http://www.mediapost.com/publications/ Must-read daily news for brand, product, service marketing execs. en-us Copyright 2010 MediaPost Communications http://www.mediapost.com/rss Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:11:55 EST Sales in the athletic footwear market fell 1.4% in 2009, reports the NPD Group, a sign of shifting momentum -- in 2008, sales fell 3.2%. Men's footwear fell 3%, while women's gained 0.6%, girls', 0.6%, and boys', 1%. Sales of infant and toddler shoes dropped 4.8%. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124103 <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:10:26 EST[from Boston Globe] - The color commentator on Boston Red Sox broadcasts known as RemDawg is peddling $500 "season passes" to devoted fans who'd like a guara...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124084Thom Forbes <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:58:16 EST[from Marketplace] - People don't just buy green products to save the planet, Andrea Gardner reports, and this reality is beginning to sink in with the mark...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124083Thom Forbes <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:57:14 EST[from Ad Age] - Enough already with the sizzle, says Nielsen Online Digital Strategic Services' Pete Blackshaw, let's get back to the fundamentals. A k...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124082Thom Forbes <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:56:19 EST[from Wall Street Journal] - Hewlett-Packard is about to launch its first corporate ad campaign in more than five years -- a $40 million effort, a source estimates ...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124081Thom Forbes <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:55:29 EST[from Detroit Free Press] - Part of Subaru's success in recent years can be attributed to having the right vehicles at the right time, Jewel Gopwani writes, but a ...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124080Thom Forbes <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:54:27 ESTA study of over 1,500 consumers by market research firm Chadwick Martin Bailey and iModerate Research Technologies found that 60% of Facebook fans and 79% of Twitter followers are more likely to recommend those brands since becoming a fan or follower. And 51% of Facebook fans and 67% of Twitter followers are more likely to buy the brands they follow or are a fan of. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124078 <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:35:50 EST"This year, the fact that we are adding college basketball, NCAA, March Madness and Final Four tournaments gives us a mass-reach opportunity," says a spokesperson. "Just as importantly, we know that NCAA basketball ranks really high with our target." http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124075Karl Greenberg <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:32:30 ESTJamba Juice has introduced Five Fruit Frenzy, a smoothie developed in conjunction with the National PTA as a means of helping young people get their daily servings of fruit. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124073 <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:16:46 ESTIf you hire a celebrity to read copy, what do you get besides bragging rights, an autograph, and the chance to shake hands at the recording studio? http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124036Robert Passikoff <robertp@brandkeys.com>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:32 ESThttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124045 <>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:32 ESTVisa is launching its first-ever global Fand#233;dand#233;ration Internationale de Football Association (International Federation of Association Football)-themed marketing campaign. Included are TV, print and out-of-home advertisements, usage promotions, experiential offers for cardholders and merchant discounts. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124063Tanya Irwin <tanya@mediapost.com>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 18:02:11 ESTThe Web series is part of a larger marketing campaign designed to showcase the brand's new luxury appliances. By going with a branded entertainment series, the company is hoping to attract a more engaged audience than through traditional digital advertising. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124020Aaron Baar <abaar01@comcast.net>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:55:28 EST LG Electronics will bring added depth to the NCAA Men's Final Four championship games this year, allowing fans attending the tournament in Indianapolis to view the games in 3-D on LG LCD TVs throughout Lucas Oil Stadium and the Bracket Town interactive venue, sponsored by Coca-Cola. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124061 <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:45:17 ESTPeople are gearing up for St. Patrick's Day, and the good news is that they'll spend a little more as they flaunt their Irish side, with the National Retail Federation predicting an average outlay of $33.05, up a bit from $32.80 last year. The bad news? They probably won't be celebrating at Denny's. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123932Sarah Mahoney <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:00:08 ESTThe company plans an integrated marketing program this spring comprising print and TV advertising, direct-to-consumer Web efforts, blogging outreach, sampling, magazine inserts, experiential marketing and public relations activities. The product is on sale now with retail price of about $3 for a box of 60 towels, per the company. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124023Karl Greenberg <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:41:32 ESTCustomers who try out new coffees in each of the eight weeks of the promotion, and collect a sticker for each new variety they try, will receive a free pound of their favorite coffee. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124043 <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:38:07 ESTSoave will lead the reintroduction of the Fiat Brand in North America, beginning with the Fiat 500, per a company release. Soave reports to Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler Group. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124041 <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:18:49 ESThttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124035 <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:43:31 ESTThe number one driver of growth within the retail distribution channel is Americans' interest in exploring the continually expanding varieties of international and domestic cheeses available, said Packaged Facts, "Unfortunately, this curiosity synchronized with the recession, so exploration isn't as aggressive as it could be -- but stay tuned," says Packaged Facts publisher Don Montuori. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124021Karlene Lukovitz <klukovitz@klmedialink.com>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:07:08 ESTOne of the programs leverages GM's presence at some 30 auto shows around the country, while the other is something completely new in the category: a permanent or semi-permanent, minimally branded, brick-and-mortar facility to be called "Test Drive Studio." http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124022Karl Greenberg <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:25:05 EST[from The Guardian] - Mattel is producing a collectorand#39;s series of dolls based on the characters in the andquot;Mad Menandquot; television show -- andquot;a mov...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124009Thom Forbes <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:05:53 EST[from Fast Company] - Micah Solomon, co-author of Exceptional Service, Exceptional Profit: The Secrets of Building a Five-Star Customer Service Organization ...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124008Thom Forbes <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:04:37 EST[from Brandweek, Marketing Daily] - Samsung CMO Sue Shim tells Elaine Wong that an economic downturn is actually a good time to launch pricey, but innovative products such...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124003Thom Forbes <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:59:15 EST[from Ad Age, Bnet] - I wonder what the litigious Lindsey Lohan thinks about the adjective that precedes her name in Rupal Parekhand#39;s run-down of the $100 ...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=124001Thom Forbes <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:56:47 EST[from Strategy and Business] - Six of the twelve industries in Booz and Company's annual reflection of the year past and projection of what's ahead are said to be "in s...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123999Thom Forbes <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:54:20 ESTI just hope Starbucks doesn't decide to raise the price of lattes at its Berkeley Shattuck Avenue store; the cash-strapped campus just can't afford to clean up another yet violent outburst! http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123962Steve Lundin <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:56 ESThttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123974 <>Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:56 EST"The philosophy is to help attendees have a better experience, whether through providing a station to charge batteries, giving them a chance to take a ride, or a ride downtown from the airport," says GM's Christopher Barger. "The idea is to contribute to what people are there to do rather than brand all over the place." http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123936Karl Greenberg <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:54:56 ESTVerizon Wireless and the National Football League have teamed up to bring the sport to mobile phones. In a new, four-year agreement the NFL will make Verizon Wireless the league's official wireless service sponsor, providing fans with access to the sport and news via their mobile phones. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123973 <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:28:13 EST"We took a different approach to communicate our message with consumers," Sue Shim, senior vice president of Samsung's visual display division, tells Marketing Daily. "We wanted to make it more connected to consumers and more engaging in their lives." The campaign, "A New Dimension in TV," marks a bit of a departure for Samsung. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123972Aaron Baar <abaar01@comcast.net>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:24:58 ESTKroger Co. says that while its total sales in its fiscal fourth quarter rose 7.2% to $18.6 billion, compared with $17.3 billion for the same period last year, net earnings fell to $255.4 million, from $349.2 million in the same period a year ago. Excluding gasoline, total sales rose just 2% in the quarter, and same-store sales advanced 1.2%. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123969 <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:04:33 ESTThe free applications are available for download. Unlike the Web-optimized mobile.alaskaair.com site, the applications are custom built for each device and can be downloaded directly to the smartphone. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123968 <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:49:54 EST The Chicago-based Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) wrote to the Food and Drug Administration recommending principles to help the agency provide health care and pharma companies with guidelines so these companies can better navigate social media. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123967 <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:47:32 ESTPandG will also donate one U.S. dollar to Team USA -- up to $100,000 -- for moms thanked at www.thankyoumom.com through the end of the Paralympic Winter Games, which conclude March 21. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123951Tanya Irwin <tanya@mediapost.com>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:37:37 ESTThe research firm says the data suggests such programs could work again because 13% of consumers wanted to participate but could not because they misunderstood the criteria and Gen X and Millennials more often than others fell into that same category. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123965Karl Greenberg <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:27:29 EST The Chili's restaurant chain has introduced a new online ordering tool (Chilis.com) that enables take-out customers to order dinners to go during lunchtime or earlier in the day, pay online, and specify their pick-up times. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123959 <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:59:31 ESTNo company received an "A." Only one -- Mars, Inc. -- received a "B+," based both on its policy of not marketing to children under 12 and having marketing policies that cover "most of the key media approaches used to reach children, with the exception of on-package marketing and most marketing in high schools," according to CSPI. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123931Karlene Lukovitz <klukovitz@klmedialink.com>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:54:52 EST"Even though this [campaign has] a regional focus, what we learned is that the client list that these guys have is really impressive," Jeroen Bours, president of Darling Agency (which created the campaign), tells Marketing Daily. "There's a lot of universities and important and successful hospitals in the metro areas that rely on their network. It really is the fiber of their business." http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123935Aaron Baar <abaar01@comcast.net>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:04:30 EST Chrysler is official sponsor of "Fashion Miami" in Miami Beach March 10 - 14. At the collection of runway shows and events in Miami's Design District, Chrysler brand is sponsoring a show by Haitian-born handbag designer Phelicia Dell for a show of her designs to raise funds for Haiti earthquake relief efforts. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123941 <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 11:43:43 EST[from New York Times] - Dennis Overbye previews Megan Prelinger's Another Science Fiction: Advertising the Space Race 1957-1962, which will be published in May...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123928Thom Forbes <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:44:56 EST[from Bloomberg/Harvard Business] - Women's earned income in developing nations is growing at 8.1% compared to 5.8% for men, according to Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and wom...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123927Thom Forbes <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:44:10 EST[from Forbes CMO Network] - Laurie Burkitt tells the engaging tale of the growth of Hint -- a sugar-free, zero-calorie water that is lightly and naturally flavored...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123926Thom Forbes <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:43:27 EST[from Ad Age] - Wal-Mart is increasingly caught in the middle between higher-end retailers and value players, writes Jack Neff, and has recently lost s...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123925Thom Forbes <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:42:25 EST[from Wall Street Journal] - Jamaica's tourism director, John Lynch, is putting together a package that includes stops at historic Jewish cemeteries, a visit to the...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123923Thom Forbes <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:41:33 EST[from Retailing Today, New York] - Target yesterday announced that snowboarder Shaun White and his brother, Jesse, are designing an exclusive line of skateboarder shoes f...http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123922Thom Forbes <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:40:13 ESTShoppers are habitually much more methodical in the ways they save, using coupons, mobile apps, comparison-shopping sites, and rewards programs. "Retailers need to adapt their strategies to appeal to this new generation of consumers," says PricewaterhouseCoopers' Lisa Feigen Dugal. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123851Sarah Mahoney <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:00:12 EST Fans who follow Funky Money Snacks on Twitter (@FunkyMonkeySnck) during March will qualify for a chance to win up to 5,000 one-ounce bags of the snacks for the school of their choice. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123875 <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:00:12 ESThttp://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123885 <>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:00:12 EST Gold's Gym and Us Weekly partnered for the 1st Annual "Hollywood's Hottest Bodies" awards, which recognize outstanding fitness achievement in television, film and entertainment. More than one million votes were cast on UsMagazine.com. http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=123877 <>Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:09:27 EST