The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company is rolling out a new advertising campaign starring president and CEO Sam Martin, who walks through the stores explaining the improvements the chain is making as a result of its turnaround efforts. Themed "shopping just got a whole lot better," it marks the first time A&P will use one marketing effort for all its brands, including A&P, The Food Emporium, Pathmark, Superfresh and Waldbaum's. Digital components started last month; TV is launching now, with 30-second spots running in New York and Philadelphia, as well as on such stations as HGTV, E!, The Food …

McDonald's' blogger perks are drawing increasing attention, at least from the press.

Macy's is planning a special apparel collection with Nicole Richie. The limited-edition line is scheduled to be available in 100 Macy's stores and at Macys.com in September. Macy's says the clothing takes its inspiration from 1970s bohemian style, with plenty of jewel tones, "a bold peacock kaleidoscope, feather and deco chevron, while matte satin, velvet and chiffon fabrications." Prices range from $49 to $149. Richie, who has been the face for both Bongo Jeans and Jimmy Choo ad campaigns, is one of three mentors in NBC's "Fashion Star."

I had lunch recently with a longtime friend and colleague who I've often considered to be one of the smartest people I know. Having been on a whirlwind of qualitative research work recently, with a particular emphasis on how consumers make purchase decisions in the sporting goods and event sectors of our business, I was captivated by his strong endorsement of the book Thinking Fast and Slow by Nobel Prize-winner Dr. Daniel Kahneman, a behavioral economist. Of course, I picked up the book and have been plowing through it on parts of many cross-country flights over the past few weeks. …

While the 2008 Games are only four years in our rearview mirror, it seems now like a whole generation ago, especially when it comes to the social media landscape. Look no further than the infographic Mashable recently published comparing social media numbers from 2008 to 2012. In 2008 Facebook was still in its "infancy" with 100 million users; Twitter hadn't exploded and was still driven by techies and angry music bloggers. Instagram was nonexistent, not even close to being a company for which Facebook would write a $1 billion check. Social media has gone from techy subculture to mainstream event …

The NBA took another significant step toward selling space on its jerseys when it unveiled a deal with BBVA last week to have the banking firm place its logo on NBA Development League jerseys during 2012 D-League playoffs.

Why online media wins during the NFL draft.

Everyone knows the old real estate adage of "location, location, location." In Marketing 101, we learned that "Place," while not defined literally, was one of the "four Ps" that drive marketing (product, promotion and price were the others, for those who forget the remaining three).

While recently attending one of the country's biggest sporting events, my colleagues and I discussed how the event impacts the host city - specifically, an event in which the local professional team doesn't need to be in the championship. Topping that list is the NFL's championship game. (The Super Bowl, dare I say it without a signed release?) But, there are many other sporting events that fit the description. From the NCAA Final Four to the World Table Tennis Championships, major events are constantly seeking the best city to showcase their event. Currently, there is hot competition for the right …

What does it take to be a success in sports and sports marketing? Fame, winning, consistency, desirability, a shining personality?