Q&As

Athletic footwear manufacturer New Balance is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a series of races around the world and a contest that will send runners on to compete in the Chicago Marathon.

It is six months, almost to the day, that Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast. Much has been written about the destruction, the Katrina Diaspora, and the first few hesitating steps toward rebuilding. I wrote a love letter to the city in the Sept. 5 edition of Loose Cannon. Publicly, I asked the industry to contribute what it could to the relief efforts. Privately, I promised myself that when the time was right, I would revisit the city as observer and scribe to highlight the role direct response marketing could further play in the city

Toyota is giving consumers a chance to vote on student-created music videos as part of its Scion xPress Fest promotion, which will award one grand-prize winner with $20,000.

Companies fail at database marketing for a variety of reasons, says Jeff Hassemer, director of product strategy at the data management solutions division for database marketing services provider Abacus. During a Webinar held Feb. 23 by CHIEF MARKETER sister publications “Multichannel Merchant” and “Direct,” Hassemer cited the most common reasons:

If done correctly, loyalty programs can build stronger customer relationships, create lock-in, drive incremental revenue, and much more. But if launched without foresight, they can hurt margins, irritate customers, and distract marketers.

Starbucks Corp. plans to boots its reach and open full-service licensed stores in Stop & Shop supermarkets this year. The deal puts the squeeze on rival Dunkin’ Donuts, which already operates in more than 100 Stop & Shops.

Federated Department Stores has hired Anne MacDonald as CMO for the retail giant and president of Macy’s Corporate Marketing division.

Kimberly-Clark Corp. has introduced the Cottonelle for Kids product line, calling it the first-ever combined dry bath tissue and moist wipes system for youngsters. The launch is supported by a multi-million dollar ad and promotion campaign, one of the brands largest initiatives that will run this year.

When looking for a job, college students will take all the help they can get. And thanks to a mobile tour launched this month to promote CBcampus.com, a…

Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc. and the NBA will give one fan the chance to meet an NBA player, fashion and media icon Marc Ecko, or music mogul Jermaine Dupri.