Bang & Olufsen Debuts New Store Concept
Bang & Olufsen America, the North American supplier of Danish high end home theaters and custom multi room music systems, has introduced a new 650 sq. ft. store concept, with the first of eight stores to open this fall, beginning with Dallas, TX and then San Jose, CA. The 650 sq. ft. store concept will mirror the larger, full "B1" showrooms with its Scandinavian design and real-life home environments.
The new store concept will represent the full Bang & Olufsen product portfolio and will include three separate home theater set-ups. It will utilize structurally angled walls and rotating walls for space efficiency with Bang & Olufsen’s signature characteristic of magical motion and smooth operation.
The new retail renovation highlights the Company's product integration capabilities in providing state-of-the-art home theaters that converge with various atmosphere control modules, lighting, draperies, etc. alongside its distinct Danish designs.
m-Venue Debuts At McDonald’s
McDonald’s at Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL has launched m-Venue, a patent-pending entertainment and marketing platform from Akoo International, that enables McDonald's customers to search, select and “activate” in-store digital content-including music, music videos, and movie previews-with their mobile phones or Internet-connected mobile devices.
m-Venue allows patrons to choose a wide variety of audio and video content from Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Sony Pictures, among others, via text messaging, the mobile internet, or a Wi-Fi-enabled laptop. Selections are performed on demand in designated multimedia zones within the restaurant.
Since the m-Venue platform also tracks consumers’ usage behaviors and preferences in a non-intrusive way, McDonald's locations will be able to employ more effective mobile-based promotions, loyalty and rewards programs, and opt-in targeted marketing campaigns.
Carnival’s Flagship Store In Dallas Appeals To Latino Shoppers
The new Carnival flagship store has opened in Dallas, TX, appealing to the Latino shopper with a unique “storefront” and lively graphics with signage in both English and Spanish as well as authentic Mexican food.
The Latino population comprises 36% of the Dallas population and according to the company, they spend 46% more than the general population on groceries. In focus groups, Carnival asked Latino customers what they want in their supermarket and learned that they value fresh produce, fresh meat, fresh baked goods made from scratch and authentic Mexican recipes The pharmacy offers them traditional Mexican remedies along with all the standard U.S. assortment of over-the-counter products and beauty aids.
As shoppers enter the store, they find a “village square” with 14 oak picnic tables where they can eat lunch, breakfast, or dinner.
Kohl’s To Offer Food Network Products
Kohl’s and the Food Network have formed an exclusive licensing relationship to develop a Food Network-branded line of home goods, including cookware, dinnerware, kitchen gadgets, cutlery, pantryware and food storage, kitchen electrics and table linens.
This marks the first home merchandise launch for Food Network. In addition to offering new merchandise, Kohl's and Food Network will integrate marketing opportunities with Food Network programs and celebrity chefs.
“We are thrilled to bring the strength of Food Network into this new arena and believe that our relationship with Kohl’s will extend our brand into the marketplace in an exciting new way,” said Brooke Johnson, President, Food Network.
First Home Depot Fuel Location Opens
The first Home Depot Fuel store has opened in Acworth, Georgia, as the home improvement retailer continues to increase service offerings to professional and do-it-yourself customers.
The new Home Depot Fuel location, situated in front of the Home Depot retail store comprises a 2,700-square-foot convenience store, a filling station and a car wash.
The Home Depot has designed its Fuel stores with an eye on attracting business from contractors in addition to do-it-yourselfers and commuters. Home Depot Fuel is a new concept being tested by the Company.
Owens Corning Launches ‘Quiet Down America Tour’
Owens Corning is launching a category awareness tour across the country to educate consumers about ways to control noise in the home. To help promote its QuietZone® residential noise control building product solutions, Owens Corning’s Quiet Down America Tour will visit leading home shows throughout the country to highlight ways Americans can incorporate the element of quiet into their home design.
The Quite Down America Tour will demonstrate the state-of-the-art QuietZone® product solutions, which can reduce airborne and structural noises by up to 85%. Tour stop attendees will hear a live noise comparison of common household appliances through an untreated wall in the mobile QuietZone ® product solutions house and again through a wall treated with Owens Corning’s highest level noise control solution, QuietZone® Quiet retreats. Third-party experts will be on hand at tour stops to answer visitor questions about home design and sound transmission.
Simon Malls & GM Expand Alliance
Simon Property Group and General Motors have expanded their marketing alliance naming the Cadillac, Hummer and Saab brands the “Official Vehicles of Town Center at Boca Raton.”
Through this partnership, the three brands will use one of the region’s premier upscale shopping destinations as an interactive stage to highlight its full line of luxury vehicles, complete with product specialists staffing the displays. Town Center will rename its valet service the “Cadillac/Hummer/Saab Valet” supported by exterior promotional signage. These initiatives will be reinforced through lifestyle content with a series of exclusive, invitation only events.
“Partnering with Town Center at Boca Raton gives our premium brands, a premier marketing venue to showcase our portfolio of high performance vehicles,” said John Orth, Regional Marketing Manager for Cadillac/Hummer/Saab.
Nissan & Marc Ecko Forge Partnership
Nissan and Marc Ecko have formed a strategic partnership blending the world of fashion and automotive design. “Both the Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Armada are known for their power, style and energy, which is also characteristic of Marc Ecko’s creative artistry,” said Jan Thompson, V.P., Marketing, NNA. “His design will bring together two great brands with street culture, making it an ideal fit.”
To celebrate the partnership, Mr. Ecko will modify two of Nissan’s most popular SUVs-the Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Armada-giving each a hip, new design inspired by his ecko unltd. and Cut & Sew clothing lines. The two- one-of-a-kind vehicles will be displayed at events across the country.
Taubman Malls And Warner Bros. Feature Holiday ‘Happy Feet’ Snow Globes
Taubman Centers is partnering with Warner Bros. Pictures to showcase scenes from the new Warner Bros. movie, “Happy Feet,” in an innovative, interactive snow globe display. The exhibit brings to life key moments from the film and includes a 20-foot walk-through snow globe, where a cold Antarctic blast and falling snow welcome visitors to the hero Mumble’s home. There are three, 6-foot snow globes with buttons to launch interactive elements; a walk-through 28-foot holiday tree and a “green screen” where children can pose for holiday pictures with Mumble and other characters featured in the film.
Mimi Slavin, Sr. V.P., National Promotions, Warner Bros. Pictures, said, “The snow globes transform the Taubman shopping centers into magical holiday destinations, immersing visitors in an interactive entertainment experience.”The “Happy Feet” snow globe exhibit was created by the Becker Group, Baltimore, MD.
Circuit City Launches firedog
Responding to a growing demand for help with using and enjoying electronic products, Circuit City Stores has created the firedog brand to provide a new level of personal computer services, home theater installation and integration of home electronics. Firedog branded fixtures, vehicles and uniformed personnel will begin appearing at more than 600 Circuit City Superstores across the country to provide in-store and in-home PC services.
“We chose the name firedog because it evokes the kind of qualities we intend our technicians and installers to provide: helpful, friendly, knowledgeable and reliable,” said Philip Schoonover, CEO of Circuit City Stores. “When it comes to improving consumers’ relationship with technology, we want firedog to be your best friend.”
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