ADAM Missing Child Fax Poster Program Expands Into RadioShack Stores
RadioShack Corp., ChoicePoint and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) announced the expansion of the ADAM missing child fax poster program into more than 7,000 RadioShack stores nationwide. This makes the consumer electronics retailer the largest single-source distributor of ADAM fax posters in the country. Using technology developed by ChoicePoint, each RadioShack store will now receive NCMEC faxes of high-risk missing children from their area and place them on prominent display in the window or at the checkout register.
“The ADAM fax poster program allows us to provide customers with yet another tool to combat crimes against our children,” said Leonard Roberts, CEO of RadioShack. “By combining our retail presence in virtually every neighborhood in America with ChoicePoint’s ADAM fax poster distribution system, we can’t think of a better way to support our corporate citizenship goal.”
MusicNow Works With Best Buy To Launch New Digital Music Store
MusicNow Inc., developer of a legal online music store and service, and Best Buy have launched the MusicNow Download Store, initially available only through Best Buy. The MusicNow Download Store for Best Buy allows consumers to download music more easily to their favorite digital music players from industry leaders such as Creative, Rio, iRiver, Phillips/Nike, and Digitalway. Unlike other digital music offerings, the MusicNow Download Store for Best Buy enables users to transfer songs directly to more than 40 portable devices without having to convert their music or download extra plug-ins.
The MusicNow Download Store for Best Buy is available now at www.bestbuy.com/digitalmusic and also can be viewed through special kiosks at Best Buy retail stores.
Better Homes & Gardens Join Forces With Home Depot For Multi-Channel Promo
Better Homes and Gardens is conducting its 2004 Better Home Better Living Contest, presented exclusively with The Home Depot. The program will be supported by a multi-channel marketing program that includes a series of co-branded in-store “how-to” clinics to be held at all 1,460 Home Depot stores nationwide.
The Better Home Better Living Contest recognizes a full range of home improvement projects and invites consumers to enter their project for judging by a panel of top experts and Better Homes and Gardens editors. There are 20 judged categories, including: Best New Home; Best Remodeling; and Best Do-It-Yourself Project. The grand-prize winner will be awarded $25,000 and a Dodge Durango; one runner-up will be awarded $5,000 cash and $25,000 in Broyhill furnishings. Individual category winners will be awarded $1,000 each.
“This partnership embodies our commitment to offer customers the best in home improvement know-how through multiple channels,” said John Costello, Exec. V.P. Merchandising & Marketing for The Home Depot.
Pepsi Launches iTunes Promotion
Pepsi-Cola N.A. has announced a promotion to legally give away 100 million free songs to Mac® and Windows PC users from Apple's iTunes® Music Store. Beginning February 1, 100 million winning codes will be randomly seeded in 20 ounce and 1 liter bottles of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Sierra Mist, and the winning codes will be redeemable for a free song from the iTunes Music Store. Winners will go to Apple’s iTunes Music Store (www.iTunes.com), enter the code found under the bottle cap and choose any 99 cent song from the online store's vast catalog of over 400,000 songs.
“iTunes has revolutionized the way we buy music,” said Dawn Hudson, President of Pepsi-Cola N.A. “iTunes provides music fans with a fast, reliable and easy way to get the music they want, when they want it. During the Pepsi iTunes promotion, they will be able to get more of their favorite music for free.”
Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, said, “Pepsi has marketed their products through music for generations, and this is going to be another one that is remembered for decades.”
Nickelodeon & Holiday Inn Open Hotel
Nickelodeon is partnering with Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts to develop the first Nick-themed hotel in Orlando, FL. Nick’s brand philosophy of putting kids first will extend to all aspects of the hotel, especially in the hotel’s suites which give kids their own rooms. The hotel will be called the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn.
“We intend to provide families a better vacation experience by giving kids their very own bedrooms in suites that offer tremendous function and value when compared to regular hotel rooms,” said Jeffrey Dunn, President, Nickelodeon Enterprises. Mark Snyder, Sr. V.P., Brand Management, Holiday Inn, said, “The Nickelodeon relationship will take the already award-winning combination to the next level by creating a one-of-a-kind family entertainment destination.” In addition to Nick decorated bedrooms, the hotel will feature wake-up calls from Nick stars, daily character breakfasts, and live entertainment featuring Nick characters.
HP & Disney Launch Strategic Alliance
HP and The Walt Disney Co. have launched a 10-year strategic alliance.
The companies’ collaborative efforts celebrate the launch of the Mission: SPACE attraction at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort. HP engineers have worked with Disney on the Mission: SPACE technological design and in the development of the Post Show area known as the “Advanced Training Lab,” which showcases how HP technology powers the attraction through a range of compelling experiences. The Mission: SPACE attraction is being commemorated with a marketing campaign including in-store promotions and a consumer sweepstakes offering entrants an opportunity to win one of 10 family trips for four to Epcot.
‘All Day’ Café Creates New Dining Experience
Allied Domecq Quick Service Restaurants, has unveiled a prototype store designed to create a unique “All Day” experience for guests. Located in Burbank, IL, the concept store offers high quality foods from ADQSR’s three leading brands, Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin Robins and Togo's, served in a vibrant, engaging environment.
Tom Wyczawski, Concept Officer of Multi-branding and New Market Entry, said, “When merging these brands under one roof, we needed to build a distinct guest experience. Over the years, we helped to define the breakfast, lunch and afternoon dayparts in the industry. Now it’s time to add a new category to the mix -- the All Day cafe."
The three separate logos, traditionally stacked side-by-side throughout the store will be replaced with a visual meshing of logo pieces inside of a clock image. The new visual is intended to remind guests of the cafe’s all day offerings. Customers will also see vivid images portrayed in an unexpected way, including tabletops and tiles covered with pictures of sprinkles and coffee beans.
Pizza Hut To Provide Healthier Alternatives
Pizza Hut is introducing the Fit ‘N Delicious pizza in response to the growing consumer focus on lower-fat foods. The pizzas have half the cheese of the regular Thin ‘N Crispy recipes, generous portions of tomato sauce and toppings that include lean meats and fresh vegetables. A slice contains only 3.5 to 5 grams of fat, depending on the selection of toppings; which is 25 percent less fat than a regular recipe, Thin ‘N Crispy pizza.
Tom James, Pizza Hut Chief Marketing Officer, said, “As the nation’s largest pizza restaurant chain, we must consider consumers’ changing lifestyles. Pizza Hut is the first in the pizza restaurant industry to take a step toward addressing a delicious alternative to America’s favorite food, pizza.”
Citizens Bank Introduces New Design
Citizens Bank of Massachusetts has opened a first-of-its-kind branch featuring a user-friendly design inspired by customer feedback. The branch will serve as a pilot for instituting popular features in Citizens branches throughout seven states.
“Citizens Bank is approaching its branch environment like a leading retailer,” said Peter Dixon, Senior Partner at Lippincott Mercer, the New York City-based design firm for the project. “The new design communicates the Citizens brand personality and serves as a backdrop for Citizens’ exemplary customer service.”
The 6,500 sq. ft. branch features: an impactful storefront appearance using bold graphics, 3D merchandising and other techniques employed by fashion retailers. Illuminated “green” signage appears to pop out of windows and walls. Large-scale graphic interior “billboards” uncharacteristic for a financial institution will be updated biannually.
Starbucks To Open In Charter One Banks
Charter One Financial has announced an agreement with Starbucks Coffee Co. calling for Starbucks to open retail locations in its banking centers. The Starbucks location will be integrated into the floor plan of the Charter One banking centers, allowing customers to enjoy a relaxed environment. Customers can take advantage of extended business hours, as these banking centers will be open the same hours as other Starbucks locations.
“Partnering with Starbucks presents exciting opportunities,” said Mark Grossi, Charter One’s Chief Retail Officer. “If our customers want to bank at 6:30 a.m. or 8:30 p.m., these banks enable them to do two things when it is most convenient.” Gabrielle Tierney, Director, Retail Alliances, Starbucks, said, “We wanted to offer customers a convenient location where they can enjoy their Starbucks Experience.”
Piggly Wiggly Opens ‘Flagship’ Store
Fresh Brands, Inc. has opened a “flagship” Piggly Wiggly Fresh MarketCircle store in Sheboygan, WI. The new 50,000 sq. ft corporate store will feature the company’s first Pig Stop® fuel/convenience store.
“Our new Pig Stop fuel/convenience store, our first combination fueling station and convenience store, will provide an added convenience for customers and an opportunity to increase sales at our adjacent Piggly Wiggly store,” said Elwood Winn, CEO of Fresh Brands.
The new store focuses on the fresh food departments, which include the new “Pampered to Perfection” produce department, fresh meats with a “butcher shop” appeal and an expanded deli. Natural lighting from multiple natural-light skylight domes complement the contemporary circular store layout.
Albertsons Introduces Office Depot “Store Within A Store” Program
Office Depot will provide office and school supplies at Albertsons stores as part of a pilot program. Office Depot’s “store within a store” environment will feature more than 700 products ranging from ink jet cartridges and copier paper to mailing and school supplies.
Bruce Nelson, CEO of Office Depot, said, “We believe this is a winning proposition not just for us and Albertsons but also for our customers, who appreciate the convenience of buying quality office and school supplies at the places they shop most often -- their neighborhood supermarkets and drugstores.” Larry Johnston, Albertsons CEO, said, “Shoppers make 1.4 billion trips a year to our stores and we will be offering them an opportunity to choose from a vast selection of office and school supplies to add to their shopping carts.”
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