New 'Graze' Brand Targets Youth At Sam Goody Stores & Mall Kiosks
Musicland Group has launched Graze, a new brand that invites youth to experience digital products and content in a non-traditional retail environment. Graze will be featured in Musicland's Sam Goody retail stores and as a stand-alone kiosk in select malls.
"Musicland is reinventing itself as an entertainment lifestyle destination while celebrating our music heritage," said Jack Chadsey, Musicland's CEO. "Graze is more than a physical location extending into the digital space; it will evolve into a youth-inspired way of thinking, doing and living that captures the vibe of a generation."
Graze stores have recently opened throughout the Philadelphia are with flagship prototypes in Deptford, NJ and Mall of America, in Bloomington, MN. Graze offers a unique gathering place that encourages community and engages all five senses through interactive table displays, directional sound, a see-through video wall and scent machines. Lounge guests hear various environmental sounds, have their sense of smell awakened by pleasant aromas, and watch the latest concert on the video wall, all while sampling the latest digital products. Customers can experience the latest digital wireless devices including pre- and post-paid phones, MP3 players, portable video games and digital cameras in an environment that encourages product exploration and interaction with others. Graze visitors can also access the latest mobile content such as ringtones, wallpaper, and games; burn customized CDs and in the near future, create digital images to share within the Graze community.
The company is also reinventing existing categories, including posters and t-shirts, which are connected to the entertainment lifestyle. Both initiatives fall within the company's on-demand strategy-offering consumers more choice and control of their shopping experience. To enhance its poster offering, the "Off The Wall" section allows customers to access thousands of posters and art images from kiosks and print them in the store. As mobile and digital technologies continue to converge with the entertainment arena, Musicland will evolve Graze to ensure cutting-edge product offerings and a fresh shopping experience.
Eastman Kodak Adds Multimedia To New Picture Kiosk G4 Family
Eastman Kodak Company has introduced its newest family of digital photo kiosks, the Kodak Picture Kiosk G4 family. These models offer performance improvements and new features designed to elevate the consumer printing experience while helping retailers compete in the rapidly expanding digital printing market.
The improvements include new, faster printers for improved customer throughput, with 4x6 inch prints in as little as four seconds each; a high performance processor that doubles the image upload speed from memory cards, allowing multiple pictures to appear on screen for selection and editing in just seconds; contemporary new styling with a 30% reduction in footprint and weight, creating a Kodak beacon in stores that will attract consumers to make prints; as well as improved system reliability for minimal downtime.
With surging demand for digital printing and declining film volumes, Kodak contends that digital photo kiosks are the most productive and profitable alternative for retailers looking to make it easy for consumers to print their digital photos. The Kodak Picture Kiosk G4 is a full-service digital photography solution, supporting all popular digital media formats, digital scanning and wireless printing via BLUETOOTH and infrared technologies, while offering services beyond standard printing.
iBall Wireless Speaker For Apple iPod Debuts
Oregon Scientific is introducing iBall, a unique, wireless speaker that incorporates a three-speaker array system, delivering high quality sound performance. It's a wireless speaker that doubles as a fashion statement, according to the Company. It features sleek sphere styling and can be used with even the newest to the iPod line, nano and iPod (with video). The included transmitter docks acts as home base for the iPod, provides solid wireless communication with the iBall, charges the iPod and synchronizes the iPod with the computer.
Displays Offers Rip It Power Energy Fuel & PowerBlast Powders
National Beverage Corp. has introduced its newest concepts in energy fuel and vitamins-'to go.' Rip It Power Energy Fuel and PowerBlast powders are hitting the market in convenient power-paks ready to mix with water and enjoy.
Rip It Power Energy Fuel powder contains the same potent energy burst offered by the Company's fast growing energy beverage, Rip It. PowerBlast powder provides a vitamin boost in addition to an extra 'blast' of energy. Both powders will be available in individual power-paks as well as three-pack "blister' packs and 24-pack display cartons.
"Our mission is to successfully launch the first nationally distributed 'powdered' energy and vitamin-enhanced products offered in unique power-paks," said Joseph Caporella, President. "We are positioning the benefits of PowerBlast, which includes vitamins, minerals, electrolytes and botanicals, to appeal to active adults in the 24-44 age bracket. On the other hand, Rip It powders are targeted to young men aged 18-24 who are looking for a quick burst of energy-right now."
Reed's Ginger Brew Public Offering Hits Grocery Shelves Via Bottleneck Tags
Reed's founder and CEO Chris Reed is betting on consumers' love for his Ginger Brew to entice them to invest in the New Age beverage company. Thanks to the thousands of IPO neck-tags that dress bottles hitting grocery shelves in November, Reed's Ginger fans will have the chance to own a piece of the California beverage company at $4 a share.
In the great tradition of Ben & Jerry's and Samuel Adams, Reed's wants to grow on the shoulders of public support. The nation's only beverage-maker to brew its soft drinks, best known for its premium all-natural Original Ginger Brews, Virgil's Root Beer and China Cola, the proceeds will allow Reed's the additional capacity and distribution to become a truly mainstream brand-far beyond its health store roots.
Downy Brings 'Moments Where Scent Matters' Campaign To Women Nationwide
Downy Simple Pleasures is partnering with Mothers & More to bring the new "Moments Where Scent Matters" campaign to women nationwide.
"Daily relaxation is crucial for women's total health and well-being," said Terra Wellington, Wellness Lifestyle Expert for the campaign. "This campaign is a great resource for women with limited time." Through the Downy Simple Pleasures, Mothers & More will plan various "Mom's Night Out" events through their local chapters in several cities nationwide. Attendees will experience a connection with other local mothers along with a variety of fun and re-energizing activities, a refreshing workout with a local Pilates or yoga instructor and a gift bag that includes Downy Simple pleasures-a sample of fabric softeners made with essential oils that create wonderful scent experiences. As part of the campaign, Downy has enlisted the Simple Pleasures Squad, a panel of nationally renowned wellness experts to help women find time for these relaxing activities and enhance their experience through scent. Squad members include: Terra Wellington, wellness lifestyle expert; Kim Marshall, spa expert; Baron Baptiste, yoga master; Dr. Donnica Moore, women's health expert; and Na'Kisha Crawford, life coach.
"We hope that through this campaign women can learn ways to find time for relaxing moments and appreciate the power of integrating scent for an added sensory experience," said Randall Chinchilla, Fabric and Home Care External Relations for Procter & Gamble. "Downy Simple Pleasures enhances the process of doing laundry with exceptional scent experiences."
Diageo Introduces Oronoco Brazilian Rum To The U.S.
Diageo has introduced Oronoco Rum, the first ever super-premium white rum made from fresh-cut Brazilian mountain cane. Distilled from fresh cane juice from the lush mountain slopes of Fazenda Soledade, Oronoco's clean bright flavor reveals light hints of vanilla. Oronoco Rum is available in New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco and will retail for approximately $34.99 per 750-milliliter bottle.
Chi Herbal Products Unveiled To Speed Athletic Injury Recovery
Chi Herbal has introduced a line of herbal formulas for athletes that speed recovery, prevent injury, and help maintain a healthy condition. Particularly valuable for triathletes, marathoners and cyclists because of their grueling workouts, the topical products are based on improving and balancing a person's Chi (pronounced chee), an East Asian term for the life energy that flows through everyone's body. The Chi Herbal line includes Foot Energy Spray to reduce fatigue and soreness; Athletic Herbal Wrap for use with injuries, chronic pain and inflammation; and the Herbal Harmonizing Bath for overall recovery after strenuous training.
Elations Company Has Introduces Elations
The Elations Company has introduced Elations, a line of fruit-flavored liquid dietary supplements to be sold in 8-ounce bottles. Each 8-ounce bottle of Elations provides 1,500 mg of glucosamine and 1,200 mg of chondroitin. In addition, Elation provides 100% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C and 30% of the daily recommended amount of calcium, which supports the care of joints and helps build strong bones. Elations will be available in Spring 2006 in three flavors: Raspberry White Grape Twirl, Cranberry Apple Twist, and Ruby Red Grapefruit Lift.
Airplus For her Footcare Line To Enter Mass Market
Airplus for her Footcare has launched a new product line called Spa-la-la, tapping into the growing "masstige" trend of bringing spa quality products to the mass market. The new brand includes five items for a complete foot beauty regimen: Pedistone pumice stone, Scrub sugar scrub, Repair cracked heel crème, Heal super-hydrating heel crème, and Spa Therapy Sock. The Spa-la-la line will be available in Drug, Grocery and Discount stores nationwide in March 2006, and will retail for $5-$8.
New Iomega ScreenPlay Multimedia Drive Brings Digital Content To Any TV
Iomega Corp. announced the new Iomega ScreenPlay Multimedia Drive, a portable hard drive with built-in multimedia playback capability that makes it a digital media jukebox for photos, songs and video files that can be used with virtually any television or audio-video system. The ScreenPlay Multimedia Drive offers new freedom to anyone who wants to enjoy digital video, photo albums, music collections and work files on any TV or A/V receiver, without the need for a computer.
Guayaki Yerba Mate Energy Drink Invigorates Mind & Body
Guayaki Sustainable Rainforest Products' Yerba Mate is an energizing herbal drink made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis tree and discovered as a healing and energizing herb by the indigenous Guarani of the South American rainforest. More than five centuries later, North Americans are enjoying the benefits of reduced stress, sustained energy and mental clarity when drinking moderate amounts of Guayaki Yerba Mate. Often called a "Liquid Vegetable," Guayaki's rainforest-grown Yerba Mate contains 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and higher antioxidant levels than blueberries. Although its caffeine content is comparable to coffee, the stimulation is balanced by Yerba Mate's nutritional content. Guyaki Yerba Mate can be purchased at thousands of supermarkets, natural food stores, and cafes throughout North America.
Fossil Partners With Wal-Mart For Fashion Watch Line
Fossil is working with Wal-Mart to design, manufacturer and distribute a line of men's and women's fashion watches under the George brand, one of Wal-Mart's premiere private label brands. "The George watch collection epitomizes affordable luxury by merging innovative watch styling with impeccable functionality," said Doug Kramp, Senior Vice President of the Special Markets division at Fossil. The men's and women's watches offer a variety of classic, fashion and sporty styles with suggested retail prices ranging from $33-$60.
New Del Monte Garden Select Tomatoes Enable A Healthy Lifestyle
Continuing to offer products that are on-trend with consumers' health and wellness needs, Del Monte is launching Garden Select tomatoes, which are the first jarred product of their kind, offering taste and texture more like fresh tomatoes straight from the garden. Del Monte starts with vine-ripened tomatoes that are carefully cut, perfectly seasoned and packed within hours after harvest. The tomatoes are minimally processed to preserve their fresh taste and firm texture. This new product, which comes in a 14.5 ounce glass jar, enables consumers to have "more like fresh" tomatoes anytime with three varieties, including Sliced, Petite-Diced and Petite Diced with Basil, Garlic & Oregano.
adidas Introduces World's First Intelligent Basketball Shoe
The new adidas_1Basketball shoe features a technology that is revolutionizing the sporting goods industry. The shoe provides intelligent cushioning. It finds the right level of cushioning to match the players' size or movement. A magnetic sensor in the heel senses the level of compression. This compression level is sent to the shoe's brain, a microprocessor that understands if the cushioning level is too soft or too firm. A motor-driven cable system adapts the cushioning, to make the shoe softer or firmer as needed. The basketball model has been uploaded with the new software along with changed physical characteristics to meet the needs of the sport. To use the adidas_1 Basketball shoe, just switch it on and play. The shoe will be available in limited quantities in the U.S. in May with a global introduction in August 2006. It retails for $250 and will be sold through adidas Sports Performance stores and selected retailers.
Pepsi-Cola NA has promoted Cie Nicholson to SVP and Chief Marketing Officer. She will be accountable for traditional marketing practices across PCNA's entire portfolio of brands, overseeing advertising, media, brand development, promotional activities and sports and grassroots marketing for the Company's carbonated soft drinks and non-carbonated beverages. Nicholson was previously VP, non-carbonated beverages and directed the successful 2001 launch of Mountain Dew Code Red.
Meena Mansharamani has been appointed to the newly created post of SVP-Innovation and Insights. She will lead PCNA's innovation and insights capabilities, including consumer research, product and package innovation and the identification of new opportunities and was previously VP-Corporate Strategy. Both Nicholson and Mansharamani will report to PCNA President and CEO Dawn Hudson.
Frito-Lay Appoints DeVuono & Kumar Group VPs, Mktg.
Frito-Lay has appointed Lora DeVuono Group Vice President, Brand Marketing and Advertising. DeVuono is accountable for building Frito-Lay's megabrands, brand communications including advertising, packaging and promotions and driving the Health and Wellness agenda. Prior to this, DeVuono was Vice President of Advertising and Communications. Jaya Kumar has been named Group Vice President of Insights, Innovation and Shopper Marketing. Kumar is charged with accelerating the innovation agenda, developing consumer and customer insights and leveraging the Company's megabrands in the retail environment as well as regional marketing. Most recently, Kumar was Vice President of Consumer Strategy, Insights and Growth. DeVuono and Kumar will report directly to Irene Rosenfeld, Chairman and CEO of Frito-Lay NA.
M. Di Nonno Appointed To Lead Mktg. For Echo Bridge Home Entertainment
Madeline Di Nonno has been appointed Head of Marketing for Echo Bridge Home Entertainment. Di Nonno's career includes eight years at Universal Studios Home Video where she rose to the position of Vice President, Strategic Marketing and was responsible for such theatrical franchises as "Jurassic Park" and "The Mummy." Following Universal, Di Nonno was Senior Vice President, Marketing Alliances and New Media, for Hallmark Channel. Most recently, she served as Executive Vice President for Nielsen EDI.
Panel Processing To Acquire AFCO Panel Products
Panel Processing, Inc. has acquired AFCO Panel Products, a division of AFCO Industries and a leading Holland, Michigan-based manufacturer of markerboard, tile board and fabricated panel products.
'We All Speak Football' Coca-Cola Campaign Launched For 2006 FIFA World Cup
The Coca-Cola Company and FIFA have unveiled the first global "FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola," which will include a visit to Los Angeles, CA on February 20, 2006. The Tour and sponsorship elevates Coca-Cola to a newly created, top-tier FIFA Partner Category.
The one-and-only, authentic FIFA World Cup Trophy, will be showcased in Los Angeles as part of a precedent-setting, 28-nation, traveling exhibition. In light of the sponsorship deal, Coca-Cola has unveiled a new global marketing platform for brand Coca-Cola, "We All Speak Football," which is being launched through 2006 FIFA World Cup consumer programs in scores of countries around the world.
"The FIFA World Cup Trophy is one of the most recognizable sports icons in the world, and seeing the real trophy in person is an unforgettable experience, especially in the dramatic way FIFA and Coca-Cola will present it to fans in Los Angeles," said Santiago Blanco, Director, Marketing, Coca-Cola NA.
Mall Food Courts Across Metro NY & LA Feature Ceiling-Mounted Video Screens
Ceiling-mounted video screens have been placed in mall food courts across metro New York and Los Angeles, installed by the Clear Channel Digital Mall Network, a joint venture between Clear Channel Malls, a division of Clear Channel Outdoor and Digital Advertising Network (DAN Media), a Montreal, Canada-based provider of VPN, large-format, digital screen networks.
The large-format, full-motion, multi-format video screens feature content form Yahoo! including news headlines, sports, entertainment, financial information and the Yahoo! Buzz Index and 30-second commercials. This is the first installment in a planned network involving 200 malls in the top 20 markets over then next two and a half years. The 30-second advertising spots, which can be changed remotely, create a cost-effective way for advertisers to reach consumers in a captive, entertaining environment at the point of purchase.
For more information, contact Donna Baker, President, Clear Channel Malls, (Tel) 281-414-1573, (E-mail) donnabaker2@clearchannel.com.
Nintendo Retains Vital Marketing To Target Urban Demographic
Nintendo of America ha selected Vital Marketing to be its Urban Agency of Record, responsible for creating experiential marketing programs aimed at the urban demographic.
"Vital Marketing's ability to reach the urban consumers who have become today's trendsetters will be crucial in positioning Nintendo as a cutting edge brand that has cultural relevancy among today's urban inspired consumer," said Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo's Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
"With our experience and presence in the urban market, we look to bring Nintendo into the lives of 17-24 year old gamers," said Joseph Anthony, Founder and CEO of Vital Marketing. "Through culturally relevant experiential marketing initiatives we will build upon Nintendo's history as the leader in the video game industry and position them as the premier video game company."
Merchandising Inventives Updates Web Site
Merchandising Inventives, a leading supplier of P.O.P. merchandising systems and accessories since 1946, has announced its new and improved web site and catalog for 2006. The web site and catalog include design ideas, ceiling solutions, shelf solutions, literature holders, corrugated displays & accessories, floor solutions, display assembly hardware, acrylic fabrication and custom services. For more information and to receive a full line catalog, contact Merchandising Inventives, Inc., 1665 South Waukegan Road, Waukegan, IL 60085; (Tel) 847-775-6959, (Web site) www.merchinv.com
A. Brothers Offers Portable Exhibitor Chair
A. Brothers Associates produces the Portable Exhibitor Chair for use at trade show exhibit booths. The Portable Exhibitor Chair comes in both director and theater heights, is constructed of tough powder coated aluminum and features an easy folding design. Color fabrics and screenprinting are also available. For more information, contact A. Brothers Associates, 123 E. Martin Street, Raleigh, NC 27601; (Tel) 919-834-3964, (Web site) www.abrothers.com
Design Factory Offers Fine Sculptures For Exhibitors
Design Factory of Las Vegas is offering its exhibiting clients a line of professional fine art pieces for exhibit booths. These one-of-a-kind, original abstract sculptures were created by sculptor, Sam Chinkes, and are available for the length of any trade show. The sculptures, lightweight, mixed media will help get people to notice the individuality of a booth. For more information, contact Design Factory, 3622 North Rancho, Suite #102, Las Vegas, NV 89130; (Tel) 702-656-0555; (Web site) www.tradeshowexperts.com
