Scion Unveils Showroom Environment
Scion, a new line of cars from Toyota, will benchmark a new culture and approach for vehicle purchases. Two key components to Scion’s approach are to offer buyers every opportunity for personalization and to create an inviting and interactive dealership setting.
A new dealership environment will give customers the freedom to browse, investigate and research Scion at their own pace. In most cases, the Scion showroom will reside inside existing Toyota dealerships. Each showroom will be divided into three main components to create a distinctive dealership environment: a product area, a discovery zone and consultation space. The product area will feature an information wall with a display case of various optional accessories and a color and trim stand. A discovery zone is supported by self-service Internet kiosks.
“At Scion, we’re all about listening and responding to the changing needs of up-and-coming drivers whose interest, tastes and experiences are unlike any generation before,” said Jim Lentz, V.P., Scion.
General Motors And Genmar To Develop Co-Marketing Programs
General Motors and Genmar Holdings, a leading recreational boat builder consisting of 18 pleasure boat brands, will join forces to promote their respective products through co-marketing activities. As part of the agreement, GM dealerships and Genmar dealers will work together in local markets this year to cross-promote their respective products.
GM will profile Genmar boats in several of its marketing and advertising programs.
Irwin Jacobs, Genmar Chairman, said, “I’ve always believed there was an enormous opportunity to advertise, promote and market boats, trucks and cars together, particularly to those consumers who enjoy boating. Having Genmar dealers working with GM dealerships to promote each other’s products will have an upside for everyone in this relationship.”
Tyson Launches Branding Initiative
Tyson Foods is expanding its array of chicken products to include a broad selection of beef and pork items, all under the Tyson brand name. “Our vision is to leverage the equity we have built in the Tyson brand of chicken, and establish Tyson as the preeminent brand of chicken, beef and pork,” said John Tyson, CEO. “The addition of value-added beef and pork products under the Tyson brand will create a significant brand presence in every sales and distribution channel, and will be supported by a new $40 million advertising campaign.”
The new branding initiative will be supported by the most comprehensive, fully-integrated marketing effort in Tyson’s history.
Universal Pictures Announces Promotional Program For “The Hulk”
Universal Pictures has announced a line-up of promotional partners for its summer release, “The Hulk,” including Pepsi, Hershey Foods, Kraft Foods, ConAgra’s Grocery and Snack Foods Group brands, and Glad Products.
Pepsi will offer an instant win promotion on 150 million packages. Consumers can win grand HULK-Sized prizes including a “Hulked-Out Home Entertainment Center.” The program will be supported with in store point-of-sale displays. Hershey Foods is offering extensive merchandising and display vehicles and is running a sweepstakes offering consumers the chance to win a HUMMER H-1. Kraft Foods will offer 16 unique HULK products on over 30 million packages. The program will be supported with point-of-sale displays as well as premium lenticular cards. Glad Products will feature a free movie ticket offer on specially marked packages and in-store shipper displays.
Con Agra Foods will feature “Cookout Heroes,” a barbecue theme tying several brands together to promote “The Hulk.” ConAgra’s Slim Jim, will offer a HULK-sized canister and meat stick -- the longest Slim Jim meat stick on the market! Slim Jim’s sweepstakes will offer the chance to “Win a HULK ‘Wreck’ Room.” Conagra’s Pemmican invites health-conscious consumers to “Win a Personal Gym.” David’s Seeds will ask consumers to find the one green seed game piece in select packages to “Win a Revved Up HULK Power Pack,” complete with a Honda motorcycle, ATV and personal watercraft. The brand promotions are being supported with special “Hulk” point of sale displays.
Gymboree Launches Boutique-Style Baby Gift Concept
The Gymboree Corporation is launching Janie and Jack, its new specialty retail concept offering distinctive baby apparel, accessories and gifts with a hand-made, luxurious quality.
The Janie and Jack concept will target the roughly $2 billion newborn specialty gift and apparel market with the opening of 11 U.S. retail shops and an online shop. Janie and Jack shops have a distinctly “boutique” feel, but will offer every convenience of a national specialty store. Stores have a vintage mercantile appearance, with wainscoting, tin ceilings and clothing armoires. The shopping experience is personalized and friendly, with knowledgeable staff available and special touches such as carefully selected gift wrap.
“Our aim is to provide beautiful clothing and accessories that will truly celebrate the homecoming of each special baby,” said Beverly Stern, Senior V.P. and General Merchandise Manager.
Avis And Sears Combine To Offer New Convenient Rental Location
Avis Rent A Car System has opened a new car rental facility in the Sears location in the Northlake Mall, Atlanta, GA. The new facility provides customers with the ability to rent locally in a convenient shopping center setting. Customers will be able to choose from a wide range of rental vehicles including mini-vans, SUVs and luxury vehicles.
All vehicles are backed by the Avis commitment to customer service. As an added convenience, Avis will now honor the Sears charge card to purchase rentals.
New ‘3-A-Day’ Campaign Aims To Help Combat Calcium Deficit With Dairy
The American Dairy Association/National Dairy Council (ADA/NDC) has launched the “3-A-Day” consumer education campaign to help combat America’s calcium deficit. Consumers will see the new 3-A-Day logo on dairy products that are an excellent source of calcium from major processors such as Kraft and Sargento cheese, Breyers yogurt and Marva Maid milk.
Integrated marketing efforts will also generate awareness of the 3-A-Day of Dairy campaign. Retailers will conduct in-store promotions.
Stop & Shop Opens ‘Next Generation’ Stores
Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. has opened its first new prototype supermarkets. The prototype stores offer a number of new departments and services including: an office supply department under the Office Depot name; a “For Your Home” department carrying items such as towels, bath accessories, and bed sheets; a greenhouse offering in-season plants and gardening needs; a party goods center; a one-hour photo department with a portrait studio; a “Best Sellers!” department with the latest in books, music and video; and a consultation room in the pharmacy where customers can meet with the store pharmacist in private.
The stores feature a whole new decor, including an expanded Health and Beauty Care department with the “Relax. Renew. Revive” motif. Different approaches to signage and lighting also give the stores a new look. The stores house full-service Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants and some even have a Boston Market franchise located inside the store.
Timothy’s Launches New Store Designs
Timothy’s Coffees of the World, the second largest specialty coffee/bakery retailer in Canada, recently introduced a wide range of new product lines and new stores designs at its three retail banners, Timothys World Coffee, mmmarvelous mmmuffins and michel’s baguette. The new bakery and coffee products, and designs are the result of Timothy’s acquisition of mmmuffins Canada Corp.
To complement the mmmarvelous mmmuffins chain’s new coffee line-up, mmmuffins’ logo and store design also have a new, fresh look. The new store includes upgrades such as granite counters, wood cabinetry, stainless steel back counters and oven shroudings. New large-scale wall murals, streamlined menu boards and point of purchase systems contribute to a more dynamic atmosphere. Michel’s baguette stores are also adopting a fresh, new design that echoes the classic Parisian café. The stores now boast rich cherry woods, granites, stone walls and floors, and mosaic and faux-finished wall treatments.
McDonald’s & Fazoli’s Form Joint Venture
McDonald’s Corp. and Fazoli’s, a fast-casual Italian restaurant concept based in Lexington, KY, have agreed to form a joint venture to develop 20 to 30 Fazoli’s restaurants.
“A strong Italian restaurant brand like Fazoli’s is an exciting addition to the portfolio. The joint venture will help us further explore the potential of the brand,” said Russ Smyth, President, Partner Brands, McDonald’s.
Kuni Toyoda, Fazoli’s President, said, “The combination of our brand and knowledge of the Italian segment with McDonald's resources and expertise in site development, supply chain, and other business systems is a great formula for success, and creates real opportunity for our employees.”
Kmart And Joe Boxer Unveil New Line Of Apparel And Home Furnishings
Joe Boxer, a division of Windsong Alliance, has unveiled a new assortment of branded merchandise at Kmart as part of a joint partnership between the two companies. The Joe Boxer brand at Kmart offers six categories of products including apparel for women, men, kids, toddlers and infants; a collection of limited edition Joe Boxer-themed home goods and an array of fashion accessories.
“Our marketing and design teams have worked diligently to ensure that the core DNA of the brand is communicated through the design, packaging, overall marketing and, most importantly, quality of the new product,” said Bill Sweedler, CEO of Windsong Alliance.
A multi-faceted marketing campaign includes in-store displays, which reflect the brand’s personality; television and print advertising. An in-store promotion allows customers to win a mini Joe Boxer fridge.
Target & Woolrich To Offer Exclusive Home Products
Target Stores are introducing Woolrich Home, an exclusive line of bedding, blankets, and home accents manufactured by Woolrich, at all Target stores nationwide.
“Woolrich is a wonderful addition to our current selection of home merchandise,” said Sandi Doyle, V.P., Merchandising for Target Stores. “The Woolrich partnership with Target is based on the respective strengths of each company,” added Dennis Marxen, Director of Licensing for Woolrich.
Target is known for its assortment of unique and exclusive merchandise, and the new Woolrich line reinforces this commitment.
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