Creative Online

Sales Promotion News April/May, 1999


Hasbro Interactive Supports Launch Of Email Games

Hasbro Interactive is launching Email Games, a new way to play games like Scrabble and Battle Ship using electronic mail. Retail merchandising materials available to retailers include a two-tier displayer, which can be merchandised in aisle or on countertop and holds 12 Email titles.

"The display had to be flexible to coexist not only in the gaming area but also where people would be shopping for E-mail applications," said Timothy Evans, Director of Retail Channel Marketing. "We tried to give the retailers as many merchandising options as possible for this ‘new way to play’ targeting the 18-35 adult Email user."

Since the Email game package size is smaller than the traditional software box, the facings of 4 Email Games are visible in the same space as 2 standard CD-ROM products on the display. Additional POP materials include posters, shelf strips and a shelf talker. Other support programs include broadcast, print and internet advertising, and national sampling.

"Email Games takes the email experience beyond just communication to entertainment," said Tom Dusenberry, President, Hasbro Interactive.


Fox Kids Network Promotes Power Rangers

Fox Kids Network and Saban Entertainment have launched the "Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy Intergalactic Encounter," a 5,000-sq.-ft. inflatable outer space-themed park where kids will embark upon a crater moon, a black hole and meteor showers, among other mysterious interplanetary encounters.

"Power Rangers: Lost Galaxy Intergalactic Encounter" launches through 30 major cities at participating Wal-Mart locations. Wal-Mart will participate as a tour promotional partner along with Power Rangers master toy licensee, Bandai. Manufactured by Inflatable Design Group, the attraction holds 38,000 cubic feet of air and weighs 6,614 pounds.

The tour will be supported by Fox Kids Network through a national promotional sweepstakes, the Fox Kids Countdown Radio Show, Fox Kids Magazine and Fox Kids Web site.

Led by Barking Dogs Promotions, this tour will mark the second time Wal-Mart has partnered with a Power Rangers-themed attraction. This year, Wal-Mart plans to support the promotion with additional Power Rangers shelf space in softlines and hardlines.

Bandai’s new toy line will be prominently displayed in addition to apparel, accessories, books and party goods.


Tyra Banks Promotes Coors ‘Blast Of Cash’

Coors Brewing is rerunning Coors Light Blast of Cash, now in its third year. Blast of Cash III promises to drive more traffic to retail with Tyra Banks starring on stand-up displays. Blast of Cash makes it easy for consumers to pocket cash with 100 prizes available each hour.


DVC Names McCracken G.M., Midwest

Keith McCracken has joined Dugan Valva Contess (DVC) as Executive V.P. & General Manager, DVC Midwest/West. McCracken will be located in DVC’s Minneapolis office.

McCracken was previously Chairman & CEO of Minneapolis-based McCracken Brooks, now part of True North Communications.


3-D Indoor Ad Program Introduced

3 Dimensional Industries has introduced an exclusive nightclub/bar advertising program, "3-D Indoor Advertising," utilizing the emerging technology of photo lenticular imaging.

This interactive media is used to create a 2-by-3-foot advertisement, which is mounted on a low-profile lightbox and displayed in leased space in more than 275 nightclubs and bars across the country. 3-D Indoor Advertising can now be found in 17 U.S. cities.

3 Dimensional Industries is the exclusive sales representative of the AXIS Animated Graphic System, a patented process which offers the largest depth of field and highest quality imagery in large-format photo lenticular printing.

For more information, contact 3 Dimensional Industries, 357 Cherokee Street, Marietta, GA 30060; (Tel) 770-795-4596, 888-745-6884, (Fax) 770-795-4597.


M2 Acquires The Anderson Group

M squared Creative, Inc., a Norcross, GA-based marketing and sales communications company, has acquired The Anderson Group of Atlanta.

The acquisition furthers the Company’s program to assemble a total package of products and services offered to support corporate marketers.

The Anderson Group, headed by industry veteran Carl Anderson, adds to the mix a broad range of consumer and trade promotion, including direct mail, dealer loaders, sweepstakes, games and contests, point of sale design and production, tie-in partner development, mall promotions and on-packs.

The Company will function as a division of M2 Creative, with Anderson as its President.


Diet Coke PromotionReaches Book Readers

Coca-Cola has packaged 32-page selections from novels with 12- and 24-packs of Diet Coke as part of a new promotion.

The promotion was prompted by Coke’s marketing research showing that Diet Coke drinkers are mostly women and that these women read at least seven books per year.


Sam Adams Summer Point-Of-Sale

Samuel Adams is reintroducing its Summer Ale, supported by attractive summer-themed displays. The seasonal brew will be available on draft and in six-packs through August.

Off-premise, eye-catching POS features a sailboat and a bottle of Summer Ale and has the slogan "chart your own course" with Sam Adams Summer Ale.


J.C. Penney Stores Feature Immedia Display Technology

J.C. Penney is showcasing E Ink Corp.’s Immedia display technology in a sign in its Marlborough, MA store to provide shoppers with continuously updated information about sales, and highlighted brands. Immedia uses electronic ink to combine the superior look of ink on paper with the ability to change images instantly. Ed Sample, Manager, Systems Support, JCPenney. said, "Immedia will let us reach out to shoppers more effectively because the message can be tailored to each store in real time."

The signs are suspended in a graceful curve that highlights the flexibility of electronic ink. Stretching 4’x6’, the signs are less than 3 millimeters thick and weigh only 8.7 pounds.

For more information about Immedia, contact E Ink Corp., 45 Spinelli Place, Cambridge, MA 02138; (Tel) 617-868-8088.


BRIO Features Bin Display

BRIO, Germantown, WI, is using this colorful Bath & Beach display to promote impulse sales of its new Bath and Beach line.

The display merchandises the Bath and Beach line, which includes sand vehicles, sand drill, power boat, sand sets, watering can, mold set and sand tool set.


7 UP & Pringles Run Memorial Day Promo.

Dr Pepper/Seven Up (DPSU) and Pringles are running a Memorial Day promotion offering a FSI coupon good for a free 2-liter 7 UP with the purchase of three, seven-ounce canisters of Pringles.

"We believe the FSI should help drive 7 UP case volume through incremental secondary displays," said Phil Pacific, Channel Marketing Manager, DPSU. "Retailers can leverage special in-store take-one pads supporting the FSI for greater merchandising."

Promotional support also includes pole-toppers, shelf talkers and static clings. Overlays are being provided for 20-ounce products in convenience stores.


Denny’s Conducts First Racing Themed Instant Win Promotion

Denny’s restaurants nationwide is sponsoring a racing instant win game with a $25,000 grand prize, plus a trip for four to the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte to meet one of the drivers.

The contest is open to anyone 18 years of age or older who orders a hamburger and a Coke from the new "Team Denny’s" menu. Customers will receive a free "Peel ‘n’ Win" race car driver-themed game piece when they pay for their meal.

"NASCAR is a fast-growing sport, and we are pleased to partner with Coca-Cola in Denny’s first racing promotion," said Jon Jameson, Sr. V.P., Marketing.


Display Promotes American Dream Sweepstakes

Fox Licensing & Merchandising is teaming up with The Triarc Beverage Group for a promotion supporting Fox Network’s "KING OF THE HILL." The watch-and-win promotion features thousands of instant-win prizes inside of RC Cola products, as well as an opportunity to win $100,000 cash toward an "American Dream" purchase. The answer to the grand prize question will be revealed on the season finale of KING OF THE HILL.

The Sweepstakes is being supported with a $20 million marketing campaign.

"This promotion presents an ideal opportunity for two all American brands to work together," said Sabrina Ironside, Exec. Dir. Promotions, Fox Licensing.

"The Sweepstakes marks RC’s first animated cross-promotion and the show’s characters, Hank Hill, his family, and friends represent the prototypical R-C drinkers," said Jimmy Verrett, Director, Creative Marketing, Royal Crown Co.


Foster’s Features Cooler Door Rack

Foster’s Lager is using this cooler door rack to increase visibility in convenience and liquor stores. The plastic rack, which attaches to the inside of the cooler door, holds the distinctive 25.4-ounce Foster’s "Oil Can," the brand’s most popular package size.

The rack was initially introduced into more than 4,000 7-Eleven stores last year. Following its acceptance, distribution was expanded to include other major beverage outlets.


Sun Diamond Offers Sunsweet Displays

Sun Diamond Growers, Pleasonton, CA, is offering a variety of displays to help retailers merchandise its new Sunsweet Dried Tomatoes.

This durable spinner rack, which requires just 49" x 23" of floor space, generates impulse purchases from both high-end and main stream shoppers.

There are also plastic shelf trays, shelf talkers and recipe tear pads for on-shelf merchandising.


Renfro Features Pallet Display

Renfro Corp., is using this corrugated pallet kiosk to display its socks in mass merchandise outlets. The display is unique for its category.

According to Joy Hatch, V.P. Category Management, Renfro Corporation, "No manufacturer had previously been able to develop a pallet with hanging single pair sock product. The pallet displayed three sides of single pair product and one side of bags of socks, at the retailer’s request."

This kiosk displayed two different brands, which is why the graphics had to be simple. This kiosk was designed to be turnkey at retail. Merchandisers removed the outer casing and placed the sign in slots and it was ready to go. Renfro developed a special system to keep the socks from coming off the hooks when the pallet traveled.


Simon & AT&T Form Marketing Alliance

AT&T and Simon Brand Ventures, an initiative of mall owner Simon Property Group, Inc., have formed a loyalty marketing alliance. AT&T residential customers will be able to redeem their monthly long distance service, calling card and local toll charges in exchange for MALLPeRKS shopper loyalty points.

The MALLPeRKS national mall-based shopper loyalty program has more than two million members nationwide. Anyone who switches to AT&T at a Simon mall will receive 60 free minutes of domestic long distance calling from home and 150 MALLPeRKS points.

"The mall environment is a new and innovative way for AT&T to reach and reward consumers," said Jim McFarland, V.P., AT&T Consumer Services.


Snyder Communications Acquires PromoTech

Snyder Communications, Bethesda, MD, has acquired PromoTech Research Associates, a pharmaceutical marketing communications firm.

"The addition of PromoTech makes Snyder one of the few companies that can offer enhanced distribution and services for pharmaceutical marketing," said Daniel Snyder, Chairman and CEO, Snyder Communications.


Spice World Program Increases Visibility In Produce Dept.

Try-Foods International, the food promotions company based in Orlando, FL, has paired with Spice World, to increase the visibility of its garlic products in produce departments.

Try-Foods created a merchandising program consisting of a colorful display with a mobile merchandising arm housing the product in jars, and pockets to hold four sets of garlic recipes to drive purchases.


Midway Features Pack-Ins With Computer Games

Midway Home Entertainment, Corsicana, TX, will be the first company to include toys packed in with Nintendo 64 games. Midway will feature MicroMachines toy cars in retail packages of MicroMachines 64 Turbo for the Nintendo 64 and MicroMachines V3 for PC. Rampage 2: Universal Tour will feature a Rampage character soft key chain or T-shirt inside packages of Rampage 2: Universal Tour for Nintendo 64 and shrink-wrapped with the PlayStation game console version.

"Midway is always seeking innovative promotions to help expand the reach of its titles," said Paula Cook, Marketing Director, Midway Home Entertainment. "These collectible giveaways extend the gameplay from the game screen into the living room and are ideally suited for the young audiences we’re targeting."

Midway is supporting Rampage 2: Universal Tour and MicroMachines 64 Turbo with full marketing campaigns, including p.o.s. materials.


CoolSavings & General Growth Launch Coupon Web Site For Malls

CoolSavings, an internet coupon firm, and General Growth Properties, a mall development firm, will launch an Internet coupon Web site for savings from local and national merchants at 36 of General Growth’s shopping malls. The new site will allow shoppers to visit the CoolSavings Web site and download coupons to be redeemed at local mall retailers.


Promotion Associates Debuts In E. Northport

Promotion Associates Inc. (PAI) has been established in East Northport, Long Island, NY, by Jeremy Mutschler. PAI will offer a full range of promotional marketing services including consumer and trade promotions, sweepstakes and contests, point-of-purchase, and internet promotions.

PAI has also formed a strategic alliance with LKG&S Advertising. "Our combined pool of talent will allow PAI and LKG&S to offer full-service marketing communication programs," said Mutschler.


ESPN Introduces ‘Travelling’ Sports Trivia Game Kiosk

ESPN is using this "Sports Century Trivia Quiz" kiosk, which is touring 20 malls across America, allowing mall-goers to engage in a battle of sports trivia amidst their shopping. The kiosk challenges sports fans’ knowledge in three categories: Influential People, Games of the Century and Sports Figures.

The ESPN "Sports Century Quiz" interactive kiosk was designed and produced by Taffetdesign, Inc., located in Santa Monica, CA.


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