MTV & Wal-Mart Join Forces To Present Eco-Friendly Exhibit
MTV: Music Television and Wal-Mart have formed “Everyday Green,” a joint initiative to promote sustainability and demonstrate to consumers how to work environmentally-friendly products into their lives. MTV's New York City store, located in Times Square, has been transformed into an eco-friendly exhibit using environmentally-conscious products.
“The ‘Everyday Green’ initiative with Wal-Mart is an amazing forum to help spread the word on how people can make smart, everyday choices that can make a measurable difference toward improving the world,” said Christina Norman, President, MTV.
“MTV connects with the youth generation in a deep, interactive way, which makes them the perfect partner for this unique, educational exhibit,” said John Fleming, EVP, Marketing & Consumer Communications at Wal-Mart Stores.
The Everyday Green exhibit was created by Pompei A.D., a New York based architecture, design and experience branding firm.
Sony Spotlights PlayStation Portable
Sony Computer Entertainment America is making downloadable gaming and other media content available with new PSP Spot Download Stations at select retailers nationwide. Additional efforts at retail, in home, on the Internet, and on the streets are generating strong awareness for the system and everything it offers to consumers who want their gaming and entertainment on-the-go.
Consumers can take their PSP system to participating retailers including Circuit City, GameStop, Target and Toys "R" Us, to download the hottest gaming and entertainment content from a PSP Spot Download Station. These interactive kiosks offer game demos, movie trailers, music clips, mini-strategy guides, wall papers and more, delivering a broad range of content that PSP owners are looking for.
PSP Spot Download Stations will be available at more than 6,000 retailer locations.
Fujifilm Adds In-Store Pickup Option At Walgreens Stores Nationwide
Utilizing Fujifilm’s “Get The Picture Online Service,” consumers can now order photos for in-store pickup at more than 5,500 Walgreens locations nationwide. More than 1,500 Walgreens stores are open 24 hours and offer this photo service around the clock.
“Digital photo customers across the country can get the convenience of in-store pickup at Walgreens, with the quality of prints associated with the Fujifilm name,” said Dean Jarrett, Walgreens Divisional Merchandise Manager for new business technology.
Added Hiro Sakai, Exec. V.P.& GM of the Imaging Group for Fujifilm U.S.A., “We are very pleased to include Walgreens as part of our growing network of partners that are committed to making digital photo printing simple for consumers.”
Pathmark Stores Offer Wild Oats Brand Organic And Natural Products
Pathmark Stores is offering several hundred natural and organic products from Wild Oats Markets, a leading national natural and organic foods retailer. Wild Oats branded products will provide Pathmark customers with a wide selection of natural, organic and specialty items.
“We are pleased to enhance our product offering with the addition of a leading, well-known brand name that represents the highest quality in natural and organic products,” said Ken Martindale, Co-President & Chief Marketing and Merchandising Officer of Pathmark, a leading supermarket chain in the New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. “This agreement enables Pathmark to differentiate itself from its competition as our customers will be able to purchase a full selection of quality natural and organic foods with a proven and trusted brand.”
Said Gregory Mays, Chairman & CEO of Wild Oats Markets, “In our on-going quest to bring top-quality, great tasting natural and organic foods to consumers, we’re thrilled to introduce new people to the great taste of Wild Oats.”
Redbox DVD Rental Kiosks To Be Placed In McDonald's Restaurants Nationwide
Redbox, a leading DVD rental service and McDonald’s USA, plan to offer automated DVD rental kiosks in McDonald’s restaurants nationwide. Karen Wells, V.P.,Strategy, McDonald’s USA, said, “Redbox at McDonald’s is value added for our customers.”
Each Redbox DVD rental kiosk holds more than 500 DVDs, representing over 70 of the newest movie releases. Consumers can use a touch screen to select their favorite movies, swipe a valid credit card and go with their movie. Customers can keep the DVD for as long as they’d like for $1 per night.
Kidfresh To Open In NYC
Kidfresh, a new lifestyle brand that provides healthy and freshly prepared kid’s meals to-go, is opening its first retail outlet in New York City.
Kidfresh features all-natural freshly prepared meals with many organic ingredients that are free of artificial colors, preservatives, flavors and transfat. Kidfresh meals are mindful of the different portion requirements and nutritional needs of four unique age groups from baby to kids 6- 10 years old. Kidfresh will offer freshly prepared Lunchboxes, Breakfast Boxes, Snack Packs and Dinners.
The Kidfresh store will feature a vibrant design that will include kid-friendly amenities like a child-height Fresh Bar where kids will be able to pick the shape of their sandwich.
Absolut Vodka & Esquire Create Flavor-Inspired Suite At Caesars Palace
Absolut Vodka and Esquire magazine have opened the “Find Your Flavor” suite at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace. Designed and constructed by the Rockwell Group, the bi-level, 1,380 sq. ft. Absolut-inspired suite is divided into six colorful areas that embody the personalities of six Absolut flavors including: Mandarin, Raspberri, Vanilla, and Citron.
“The ‘Find Your Flavor’ suite will be the hottest destination in Las Vegas, to entertain friends and indulge your senses,” said Tim Murphy, Brand Director, Absolut. “This lavish playground offers the ultimate Las Vegas luxury experience.”
American Express Opens ‘Members Lounge’ At Short Hills Mall
American Express has opened the “Members Lounge” at the Mall at Short Hills in Short Hills, NJ, as a destination designed to reinvigorate Cardmembers as they shop. This is the first time American Express has hosted a Members Lounge at a retail shopping location.
The Members Lounge will offers Cardmembers snacks and refreshments, a coat check, private restroom, couches, a free gift wrap service, iPod and cell phone charging station and an e-mail station, all complimentary to American Express Cardmembers. Additionally, American Express is creating a rewards shopping experience in the Members Lounge for Cardmembers enrolled in the Membership Rewards program. American Express giftcards will be offered and for those who do not have an American Express card, the Member's Lounge will offer the opportunity to apply onsite, providing immediate access to the Lounge.
New Magnolia Stores Feature Lifeware Entertainment Experiences
The new Magnolia stores recently opened in Santa Monica and Santa Clara, CA, are the first consumer retail showcase for the Lifeware digital entertainment and automation solution. Inside these state-of-the-art stores is a fully integrated home designed with Lifeware, which allows consumers to control how they enjoy their digital content, as well as control their lighting, HVAC, security and other subsystems through a single interface.
At the new Magnolia stores, consumers can interact in a number of different Lifeware experiences representing multiple zones throughout the home. Lifeware will be controlling the stores’ Media Room, Media Bar, Home Office, Equipment Closet and Front Door experiences.
“The presence of Lifeware in retail locations provides an opportunity for homeowners to test drive home automation and distributed digital entertainment in the prefect environment,” said Steve Cashman, Exceptional Innovation’s V.P. Sales.
Nordstrom To Sell Music CDs In Stores
Nordstrom is expanding its merchandise offering to include music. Nordstrom will be the exclusive seller of the previously out-of-print Marvin Gaye “Anthology” compilation as well as “An Introduction to Jamie Cullum,” a Nordstrom-exclusive compilation of 10 songs from this much-heralded singer/songwriter. Nordstrom will roll out its music program to all its stores in 2007.
“We want to sell products our customers are interested in,” said Pete Nordstrom, President, Merchandising. “Music and fashion are similarly aligned-we’re encouraged by the response we’ve received from the music industry to collaborate on some compelling music.”
HMSHost Retail Launches World Passage
HMSHost, a world leader in travel shopping, has introduced three World Passage stores. This high-end shop features a superior selection of merchandise previously available only to duty free passengers, now allowing all travelers access to much sought after brands. Duty free exists only for limited items, such as alcohol and tobacco. However, World Passage offers superb values on world class chocolates and confections, rare liquors, premium spirits, and fine tobacco products as well as fine cosmetics and fragrances from leading fashion designers.
“The demand for high end retail is increasing at airports and we’re helping travelers make the best use of their time by offering a quality shopping experience” said Joan Ryzner, Sr. V.P., HMSHost Retail.
First Nautica Retail Store Opens In U.S.
The Nautica brand has opened its first men’s, women’s, and kid’s retail store in the U.S. at the Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley, PA.
“We are excited to be opening our first dual gender retail store,” said Denise Seegal, President & CEO of VF Sportswear. "We believe that having both men's and women's apparel in one store not only enhances the overall experience for the shopper but, also serves as a constant reminder to our customer that Nautica is a true, all encompassing lifestyle brand."
Known for elevated style and quality, the Nautica store is over 6,500 square feet and reflects the brand’s Navigator concept, which includes signature striped cherry and maple flooring and classic yachting details in the fixtures.
National Amusements Launches CyGamZ
National Amusements has launched, CyGamZ, a cutting-edge interactive gaming venue. CyGamZ features state-of-the-art equipment and games in a safe, enjoyable family-friendly atmosphere for all ages. Already attracting major sponsors such as Intel, Alienware and Pepsi, CyGamZ is run on a pay-to-play system, in which patrons can play with a number of friends at one time, create a social interactive environment, or add an on-line competition element. The arena offers high-tech audio and visual displays with 20 inch fast response LCD flat screen monitors for players. Patrons and visitors can view live gaming action on the oversized digital projection system and plasma screens.
This is the first in what is expected to be an extensive network of interactive gaming destinations. StageOne will include a roll-out of CyGamZ venues utilizing existing National Amusements’ theatre resources by retrofitting select areas within its Cinema complex.
Sam’s Club Partners With Warner Bros. On Screenings Of ‘We Are Marshall’
Sam’s Club and Warner Bros. recently formed a promotional partnership around the theatrical release of “We Are Marshall.”
All 574 Sam’s Club locations in the U.S. offered private advance screening packages for purchase exclusively by Sam’s Club Members. Sam’s Club encouraged its members through direct outreach and through in-club displays to sponsor screenings within their communities for schools, sports teams, clubs and other organizations. Warner Bros.leveraged its relationships with local theatres in proximity to all Sam’s Clubs to arrange for the screenings.
Lexus 460 Launched With Art Installation Interactive Art Installation Supports Launch Of Lexus 460v
Lexus has launched a traveling interactive art installation to mark the launch of the Lexus 460. "Light and Speed" at The 460 Degrees Gallery celebrates passion, invention and an uncommon vision-all inherent in the new Lexus sedan Sebastien Agneessens, a prominent curator for the contemporary arts, curated the multi-media exhibition that brings together some of the top talents on the contemporary art scene.
The 460 Degrees Gallery also presents opportunities for visitors to participate in the discovery process. Touch-screen displays feature in-depth artist interviews and take visitors inside the art-making process.
The traveling interactive art exhibit was developed for Lexus by LIME promotion.
Pontiac & Virgin Megastores Team Up For Co-Branded Promotion
Pontiac and Virgin Megastores are teaming up on a co-branding promotion. Pontiac is launching in-store merchandise towers in all of the North American Virgin Megastores. In exchange, Virgin Megastores will become Pontiac’s musical experts by licensing songs for use in Pontiac commercials and online promotions.
The 8’ tall Pontiac Towers in Virgin Megastores, feature items such as the Pontiac sponsored Virgin Recommends CDs, CDs from emerging artists featured in Pontiac advertising, Pontiac branded merchandise and interactive LCD TV screens where customers can view Pontiac Garage concert performances.
Mark-Hans Richer, Marketing Director, Pontiac, said, “Pontiac’s in-store Virgin presence is just one more way we're providing a tangible brand experience.”
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