Intellifit Launches Kiosk Pilot Program In Six Malls
Intellifit Corp. has installed its Intellifit System in six select malls owned and operated by the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust (PREIT), General Growth Properties and Westfield Corporation.
"By using Intellifit kiosks in malls, more shoppers will be able to quickly and conveniently find the brands, styles and sizes of clothes that fit them best across all participating apparel retailers," said Ed Gribbin President of Intellifit.
When shoppers step fully clothed into Intellifit's cylindrical glass booth, the system quickly and accurately captures their body measurements in about 10 seconds. The Intellifit System analyzes the measurements and compares them to the garment sizing data provided by participating retailers. Consumers can then use Intellifit's intuitive Find What Fits touchscreen apparel search engine to choose the types of garments for which they wish to shop. And the Intellifit System prints out the brands, sizes and styles of clothing that would fit them best. Current retail partners include: Macy's, Levi's, Dockers, American Eagle Outfitters, David's Bridal, Lane Bryant, Limited Too and Land's End.
"Installing Intellifit Systems in malls is a four-way win for consumers, apparel brands, our retailers and mall owners," said Edward Glickman, President, COO, PREIT. "Having an Intellifit System in our mall gives us a competitive advantage over other malls in terms of value-added services that attract and appeal to customers."
Disney Store Unveils First In A Series Of Fantasy Themed Retail Environments
Disney Store has opened the first in a series of completely remodeled Disney Store locations designed to vividly capture the fun and fantasy of Disney in greater detail than ever before.
Dubbed "The Mickey," the new Disney Store prototype opening in Trumbull, Connecticut, is designed to transport guests into a sparkling, character-rich world of classic Disney magic and enchantment, with imaginative settings and colorful, eye-popping displays. Plans call for the renovation of 30 stores in North America by the end of the year.
From the bright red entryway shaped like Mickey's iconic silhouette to the "Twirl Here" icon on the floor outside the Princess-themed girls' dressing area, the 5,000 square foot space is designed to give children and families an authentic Disney experience. A stunning, 11-foot high "Sorcerer Mickey" is featured in the store's center, with an elliptical ceiling and sparkling, lenticular lighting overhead. Kids take center stage here, with lower product placement for easy access to little hands and a media wall area with kid-friendly, Donald and Daisy "duckbills" as seats. Tinkerbell flutters over a fantasy-themed dressing area with décor inspired by The Disney Princesses and Peter Pan-themed characters. The new cash wrap area features a huge, iconic Mickey shape on the back wall, with gigantic Mickey hands and shoes near the counter shaped to hold smaller products and souvenirs for last minute purchases and gift ideas.
Disney Store worked with St. Louis, MO-based Kiku Obata Company on the "Mickey" store design.
7UP PLUS With Calcium Debuts
7UP PLUS, a combination of 7UP and fruit juice with calcium, is now available nationwide in three flavors including Mixed Berry, Cherry and Island Fruit. All three 7UP PLUS flavors are low calorie, low sodium, caffeine free, sweetened with SPLENDA and contain 10 calories, 10% daily value of calcium and 3 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
"7UP PLUS is committed to putting fun and 'yum' into calcium with our delicious new soft drinks," said Randy Gier, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer, Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages. "Women have responded that 7UP PLUS is exactly the type of soda they've been looking for. Offering three 7UP PLUS flavors will provide women with even more variety."
Jones Soda Launches Holiday Pack At Target
Jones Soda Co. is launching an exclusive, limited edition Holiday Pack at Target stores to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The goal of the Jones Holiday Pack is to raise $100,000 for St. Jude, the leader in the research and treatment of childhood cancer and other catastrophic diseases.
The Holiday Pack features Turkey & Gravy Soda with 4 side dishes: Wild Herb Stuffing Soda, Brussels Sprout Soda, Cranberry Soda and Pumpkin Pie Soda.
Clif Bar Sends Santa On Grassroots Tour For Global Warming Relief
Clif Bar, the leading organic energy bar maker and a company focused on sustaining the planet, is sending Santa Claus on a summer tour to alert citizens that global warming is destroying his North Pole workshop.
Santa Claus and his elfin assistants are visiting major cities including Denver, Portland, Sacramento and Boston, to educate citizens, politicians and businesses on ways to prevent global warming. People will also be able to purchase Cool Tags to offset their own impact on global warming and receive special gifts from Santa's toy bag.
"I applaud Santa's efforts to educate people in such a grassroots way about global warming-arguably the most pressing issue facing our planet today," said Sheryl O'Loughlin, CEO of Clif Bar & Co., which has taken many steps to reduce its impact on global warming. Clif Bar and the Green House Network, a non-profit group dedicated to public education about global climate change, are co-sponsoring Santa's summer tour.
Mutual Of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Adventure Tour Hits The Road This Fall
The Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Adventure Tour, a unique interactive experience that conveys the excitement and adventure of the Wild Kingdom, is hitting the road this fall with appearances at fairs and festivals in seven states.
Traveling the country in several distinctive semitrailer trucks, the Wild Kingdom Adventure Tour is a 75-foot by 75-foot multifaceted experience that promises to be the highlight of the fairs and festivals it visits.
"Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Adventure Tour is one of the most elaborate, state-of-the-art mobile displays in existence, and we want as many people as possible to experience it," said John Hildenbiddle, Mutual's Senior Vice President. "We have designed our tour schedule with that goal in mind, and we'll have the opportunity to visit cities throughout the country over the next few years."
Aspen Marketing Services of Chicago, IL, designed, built and is handling tour logistics for Mutual of Omaha.
SELF Center To Provide 'Pampering From Head To Toe' On Fifth Avenue
SELF, the magazine dedicated to helping women be their all-around physical and emotional best, will once again create The SELF Center in New York City. Located at 461 Fifth Avenue, The SELF Center will occupy more than 14,000 square feet, offering a refuge from the chaos of midtown hustle and bustle.
The SELF Center will offer a full menu of spa services by appointment; a walk-in retail environment with sponsored areas featuring fashion, footwear, accessories and home design trends; refreshments at The Café' and a series of special events.
The Oasis Day Spa is the exclusive SELF Center spa provider, offering luxurious treatments including massages, facials, reflexology, manicures and pedicures at special SELF Center-only rates. Other SELF Center highlights include: a Dove Styling Station with complimentary blowouts using Dove hair products; HGTV Lounge; Island Breeze By Bacardi Lounge; Courage Night, SELF's breast cancer fundraiser honoring courageous survivors; Awareness Saves Lives, private on-site mammography screenings sponsored by Quilted Northern and The SELF Center Kicks Butt, offering tips to help visitors kick the smoking habit for good.
New Mobile Concierge Kiosk Introduced By Advatar
Ask Advatar mobile information kiosks provide concierge services for tourists and other consumers, made possible through the sponsorship of the advertisers displayed on the 10-foot tall canopy. They are interactive goodwill ambassadors that facilitate consumer interaction for product sampling, couponing and the verbal exchange of information.
The kiosks use Segway Human Transporters enclosed in a 10-foot tall, thermo-molded plastic canopy. These battery-powered, gyroscopically-balanced two-wheel units are deployed in large public venues. Consumers in these venues often need more information and fixed Customer Service locations have their limitations. Mobile Advatar units can cover more territory, reach more customers and they carry advertising messages from sponsors that can more than defray the cost of operating the service.
For more information about Ask Advatar, contact Advatar, Inc., 730 Camden Avenue, Unit E, Campbell, CA 95008; (Tel) 408-866-5166, (Fax) 408-866-5160, (E-mail) info@askadvatar.com, (Web site)
www.askadvatar.com
Spare Backup Entices Retail Store Shoppers to Its PC Backup Service
Spare Backup is shipping a boxed version of its PC backup service to a number of bricks-and-mortar retailers who have expressed strong interest in offering the Company's breakthrough service.
The box, available in a variety of SKUs, entitles the buyer to the service on a pre-paid basis for a pre-determined number of months, depending on the box they purchase. Every Spare Backup package sports a unique feature sure to get shoppers to look twice: a genuine dollar bill, protruding from the cover, to get the attention of shoppers who are not looking for products of this kind.
"Money talks, and we want small business shoppers to know we're talking to them," said Cery Perle, CEO of Spare Backup Inc., a subsidiary of Newport International "The debut of our retail packaging marks not only our expansion to store shelves, but also the first time any PC backup service has ever been sold from a shelf. We're doing all we can to make small business users aware that backing up their PC can be something they don't even have to think about."
Sony BMG Strategic Marketing Group Releases Hot Wheels AcceleRacers CD
Sony BMG SMG is releasing the 'Hot Wheels-AcceleRacers' CD Soundtrack, the first collection of music from the hit Mattel Brands toy franchise.
Mattel's Hot Wheels basic cars are the number 1 selling toy vehicle in the U.S. and have been the favorite toy for boys 5-14 for years, according to the Comapny. The Hot Wheels AcceleRacers CD will continue to add to the brand's longstanding success at retail.
The Hot Wheels AcceleRacers CD features an eclectic mix of hard rock, punk and rap tracks from the Hot Wheels AcceleRacers TV movies on The Cartoon Network and on DVD from Warner Home Video and embodies all values of the Hot Wheels brand-Speed, Power, Performance and Attitude. The CD also includes three Hot Wheels AcceleRacers trading cards, an exclusive code to download a hidden song, a bonus poster, as well as a coupon of $2 off the Hot Wheels AcceleRacers DLX Hyperpod.
Maria Sharapova Fragrance Debuts
Parlux Fragrances announced the debut of Maria Sharapova's fragrance, which will initially be a soft launch exclusive to seven Macy's East doors in and around the New York City area. Ilia Lekach, Parlux Chairman and CEO, said, " "It is a great omen that Maria's fragrance launch coincides with her achieving the number one world ranking in women's tennis. Our current strategy calls for a soft launch domestically, major launches in Japan and Mexico, followed by selective U.S. and international distribution."
Sony Debuts Walkman 'Bean' Players
Expanding on its line of Walkman digital music players, Sony Electronics is introducing a new series of flash-based devices this October. Bright and colorful, the compact NW-E300-series sport a sassy design and come in such tasty colors as coconut white, tropical ice blue, cotton candy pink and licorice black. "These new players incorporate our most coveted features in a fresh design that's unlike anything in the market today," said Kelly Davis, Senior Product Manager for Portable Audio. "They're a playful and easy way to enjoy digital music; just looking at them makes you want to smile." The 300-series Walkman Bean players will come supplied with color coordinating earbuds.
Pepperidge Farm Debuts Wholegrain Goldfish
Pepperidge Farm has extended its Goldfish cracker line with the introduction of Goldfish Cheddar Crackers made with Whole Grain. "We have worked hard to expand and improve our Goldfish cracker line, including introducing Calcium-Enriched Cheddar Goldfish crackers and being the first major cracker brand to have zero trans fat," said Michael Simon, Vice President and General Manager of Snacks. "Our new whole grain was a natural extension for us and one we know Moms will feel good about giving their kids. And the best part is, they still have the same great taste and signature smile that the entire Goldfish cracker line does."
SanDisk Launches 'Digital Backpack' For Students In Retail Channel
SanDisk Corporation has introduced Cruzer Freedom, a uniquely-designed USB flash drive that lets students carry secure and legal Internet downloads of textbooks, novels, study aids, learning tools and other copyrighted content. Powered by a proprietary SanDisk technology called FlashCP ™ (Flash Content Processor), this latest addition to the Cruzer family of flash drives is a "digital backback" that can store educational materials as well as an personal content such as MP3 files, digital picture or computer data files. Addressing a market of more than 65 million American students, Cruzer Freedom will be available initially at U.S. Staples stores in an introductory capacity of 256 megabytes with a suggested retail price of $39.99.
New neXfit ExerGame Fitness Bikes Come With Xbox/PlayStation & Internet
neXfit Technologies has introduced a new breed of home fitness bike, which combines the traditional cardio workout with fun, popular video game and Internet capabilities. Known as ExerGame fitness bike, the state-of-the-art, uniquely designed bike features swiveling handlebars with built-in joysticks and health monitors, as well as patented force feedback technology that simulates video game crashes through the handlebars and seat and ultimately provides the user with a very interactive gaming experience and entertaining cardio workout. Available in October at health and fitness specialty retailers, the ExerGame fitness bike sells for $2,495.
Sara Lee Appoints K. Feil Sr. V.P. & Chief Mktg. Officer
Sara Lee Food & Beverage has appointed Kim Feil as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer to lead all marketing efforts for the Company's retail brands in North America, including Sara Lee, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park and Senseo. Feil will lead brand marketing, promotions and market research for Sara Lee Food & Beverage, the North American retail food organization of Sara Lee Corp. With more than 20 years of experience, Feil joins Sara Lee from Kimberly-Clark where she served as V.P. and Sr. Marketing Officer of that Company's North Atlantic businesses. She has also held marketing, sales and strategic planning positions with Cadbury Schweppes, Information Resources and Pepsico.
Vivitar Appoints Hejran V.P. Sales & Mktg.
Vivitar Corp. has appointed Hamed Hejran to serve as the new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Formerly Vice President of Purchasing and Product Development, Hamed has been with Vivitar for 18 years.
Nanonation Expands Offices, Adds Staff
Nanonation, a leading provider of customer experience software for kiosks and digital signage, has moved to new facilities at the Cornhusker Plaza in Lincoln, Nebraska. The move doubles Nanonation's production, testing and sales facilities. Nanonation has also increased its staff nearly 20%, due to an increase in sales growth and client development efforts. For more information, visit the Nanonation Web site at www.nanonation.net.
NParallel Names M. Diamond President
NParallel, the international brand communication, merchandising strategy and display agency, has appointed Megan Diamond as President. A founder of the company and its Executive Vice President for Brand Strategy, Diamond succeeds Tom Van Hercke, who resigned for personal reasons.
EZ Show Places Digital Signs In Convenience Stores
EZ Show LLC, a Washington State multimedia production and distribution company, is rolling out the first wave of 500 flat screens to convenient stores through marketing company, Judan, LLC. Initially, these screens will be placed in local stores with plans to expand to over 20,000 locations within the next year.
EZ Show is meeting the needs of retailers by providing not only content development but through delivery of the content on its 40-nch LCD screens, which it owns while on location in retail outlets. EZ's ownership of the screen means that the screen itself is free to the hosting retailers. The retailer also receives a complimentary ad, and if desired, a wireless Internet "hotspot" for consumers to use while in-store. The retailer's ad will be one of thirty 30-second spots that loop every 15 minutes.
For more information, contact EZ Show LLC, (Tel) 877-848-9838, (Web site)
www.ezshow.com
Kroger Launches In-Store TV Network In 2,500 Stores
The Kroger Company, one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains, has entered into a multi-year agreement with InStore Broadcasting Network (IBN) to provide a television network for customers in more than 2,500 Kroger-owned stores across the country.
The satellite-delivered network uses plasma and LCD screens located in key locations throughout the store to deliver information about new products, services, cooking tips and special promotions.
"We are very pleased that IBN, our current in-store radio network provider, worked with us to develop this new communication product that will enhance our customers' shopping experiences," said Evan Anthony, Kroger Corporate Vice President of Marketing and Advertising. "We can now coordinate the messages brought to our customers through both in-store radio and television."
The Perfect Media™ concept has been patented by IBN as it pertains to the combined use of in-store audio and in-store television coupled with transaction results. For more information, visit InStore Broadcasting Network (Web site)
www.ibnads.com
Utix & PMG Launch 'Promotainment' Program
Utix Group, a leader in prepaid gift ticket experiences, has joined with PMG's in-theatre marketing capabilities to develop an in-theatre cross-promotional program featuring movie studio content, fun movie graphic collectibles and Utix movie tickets.
The first "promotainment" initiative the two companies are undertaking is on behalf of America Online (AOL). Utix and PMG are rolling out an AOL member acquisition campaign in September with an in-theatre promotion featuring Dreamwork's new release, "Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit," scheduled for release in October.
"Providing moviegoers with the opportunity to interactively discover fun and exciting details about a highly anticipated movie, the movie characters and the special offers provided by our corporate promotional partners significantly enhances everyone's experience," said Dave Johnson, CEO and Founder of PMG. "Utix helps us complete the promotional experience for corporate partners in ways that are truly more compelling and rewarding."
Scott-Beier Displays Introduces Curved Panels
Scott-Beier Displays has introduced curved panels for its lightweight display system for tradeshow, corporate environment and POP use. Originally designed and patented in 1982 by Hugo Beier the system is known for its flexibility and ease of use. No tools are required for set-up. A 10-foot booth, can be installed in less than ½ hour. Consisting of various panel sizes with a laminate exterior the design possibilities are virtually endless. Full size doors, cabinet doors, light boxes, etc…are available to augment the system. For more information, contact Scott-Beier Displays, 72 Industrial Drive, Unit 104, Cary, IL 60013 ; Tel. 847-516-0524; Fax: 847-516-0533;
(Web site)
www.scottbeier.com
HolograFX Inc. Offers Patented Holographic Technology
Special effects company Entertainment Arts Inc. has formed HolograFX Inc., to market a patented holographic technology, which projects free-floating moving 3D images into mid-air with no special 3D glasses required.
HolograFX envisions entertainment promotions, trade shows, corporate events, shopping malls, information kiosks, sporting events and point-of-purchase displays utilizing this technology, according to Daniel Maffeo, HolograFX President.
HolograFX Inc. is located at 27 Bland Street, Emerson, NJ 07630; (Tel) 800-599-0370, (Web site)
www.holografxinc.com
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