McDonald’s Features New POS Technology
McDonald’s of Hawaii is rolling out new E-Window and E-Banner products at nearly 80 McDonald's locations throughout Hawaii. The products are provided by Electronic Billboard Technology, a division of SI Diamond Technolgy.
“McDonald's has experienced increased sales lift results using our E-Window and E-Banner products during a test period we just concluded,” said Marc Eller, Chairman and CEO of SI Diamond Technology. “They've taken advantage of the benefits of this digital point-of-sale technology, which features video and sound. Many other retailers and advertisers are also showing interest in this unique tool because of its ability to reach active consumers in a captive environment.”
Reebok Launches Sounds & Rhythm Of Sport
Reebok Launches Sounds & Rhythm Of Sport
Reebok has launched a new branding initiative, the “Sounds & Rhythm of Sport,” which showcases the brand's new RBK Collection, a street-inspired collection of edgy and stylish footwear and apparel. The campaign features Reebok's NBA, NFL and tennis athletes paired with many of the music industry’s edgiest hip-hop and rap artists.
Retail promotions include partnerships with more than 1,000 popular music stores. Beginning in the U.S. with select music retailers-Record Town, Strawberries, Camelot, Coconuts and Warehouse Records-Reebok will introduce and display its new RBK products up to 30 days in advance of retail availability. In addition to the displays, RBK listening stations will be featured in the record stores, continually reinforcing Reebok's connection to the young consumer.
Allied Domecq And Miller Brewing Enter Alternative Malt Beverage Market
Allied Domecq and Miller Brewing Co., have formed a partnership to introduce a range of new alternative malt beverages, the first two of which will be based on Allied Domecq’s popular Stolichnaya vodka and Sauza tequila. These new drinks will reach U.S. adult consumers this spring through over 500,000 retail outlets serviced by Miller’s distributor network.
Philip Bowman, Allied Domecq’s CEO said, “We will be the only player with a strong, premium brand presence across multiple categories of ready-to-drink malt beverages, thereby accelerating the fastest-growing segment of the industry.”
“I look forward to adding the Allied Domecq branded products to our portfolio in the company of leading brands Miller Lite, Miller High Life, and Miller Genuine Draft,” said John Bowlin, Miller’s CEO.
DreamWorks’ Promotional Partners Tie Into “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron”
DreamWorks Consumer Products has retained Burger King Corp., Baskin-Robbins, Ralphs, Hewlett Packard, M&M and Veryfine as promotional partners in support of its animated feature film, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,” coming to theaters May, 2002. The Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron promotional campaign will prominently feature Spirit in over 25,000 retail locations nationwide.
Burger King restaurants will offer a kids meal program featuring four Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron collectible premiums at over 8,000 locations. Baskin-Robbins will showcase innovative Spirit-themed products including two new ice cream flavors of the month, supported with extensive in-store signage. Veryfine will kick off its eight-week promotion by wrapping over 50 million of its bottles with a dedicated panel on the label featuring a Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron Sweepstakes in addition to distributing limited edition Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron collector bottles in thousands of stores nationwide. An on-line sweepstakes gives consumers a chance to win a family vacation to the Grand Canyon.
Anne Globe, DreamWorks Consumer Products Marketing and Promotions Manager, said, “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron's brilliant color palette, dynamic characters, and exciting action-adventure storyline will be used to bring the movie to life beyond the theater experience.”
Amtrak Unveils Internet-Enabled Trains
Amtrak and Yahoo! have rolled out the country's first Internet-enabled passenger trains. The three interactive trains will operate on Amtrak services, the Acela Regional in the Northeast, Capitols in Northern California and Hiawatha in the Midwest, for up to six months.
With cars wrapped in Yahoo!’s signature purple and yellow colors, the interactive trains are now in service and offer guests access to Yahoo! content and services while on-the-go. Compaq’s iPAQ Pocket PCs are mounted in the café cars or coaches, giving Amtrak guests the ability to surf the Web free-of-charge as they travel.
“Joining with Yahoo! is a perfect match for Amtrak,” said Cyndi Darlington, Amtrak's Assistant Vice President for Sales and Marketing. “More and more people are choosing to travel by train, and by combining the experience with the latest technology we are making the train an even more productive and stress-free way to travel.”
Coca-Cola Joins With SONICblue To Produce Co-Branded Audio Players
Coca-Cola has signed an agreement with electronics company SONICblue Inc. for the design and sale of digital audio players in the United States. The audio players will be co-branded with the Coca-Cola trademark and SONICblue’s Rio brand.
The agreement with SONICblue will put the Coca-Cola name on the type of technology used by teenagers, a key soft drink demographic. SONICblue will use the products to open new distribution channels such as mass merchandisers.
New Boston Market Restaurants Planned
Boston Market has plans to create a more welcoming and relaxing dining experience for customers. The “new Boston Market,” which has been tested in Tucson, Arizona, focuses on a new interior décor and new grilled chicken salads, entrees and sandwiches.
All restaurants in the more than 650-restaurant chain will feature the new menu and dining room by early 2003. Boston Market has remodeled its dining rooms to encourage customers to slow down and take pleasure in the dining experience. Changes in the restaurant interior décor include more intimate booth seating, warmer colors and softer lighting.
Keith Robinson, Sr. V.P., Strategy at Boston Market, said, “The next step in the evolution of our brand is to warm up our dining room, because customers are placing a higher value on the total dining experience.”
Seattle’s Best Coffee Cafes Open In Borders
Seattle’s Best Coffee, LLC has opened Seattle’s Best Coffee cafes in three Borders Books And Music Stores in Atlanta, GA. Borders and Seattle’s Best Coffee will cooperate in cross-marketing and joint promotions.
“We are pleased to begin developing Seattle’s Best Coffee cafes in Borders stores,” said Steve Schickler, President of Seattle Coffee Co. “It’s an ideal move to associate our top quality coffee with a leading global retailer of books, music and video.”
“This is a strategic alliance for Borders and Seattle’s Best Coffee in that we both are committed to creating an experience that will add value in our stores and ultimately to our customers,” said Steve Davis, Sr. V.P., Borders Store Operations.
A Pea In The Pod Opens New Luxury Store
A Pea In The Pod, designer of luxury maternity fashion, has opened its new Madison Avenue New York City flagship store, one of four new stores being rolled out, along with a redesign of the company's existing 37 boutiques as a part of a complete brand renovation.
A modular concept is engineered from the simplest elemental components to attain an elegant, minimalist look. The clothing fixtures, dressing rooms, seating areas, even the wrap desk, are all mobile, on bold, black casters for a completely flexible layout. The luxury European finish glass-beaded stainless steel fixtures constitute a modular system that incorporates frosted glass shelving for folded presentation. Original paintings, sculptures and photos celebrate motherhood. The new stores appeal to sophisticated young customers.
Fleetwood Fixtures of Reading, PA created the custom fixtures.
Brookstone Launches Multi-Channel Partnership With Chrysler And Hearst
Brookstone has partnered with Chrysler and Hearst magazines to launch a major cross-marketing campaign focusing on the leadership role that Brookstone and Chrysler take in developing innovative, new product designs.
The “Designed and Engineered With You In Mind” campaign will reach 29 million consumers through a 12-page Chrysler advertising section in seven Hearst magazines. The partnership also will be represented in Brookstone’s storefront marketing at 236 locations nationwide. Brookstone $50 Gift Certificates will be used to drive customers into Chrysler showrooms for test drives.
“Now, more than ever, it is important to stimulate showroom traffic and keep the wheels of industry moving,” said Thomas Marinelli, V.P. Chrysler & Jeep Division Global Brand Center. “Brookstone Gift Certificates will create a strong incentive for the forward-looking customer base both brands represent.”
Razor & Chrysler Unveil Dodge Razor
Razor USA, manufacturer of the popular Razor kick scooter and the Chrysler Group, have unveiled the Dodge Razor concept car. The Dodge Razor includes two matching Razor scooters ready to ride in the back of the vehicle.
“The car captures all the aspiration, emotion and inspiration of a great sports coupe while personifying the sleek, fun cool of the Razor brand,” said Carlton Calvin, President of Razor USA.
“We searched for a name that reflected the energy and attitude of the car and Razor’s youthful brand image was a perfect fit,” said Akino Tsuchiya, a designer for Chrysler.
Jackson Hewitt Taps Simon Malls To Reach Its Target Audience
Jackson Hewitt, operator of more than 3,300 Jackson Hewitt Tax Service locations, has entered into a marketing alliance with Simon Brand Ventures to provide tax preparation services to the 440,000 shoppers who will visit 20 participating Simon malls each day of the 2002 tax season.
This agreement marks the first time the company has partnered with a mall developer. Simon malls nationwide are promoting Jackson Hewitt Tax Services through in-mall advertising consisting of tallboys, posters, coupons and brochures. Shoppers visiting the Simon Marketplace (customer information center) will receive coupons redeemable for a $10 discount on tax preparation services at Jackson Hewitt.
To further enhance its physical presence, temporary Jackson Hewitt Tax Service kiosks and retail locations will be added to Simon malls that do not already have an existing Jackson Hewitt presence.
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