South Beach Beverage Company Named Strategic Marketing Partner For Microsoft's Xbox
South Beach Beverage Company has signed on with Microsoft Corp. as a strategic marketing partner for the launch of the highly anticipated Microsoft Xbox video game system.
The Companies are conducting joint promotional campaigns designed to reach their shared target audiences across the United States. SoBe is providing substantial grassroots marketing support, featuring the SoBe Love Bus tour, including 8 love buses traveling around the country to support the Xbox launch.
"We couldn't ask for a better partner," said Renee Kasbar Coughlin, SoBe's Sr. V.P. Of Marketing. "Xbox and SoBe are about cutting-edge innovation and tapping into a youthful, edgy market in a very personalized way. We loved the idea of tying in with the launch of this hotly anticipated game system and we look forward to spreading the Xbox excitement to our consumers using the SoBe grassroots network."
"SoBe's credibility and appeal with the young male demographic is an ideal match for Xbox," said John O'Rourke, Director of Sales and Marketing for Xbox at Microsoft.
SoBe's touring Love Buses are among the few venues where consumers can experience Xbox before it launches in November. Each of the eight SoBe Love buses feature two Xbox gaming stations, enabling gamers to experience the highly anticipated "Oddworld: Munch's Oddysee" game, featuring authentic SoBe "power-ups" within the story. At select events, SoBe will set up the "Lizard Lounge," a traveling "living room" complete with the Xbox system, large televisions and sofas, where consumers can get a real taste of the Xbox-SoBe experience.
'Nikegoddess' Women-Only Stores Debut
Nike is opening women-only retail outlets, called Nikegoddess stores, merchandised with an extensive array of Nike footwear, apparel and equipment exclusively for the active woman.
The Nikegoddess stores will be similar to a boutique environment and have a high level of service. In the past, Nike feedback from women revealed that they see a limited amount of Nike product for women at other sports and women-only sports stores because most retailers carry other brands too and are reluctant to show every product that Nike manufactures. Nikegoddess stores will sell only Nike products.
"The objective of Nikegoddess is to showcase the breadth of Nike product offerings for the active woman in a setting that women are most accustomed to shopping," said Kathryn Reith, Nike spokesperson. "Women are used to open views and shopping in department stores or boutiques. The sections will flow together better making it easier for women to find what they are looking for."
Footwear will be placed on tabletops as opposed to a shoe wall only and there will be more emphasis on merchandising and product presentation. The first Nikegoddess store will open this fall in Los Angeles with plans to roll out Nikegoddess stores in other cities.
Friskies PetCare Company Promotes 'Come 'N Get It' Promotional Game With 3-D Audio Floor Ads
Friskies PetCare Company, Inc., has launched the Say "Come 'N Get It" and Win Game, a unique sweepstakes offering more than $100,000 in prizes including the chance to instantly win a grand prize of $25,000. Consumers will be urged to "come and get" specially marked packages through innovative talking 3-D Friskies Come 'N Get It dry dog food floor advertisements that will be popping into pet food aisles of select grocery stores nationwide.
Come 'N Get It dry dog food brand is the first ever to use a 3D FLOORad with an interactive audio message. The 3D IN-depth FLOORads are created through a patented process, using special photography, manipulation of shadow effects and specialized printing to create unique images that appear to rise out of the floor. The ads will invite shoppers to step on a particular spot to activate an audio message that says, "Come 'N Get It! Win $25,000 with Come 'N Get It. Look for specially marked bags of Come 'N Get It dog food. You could be a winner!"
"Come 'N Get It is proud to be the first brand ever to utilize this unique marketing tool," said Maureen Borland, Vice President, Consumer Marketing Services, Friskies PetCare. "The audio/visual experience of the innovative floor advertisements are a great way to leverage the experience for consumers to get excited about the promotion."
New GE Reveal Is Largest Light Bulb Launch In GE History
GE Lighting is launching the Reveal light bulb line in response to consistent feedback from consumer research. According to test consumers, Reveal bulbs improved the quality of light in their homes by providing crisper, cleaner lighting that was pure and true. Light from Reveal bulbs made objects appear richer in color and more vivid-less yellow, according to consumer feedback. The quality of the Reveal light is achieved by adding the natural earth element, Neodymium, to the glass. GE's Reveal bulbs will initially be available at home centers, mass merchandisers, hardware stores, supermarkets and drugstores in the U.S. and Canada. A fully-integrated consumer marketing campaign, including TV, print and radio advertising, as well as retail, web-based and public relations campaigns, will support the launch as Reveal bulbs appear this fall in stores throughout North America.
Pepsi Twist Enters Select U.S. Markets
Pepsi-Cola Company is introducing a new soft drink called Pepsi Twist, which complements the taste of Pepsi with a twist of lemon. Pepsi Twist was tested as a summertime-only proposition last year in Minnesota and Texas, where it met with tremendous consumer response, boosting total Pepsi trademark volume, display inventory and awareness, according to the Company. Its expanded availability this summer covers about a third of the country, predominantly in the central U.S. Dedicated TV, radio and point-of-purchase are supporting the rollout of Pepsi Twist where available.
Crest Introduces SpinBrush
Crest has introduced the expanded Crest SpinBrush line of battery-operated tooth brushes, with improved features and colors. "The Crest SpinBrush makes electric toothbrush technology affordable for every family," said Diane Dietz, North America Marketing Director for Crest. "People love the SpinBrush because it cleans significantly better than an ordinary manual toothbrush for about the same price. They know they are getting a great value." The Crest SpinBrush is available in retail stores across the U.S. at a suggested retail price of $5.99.
Verizon And Motorola Debut FM Radio, The Web And Wireless Phone All In One
Verizon Wireless and Motorola have joined forces to introduce the latest in design and convergence technology with the national launch of a new wireless phone that with an optional headset, does double duty as an FM radio. The Motorola V120c, available exclusively at Verizon Wireless' Communications Stores and at Verizon Wireless' stores-within-a-store at Radio Shack, is also Mobile Web and Mobile Messenger ready for customers choosing those services. Motorola's new V120c is for individuals youthful in attitude, not necessarily in age. According to John Stratton, Verizon Wireless Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, "Verizon Wireless has and will continue to take an industry leadership position by supporting the use of hands-free devices while driving. The FM radio is an option that gives customers the flexibility to use their wireless phones for a totally different purpose-entertainment. It is convergence technology at its best-the wave of the future."
Eureka WhirlWind Bagless Upright With True HEPA Sealed Filtration Debuts
The Eureka WhirlWind Plus has been introduced by The Eureka Company of Bloomington, IL. The WhirlWind Plus is a new bagless upright vacuum with true HEPA sealed filtration. It has a large capacity covered dust cup. With the new Eureka WhirlWind Plus, consumers don't have to give up filtration quality to enjoy bagless vacuum convenience.
JVC Launches Lifestyle Campaign Challenging Consumers To Ride On The Wild Side
JVC has extended its push to reach 18- to 29-year-old males with an unprecedented company wide promotion entitled, "Ride the Wild Side."
As part of the promotion, JVC has developed a series of relationships with the hottest athletes and companies in the realm of extreme sports. Three of the key relationships developed by JVC include Nikki Sixx, music producer and founding member of Motley Crue; Shaun Palmer, snowboarding and mountain biking world champion; and Jason Maxwell, skateboarder extraordinaire. Sixx and Palmer are featured on the new JVC Times Square billboard.
Under the "Ride the Wild Side" promotion, by purchasing JVC products, consumers will have the opportunity to obtain products from a full range of well known music and action sports brands. The Wild Side promotion takes extreme prizes a step further allowing consumers to accumulate points to experience a Wild Side Weekend with Shaun Palmer on a snowboard or mountain bike, with Jason Maxwell on a skateboard or at the sound board at concerts with Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue and 58.
JVC is supporting the Wild Side Promotion with an extensive marketing campaign that includes national advertising, radio promotions, and point-of-purchase materials at JVC retailer locations.
Arctic Cat Names R. Bonev V.P. Of Marketing
Arctic Cat Inc. has appointed Robert Bonev Vice President of Marketing. In this position, Bonev oversees all marketing and sales functions within the company. He was most recently Senior Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Outboard Marine Corporation. Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.
MONY Promotes G. Brenner To Vice President Of Marketing
MONY Life Insurance Company, the primary insurance subsidiary of The MONY Group Inc., has promoted George Brenner to Vice President of Marketing. In addition to continuing his active role in the company's business and estate planning department, Brenner will additionally serve as principal liaison in introducing MONY's products and services into the Advest organization.
Cannon Equipment, IMI Subsidiary Acquires Controlling Interest Of Display Technologies
Cannon Equipment has acquired a controlling interest of Display Technologies, LLC, a privately held, College Point, NY-based international designer and manufacturer of retail merchandisers. Cannon Equipment is a leading, Rosemount, MN-based manufacturer of wire/metal retail fixtures and a subsidiary of IMI, plc, a $2.5 billion engineering and manufacturing group from Birmingham, England.
Under the agreement, Display Technologies will operate as a subsidiary of Cannon Equipment. Richard Jay, President of Display Technologies along with its management team, will retain a strong minority ownership and continue to oversee day-to-day operations from the firm's NY headquarters. The acquisition will provide Display Technologies with Cannon Equipment's broad-based 800,000 sq. ft. display manufacturing facilities, enabling the firm to enhance product development, rapid deliveries and customer service. Additionally, Display Technologies will strengthen its level of service and product distribution to international brand marketers, retailers and other customers, through IMI Cornelius' 28 offices around the globe.
Photobition Expands Burbank Facility Creating U.S. Flagship Complex
Photobition USA recently completed the expansion of its Burbank, CA facility adding graphics production space, a showroom for display products and systems, as well as executive and sales offices. With the new construction, the Photobition USA flagship complex now totals 65,000 square feet and houses over 180 employees, making it the largest full-service operation of its kind in the Los Angeles market. The Burbank location merges the firm's Los Angeles area graphics and display operations into one primary facility with full-service capabilities including a traditional photo lab, creative services and digital retouching, prepress, asset management/CD authoring and a range of large-scale digital graphic output/production. Display systems for retail and trade show applications are sold and serviced from the location as well.
Armstrong/Alar Chain Acquires NBS Fastener
Armstrong/Alar Chain Company has acquired NBS Fastener Corp.-Blue Jay Division. Armstrong/Alar has been servicing the chain and sign hanging needs of the P.O.P. industry for the past 11 years. With the inclusion of NBS Fastener to its supplier base, Armstrong/Alar will be able to provide fasteners for any point-of-purchase assembly needs through the Blue Jay Division.
The Newark Group Forms Alliance With Fortifiber
The Newark Group, Inc., headquartered in Craford, NJ, has formed a marketing alliance with Fortifiber Corporation, a private paper converter headquartered in Incline Village, NV. The two companies will work together to sell both repulpable and polycoated "heat-sealable" roll wrap to the paper industry. In addition, Fortifiber has sold its extensive heat platen and heat bar business to The Newark Group. Fortifiber will support the marketing alliance with the production of FortiWrap Roll Wrap at its Hanahan, South Carolina converting plant. Fortifiber will also supply Vapo-Wrap Roll Wrap from its Attleboro, MA factory. Newark Paperboard Products, a Newark Group converting division, will conduct sales and marketing functions for the alliance. Newark Paperboard Products also assumes responsibility for the manufacture, sale and support of the Fortifiber line of heat platens and heat bars.
SFX's Marketing Consultancies Consolidate Under CMI Brand
SFX, the world's largest producer and marketer of live entertainment events, has consolidated three of its marketing services entities under the CMI brand. The entities include: lifestyle event marketing agency CMI; motor sports marketing and public relations agency SFX/Cotter Group; and sports and entertainment consulting agency SFX Corporate Consulting.
The consolidation uniquely positions CMI as a full-service, fully integrated brand communications agency capable of effectively connecting brands with consumers in non-traditional, highly interactive ways. Headquartered in East Rutherford, NJ, and with flagship offices in Atlanta, Charlotte and Washington, D.C., CMI will be led by David Paro, General Manager, and formerly Senior Vice President of SFX Corporate Consulting. Paro will also serve as a Senior Vice President-Marketing at SFX, reporting to Chief Marketing Officer Paula Balzer.
"By combining the diverse capabilities and core functions of each of the three competencies under one roof, CMI offers distinct advantages over traditional event marketing, marketing services or sales promotion agencies," said Paro.
Revlon Forms Partnership With W Hotels And ABSOLUT
Revlon has formed a strategic partnership with W Hotels and ABSOLUT to promote the brand's new Absolutely Fabulous LipCream. Designed to generate excitement and awareness with key influencers and trendsetters, as well as consumers across the country, Revlon, W, and ABSOLUT will host a weekly series of "Absolutely Fabulous" parties in four key markets throughout the summer.
The parties will be supported by a multi-dimensional marketing campaign, which will include an interactive component and product sampling. LIME Public Relations and Promotions worked in partnership with Revlon to create the concept and on the execution.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with such icon brands as Absolut and W Hotels," said Cheryl Vitali, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Revlon Global Brand Equity Group. "This effort is in line with our new marketing strategy which brings a multi-dimensional experience to our consumers. The parties are a terrific way to introduce women to the brand and to celebrate that it's absolutely fabulous being a woman."
"Celebrating self-expression has always been an important theme for ABSOLUT," said James Schleifer, Director of Marketing for ABSOLUT. "Here we are extending this message to reach women and encourage them to try some creative new ways to enjoy our products, particularly our flavored vodkas."
Revlon and W have also created an "Absolutely Fabulous" Weekend Sweepstakes, which offers an all expense paid "weekend-for-two" getaway at a W Hotel.
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