Marketing

Irvine, Calif. -- Steadfast Cos. said that Richard Gann has been hired as chief marketing officer for Steadfast Capital Markets Group, the company’s securities and financial services division.

In the newly created role, Gann will oversee strategic marketing functions to assist in the overall positioning and growth of the Steadfast Income REIT, the company’s $1.65 billion public, non-traded real estate investment trust, as well as future alternative investment programs.
 

Lewisville, Texas -- Parago, a leading provider of consumer and corporate incentives, announced the launch of a promotional fulfillment service offering designed to reward and communicate to clients’ Spanish-speaking customers in their language of preference.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears announced that it is offering free delivery of fresh cut Christmas trees to customers when they order them via Sears.com. Through Dec. 15, customers can go to Sears.com to order their own Fraser fir from the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains and have it delivered for free directly to their home, apartment or office. 

Boston -- City Sports announced the appointment of Debi Binder to VP marketing and Dana Klein to director of e-commerce.

Binder most recently served as a senior VP for CCA Global Partners. Prior to City Sports, Klein managed operations and merchandising at Puma North America for the brand's shop.puma.com site.

Washington, D.C. -- Douglas Development Corp. announced that Joe Ruzecki has joined the real estate company as the new director of leasing.

Most recently, Ruzecki served as senior VP with CB Richard Ellis in Baltimore.
 

Chestnut Hill, Mass. -- WS Development announced that chocolatier Lindt has increased its outlet presence by adding a seventh temporary store this holiday season at a WS shopping center. The Swiss chocolate manufacturer and retailer began its relationship with WS in the spring with temporary stores at six WS Development locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Lindt opened its seventh Lindt Factory Outlet within the WS Development portfolio last month at The Crossing at Smithfield. All seven stores will remain in place through the holidays.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has launched a new iPhone app that allows customers to access the best of what the company has to offer, whether in store or online.

According to the company, customers can use the app to access product information and reviews while in store, locate a store that has a product they need, and receive special deals via its check-in feature.

Chicago -- Despite all of the hype surrounding mobile commerce, just 36% of chief marketing officers at retail companies have included mobile in their holiday marketing strategies this year, according to a recent BDO USA survey. And of the CMOs incorporating mobile, 84% say it accounts for less than 10% of their holiday marketing efforts. The findings are from the most recent edition of the BDO Retail Compass Survey of CMOs, which examined the opinions of 100 chief marketing officers at leading retailers located throughout the country.