TCBY Launches ‘Pure Yogurt Nirvana’ Concept
Yovana, a new quick-service concept designed to meet consumers' increasing demand for fresh, healthy and convenient foods throughout the day, has been launched by TCBY in the Phoenix, Arizona metro area.
Yovana's offerings center on premium yogurt, prepared fresh in-store every day. In a venue that's hip and relaxing, yogurt-lovers can choose from a range of made-to-order meals and snacks, including fresh yogurt parfaits, drinkable yogurt smoothies and frozen yogurt treats featuring seasonally fresh fruit and organic wholegrain granolas.
"We're leading a 'culture' change," said David Hall, Vice President of Marketing for TCBY. "Yovana feeds consumers' growing hunger for yogurt and provides them with smart choices for eating healthy when they are away from home."
Information Resources Inc. ranked yogurt as the 15th largest grocery category in the U.S., and also one of the fastest growing consumer product categories, growing over 6% in 2003. Additionally, ACNielsen's 2004 study reported drinkable yogurt was the second fastest growing category globally, increasing by 19% worldwide.
"We believe this trend will continue, given the lifestyle and nutrition needs of today's consumers, and we expect consumers will demand increasingly high-quality yogurt," Hall said.
A.T. Cross Introduces Fall Pen Collection
A.T. Cross Company is introducing a stylish limited edition ATX Fall Collection to coincide with fall fashions. In addition to three new colors, Champagne White, Jade Green and Claret Red, the new ATX Fall Collection pens feature rich, rose gold tone appointments, which add a warm, fall glow to the contemporary ATX design. The rose gold tone pen clips are laser etched with exclusive patterns designed by Cross called Maltese, Plain and Pearl. Each color features one of the three engraved patterns.
"The new group is a continuation of our seasonal approach to the ATX line, which complements the trends in fashion," said Bruce Willox, Director of Global Marketing for A.T. Cross. "The ATX Fall Collection follows our ATX Spring line, which sold out. Our customers recognize the importance of carrying the right accessories."
JCPenney & The NFL Run ‘Take A Player To School’ Promo
JCPenney and the National Football League have launched the "Take A Player to School" contest to promote the JCPenney Afterschool Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting afterschool programs.
The partnership cents on a national in-store sweepstakes that encourages children between the ages of six and 13 to register for a chance to win the ultimate 'show and tell' opportunity for their classmates. The contest culminates in October when 34 winners will be drawn to take an NFL payer to their own school. As part of the promotion, all JCPenney stores will sell NFL team wrist bands for $2.99, with all net profits and NFL royalties being donated to the JCPenney Afterschool Fund.
Donovan McNabb, quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles and national spokesperson for the "Take A Player To School" program, said, "There is northing more important in America than our youth, and we are excited to build on last year's success in working with the JCPenny Afterschool Fund to provide young people with every opportunity and inspiration to succeed."
Motorola & Oakley Promote Bluetooth Enabled Eyewear
Motorola and Oakley have launched RAZRWIRE Bluetooth eyewear at select Cingular Wireless retail stores.
RAZRWIRE is the world’s first eyewear to combine patented Oakley optics with Bluetooth wireless technology.
“Seamless mobility is here, now with the availability of RAZRWIRE,” said Bruce Hawver, Vice President of Companion Products, Motorola’s Mobile Device business. “Motorola and Oakley are bringing innovative wearable technology to life. With this one-of-a-kind Bluetooth-enabled mobile eyewear, active consumers can stay connected while moving from one environment to the next.”
The tagline for promotional and point-of-purchase display materials is “Fashion For A Wireless World.”
Gaiam & Kashi Team Up For Free Yoga DVD Offer At SuperTarget Stores
Gaiam, a leader in fitness DVDs and mind-body health, is including a yoga sampler DVD in special double-box packages of Kashi GOLEAN cereal sold exclusively at SuperTarget stores nationwide. The DVD includes four 10-minute "try before you buy" previews of best-selling full-length yoga DVDs sold at SuperTarget stores, which include three of America's best-known yoga instructors: Rodney Yee, Seane Corn and Patricia Walden.
"The marriage of Gaiam and Kashi is perfect because our companies share a vision of helping people be healthier and more in tune with their bodies," said Howard Ronder, V.P. of Marketing, Gaiam. "Offering this promotion at SuperTarget stores, where people can buy everything from groceries to fitness programs and accessories, makes it easy for people to find healthy solutions all in one place." The special packaging enclosing the Gaiam yoga sampler DVDs also bears a $2,00-off instant coupon valid toward any $14.98 purchase of Gaiam products.
Gap's New Marketing Campaign Celebrates Connection Between Jeans And Music
Gap is launching an integrated marketing campaign this fall that celebrates the connection between jeans and music. The campaign focuses on "favorites" and how favorite jeans and favorite songs are individual expressions of personality and style. Each element of the campaign, from partnerships and promotions to television and print, underscores this theme.
The first element of Gap's fall 2005 marketing campaign features the iTunes music store to help introduce three new denim fits for women (Curvy, Straight and Original) and one for men (Straight). The "Find Your Favorite Fit" event is an invitation for customers to try on the new jean fits. During the promotional period, each customer who tries on any pair of Gap jeans receives a free download of their favorite song from the iTunes Music Store.
"Much like your favorite music, your favorite jeans are a unique expression and reflection of your individual style," said Jeff Jones, Executive Vice President of Gap Marketing. "The relationship between jeans and music is a hallmark of Gap's identity, so we're thrilled to team up with iTunes to bring this connection to life for our customers."
Rite Aid Opens 'Customer World' Store In Meridian, Mississippi
Rite Aid has opened its first "Customer World" store in Meridian, Mississippi, featuring a new store design and many more services to areas customers. The "Customer World" design, developed with the help of feedback from drugstore customers, is the first new Rite Aid store design in eight years.
"Each new store highlights the importance of the pharmacy," said Jay Ross, Rite Aid Vice President of Marketing and Store Prototype Project Manager. "Pharmacy is our core business and we wanted to make it the focal point, or star, of our 'Customer World' stores."
Since the pharmacy department is the star of the "Customer World" store design, it is easily seen and accessible from the front entrance. The pharmacy waiting area is designed with a lowered ceiling and comfortable chairs, and connects to a pharmacy consultation room, providing a private and professional setting for patient counseling by the pharmacist. Rite Aid's "Customer World" design includes a 20-foot drive-up pharmacy window for prescription drop-off and pick-up. The new Meridian store also incorporates wider aisles, higher ceilings, a bright modern environment and more room for customers to shop. Customers can walk around the perimeter of the store, which showcases a wider selection of products.
More visible department signs make it easier for shoppers to quickly locate merchandise. A new centrally located cosmetics department puts cosmetics and body case at center stage, appealing to Rite Aid's female core customer. The new store also features expanded departments, in addition to new departments such as a Picture Center, complete with One-Hour Photo and the latest digital capabilities, a GNC LiveWell vitamin department and Western Union money transfers. New customer information signage in the skincare, Cough & Cold, hair color and bath departments offer information to help customers identify the product that is right for them.
P.O.P. Displays Support WEA & Tower Records' "Snap And Win" Sweepstakes At Retail
WEA Corp., Warner Music Group's U.S. sales and retail marketing company, and Tower Records unveiled a sweepstakes that gives music fans a chance to win a trip to see Warner Music Group artists Transplants and My Chemical Romance on the VANS Warped Tour simply by snapping a picture with their mobile camera phone.
WEA and Tower Records make it easy for music fans to "Get Your Hands on the Bands" by featuring CDs from performing artists from the summer tours in custom standup displays available nationally at all 83 U.S.-based Tower Records stores. These 6-foot stand-up displays are the focal point for the "Get Your Hands on the Bands" sweepstakes powered by Mobot, a leader in visual research and recognition technology. Customers visiting Tower Records stores can enter to win by taking a picture with their mobile camera phone of the official "Get Your Hands on the Bands" logo located on the retail displays. Mobot's visual search and recognition technology recognizes the image and, within seconds, sends back a message to the phone confirming entry into the sweepstakes.
"The Mobot sweepstakes makes our in-store, print advertisement and marketing campaigns more interactive for consumers," said Adam Mirabella, Sr. V.P., e-Commerce, WEA Corp. "We are thrilled to work with Tower Records for this offering as a new and exciting way to enhance our fans' experience."
"We are excited to offer WEA and Tower Records a powerful new tool to interact with their customers," said Russ Gocht, CEO of Mobot. "Mobot lets customers react to an offer instantly-right at the moment their interest is piqued. With the Mobot technology we help make print ads, CD cases and retail display interactive. We can easily incorporate artist information and gameplay like scavenger hunts that makes it fun for customers and puts the focus on products."
Panasonic Launches Oxyride Batteries
The launch of Panasonic's new Oxyride Extreme Power batteries-the latest innovation in disposable battery technology since the introduction of alkaline over 40 years ago-is being supported by a multi-pronged marketing effort including Internet advertising, point-of-sale displays, an interactive sweepstakes and high-visibility theme park sponsorships.
"To match the wide scope of uses and users for the new Oxyride batteries, Panasonic is kicking off the new Oxyride batteries with one of its broadest based marketing campaigns ever," said Brian Kimberlin, Director of Consumer Marketing for Panasonic batteries. "We are using a variety of devices to educate and inform consumers, and provide retailers with the tools they need to introduce their customers to the benefits of Oxyride."
Helping make an impact at retail are displays designed in a variety of configurations-from countertop displays and clip strips to floor displays, danglers and shelf-talkers-to flexibly fit a broad range of retail settings and to encourage sales by sharing the Oxyride message of greater portable power with consumers.
New Wireless Traffic Application For Palm Treo Smartphones
For Treo Smartphones customers who need help navigating traffic-jammed commutes, Palm, Inc., a leader in mobile computing, has introduced Traffic for Treo Smartphones. The wireless traffic application helps users make commute decisions quickly with interactive maps and incident information located conveniently on their Palm Treo 600 or Treo 650 smartphones. Traffic for Treo Smartphones debuts in 10 of the most traffic-congested markets in the U.S. A subscription plan to Traffic for Treo Smartphones is available for download at www.palm.com/traffic.
Hanson Brick & Tile Appoints K. Jonila Dir., Mktg.
Hanson Brick & Tile, the largest brick manufacturer and second largest concrete roof tile manufacturer in North America, has appointed Kathleen Jonila as its new Director of Marketing. Jonila will lead the Company's strategic marketing and brand direction, reporting to Mike Donahue, President and CEO. Jonila has more than 20 years of marketing experience and was previously Director of Marketing for a Charlotte, NC-based provider of doors and door hardware.
Hyundai Names Cervantez V.P., Mktg.
Hyundai Motor America (HMA) has appointed Michelle Cervantez Vice President of Marketing. She will be responsible for all Hyundai marketing and advertising in the U.S. and will report directly to Robert Cosmai, President and CEO. Cervantez comes to Hyundai from Mercedes-Benz USA and prior to that, Jaguar Cars North America.
Starz Entertainment Promotes English To V.P., Mktg.
Starz Entertainment Group has promoted Gery English to Vice President, Marketing Communications, reporting to Jerry Maglio, EVP, Marketing. English began working for Starz in 2004 as the Senior Director, Brand Strategy and was quickly promoted to Executive Director, Marketing Communications, where he oversaw the development of new brands, channel reconfigurations, and was responsible for improving the effectiveness of SEG's direct response affiliate marketing.
Shell Oil Chooses PromoPump For Shell V-Power Fuel Launch
Shell Oil recently chose PromoPump as part of its national Shell V-Power fuel launch. PromoWorks' PromoPump is a point-of-sale promotional "jacket" that zips around the hose of any fuel pump.
Constructed of fuel-resistant materials, the PromoPump has ample brand messaging space and offers custom color graphics. The unit has a cushion foam core that provides protection for auto bodies and its reflective neon strips deliver nighttime visibility and safety.
"PromoPump is a new way to reach a captive audience while they fuel up," said John Gabbey, Vice President of C-Store Business Development for PromoWorks. "This is typically idle time for consumers, and the PromoPump gives them a targeted message to react to while they are refilling."
For more information about PromoPump, contact PromoWorks, a marketing services company headquartered in Schaumburg, IL; (Tel) 1-888-310-3555 or
(Web) www.PromoWorks.com
City Of New York Partners With History Channel For 'NYC Heritage Tourism Center'
The new state-of-the-art 'NYC Heritage Tourism Center' has opened in lower Manhattan as the core element in a partnership between the City of New York and The History Channel to promote heritage tourism to New York City.
Built with the financial support of The History Channel, The 'NYC Heritage Tourism Center' is owned and operated by the City and will serve as the central location for detailed information on history-themed tours, and activities and events for historical sites throughout the City.
"We entered into this partnership with the City of New York to help make New York City's history a destination," said Dan Davids, The History Channel USA President. "We will use our network's programming, educational and promotional resources to help preserve New York's rich history for future generations."
The state-of-the-art visitor's center is a unique, contemporary design made of glass and steel. The 8' x 13' kiosk functions to display rotating exhibits featuring artifacts from some of the cultural institutions in Lower Manhattan. Two 61" plasma screens will provide continuous programming of historic information and events in the City.
XA Names J. Smith Dir. Of Bus. Dev., NYC
XA, Inc., a major national event marketing firm that serves many Fortune 500 companies, has named Jeff Smith Director of Business Development in New York City. He plans to grow business for XA based on his contacts on the East Coast. He joins XA from KSE Productions, an event marketing and production company.
DMS Store Fixtures Now Sparks Custom Retail
Marlton Technologies, Inc. has combined its two subsidiary companies, Sparks Exhibits & Environments and DMS Store Fixtures. DMS Store Fixtures is now Sparks Custom Retail. The combination of these two companies under the Sparks core brand effectively communicates a total offering of services, according to the Company. Sparks Exhibits & Environments is a leading experiential marketing company and creator of custom environments while Sparks Custom Retail specializes in the manufacturing, design, development and installation of custom fixtures, vendor shops and point-of-purchase displays.
Ivey Imaging Acquires Southern California Screen Printing
Ivey Imaging, a Seattle, WA-based graphic imaging solutions company, has acquired the assets of Southern California Screen Printing. This important acquisition opens the Southern California market to Ivey for the first time and greatly enhances its service offerings with the addition of sophisticated five and six-color in-line screen printing presses. As a result, Ivey strengthens its position as an industry leader able to produce large, complex graphic programs for its national clients.
M2 Lighting Introduces Light Shape Rod
M2 Lighting Solutions introduces the Light Shape Rod, an LED-based lighting system, which gives sign companies new possibilities in accent lighting (interior and exterior), channel letters and box signage. The Light Shape Rod provides best in class design and installation flexibility, while offering the lowest power lighting system available without compromising brightness. Light Shape Rod technology is durable, low voltage (12 Volt DC), energy efficient (3/4 Watt per foot), weather resistant, provides even light output and environmentally safe (lead and mercury free). Light Shape Rods are sold in three sizes (6.5mm, 10mm, 14mm), in 6- and 8-foot lengths. Rods can be cut and heat formed on-site with custom lengths available. For more information, contact M2 Lighting Solutions, (Tel) 866-435-9473, (Web site)
www.M2lighting.com
G Design Offers Visobox Multi-Image Display
The Visobox Multi-Image Display is a space-saving, visually exciting promotional tool allowing single-unit display of multiple images. Its patented motor-driven lenticular technology enables the image transitions. The Visobox features variable image-cycle rates with four speed options. A variety of models as well as custom colors are available. Promotional graphics can be replaced as desired. Graphics can be changed easily and without the use of tools. For more information on the Visobox, contact G Design Group Inc., (Tel) 201-556-1126, (Fax) 201-556-1292, (E-mail) andrew@gdesigngroupinc.com
(Web) www.visomax.com.hk
Outwater Plastics
Back to Top
To See Previous Issues of Online Weekly in Creative's Archives, click here.
To See other Creative Online Newsletters click here
