Walmart is producing a Web reality show, "Get on the Shelf," "turning the intense competition to get products on its shelves into an online contest with videos and voting," writes Jack Neff. Marketers -- including Hugs Pet Product, with its portable dog wash and "Uggs-like Pugz Shoes for dogs" -- have until Feb. 22 to submit entries. Consumers  will then vote on which products they'd like to see make it to Walmart.com or their local Walmart store. The top three vote-getters will be sold on Walmart .com, and a grand prize winner will be featured on the home page and in select stores. Read the whole story...

As winter approached, retailers set up shop. Well, winter is here, sort of. Nationally, last month was one of the warmest Decembers on record, and so far January temperatures are above average, according to Planalytics, a research firm that tracks weather’s effect on businesses. Winter hats, coats, and gloves are collecting dust, not snow. On Saturday, the outdoors store REI took the unusual step of making artificial snow in a Manhattan park, hoping to encourage people to buy snowshoes and winter jackets. Home Depot has cut down on items like salt for de-icing, and many of its stores have replaced snow removal equipment with storage products in  displays. Planalytics said that demand for boots in December was down about 20% from a year ago, according to its data, while demand for snow-removal gear declined 70% in the second week of January from that week last year. Next year: swimming gear and beach umbrellas? Read the whole story...

Pernod Ricard UK has appointed Patrick Venning to oversee the marketing strategies for its spirits brands in the UK. Venning, who was previously head of marketing, replaces Vlastimil Spelda, who has taken a senior role with Pernod Ricard in Paris. The drinks maker, which earns about 75% of its revenue in the UK from premium spirits, previously announced that it wanted to “premiumise” the category. Part of Venning’s task will be to persuade UK consumers to spend more on its premium brands, such as Chivas Regal and Jameson. Read the whole story...

Detroit News film critic Tom Long poses an interesting question: If a film screens in the Rockies, will anyone see it? The 2012 Sundance Film Festival starts today. Long points out that the festival, started by Robert Redford, has introduced top directors and actors over the past two decades, but leaves serious doubt about the impact the indie film world is having on theaters these days. "Virtually all of last year's Sundance 'hits' bombed when it came to the general marketplace," he writes. "The tense 'Martha Marcy May Marlene,' which was supposed to make Elizabeth Olsen a star, eeked out less than $3 million. 'Like Crazy,' with Anton Yelchin and the fabulous Felicity Jones, made less than $4 million, likely not near its production and marketing costs," he writes. He says that while these and other films are good and relevant, there's a good chance few will get picked up "after such a financially dismal 2011 crop. Money's tight everywhere and the few Sundance films that did make a bit of cash last year  -- 'Buck,' 'Margin Call,' 'Our Idiot Brother' -- may not be enough to convince buyers this year. Of course, every time Sundance looks to be dead, another 'Little Miss Sunshine', 'Precious' or 'Once' appears. Hopefully that happens this year. Or 2013 could get really ugly." "Batman 14," anyone?   Read the whole story...

NASCAR has 40 sponsors including Coors List, Craftsman Tools, Coca-Cola, Old Spice, Camping World and Bank of America. This year, TV viewership for its races is up 17%, and there has been a 33%-plus increase in attendance. In this Q&A, Norris Scott, VP of partnership marketing for NASCAR, says intellectual property is still the main benefit of NASCAR sponsorship, "But partners want hospitality, and retail marketing,  as well as event marketing,  online promotions and B-to-B. Without a doubt the majority of our partners are asking to see those in their official partnerships with us. We’re addressing these needs with a five-year plan," he says. Read on at link. Read the whole story...

J.C. Penney Co. Inc. appointed Kristen Blum EVP and CTO. Blum, who will report to chief operating officer Michael Kramer, will be responsible for the retailer’s jcp.com business and information technology systems. “The transformation underway at J.C. Penney relies heavily on having the best performing, most effective technology to support our critical business functions and enhance our shopping experience,” Kramer said. Blum has been Apple Inc.’s director of supply chain solutions and international retail, as well as Abercrombie & Fitch Co.’s SVP and chief information officer. Most recently, she held that role at PepsiCo. Read the whole story...