Awards

Lost Angeles — CBRE Group has announced that John Ferguson has been promoted to president, southeast region.

Ferguson has led CBRE’s southeast region since January 2011. His elevation to the title of president reflects outstanding performance across a broad range of leadership activities including new business development, business and sales management, market and industry leadership, client relationships and people management, said CBRE in a statement.

Pepsi is teaming up with multi-platform recording artist Prince Royce artist in a year-long, multi-faceted deal that includes support of his U.S. summer tour and a national ad campaign.

Earlier this year, Pepsi and Prince Royce teamed up to surprise New York fans with a free performance the week leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII. In addition, Prince Royce appeared in a Pepsi intermission spot that aired during this year's 56th Annual Grammy Award show.

Washington, D.C. - The National Retail Federation (NRF) was recognized on Earth Day, April 22, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with its 2014 SmartWay Affiliate Challenge award. The EPA recognized NRF for supporting policies and practices that reduce truck emissions and enhance freight efficiency.

The SmartWay Affiliate Challenge is a national challenge developed by the EPA to acknowledge organizations that do an exceptional job supporting the partnership’s freight sustainability goals.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market claimed the honor for best brand on Pinterest at the Shorty (the Shorties) Awards on April 7. The Shorties are an annual awards event that honors the best short-form content creators on Twitter and on other social media sites.

Whole Foods Market joined Pinterest in 2011, and currently has 180,000 followers.

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- The Michigan Small Business Development Center is honoring a Sears Appliance & Hardware store located in Big Rapids, Mich., with its 2013 Best Small Business Award for creating jobs, increasing sales and improving business strategy. The retailer was one of a dozen stores chosen from more than 5,500 small businesses throughout the state that the Michigan Small Business Development Center provided confidential counseling and training to in 2013.

Deerfield, Ill. -- The rapid adoption of Walgreens’ Balance Rewards loyalty program, with nearly 80 million members, has earned the chain a ranking among top business technology innovators in the U.S.

Walgreens is ranked No. 60 on the 2014 InformationWeek Elite 100.

Madison, Wis. -- Focus on Energy, Wisconsin utilities' statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy, recognized Walgreens’ strong efforts in 2013 for reducing its energy usage across Wisconsin through the Chain Stores and Franchises Program.

Focus on Energy recently presented Walgreens representatives with a $500,000 incentive check at the Edison Electric Institute National Key Accounts Workshop in Orlando, Fla.

New York - L.L.Bean was ranked number one in online customer service in March 2013. According to monthly benchmark analysis from customer service analysis provider StellaService, LLBean.com showed strength in email and returns, besting all other retailers in those specific service areas.

Boca Raton, Fla. – Office Depot has won an Internet Advertising Competition Award (IAC) for “Best Retail Social Media Campaign” from the Web Marketing Association. The award recognizes Office Depot’s digital campaign supporting back-to-school with Office Depot’s “#Together Against Bullying” collaboration with the band One Direction.

Office Depot has won an Internet Advertising Competition Award (IAC) for “Best Retail Social Media Campaign” from the Web Marketing Association.

The award recognizes Office Depot’s innovative digital campaign supporting back-to-school with Office Depot’s “#Together Against Bullying” collaboration with the band One Direction.