In a nod to consumer concerns about the economy, Toys R Us says it is offering an expanded layaway program, even for online shoppers, as well as additional flexible payment plans. The Wayne, N.J.-based retailer began offering layaway on big-ticket toys back in 2009, and has been adding new categories to its pay-over-time options. Starting Oct. 15, layaway will be available on all items in many of its stores. "Since we first introduced layaway in our stores two years ago, thousands of customers have taken advantage of the program for both its flexible payment terms and its ability to help …

When it comes to corporate responsibility, consumers aren't just paying closer to attention, they're ready to kick brands that don't behave to the curb: Some 93% are willing to boycott corporations that behave poorly, and 56% have already done so. And they're also willing to reward companies they perceive as responsible, reports the 2011 Cone/Echo Global CR Opportunity Study, with 94% saying they would buy a product that has an environmental benefit, and 76% saying they have already done so in the past 12 months. Cause-related products are just as popular, appealing to 93% of the more than 10,000 …

Just heard from ZenithOptimedia's spokesperson who said Peggy Green was not bumped from Zenith, but left the agency effective last Friday, as part of a planned, orderly three-year transition from the agency. As a result, there is not reorganization of ZenithOptimedia's team, and the spokesperson said it wasn't clear if Peggy's position, Vice Chairman of Zenith Media, would be filled. Earlier this morning, NBC Universal announced that the former Zenith Media vice chairman was joining its CMO in Residence Program, effectively with the fourth quarter of 2011.

Spending on mobile advertising will top $1 billion mark in the U.S. for the first time this year, according to new estimates just released by eMarketer. Advertisers will spend nearly $1.23 billion on mobile advertising this year in the U.S., up from $743 million last year, according to the new forecast. ?By 2015, the U.S. mobile advertising market is set to reach almost $4.4 billion," eMarketer says, noting, "This includes spending on display ads (such as banners, rich media and video), search and messaging-based advertising, and covers ads viewed on both mobile phones and tablets." eMarketer previously …

 Auto intelligence firm Polk has partnered with the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, led by Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., for a strategic business program to help automotive manufacturers better target their marketing efforts with ethnic audiences, the companies announced today. The agreement will allow the Rainbow PUSH Coalition to gain insight about vehicle buying habits among African American, Asian and Hispanic consumers.  As part of this agreement, market shares and penetrations among the different ethnic groups will be provided for all automotive brands. "We are excited about the partnership between the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Polk, the worldwide leader of …

That's what it sounds like after reading a release from NBC Universal announcing that the "former Vice Chairman of Zenith Media" has been named its fifth "CMO in Residence," effective in the fourth-quarter of 2011, which presumably means now. "Most recently, as the Vice Chairman of Zenith Media, Green was charged with providing strategic oversight to Zenith's video investments, including the consolidation of traditional broadcast and cable buying departments with video buying duties for emerging platforms, such as digital and out of home," the NBCU release said, implying that Green has left the agency, where she began as a …

Interpublic just unveiled plans to launch a new agency specializing in "transmedia" storytelling, or advertising and content that develops a narrative simultaneously across multiple media platforms. The Los Angeles-based shop, which has been named Amusement Park Entertainment, will be headed by renowned Madison Avenue creative director Jimmy Smith, who most recently was group creative director on the Gatorade account at Omnicom's TBWA/CHIAT/DAY unit. "Creative ideas can live in another form of media or inspire a new business line that's even more profitable than the original brand. Games, books, TV shows, movies and mobile entertainment – all of them have come …

WPP ad shop Ogilvy & Mather has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Promo Digital LLC in Russia (Promo), subject to regulatory approvals. Founded in 1997 and based in Moscow, Promo is a digital marketing services agency which specializes in creating internet, mobile and multimedia campaigns for a variety of clients in Russia. The agency employs 53 people and major clients include Gazprom, LG and MTS. Promo's unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 December 2010 were $2.6 million, WPP said. The price of the acquisition was not disclosed. WPP said the deal reflects the holding …

Simon Bond, BBDO: Moving into earned media, means a deeper relationship. "There are some things that happen: they don't listen which ends up in divorce," says Smon Bond of BBDO. "We need to make sure that to maximizing opportunity in earned media is letting consumers play a role. Make sure you are being genuine, empathic. make sure you are being responsive in the moment. The real important thing is to be human. Be real and act real. Lauren Weinberg at Yahoo!: 80% say they want brands to be genuine. The brands that can do these things that exemplfify qualitifes …

Simon Bond, CMO of BBDO Proximity talked about storytelling at the IAB MIXX conference. "How we tell stories has changed completely because of social. we used to tell stories just through one way communication. Consumers would listen and watch. now the canvas has fundamentally changed. it's multifaceted participatory model where consumer wants to be front and center. so how we tell it is fundamentally changed." He says the new research with Yahoo! is about putting consumer front and center.