Styled By Me Barbie Doll Boutique Opens At FAO Schwarz
Mattel and leading specialty toy retailer FAO Schwarz have opened "styled by me™ Barbie® doll," a 1,500-square-foot, one-of-a-kind retail experience at the retailer's Fifth Avenue flagship store, where girls can customize their own Barbie® doll.
The moment they arrive, girls of all ages will be captivated by two large Barbie® doll styling stations, complete with eight interactive touch screens that guide girls through a step-by-step design process to personally select a doll, fashions, accessories, a doll case and even a gift for themselves. The possibilities are nearly limitless as girls can choose from among seven Barbie® dolls and friends featuring different skin tones and hair colors and styles, as well as from a "closet full" of runway and real world-inspired fashions and accessories to create highly-personalized Barbie® dolls.
After styling out their Barbie® dolls, girls can debut their newly styled doll in a mini "fashion show," in which each customized Barbie® doll will appear from behind a screen, "walk" down the miniature working runway and, ultimately, strike a pose for her audience. Like any premier fashion show, two large screens on both sides of the runway announce each girl's newly styled Barbie® doll using fun animations and music. styled by me™ Barbie®" dolls will be available for an average retail price starting at $65.
"Barbie has always been on the forefront of reflecting cultural and fashion trends, and today we combine fashion and technology for the first experience of its kind for girls," said Richard Dickson, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Media and Entertainment, Worldwide, Mattel. "With styled by me we've created an unparalleled retail experience based on the rich fashion heritage of the Barbie brand and the personalization and customization that today's girls love."
Smirnoff Cocktails Collection Introduced
Smirnoff(R) has unveiled the Smirnoff Cocktails collection, superpremium cocktails that take the guesswork out of mixing drinks. Available in two of today's most popular cocktails, Grand Cosmopolitan and Vodka Mojito, the Smirnoff Cocktails Collection are expertly crafted using Smirnoff Vodka No. 21.
"Smirnoff has combined the finest of ingredients in its new cocktails collection," said Kate Price, Marketing Director, Smirnoff. "The combination of Smirnoff Vodka with other premium spirits like Grand Marnier liqueur, creates the complete cocktail experience without leaving home."
American Greetings Launches Pretty Freekin Scary Line In Wal-Mart Stores Nationwide
American Greetings Properties will be introducing its burgeoning teen/tween tongue-in-cheek property Pretty Freekin Scary in Wal-Mart this fall. A line of accessories will debut in 2,419 Wal-Mart stores, beginning October 1st, 2007 and will remain in stores through Halloween.
Tamra Knepfer, SVP of Consumer Products for American Greetings Properties, said, "With its eerie themes and undead characters, the Pretty Freekin Scary merchandise should be a natural choice for all Halloween shoppers looking for a special trick-or-treat."
The Pretty Freekin Scary accessories line will consist of more than a dozen items and will be displayed on Wal-Mart endcaps. Among the fashionable accessories are two bracelets: a rubber bracelet with charm and a toggle bracelet with charm, a reversible wrist cuff, and a beanie knit hat. Additional items include: a bobble head, plush doll, a paper lantern with light, a clear giant sticker, a magnetic memo board, a tote bag, a cell phone/mp3 case holder, a keychain and a journal. Wal-Mart will also be offering a Pretty Freekin Scary greeting cards line at participating stores.
Noodles & Co. Launches Good Balance Campaign
Noodles & Company, the globally inspired restaurant serving Asian, Mediterranean and American noodle bowls, soups and salads, has launched its Good Balance educational program in all 150 restaurants.
Ross Kamens, Noodles & Company's executive chef, said, "With the launch of the Good Balance program, we're teaching guests about our dishes and how to easily satisfy their palate while achieving personal balance in all categories of our menu. Every dish at Noodles & Company can be ordered as a small, regular or TRIO - a balanced offering that allows guests to combine any small noodle bowl, soup or salad with a protein and a side salad."
Two-thirds of Noodles & Company's entire menu can be enjoyed for less than 500 calories, including the Bangkok Curry TRIO, a small Pasta Fresca or the Med Salad. Supportive signage throughout the restaurant will provide nutritional information and give tips on how to manage calories, fat and sodium, increase daily fiber intake, dine vegetarian, manage allergies, and achieve good balance for kids, so that guests will be encouraged to make informed and balanced decisions prior to ordering.
Seagate Recovery Services And Stalpes Business Depot Make It Easy To Recover Lost Data
Seagate Recovery Services and STAPLES Business Depot in Toronto are offering the new Easy Tech service, which reduces business and consumer risk of permanent data loss by putting Seagate's advanced in-lab recovery technology to work for STAPLES customers. A recent survey conducted by Seagate shows that nearly half of adult U.S. computer users risk losing their data because they do not adequately backup their files to external storage devices.
Paul Steele, Vice President, Sales and Marketing for Seagate Recovery Services, said, "Staples' strong presence among business clients enables us to effectively generate awareness of our services across the country. We're proud to be part of Staples' commitment to provide their customers with full after-market service solutions."
"The STAPLES Easy Tech Force will be able to conduct data and flash camera card recovery service assessments and provide price quotations on all brands of hard drives and digital media," said Paul Stire, Technical Services Manager for STAPLES Business Depot. "Plus, the customer is provided with on-line tracking information to track their case's progress every step of the way. If no data is recovered then there is no charge to the customer, and the service is 100% secure and confidential. We are delighted to be the only national retailer in Canada offering this specialized recovery service."
1,000 Wal-Mart MoneyCenters Opening; New Wal-Mart MoneyCard Rolling Out Nationally
Wal-Mart Stores plans to open 1,000 Wal-Mart MoneyCenters, covering a quarter of its stores, by the end of 2008. The company will also broaden its menu of financial products and services, beginning with the launch of the Wal-Mart MoneyCard, a reloadable prepaid Visa rolling out nationally with GE Money and Green Dot.
The rapid expansion of its low-cost money services and in-store
locations will help meet the needs of the millions of unbanked and
underserved customers who visit Wal-Mart each week for their basic money
service needs. Wal-Mart MoneyCenters will assist customers who are outside mainstream banking with convenient, nationwide access to low-cost money services, including check cashing, money orders, bill payment and money transfers.
"Many of our customers are paying too much, traveling too far and not
being well served," said Jane Thompson, president of Wal-Mart financial
services. "But they still need to pay their bills, cash their checks and
transfer money. We're offering them a safe place and a card to help them
manage their money. We've seen firsthand what a difference that can make."
Wal-Mart currently conducts more than two million money services
transactions each week. Last year, customers who used Wal-Mart's services
saved an average of $450 per year (or almost $40 per month). With the
opening of additional Wal-Mart MoneyCenters, total savings are expected to
grow dramatically this year, putting over $320 million back into customers'
pockets.
Ecoist And Coca-Cola Form Partnership To Promote Eco-Friendly Living And Launch New Line Of Handbags Made From Repurposed Coca-Cola Bottle Labels
Ecoist www.ecoist.com, the eco-fashion accessories company, has launched a line of handbags made from misprinted or discontinued Coca-Cola bottle labels. The partnership will leverage the Coca- Cola brand and the growing concern of Global Warming to spread the message of sustainability and pursue Ecoist's mission to turn consumers into "Ecoists", individuals that live a modern, eco-minded lifestyle. As part of the partnership, a tree will be planted for every single handbag sold.
"We are very excited to be working with Ecoist. They are the ideal
partners for Coke's continuous involvement with environmental initiatives.
We have made great strides in reducing our waste output from our bottling
plants or label manufacturing facilities, and we are constantly seeking
ways to further reduce our environmental footprint. This partnership allows
us to repurpose materials. Best of all, we are helping to create greater
awareness on environmentally and socially responsible consumption. We want
to inspire others to act," says Kelli Sogar, Merchandise Manager, Worldwide
Licensing and Retail Operations of The Coca-Cola Company.
Breyers Smart! Yogurt With life'sDHA Introduced
Breyers Yogurt Company will introduce Breyers Smart! Yogurt with life'sDHA(TM), Martek Bioscience's patented vegetarian form of DHA omega-3, a fatty acid important for brain, eye, and nervous system development and maintenance throughout life. Breyers Smart! with life'sDHA(TM) will be the first yogurt product available at mainstream retailers nationwide that is targeted at consumers of all ages. Formerly known as Breyers Fruit on the Bottom, the entire Breyers Smart! Product line is now fortified with life'sDHA.
Dell Notebooks Unveiled In Eight Color Choices; World's Thinnest 13-Inch Notebook Debuts
Dell has unveiled Inspiron notebooks in eight color choices including Sunshine Yellow and Flamingo Pink, and classic desktops accessorized with clean and crisp widescreen displays, all ready to be custom-tailored to meet user's specific needs. Dell also premiered its new consumer marketing campaign - Yours is Here, www.dell.com/yoursishere. The vivid, eye-catching campaign promises customers that Dell can deliver personalized devices that enable a great digital experience, virtually anywhere in the world.
"We've packed these new Inspiron and XPS systems with features like mobile broadband, widescreen displays and colors choices to help customers experience the high definition lifestyle they seek," said Alex Gruzen, senior vice president for Dell Consumer Products. "Customers also tell us they want great design and performance and we have responded with the new XPS M1330, the world's thinnest 13-inch notebook."
Bull's-Eye recently introduced its latest barbecue sauce flavor, Bull's-Eye GUINNESS(TM) Draught Beer Blend, available in grocery stores nationwide. The newest sauce from Bull's-Eye combines real GUINNESS Draught beer with the classic BULL'S-EYE taste for a truly unique flavor.
"We know that it's critical to grill masters that their barbecue creations stand out from the crowd," said Maria Cerda, Brand Manager, Kraft Foods. "Grilling gurus have always known BULL'S-EYE as the barbecue sauce that brings BIG BOLD TASTE to their grills. Combining that with the unique flavor of GUINNESS gives grill masters the best of two favorites."
EcoSMART Plant Oil Pesticide Launching At Retail Stores
New EcoSMART, a non-toxic botanical pesticide made from plant oils, kills bugs just as effectively as traditional pesticides without risk to humans, pets, endangered species and the environment. EcoSMART's Flying Insect, Ant & Roach, and Wasp & Hornet Killers, retail for less than $4 a can, and are now available at select Wal-Mart stores across the country.
Stoked Energy Drink Debuts In North America
Leading Brands, Inc. has announced the North American launch of STOKED™ Energy Drink. STOKED™ Energy Drink evolves from its dramatic Dragon icon and the STOKED™ brand will be unveiled and popularized in the explosive video gaming industry. In keeping with Leading Brands' commitment to bring healthier products to market, STOKED™ is formulated with natural sugars, not genetically modified HFCS as used by other energy drinks. Stoked is initially launched in 16 oz. cans in four distinctive flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Tropical Orange and Dragonberry.
Freshtables SteamPerfect Line Of Steamed Fruit & Vegetables Debut
The Sholl Group II is introducing Freshtables(R) SteamPerfect,(TM)a new line of fresh vegetables and fruits with chef created sauces sold in unique steaming bags that steam the product perfect in the microwave in just about two minutes. Freshtables SteamPerfect products will be available in the produce section of grocery stores. Research shows that steaming is the best cooking format to retain nutrients. The Freshtables SteamPerfect varieties are available in 12-ounce packages in nine chef created varieties including: Red Apples and Raisins with Cinnamon Sauce, Broccoli and Baby Slim Carrots with Cheese Sauce, Butternut Squash with Cinnamon Sauce, Vegetable Medley with Cheese Sauce and Sugar Snap Peas and Baby Slim Carrots with Southwest Sauce.
Eldorado Artesian Springs Introduces Vitamin Enhanced Organic Spring Water
Eldorado Artesian Springs, Inc. is introducing newly created Vitamin Enhanced Organic Flavored Spring Water beverages that contain no corn sweeteners or artificial sweeteners. Instead, Eldorado uses only Organic Evaporated Cane Sugar and Organic Flavor additives. The initial four flavors include Pink Guava, Black-Raspberry, Strawberry-Blueberry, and Blood Orange. The beverages are made using Eldorado's Natural Artesian Spring Water and are enhanced with B and C vitamins.
New Ziploc Zip'n Steam MicrowaveSteam Cooking Bags Available
The first food preparation product from the Ziploc(R) Brand, newZiploc(R) Brand Zip'n Steam(TM) Microwave Steam Cooking Bags steam cookfresh or frozen vegetables, seafood, poultry and more in the microwave.With the addition of microwave convenience, Ziploc(R) Brand Zip'n Steam(TM) Bags take steaming one step further by cooking food quickly every time, keeping nutrients in the bag and helping vegetables retain their flavor. Ziploc(R) Brand Zip'n Steam(TM) Bags feature an innovative design withpatented steam vents that allow the bag to maintain optimal steamingpressure so food cooks at a higher temperature and retains more moisture.In addition, the bags lay flat in the microwave so food cooks thoroughlyand evenly. Kelly Semrau, Vice President for SC Johnson, said, "We realized we could apply our food storage expertise to food preparation with a product that helps people conveniently steam cook healthy meals fast. By using a handy time-saving tool, the microwave, new Ziploc(R) Brand Zip'n Steam(TM) Bags make it possible to enjoy delicious meals in minutes."
Incoco Bottle-Free Nail Polish Launched Nationally In Walgreens
Incoco, the creators of Dry Nail Appliqué, a self-adhesive nail enamel that goes on dry, have announced that Walgreens will exclusively carry their full 26 color line starting in August. Incoco's Dry Nail Appliqué is the revolutionary bottle-free process with absolutely no wait time for nails to dry. The Incoco Appliqués come in flat nail enamel strips that contain an actual basecoat, color coat and topcoat layered and dried to the touch. The strips are ready to self-apply for a uniform manicure in minutes that lasts up to 14 days.
Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids Names Kaufman CMO
Pam Kaufman has been named Chief Marketing Officer, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, it was announced by Cyma Zarghami, President, Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, to whom Ms. Kaufman will continue to report. In her former role as Executive Vice President, Marketing and Worldwide Promotions, Kaufman created innovative multi-platform marketing campaigns and multi-million dollar sponsorships for Nickelodeon's key properties, from SpongeBob SquarePants, to Dora the Explorer, to the Kids' Choice Awards. Before joining MTV Networks, Kaufman established the Promotions Group within Turner Broadcasting System and the first worldwide Burger King Kids' Meal Promotion.
Three Sixty Hires Marketing Veteran Stephen Hepler
Three Sixty, a brand management company focused on the marketing, sales, production, and distribution of 360 OTC® pharmaceuticals, has hired Stephen Hepler, former Marketing Manager for The Gillette Company, a Proctor & Gamble Company. Hepler, a 30 year veteran at Gillette, developed and managed Gillette's sponsorship of NASCAR, including contract negotiations, national media recommendations, POS development, retailer execution and hospitality management.
HP Appoints Coughlin Sr. V.P.Worldwide Mktg.
HP has appointed Ron Coughlin as Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for the company's Imaging and Printing Group. Coughlin will have responsibility for driving the group's marketing strategy, planning and execution on a global basis across all customer segments and the group's five business units. Coughlin comes to HP from PepsiCo, where he was most recently Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the company's international beverage business.
Schawk Acquires Benchmark Marketing Services
Schawk, providers of digital imaging graphic services to the consumer products and brand imaging markets, has completed its acquisition of Benchmark Marketing Services LLC, a brand consulting and design firm located in Cincinnati. Benchmark will become part of Anthem Worldwide, a Schawk strategic design company. Anthem's existing business in Cincinnati, which includes the July 2006 acquisition of WBK, Inc., another established design firm in this market, will be consolidated into the office space currently occupied by Benchmark. "Our acquisition of Benchmark is consistent with our strategy to enhance the integrated global services that Schawk provides to its clients by acquiring top quality companies that deepen our competencies, expand our geographic presence and add new, related capabilities to our offering," said David Schawk, president and CEO.
3DL Announces Move To New Headquarters
3DL DESIGN, INC., a progressive brand marketing firm, is moving to a new facility in Kenosha, WI, housing a state of the art video production lab, design studio, event/program management team, customer service and corporate sales. Jay Verenski, Executive VP, said, "This facility will provide the much needed space we require to strengthen and increase our resources, provide more in-house services and allows us to provide an exciting, inspirational space for our creative teams." The new facility is located at 5511 - 95th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53144; (Tel) 800-504-8826, (Web site) www.3dldesign.com
Nimlok Chicago Announces Appointments
Nimlok Chicago (Web site) www.nimlok-chicago.com
has hired three new managers and executives as the exhibit company continues to grow. Erica Rotberg has been hired as account manager. John Schwab fills the position of Exhibit Properties Manager. Tim Stopka has been hired as account executive. The Niles, IL based exhibit business is part of the Nimlok Global network of 200 distributors in 56 countries.
Ice Jacket Introduced For Beverage Display
Ice Jacket, Inc. has introduced the Ice Jacket for use with many types of liquors that are best enjoyed at sub-freezing temperatures. The drinkability of white alcohols greatly increases as its temperature drops. Additionally, each time the freezing process is executed a one of a kind presentation piece is formed. The first Ice Jackets in the 700/750 ml. size recently began shipping and soon the Company will move forward with additional Ice Jacket models designed to accommodate a wider range of bottle shapes and sizes. For more information, visit Ice Jacket, Inc., (Web site) www.icejacket.com
Nintendo's Wii Video Game System Tours Country This Summer Giving People A Chance To Sample Wii & Nintendo DS Games
Nintendo's Wii video game system is making appearances in fun
locations around the country this summer to give people of all ages a chance to sample it and experience a whole new way to play video games.
"This summer, Wii will be where gamers and their friends and family are
gathering to have fun," says George Harrison, Nintendo of America's senior
vice president of marketing and corporate communications. "The best way to
understand the fun of Wii is to try it for yourself, which is why we've
made it easy for people to find it in numerous places."
Some of the places people can find Wii this summer include: Six Flags Theme Parks: Six Flags offers complimentary game playing at Wii gaming stations throughout select Six Flags-branded theme parks. Norwegian Cruise Line Ships: Wii systems are currently on all Norwegian Cruise Line ships. Nintendo Street Team: The Nintendo Street Team includes a trailer and two SUVs equipped with all the hottest and upcoming Wii and Nintendo DS(TM) games. The Street Team will be touring the country attending fairs and festivals, local events and select NASCAR races all summer long to give people the chance to sample games for both casual players and the hard-core gamer. Dick's Sporting Goods Kick-It 3v3 Soccer Tour presented by Sports Illustrated For Kids: Nintendo will join this 53-city soccer tournament. Wii systems will be on display showing off sports-themed games.
Doritos & Microsoft Challenge Fans To Design First-Ever Consumer Created
Xbox Live Arcade Game
The Doritos brand is partnering with Xbox 360 to let fans design the first-ever consumer-created Xbox LIVE(R) Arcade game. Together, the two brands are challenging people in the U.S. to think of an idea that takes the spirit of the Doritos tortilla chips brand and brings it to life on the Xbox 360.
Five finalists will get to work side-by-side with Xbox LIVE Arcade development teams to build playable versions of their game concept which will be available online at http://www.snackstrongproductions.com. In addition, each finalist will also receive a prize package for their creativity, valued at over $6,000. In late fall, visitors to the site will have a chance to play working versions of the five finalists' games and vote for the one game concept they want to see developed for release. Once released in summer 2008, fans everywhere will be able to download and play the first-ever consumer-created Xbox LIVE Arcade game for free.
Alcone Names C. Downey V.P., Group Account Dir.
Alcone Marketing Group www.alconemarketing.comhas named Christina Downey Vice President, Group Account Director in Alcone's Chicago office. Downey will take on a leadership role for the office as well as manage Alcone's current Chicago based businesses. Downey joins Alcone from Ryan Partnership where she was a Vice President. Further, her background includes extensive work in consumer packaged goods and QSR having spent time at Cramer-Krasselt, Frankel and FCB.
Papa John's And Live Nation Announce Multi-Year Partnership
Papa John's, the world's third-largest pizza company, and Live Nation, the world's largest live music company, have planned a multi-year sponsorship and marketing agreement whereby Papa John's is designated the "Official Pizza of Live Nation," with its product to be sold in up to 24 Live Nation outdoor concert amphitheaters this year and eleven additional venues expected to be added over the next three years.
The agreement also calls for joint marketing and promotional efforts, including the in-venue distribution of promotional materials and online marketing initiatives by the two brands.
"This partnership will allow us to reach millions of consumers attending some of the year's biggest concerts," said Bill Van Epps, Papa John's president USA. "We look forward to serving our award-winning pizza to Live Nation concert goers throughout the country."
Russell Wallach, Live Nation President of Alliances, said, "Music fans will love having Papa John's pizza at their favorite concerts in many of our amphitheatres this summer and we are looking forward to working with the Papa John's team in the development of additional promotional opportunities in the future."
TAOW To Promote Immersive Video Technology
Portland, OR-based TAOW Productions www.taowproductions.com has been hired by Immersive Media Corp. www.immersivemedia.com to help the company promote its advanced 360-degree spherical video technology. Under the agreement, TAOW will provide creative services to market the breakthrough technology as well as identify, develop and demonstrate new applications that use the technology to expand the boundaries of experiential marketing.
Immersive's technology enables viewers to move within streaming video in every direction and from all angles. TAOW believes the video technology will have a revolutionary effect on marketing by allowing people to "experience" places and events like never before.
Swivel Media Partners With kajeet For Experiential Marketing
San Francisco-based agency Swivel Media www.swivelmedia.com, has joined with kajeet™, the new pay-as-you-go cell phone service made from a kid's point of view www.kajeet.com, to spearhead their experiential marketing campaigns. Elements include web and live brand experiences created to engage customers in relevant and meaningful ways that showcase the unique brand qualities kajeet offers tweens and their families.
The campaign began with the recent launch of kajeet in Whyville, the virtual world geared for teen and pre-teen girls and boys where kajeet has become synonymous with a fun and personalized way of connecting and communicating with friends through the kajeet Chat Factory and customizable chat bubbles. It will continue with the roll-out of web-based initiatives and touring live experiences throughout the U.S. in the coming year.
Sparks Opens Detroit Creative Studio
Leading event marketing agency Sparks, has opened Sparks Detroit, a creative and engineering studio which allows Sparks to tap into the Detroit-area creative pool.
Sparks VP Creative Paul Martin, said, "Detroit has long been a key creative center for the automotive industry, housing great design schools, several mobile marketing agencies and a handful of firms like ours serving the event marketing industry. Sparks recognizes the unique talent and opportunity there and with our broad client portfolio we offer a creative diversity not typically found in this market."
The inaugural team features the following veteran designers: Ryan Mee, Creative Director, David Lentz, Creative Director, David Yuen , Senior Designer and David Smiertka, Senior Designer.
MVP Collaborative has hired Lou Bitonti as the chief operating officer (COO) for the Madison Heights, MI-based strategic communications company that creates "branded experiences" and "branded entertainment." Within the newly created position of COO, Bitonti will focus on enhancing MVP's growth strategies and execution. Bitonti brings more than 25 years of advertising and marketing experience to MVP Collaborative. In September of 2006, he retired as the senior manager, Jeep® Advertising for DaimlerChrysler Corporation, a position in which he developed national advertising activities for the Jeep brand and was also responsible for the company's diversity event marketing and advertising initiatives.
