Hershey & Kraft Displays Help Celebrate Summertime S'Mores Promotion
The Hershey Company and Kraft Foods has launched a summer-long celebration of S'mores, the classic combination of Hershey®'s Milk Chocolate, Honey Maid® Grahams and Kraft Jet-Puffed® Marshmallows. The co-branded campaign will include national advertising, a joint FSI, joint in-store merchandising, consumer promotions and sampling during a national mobile marketing tour. The tour and co-branded S'mores outreach began this spring.
"This celebration combines the three essential S'mores ingredients for consumers and provides a complete merchandising package for our retail customers to help them increase sales," said Michele Buck, Chief Marketing Officer, The Hershey Company. "Hershey's Milk Chocolate is an icon, and S'mores are a classic summer treat. We are excited to be partnering with Kraft's Honey Maid Grahams and Jet-Puffed Marshmallows to help celebrate the 80-year tradition of S'mores with a summer-long consumer promotion."
The Honey Maid and Jet-Puffed brands were integrated into the Hershey's Milk Chocolate bar national S'mores television spot. A mobile tour scheduled for May through September offers consumer sampling. The partnership extends to include cross promotion on packaging, joint point-of-sale displays and materials, in-store coupons, a full page national FSI, a full-page ad in the Kraft Food & Family magazine and a joint consumer website featuring classic and contemporary S'mores recipes.
Church's Chicken Consumers 'Know What Good Is'
Church's Chicken is letting their consumers do the talking for them with the "I Know What Good Is" campaign launched nationwide. "I Know What Good Is" builds on the urban cool platform that Church's
Chicken has established, and expresses it in the many voices of their diverse,
multicultural customers.
"We knew we always win the price/value battle, "said Farnaz Wallace,
Church's Chief Marketing Officer, "but we wanted to learn what differentiates
Church's product quality and experience from competitors, and better
understand the benefits and trade-offs that our customers are willing to take
to receive high-quality, high-value products."
When it comes to Church's Chicken, "good" translates to product quality, care in preparation, and being part of their neighborhoods and communities. It is the universal need to feel "good" about the decision to eat at Church's
that inspired the campaign "I Know What Good Is". The Cartel Group created the campaign including advertising and graphics for print, in-store and outdoor integration.
La-Tweez On Display At Retail Stores Across The Country
The makers of La-Tweez illuminating tweezers, are extending distribution of its popular product to retail stores across the country such as Target, Walgreens and Beauty Systems Group this summer.
"For anyone who has ever tried to tweeze their brows in a hurry, the arrival of La-Tweez is indeed exciting news," said James Beaurline, a 30-year veteran of the beauty products industry. "The quality of the tweezer itself is superb to begin with - and having a powerful light within the actual tweezer so that users can achieve a flawless, precision tweeze, is a stroke of genius."
The ultra bright LED light illuminates directly from the tweezers, placing the hard-to-spot or hard-to-reach hairs in the spotlight, literally. The compact carrying case resembles a lipstick container and features a built-in mirror. Along with the distribution extension, La-Tweez will feature displays and new improved packaging reflecting its greater market reach.
"Crunch Cards" Edible Greeting Cards for Dogs On Display
Developed by a Veterinarian, Crunch Cards® - Edible Greeting Cards for Dogs, offer retailers a bite out of the $38 billion dollar pet market as well as excellent incremental sales opportunities.
These patented edible cards are manufactured by Crunchkins, Inc., which says that approximately 80% of Crunch Cards are purchased by women, with a potential market of 60 million dogs in the United States. Crunch Cards are available for all occasions: Christmas, Birthday, Valentine's, Easter & Halloween. Point-of-purchase displays help promote these "Doggielious!" cards at retail.
New popchips Bring Flavor To Healthy Snacking
popchips™, a new line of all-natural popped potato, corn and rice chips, is bringing new flavor and innovation to healthier snacking. popchips start with all-natural ingredients like potatoes, organic white corn and whole grain brown rice, apply heat and pressure (no oil) and pop! a new chip is born. The only thing added is a flavorful blend of natural seasonings. What's left out is half the fat of fried potato chips and all of the trans fats, saturated fats, fake flavors, colors and preservatives that give snacking a bad name. popchips come in nine taste bud-popping flavors including Barbeque Potato, Sea Salt Corn and Wasabi Rice Chips.
"All the low-fat health talk has been taking the flavor, not to mention the fun, out of snacking," said popchips co-founder Keith Belling. "We found that by popping our chips, we could put the flavor back into a great tasting, all-natural line of chips. After all, if it doesn't taste good - it isn't a snack."
Loews Rolls Out Newest Component Of 'Loews Loves Kids' Program With New Fisher-Price Smart Cycles
This summer, Loews Hotels will introduce on-loan "mini-gym" equipment for kids. Available in Loews' 18 hotels and resorts chain-wide, the equipment will include Fisher-Price Smart Cycles(TM), a brand-new innovation that hasn't even hit toy store shelves.
Using plug and play technology, the stationary Smart Cycle combines physical play with learning, allowing preschoolers to pedal while problem-solving with multiple software programs such as Dora's Friendship Adventure, Sponge Bob's Ocean Adventure and Barbie Fairytopia.
"Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States," said Jonathan Tisch, Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels. "We are constantly seeking opportunities to introduce new, innovative ways for children and their parents to pursue an active, healthy lifestyle."
The exercise equipment for kids is the newest component to Loews Hotels' popular Loews Loves Kids, a multi-faceted program addressing the practical and playful aspects of traveling with children. One of the industry's most comprehensive family programs, Loews Loves Kids features everything from gift bags on arrival, and a special "On Call for Kids" lending closet filled with practical and playful travel necessities. New this summer also in partnership with Fisher-Price, a selection of lending toys will be available in restaurants, so parents can enjoy a more relaxed meal while the children are happily occupied.
Target & Shutterfly Partner To Offer Consumers More Choices And Easy Access To Photo Products
Target and Shutterfly, an Internet-based social expression service, have formed a strategic partnership to create an online photo service that will offer Target guests more creative options for preserving their memories and managing all of their photo needs.
Target will offer Shutterfly photo services through www.targetphoto.shutterfly.com and www.target.com/photo. Guests will be able to upload and organize their photos online and access Shutterfly's easy-to-use services to store, share and print their digital photos, and create memorable gifts. Additionally, Shutterfly customers will be able to order prints and print them directly to local Target stores, ready for pick up in as little as one hour.
"Shutterfly is one of the leading online photo services and the perfect choice for our guests, who are seeking innovative yet affordable, trend-right solutions to match their busy lifestyle needs," said Steve Eastman, Vice President, Target. "We continually strive to provide our guests with highly differentiated products and we are excited to offer direct access to Shutterfly's high-quality products and services for preserving and sharing memories."
President and CEO of Shutterfly, Jeffrey Housenbold, said, "This partnership provides a first-of-its-kind retail channel for Shutterfly with one of the nation's leading consumer brands, and we are delighted to have found in Target the ideal business partner to give consumers the quality experience they expect from Shutterfly."
Three Payless Fashion Lab Stores Open In Manhattan's Hip Shopping Districts
Payless ShoeSource is opening three new Payless stores featuring the retailer's flagship Payless Fashion Lab store format in hip Manhattan shopping districts of Soho.
These new store locations are important for their high-volume foot traffic, cache, and shopping clientele, which is well suited for Payless Fashion Lab format -- the new flagship store design launched by the retailer last year. Payless Fashion Lab stores offer the same Payless products, with a broader fashion assortment. The stores feature a self-select shopping environment and are intended to make it easier for shoppers to have fun and experiment with fashion by letting them more quickly find the styles they love. Product is displayed by seasonal trend stories atop self-select custom fixtures that house shoe box inventory below. The stores are brightly lit, open and have ample seating for trying on shoes.
"These shopping districts are new for us, but with our new Payless Fashion Lab stores, we feel right at home," said Matt Rubel, CEO and President, Payless ShoeSource. "We are dedicated to democratizing fashion in footwear and accessories to deliver the latest on-trend styles at a great price, and we look forward to serving the shoppers in these new areas with our fun, inspiring new stores and our enhanced seasonal collections."
Payless said that the new Payless Fashion Lab format is helping the retailer secure locations in high-fashion malls and other premier shopping areas. The Payless Fashion Lab and Hot Zone formats began rolling out last year and continue nationwide as part of Payless' strategic initiative to refresh its store chain.
Mustang, The Bold New Fragrance For Men, Debuts Nationwide In July
Aramis and Designer Fragrances, a division of a subsidiary of The Estée Lauder Companies, has partnered with Ford to introduce Mustang, a new men's scent that embodies the spirit of today's man: strong, confident and driven. Mustang, the new fragrance for men will launch in July 2007 to retailers nationwide and rollout to mass merchandisers and chain drug stores in August 2007.
"We are so excited to be launching a fragrance with Mustang, an American icon that today holds international recognition and an undeniable established reputation. This fragrance will bring the Mustang man to life while remaining true to the core values and classic tradition of the Mustang brand," said Robin Mason, Vice President, Global Marketing for Aramis and Designer Fragrances.
El Bravo Tamale Launches Organic Prepared Mexican Food Products
El Bravo Tamale Company, the industry's first company to deliver certified organic prepared Mexican food, has launched three new product offerings--organic Black Bean, Chicken Mole and Red Chile Pork frozen tamales. El Bravo Tamale's products add new spice to today's organic market, delivering authentic, certified organic Mexican prepared foods available at grocery stores nationwide.
Mountain Dew & DreamWorks Team For 'Transform Your Summer' Promotion
Mountain Dew is partnering with DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures for a unique promotion in conjunction with the July 4 release of the live-action film "TRANSFORMERS."
The "Transform Your Summer" online promotion will award more than 150,000 prizes, which have a total value of more than $7 million, over a 12-week period.
Consumers are able to enter the "Transform Your Summer" sweepstakes online. Thousands of prizes will be given away each day and consumers will be able to choose the prize they would like to win by entering the daily drawing of their choice. There will be several daily drawings each offering a different prize. The "Transform Your Summer" prizes include the Ultimate Gaming Package (Xbox 360, Panasonic 42" Plasma HDTV, games and accessories), trips to major sporting events and vacation packages.
Moen Introduces ChoiceFlo Integrated Filtration System
Consumers now have a new option when it comes to water filtration thanks to the launch of Moen's new ChoiceFlo™ integrated filtration system. Available on Moen's popular and affordable Chateau® and Muirfield™ kitchen faucets, the new ChoiceFlo™ filtering kitchen faucets, which look and operate like traditional faucets, provide both great-tasting filtered and tap water from one spout. One faucet spout provides two waterways - filtered and non-filtered. When consumers wish to switch from tap to filtered water, they simply turn the separate filtration handle located on the deck plate. A separate waterway delivers the filtered water through a hidden port under the spout. Through patented technology, Moen ensures that the faucet performs with the utmost of ease.
Curves Chewy Granola Bars Launch Nationwide
General Mills and Curves® have partnered to launch a weight management brand and four new products under the Curves name. Curves Chewy Granola bars will launch this spring and Curves cereal will launch this summer. "We want to help women take the smart path to long-term weight management and believe that extending our brand to packaged food is a positive next step," said Gary Heavin, founder and CEO of Curves International. "The great new food products will be the first to carry the Curves name at grocery and retail, and we're thrilled to partner with packaged goods leader General Mills."
Samsung Unveils New Line Of Laundry Products
Samsung Electronics is debuting the VRT™ Front Loading Washing Machine, featuring a Samsung technological breakthrough called Vibration Reduction Technology that reduces the vibration and noise from unbalanced loads during the spin cycle of conventional front-loading washers. The quietest washer with unbalanced loads, it will operate quieter on the second floor or near closets where consumers need it most. True to its commitment to stylish design, Samsung offers the VRT Washing Machine in an assortment of colors for the design-minded consumer including Tango Red, Onyx Blue, Stratus Gray and Neat White. Stacked on top of one another or placed side-by-side on pedestals, the VRT washing machine and paired dryer can be easily integrated as an attractive focal point to any living environment.
Horizon Organic Introduces First Ever DHA-Fortified Organic Milk
Horizon Organic® is introducing the first ever organic milk fortified with DHA omega-3. Studies have shown that this important nutrient, traditionally found in breast milk and now in most infant formulas, plays a positive role in children's heart, brain and eye health. Horizon Organic Milk Plus DHA is produced with Martek Biosciences' life'sDHA™ - an all-vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA omega-3 that doesn't alter the flavor of the original milk product. Blaine McPeak, Horizon Organic's President, said, "By introducing Horizon Organic Milk Plus DHA, Horizon Organic makes it easier than ever for parents with young children to start an organic diet early and get them on the fast track to a more organic lifestyle that benefits their own health and that of our planet." Beginning in June, Horizon Organic's half-gallon sizes of whole, Reduced Fat (2 percent) and Low Fat (1 percent) milk will be fortified with DHA and will be available at supermarkets and natural food stores nationwide.
New OSCAR MAYER Deli Creations Hot Sandwich Melts Introduced
Kraft Foods has launched OSCAR MAYER Deli Creations Hot Sandwich Melts, a build-your-own sandwich complete with OSCAR MAYER Shaved meats, premium KRAFT cheeses, specialty sauces and an innovative sub roll that heats in the microwave for fresh baked taste in 60 seconds. "As we looked at the state of the lunch hour, we found that many Americans were looking for convenient ways to free themselves of brown bag boredom and enjoy a hot lunch," says Chris Carlisle, Senior Brand Manager. "So, we set out to create an innovative new product to satisfy America's love for deli meats in a more convenient way. By using a proprietary bread recipe, OSCAR MAYER Deli Creations Hot Sandwich Melts allow you to enjoy a delicious, hot sandwich in about a minute."
Available in five delicious, sandwich shop-inspired varieties, OSCAR MAYER Deli Creations Hot Sandwich Melts can be found in the grocer's refrigerated meat case section.
New Nestle Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise Is First-Ever Fruit & Veggie Juice For Kids
Nestle has introduced Nestle Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise, the first 100 percent fruit and vegetable juice made especially for kids. An 8 oz. glass of Nestle Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise provides two combined servings of fruits and vegetables (two-third serving of vegetables and one and one-third servings of fruit). Nestle Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise is available in three kid-friendly flavors - Orange Mango, Grape and Tropical -- and is made from vegetables and fruits such as carrots, sweet potatoes, grapes, mangos, pears and apples. Nestle Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise also provides 120 percent of the daily value of Vitamin C, as well as other important nutrients like beta carotene, which is essential for good vision.
Altec Lansing Introduces Cinematic Experience For The IPod
Altec Lansing is now offering the inMotion(TM) iMV712, an elegantly compact, all-inclusive iPod Video entertainment system that provides powerful, crystal-clear sound and sharp video in one. The iMV712 turns the iPod Video into a complete MP3 music + video multi-component entertainment system--perfectly designed for college dorm rooms, teen rooms, desktops, even the kitchen counter. At the heart of the new iMV712 is an 8.5-inch high resolution LCD screen surrounded by Altec Lansing's custom-engineered speakers to deliver powerful, concert-like sound and a true cinematic video experience.
White Hat Brands Launches Dog On It! Juice Beverages
White Hat Brands, an Atlanta-based beverage company committed to kids' wellness, is launching a new integrated trade marketing campaign to support the introduction of its Dog On It!™ juice beverages, specifically formulated to help combat childhood obesity and Type 2 diabetes among pre-teens ("tweens"). Its new product line will initially feature two flavors loaded with calcium, vitamins A, B, C, D, E, minerals and only 80 calories per eight ounce serving - lower than any of the nation's established juice beverages of its kind. All Dog On It! beverages contain no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial sweeteners and no artificial colors or flavors.
Taco Bell Appoints Ovens Chief Mktg. Officer
Taco Bell Corp. has appointed David Ovens Chief Marketing Officer. Ovens will be responsible for leading Taco Bell's food marketing, brand planning and communications, consumer insights and field marketing functions. Ovens is currently Chief Marketing Officer, Yum! Restaurants International.
Welch's Appoints Chris Heye V.P. Of Mktg.
Welch's, leading marketer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products, is naming Chris Heye Vice President of Marketing. Prior to joining Welch's, Heye was Vice President of Marketing, Americas for BP/Castrol. Before BP, Heye held many marketing positions of increasing responsibility at Johnson & Johnson.
LG Electronics Appoints Weinstock V.P. Of Mktg., Dig. Appliances
L.G. Electronics has appointed John B. Weinstock as Vice President of Marketing for Digital Appliances. Weinstock, who joins LG Electronics from Johnson & Johnson, will be responsible for leading the U.S. marketing and advertising programs for LG's full line of stylish, premium kitchen and laundry appliances. Weinstock held a variety of key marketing positions at Johnson & Johnson since 1995, most recently as Group Product Director for a range of top consumer brands including Band-Aid®. Before joining Johnson & Johnson, Weinstock was an Associate Brand Manager for Reckitt & Colman.
Chrysler Announces Key Mktg. Appointments
Chrysler Group has appointed Michael Accavitti Director - Dodge Brand & SRT Marketing and Communications. Accavitti is responsible for developing Dodge and SRT brand strategies, as well as providing oversight of the Dodge Motorsports program activities. He reports to George Murphy, Senior Vice President Global Marketing. Accavitti's most recent position was Director - Motorsports Programs and SRT Product & Brand Marketing. Thomas Lovelace is Director U.S. Retail & Fleet Volume Planning. His most recent position was Director, Dodge Brand Marketing and Global Communications. Robert Richard is Director, Global Parts Marketing, responsible for leading Chrysler Group service parts marketing strategy and implementation across all product portfolios. Most recently, he was Director, U.S. Market (Retail & Fleet) Volume Planning.
Welch's Appoints Chris Heye V.P. Of Mktg.
Welch's, leading marketer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products, is naming Chris Heye Vice President of Marketing. Prior to joining Welch's, Heye was Vice President of Marketing, Americas for BP/Castrol. Before BP, Heye held many marketing positions of increasing responsibility at Johnson & Johnson.
New Healthnotes Kiosks Drive Fresh Food Sales
Healthnotes, a leader in interactive wellness-driven marketing for retail, has launched its redesigned Fresh Ideas Centers for meat and seafood, produce, and wine departments. As a companion to the Healthy Living kiosks for pharmacy and nutrition departments, the new Centers are redesigned from the ground up to drive sales in the critically important perishable departments. Busy shoppers can now quickly find high-quality, healthy recipes, and tips on preparing fresh foods literally at their fingertips using the new kiosk-based Healthnotes® Connect "Fresh Ideas Center."
"Our new 'Fresh Ideas Center' is designed to engage, entertain and empower shoppers, a retail strategy which drives incremental sales," said Dr. Schuyler Lininger, Healthnotes CEO and President. The Healthnotes Centers focus on fresh foods to drive top-line sales in these important high-margin categories. They feature a continually changing fare of seasonal tips and ideas in the fresh produce, meats and seafood, wine and cheese departments, as well as pharmacy and nutrition centers.
Shoppers use the touchscreen kiosks to quickly browse through hundreds of easy, healthy, family-friendly recipes, based on personal tastes or special dietary requirements. With one touch they can print selected recipes, along with shopping lists, and targeted offers. As they find needed ingredients from nearby grocery shelves, they discover a truly "grab-and-go" way to cook healthy, great tasting meals for their families.
ESPN Deportes En Vivo! Interactive Experience Tour Launches
ESPN Deportes, the leading Spanish-language multimedia sports brand, is bringing its ESPN Deportes En Vivo! interactive consumer experience on tour. The one-of- a-kind, virtual gaming center contained within the giant 130' X 70' stadium, engages sports enthusiasts like never before in a six-city tour to marquee Hispanic community festivals in 2007.
Jeep and DIRECTV are sponsoring the ESPN Deportes En Vivo! Experience. Festival goers are invited to visit the 130' X 70' "ESPN Deportes En Vivo! at Jeep Stadium" and participate in the action-packed virtual games. Some of the activities include the Jeep rock climbing wall and festival goers have a chance to check out the full-line of Jeep vehicles that were on display. In addition, each consumer that passes through the En Vivo! Eperience is automatically entered to win an all-new 2007 Jeep Patriot compact sports-utility vehicle. The winner of the Patriot will be announced at the end of the tour.
Said Juan Alfonso, senior director of marketing, ESPN Deportes. "Our goal is to raise the bar on sports experience for Latinos, and this is yet another example of our commitment to provide fans the opportunity to further interact with our brand."
CSK Auto Launches 'Hot Rides' Giveaway
CSK Auto, which operates more than 1,300 Checker, Schuck's, Kragen and Murray's Discount auto parts stores in 22 states, is giving away "Hot Rides" this spring in the form of a sleek new Ford Mustang convertible, the best selling Ford F-150 pickup truck, and even a new Ford Edge, the automaker's athletic and highly touted "crossover" utility vehicle.
The cars are all part of CSK's new sweepstakes-style promotion that also includes a second tier of trendy automotive prizes like wireless backup cameras, AM-FM CD players with Bluetooth, and GPS navigation systems that talk. Checker, Schuck's, Kragen, and Murray's customers wanting a chance at all these prizes are asked to visit a store and complete a simple entry form.
Monster Media Promotes B. O'Neill To Sr. V.P., Sales & Mktg.
Monster Media, a leading provider of patented interactive advertising systems, has promoted its Senior Vice President of Sports and Marketing, Bill O'Neil, to Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. O'Neil has more than 23 years of leading industry experience. Prior to joining Monster Media, he served as chief operating officer for Just Marketing International.
SignStorey Acquires Captive Audience
SignStorey, Inc., a leading provider of digital media networks to the grocery industry, recently acquired Captive Audience, LLC of Newton, New Jersey. Captive Audience provides digital media services in the deli department of ShopRite and Big Y stores in the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey areas.
"The acquisition of Captive Audience adds two more important retailers and up to 250 stores to our national network of 1,400 installed stores. We are now able to provide our advertisers with 25% to 40% market coverage in the key Northeast media markets of Philadelphia, New York and Boston." said Tom Green, SVP Sales at SignStorey.
First Of Its Kind 'Green Mall Tour' Launches
EventNet USA is launching a national Green Mall Tour to showcase environmentally friendly products before a growing number of Americans interested in going green.
The Get Green At Home Mall Tour is expected to launch in third quarter
of this year and visit 50 malls across the country by Spring of 2008. Market stops will include Simon and General Growth malls.
"Green products are becoming much more mainstream and have tremendous
growth potential. The challenge for consumer brands is to gain
awareness, exposure and trial to achieve sales among these consumers," said Joel Benson, CEO of EventNet USA. "Experientially marketing green products before large audiences across the country is the goal of the Get Greet At Home Mall Tour."
EventNet will provide all event logistics and marketing for the Get Green At Home Mall Tour. For more information, contact EventNet USA at 954-467-9898 or visit (Web site) GetGreenAtHome.com
Lightspace Introduces LED Interactive Tiles
Lightspace Corp., creators and leaders of lit interactive technologies, has introduced new LED lit interactive tiles, LIT-16. The new tiles feature many new updates along with global certifications. LIT-16 is available in two versions and now allows for customers to choose from either a white polycarbonate shell for the tile or a new clear polycarbonate shell combined with a new diffusion technology. These updates combined with the use of surface mount tri-color LED's allow for brighter more saturated colors and effects. Along with the physical enhancements to the Lit interactive tile, LIT-16 is compliant with ETL, CE, and RoHS regulations. For more information visit the Lightspace (Web site) www.lightspacecorp.com
Paxar Introduces Magicmirror
Paxar Corp., has launched its new consumer-facing item-level RFID solution, the magicmirror™. When a customer or sales associate brings an RFID-tagged piece of clothing in front of the magicmirror, it automatically displays rich personalized information including brand messaging, garment description, size and color availability, as well as mix-and-match guides that suggest other items for accessorizing a wardrobe. When installed in the fitting room, customers can request immediate assistance from a salesperson by simply touching the magicmirror. For more information on the magicmirror visit
(Web site) www.paxar.com
ZBD Introduces EPOP
ZBD Displays, Ltd., is introducing its zero-power epop™ electronic paper technology, to North America. The epop solution automates pricing, product and promotion information, which provides shoppers with a more visually appealing experience. ZBD’s epop solution consists of zero-power LCD displays that provide product information and pricing that can be updated wirelessly across the enterprise or store level. For more information, visit (Web site) www.zbddisplays.com
