Animated Robots Promote Coke Products In Wal-Mart
Life-sized audio-animatronic robots are making “personal appearances” in Wal-Mart stores to promote Coca-Cola products. The robots, known as “RICK,” which stands for Retailtainment Interactive Coca-Cola Kiosk, are making three-day weekend appearances in Wal-Mart Super Centers, trading out for priority display space. The figures are also being featured in retail merchandising, trade shows, Coke hospitality centers and in other promotions in ten states.
“These figures represent a milestone innovation in point of sale, and are energizing Wal-Mart’s customers to purchase our products, generating significantly increased sales volume and profitability,” said James Bailey, Sr. Director of Advertising and Sales Promotion for Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, headquartered in Charlotte, NC.
The figures incorporate 22 animation movements and are fully re-programmable. In addition to delivering pre-recorded dialogue, they are equipped with remote show control and voice communications. This equipment enables Coca-Cola field personnel to “speak” through the robots, entering into “live” conversations with shoppers or guests at special events.
The RICK robots were created for the Coca-Cola Bottlers by AVG In-Store Interactive, Chatsworth, CA, which produces animated figures for the retail marketplace.
Display Supports Launch of BGBGirls Fragrance
Unilever Prestige, a division of Unilever Cosmetics International, has launched a marketing and print advertising campaign for BCBGIRLS, a new fragrance collection developed under a licensing agreement with BCBGMaxAzria.
The campaign for the BCBGIRLS fragrance collection celebrates the unique girl in every woman and taps into the bond between female friends. It features the four BCBGIRLS as they set out in their convertible. The inspiration for the BCBGIRLS collection came directly from Max Azria the designer behind the BCBGMazAzria line of women’s clothing.
P.o.p. displays supporting the launch of the BCBGIRLS fragrance collection were produced by The Royal Promotion Group, a New York City-based p.o.p. display firm.
ClearVision Displays Op Eyewear
ClearVision Optical Co. wanted to provide its retail accounts with a display that was fun and colorful, like the Op Eyewear collection itself.
The six panels of this ExpoBox display enabled ClearVision to show multiple graphics, unisex photography, optical and sun styles of eyewear and logos. The versatility of the ExpoBox display lets the accounts customize their displays according to their needs and space. The tower display serves as a large double-sided counter card on shelves and in windows. The individual boxes work well in display cases with minimum height clearance.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to communicate the brand image with no effort on the part of the dispenser,” said Britt Millard, ClearVision Optical’s Art Director.
The display was produced by ExpoBox America, a display firm based in Kingston, NY.
Mac’s Wireless Centre Display Offers Cell Phones
Mac’s Convenience Stores recently began selling cellular phones and wireless phone cards to its customers in Western Canada. The Mac’s Wireless Centre Display was developed to attract consumers’ attention to the new product.
The display allows consumers to touch and feel the product and learn about its features and prices. The phone card displays are shaped as vac-formed phones that cover round, metal spinners. Each display holds up to forty dummy cards. The displays were designed to be eye-catching, and take up minimal counter space.
The display was created by Gorrie Marketing Services of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
Counter Display Launches Vtech e-Mail Companion
The vtech e-Mail PostBox Companion counter display draws attention to the portable e-mail device that enables users to send and receive e-mail by using just a phone jack. The display was placed in 6,000 Radio Shack stores.
“Educating consumers was the utmost consideration in designing this display, because it is a new product category," said Rich Gausselin, V.P., Marketing at Visual Marketing Inc., Chicago, IL, which created the display.
A take-one pad describes the Companion’s easy to operate benefits. The display features a working keyboard and a display screen, which features a text message to illustrate type size and easy readability. The vtech and Radio Shack logos are emblazoned boldly at the top of the display’s screen-printed header to generate the brand awareness and relationship between vtech and Radio Shack. The header also proclaims, “Not everyone needs a computer. Some of us just need e-mail.”
The counter unit, manufactured of heatbent Sintra with a four-color header, is designed with a soft-flowing geometric curve that mirrors the design of the e-mail PostBox Companion.
Avon ‘beComing’ Centers Debut At JCPenney Stores
Avon Products has introduced ‘beComing,’ at the Avon Center “store-within-a-store” in JCPenney department stores. All Avon Centers will be located adjacent to the women’s apparel departments and will encompass an average of 600 sq. ft.
beComing will be presented in an open-sell environment with play stations and makeover counters to provide an inviting, comfortable experience for customers.
“We are thrilled to introduce to JCPenney shoppers a fresh, new approach to the retail beauty experience,” said Steve Bock, President of Avon Retail. “beComing is the integration of a highly-innovative, prestige quality beauty collection with an unsurpassed level of customer service.”
The new line has been designed to attract women who prefer to shop at retail, and who are not currently customers of the Avon direct-selling channel.
Stila Makeup Boutique Installed At Beverly Center
Array Marketing, a Los Angeles, CA-based p.o.p. display firm, was retained to create the first U.S.-based retail boutique for the Stila makeup line. The new Stila boutique, installed at the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, CA, utilizes frosted mirrors, compact/slimline fluorescent lighting, powder-coated metals, and clear and opalescent acrylics. The kraft-paper-coated ceiling keeps the space looking warm and natural.
The product wall and frosted-mirror counter run along one side of the store, with makeup testing centers built right into the countertop. The 30-foot-long Stila vending machine conceals product stock. To make a selection, customers push a button bearing the product’s name and color, and the product shoots out into a tray. Front panels feature backlighted lenticular prints that appear to move as customers walk by.
Consultations and makeovers take place on rolling makeup carts electrified with illuminated mirrors that rise out of the cart.
MAC Cosmetics SoHo Store Projects Body Conscious Design
MAC Cosmetics has redesigned its SoHo store in New York City, to reflect a sensuous, body-conscious landscape filled with soft, fleshy objects holding MAC cosmetic products, curving tactile display forms and gravity-defying surfaces.
SoHo 2001 is the first in a series of experimental stores, which will run in tandem with the existing Modernist style store interiors. “Our idea is to recharge the taste buds of MAC customers,” said James Gager, MAC Sr. V.P. and Creative Director Worldwide. “This is a global experiment. We want this design to refresh the eyes of our customers and to incubate new ideas.”
One of the main architectural elements in the store is the translucent floor, which at times behaves like a magic carpet. At the rear of the space, it suddenly peels off the ground, ripples up into the air and snakes around the private make up consultation rooms. The 700 plus items sold in the store are not displayed in the traditional sense, rather they are embedded in soft fleshy mats with 18 different pewter-colored mats in use. They are spongy to the touch and glow from inside like mineral deposits. These tactile gem-like forms recess into jelly-like slabs of amber, which cover all the display counters. Hand mirrors, display cases, mats and seating are all designed so the consumer can see through their translucent soft outer ‘skin’ to the dark inner core or ‘skeleton.’ Buried at the heart of each object is a series of hand carved ‘bones’ made from black foam. These ‘bones’ strengthen the soft forms and give them internal support.
MAC used a cutting edge design process called Stereo Lithographic Apparatus. Everything in the store appears to be alive, even the freestanding lamps, which look as if they are breathing.
Ariat Debuts Rugged West Shoe Display
Concept Designs, Mountain View, CA, was retained by Ariat to create a display to fit into the specialized western wear retail environment. It had to command attention with a minimal footprint as a freestanding display for up to 10 SKU’s.
The new display incorporates a minimalist 4x4 fencepost look supported by a sturdy base shaped in the Ariat logo. The brushed mylar header supports interchangeable lifestyle imagery graphics. A custom designed shoe shelf incorporates a brushed aluminum oval branded with an Ariat logo sticker. A simple Rugged West banner on natural canvas extends from the 4x4, flanking the back-to-back shoe display areas. This new display gives Ariat sales representatives a new offering to further establish Ariat as a cutting edge manufacturer of high quality boots and shoes.
Displays Unveil Titleist NXT Golf Balls
Fortune Brands has introduced Titleist NXT Tour and NXT Distance, two advanced technology golf balls that redefine long distance and soft feel. Titleist NXT golf balls will be supported by in-shop counter and floor displays as well as introductory sampling.
“The Titleist brand enjoys over 60% share of the premium segment of golf balls, while our share of the top-grade, mid-price point segment of golf balls is less than a 35% share,” said George Sine, V.P., Golf Ball Marketing. “With the Pro V1 serving as the best-selling model within the premium segment of the golf ball market, the NXT Distance and NXT Tour will establish a best seller position within the mid-price point, top-grade segment for golfers seeking next generation attributes of long distance and soft feel for less than $34.00 per dozen.”
Sterling Promotions
Anheuser Busch Merchandises New 180 Energy Drink
This counter display is being used to launch Anheuser Busch’s new energy drink as an on-premise beverage in restaurants and taverns. Injection molded of high impact styrene, this display is an alternative to merchandising cans vertically and offers a unique look in shelf management organizers while displaying products on their sides.
Its unique features include horizontal modularity and a gravity feed structure, while providing automatic stock rotation. Easy to use by consumers, the display can be built across the store shelf using as many modular sections as space allows. To accommodate the 8-ounce cans, Display Technologies, a point-of-purchase display firm headquartered in College Point, NY, customized its TechStoc Serpentine III unit to create the new 180 Energy Drink counter display.
Back Bar Riser Showcases Ardbeg Single Malt Whisky
Ardbeg Single Islay Malt Whisky is touting its tremendous taste and recognized reputation as part of an on- and off-premise promotion that highlights the many reasons why this brand is adored by Scotch lovers around the world.
A beautiful back bar riser, embedded in Fieldstone with a rounded, black marble base, is the feature item of the on-premise campaign. Off-premise materials included an eye-catching, four-color shelf saver-reminiscent in style of The Book Of Kells and containing informative and interesting brand history as well as noteworthy critical acclaim. An attractive shelf clip features a screened logo and holds 25 fact cards. Ardbeg Single Islay Malt Whisky is marketed by Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide.
Trinchero Winery Debuts Barrel Display
Trinchero Winery has introduced new packaging and an innovative barrel display.
The three tiers of the Trinchero brand-Family Selection (super-premium coastal varietals), Mario's Reserve (ultra-premium Napa Valley chardonnay and cabernet) and the new RSVP (Reserve Single-Vineyard Properties) line-now feature elegant paper labels, tin foil capsules and the script signature of founder Mario Trinchero. These elements serve to visually link the brand’s three tiers while conveying to consumers the high quality of Trinchero wines.
To showcase its new packaging, Trinchero has designed a logoed barrel display featuring a circular metal rack holding 28 bottles and a double-sided accolade case card. The display is designed to be flanked by case stacks of Trinchero wines, affording the opportunity to highlight the winery’s elegant new case shipper.
Triangle Display
Gourmet’s Choice Places Displays In Produce Sections
Gourmet's Choice Coffee Co., has launched its “Fresh Produce Coffee Program” with major Mid-West grocery store chains.
The program features freshly roasted Gourmet’s Choice coffee beans roasted daily at Gourmet's Choice Roasterie, appropriately displayed in the fresh produce department in grocery stores. Each display features freshly roasted beans, with a fresh-roasted-date to ensure quality and freshness. Each consumer will be able to smell the aroma and bag his or her own Gourmet’s Choice coffee beans.
Agfa e-box Is Self Service Station For Digital Prints
Agfa is supplying its new Agfa e-box to retailers, an easy-to-use self-service station for digital print orders. Using the e-box as an order station for virtually all digital media and cameras, customers can submit their own digital photo orders using the touch-screen monitor. These orders are automatically printed on photographic paper.
The easy-to-use self-service operation not only cuts down on the costly time spent serving customers, it also reduces the need for additional staff. Another advantage of the e-box is that it gives retailers the chance to win over customers who are already sold on digital technologies-a target group that is still growing. Digital minilabs, like the e-box, operate much like traditional fast film processing equipment with the added ability to produce prints from digital media.
Blockbuster & DIRECTV Host NFL Pro Bowl Balloting
The NFL, Blockbuster and DIRECTV have formed an arrangement in which football fans may vote for players for the 2002 Pro Bowl at more than 5,200 participating Blockbuster stores nationwide. Interactive voting kiosks have been placed in participating Blockbuster stores.
Consumers who purchase a DIRECTV system at Blockbuster stores will be entered in a sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 10 trips to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii after the NFL season. DIRECTV is the exclusive mini-dish distributor of NFL Sunday Ticket, the NFL”s satellite subscription package of Sunday afternoon games.
Curt Andrews, Sr. V.P., Marketing for Blockbuster, said, “Many of our customers are NFL fans, and with more than 70% of the U.S. population loving within 10 minutes of a Blockbuster store, it makes perfect sense for Blockbuster to host balloting for the 2002 Pro Bowl.”
Stolichnaya Vodka Debuts Holiday Display
Stolichnaya vodka, will be a standout on liquor retailer shelves this season in festive holiday gift boxes and p.o.p. displays.
Stoli’s eye-catching holiday display features a cheerful snowflake design with the word “Stolichnaya.” The holiday packaging and display also includes recipes for holiday entertaining.
“Spirits are always a popular gift during the holidays, and no other brand in the world is more synonymous with vodka than Stolichnaya,” said JoAnne Kletecka, Stolichnaya Marketing Director at Allied Domecq Spirits. “With this new eye-catching Stoli holiday package, we’ve made holiday gift giving fun and enticing!”
Finlandia Runs On- & Off-Premise Holiday Promo.
Finlandia Vodka is bringing good cheer to consumers this holiday season in a new on- and off-premise promotion.
On-premise items include holiday martini table tents and posters, which feature the festive Peppermint Martini, Green Apple Martini and Crantini. In the off-premise campaign, Finlandia’s arctic heritage is the theme once again, with the trademark midnight sun and reindeer festively featured on all items. Consumers will love the unique martini glass co-pack containing a 750-ml of classic Finlandia Vodka and frosted martini glass with recipes and the legend of the white reindeer. The “Merry Martini” case card is also perfect for getting consumers into the spirit of the season. Finlandia is also offering a sweepstakes in participating markets nationwide for a chance to win a seven-day ski-trip for two.
Lip Balm Display Introduces New Flavors
This Santa Candy Cane Lip Balm Display was developed to introduce a new flavored lip balm in a small checkout counter display for Christmas. This display merchandises 48 pieces and stimulates last-minute holiday impulse purchases.
The four-color header also serves as a tray and holds product down in shipping by folding over the product in the carton, enabling a quick and easy set-up by the retailer.
The display was created by Triangle Display Group, Philadelphia, PA.
PEZ And APPLAUSE Offer ‘Fuzzy Friends’ Display
PEZ Candy, Inc., and APPLAUSE, LLC, have joined forces to launch the first-ever PEZ Fuzzy Friends candy dispenser. The new collectable cuddly dispenser marks the first time the candy company has made extensive changes to the recognizable product.
The premiere series includes four colorful Teddy Bear designs that operate like the traditional PEZ candy dispenser. Fuzzy Friends feature a stuffed animal head, hands, feet and body.
“Uniting the PEZ dispenser with plush characters creates a totally new and exciting category of affordable and fun collectable items for children of all ages,” said Scott McWhinnie, CEO and President of PEZ Candy, Inc.
Consumers will be able to purchase the new PEZ Fuzzy Friends at mass merchant outlets, gift and specialty retailers, grocery and drug stores.
Moldrite Products
H.B. Ives Modular Display Featured In Home Depot
The H.B. Ives Hardware Division of Schlage Lock Company needed a fresh look for its Home Depot placements. Mark Novak & Associates, Park Ridge, IL, created this modular display program that allows for 4', 8' or more “sets.”
The display can merchandise any number of products including pegged items and bulk stock items in an adjustable bin system. The rich setting for the product, along with the display’s shopability, modularity and set up times, have all been well received by Home Depot.
Tupperware Kiosks Placed In Kroger And Fry’s Stores
A broad selection of Tupperware products are being sold at Tupperware kiosks in 19 Kroger stores in Ohio and Kentucky, as well as six Fry's stores in the Phoenix, Arizona area.
The kiosk placement is part of an agreement between Tupperware and The Kroger Company, one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains.
“We at Tupperware are pleased to partner with Kroger, a market leader in the retail grocery industry,” said Rick Goings, Chairman and CEO of Tupperware Corporation. “The partnership with Kroger will bring outstanding products to consumers, in places that they frequent, while providing new opportunities for our independent Tupperware consultants to reach an expanded audience.”
Local independent Tupperware sales consultants will staff the in-store product areas and provide customers with product information, recipe ideas and timesaving tips.
Ragu Express Display Supports New Product Launch
Unilever recently introduced Ragu Express in a newly designed package that could be used either vertically or horizontally. This display was created in support of the product launch and was directed to the younger, active, on-the-go consumer.
The corrugated prepack required little set-up at retail and provided for multiple set-ups at retail to accommodate various retail outlets. This display has been so successful for Unilever, that it has been re-ordered twice since the original entry into market. The Ragu Express Display was produced by Smurfit-Stone Display Group, Sandston, VA.
Tony’s Pizza Motorized Freezer Case Display
This motorized Tony’s Pizza freezer case display features Tony spinning a pizza on his finger using a battery-powered motor. His other hand has lug-on slots for the signage that appropriately reads, “Tony’s Put A New Spin On Thin!”
Tony and the spinning pizza are litho-laminated to 200#B Flute corrugate. The lug-on signage is litho-laminated to 24 point SBS. Tony is attached to a litho-wrapped display pole with steel wire feet.
The display was created by Meridian Display, St.Paul, MN and Marketing Drive, Minnetonka, MN.
Pioneer Electronics Displays Auto Media Products
Pioneer Electronics USA needed a cutting-edge, permanent display that would demonstrate the benefits of its new audio-visual and navigation equipment for automobiles, vans and RVs.
Rapid Displays, Union City, CA, created a metal display that includes a simulated drop down screen and plastic dashboard and back-rest forms. The display was created using multi-media, vacuum-formed plastics, metal, Sintra, laser-cut lettering and wood. Rapid Displays was responsible for the creative design, engineering, production and the complete fulfillment of the display.
Xerox Debuts Demo Flash Display
Xerox was looking to penetrate the low cost printer market through mass retailers. This display system was created to launch the Xerox M750 Color Ink Jet Printer in a minimal 2’ space. This space efficiency allowed Xerox to be easily placed in its two largest retailers, Best Buy and Staples.
The biggest selling feature of the display was the interactive Demo Flash actuator, which allowed a prospect to touch a button and see a M750 color print sample immediately. The actuator used a flash card that is easy to change and allowed for quick-change outs of print samples or promotions.
The Xerox Demo Flash Display was created by JPMS, a Santa Fe Springs, CA-based display firm.
WHV Merchandiser Unleashes ‘Cats & Dogs’
Warner Home Video’s “Cats & Dogs” has been released on VHS and DVD on display in this floor merchandiser.
“Having enjoyed a stellar theatrical release, Cats & Dogs will continue to charm children and adults on VHS and DVD," said Ewa Martinoff, WHV Vice President, Family Entertainment Marketing. "The winning combination of an all-star cast and top-dog DVD extras makes this blockbuster release a must-have for any video library."
Cats & Dogs is backed by a multimillion dollar national marketing campaign targeting both parents and children including national broadcast, print, radio, in-school, in-store and online support. Frontline marketing will provide backlit displays, header cards and front loaders to over 2,000 stores nationwide. VHS merchandisers are available in 18-, 24-, 36-, 48- and 60-unit configurations, with 36 VHS/12 DVD and 48 VHS/12 DVD mixed-units also available to retailers.
Kmart Displays Support New Harry Potter Movie
Harry Potter fans can head to Kmart for a magical mix of toys, apparel and merchandise inspired by the release of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.”
Kmart is promoting the movie with national in-store contests. Stores are displaying a life-size seven-foot, four-inch Hagrid standee. Every store will conduct a drawing for one lucky winner to take Hagrid home.
In addition to the four best-selling books, toys inspired by Harry Potter are expected to be at the top of children's wish lists this holiday season. Harry Potter trading card games, Harry Potter Casting Stones and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Jelly Beans also are guaranteed winners for any Potter fan, and all are available at Kmart.
Gillette Introduces Oral-B Stages Toothbrush Line
The Gillette Co. has introduced Oral-B Stages, an innovative line of toothbrushes designed to meet the special needs of children at different stages of dental development from infancy to pre-teens. Until now, children's toothbrushes have been miniature versions of adult toothbrushes with different characters placed on the handle. Oral-B Stages recognized the differences in the development of teeth and gums, in motor skills and coordination, and in levels of motivation for children at different ages and designed toothbrushes for children at four key stages: four to 24 months (Stage 1), two to four years (Stage 2), five to seven years (Stage 3) and eight years and up (Stage 4).
Oral-B is also launching four Oral-B fluoride toothpastes to complement the toothbrush line. Awareness and trial for Oral-B Stages will be driven by print advertising; consumer and trade promotions; and point-of-sale displays.
Valvoline Introduces Spirit 3-D Foam
Valvoline, a leading U.S. motor oil marketer, is using its R&D and marketing expertise to grow outside the traditional automotive category with the introduction of Spirit 3-D Foam. Spirit is a spray-on, peel-off 3-D foam that consumers can use to show their spirit at sporting events, holidays, or other special occasions.
“It’s great for spraying spirit slogans on cars, trucks and SUV’s but it’s also perfect for use around the home, office or school,” said Larry McFadden, Director of New Product Development for Valvoline. Spirit 3-D Foam is currently being test marketed at Wal*Mart stores nationwide and is fast becoming a hit with consumers, according to Valvoline.
Point-of-purchase end-cap displays are supporting the launch.
Jack Daniel’s Featured In Holiday Case Cards
This Christmas holiday season, case cards and shelf talkers feature the Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands on a gaily-set cocktail table in front of a lavish window display.
Outside the window, the scene shifts to different settings of holiday celebration-from the small-town atmosphere of Lynchburg to a decorated suburb-for a wonderful image of the holiday season.
Southern Comfort Promotion Provides Holiday Cheer
This holiday season, Brown-Forman Beverage’s Southern Comfort is offering “Comfort and Joy” with a festive on- and off-premise promotion.
On-premise items include lavish posters, ceiling danglers, and table tents. The ever-popular guide to celebrating is back and is one of the featured elements of the off-premise campaign, again offering cocktail and food ideas to consumers eager to add some more holiday enjoyment. Slide-motion pole units and case cards make a spectacular display as they show the famous Southern Comfort oval label dissolving into an image of the same setting covered in snow, decorations and tidings of Comfort and Joy.
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