: is selling its Paramount Parks division to Cedar Fair LP, the owner of Knott’s Berry Farm, for $1.24 billion in cash. CBS said in January it would sell the amusement parks because they did not fit with its media focus. Paramount Parks includes Kings Islands in Cincinnati, Wonderland in Canada and other parks in Virginia, North Carolina and California. The deal, which is expected to close in the third quarter, would make Cedar Fair the third-largest theme park operator in the U.S. after Walt Disney and Six Flags.
AMC ENTERTAINMENT: and Lionsgate have teamed up in a new promotion dangling free movie tickets to teachers to see the Liongate’s film Akeelah and the Bee. To qualify for one free movie tickets, teachers must show a school issued I.D. card and valid photo I.D. or a pay stub and photo I.D. to participating Loews Theatres, Star Theatres and Magic Johnson Theatres. The promotion, which kicked off May 19 runs through Thursday. Online materials and signage support.
UNILEVER: has inked a multi-year partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) where its Lever 2000 personal care brands will be the presenting sponsor of all U.S. Open Series telecasts and an official sponsor of the 10 U.S. Open Series tournaments. Lever 2000 will have a presence at the USTA National Tennis Center including a fan booth for interactive fan promotions, a Lever 2000 Day at the U.S. Open and signage in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
CARLSON MARKETING: Minneapolis, promoted Janet Sparkman to executive VP of Carlson 1to1, supervising the agency’s global direct-marketing and consulting arm. She had been senior VP-enterprise marketing.
POPAI: Washington, DC, has launched an online employment site listing retail marketing jobs. The association’s board, http://www.marketingatretailjobs.com, is open to POPAI’s own 1,700 member companies and is part of the Marketing Career Network of marketing and sales associations.
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