Coupons/ Rebates/ Pricing

Chicago -- Consumer confidence rose significantly in the first quarter of 2014, according to a MarketPulse survey from IRI. All age groups are reporting a more positive outlook — especially Millennials. A distressed consumer segment since the economic downturn began, this age group is showing the greatest rise in confidence.

Bellevue, Wash. – Eddie Bauer has signed a long-term renewal agreement with Alliance Data Systems Corp. to continue providing private label credit card services. Alliance Data will continue to deliver a marketing-driven private label credit card program that recognizes and rewards Eddie Bauer cardholders and complements the reward incentives the Eddie Bauer Friends rewards program offers customers.

Kimberly-Clark has teamed up with Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Christina Milian to launch an integrated Celebrate Family UNity ("FUN") platform that leverages social media to not only retain existing consumers but also to reach out to new ones.

An integral part of the program is the Family UNity ("FUN") Song web app where families can customize their own "FUN song," share it on social media and download it as a ringtone.

RetailMeNot has some interesting plans in store for mall goers following an agreement with General Growth Properties allowing it to serve as the mall operators preferred digital coupon provider.

Plans call for RetailMeNot to test new marketing formats and beacon technology in select malls that will allow RetailMeNot mobile app users to be served hyper-targeted offers. In addition, the company said it will work with General Growth Properties on various undefined initiatives to enhance the shopping experience at its 120 malls, increase traffic and drive sales for tenants.

New product introductions aren’t what they used to be as evidenced by Doritos “Bold Flavor Experiment” involving mysterious variants of the spicy chips.

The Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo this week is introducing three new flavors of the Doritos Jacked brand to the snack food but not telling shoppers what they are called. The unconventional approach to generating trial also involves a unique contest element to encourage shoppers to digitally engage with the brand.

One may not immediately associate Kellogg with game apps, but the breakfast cereal brand is releasing a web-slinging game app to mark the upcoming The Amazing Spider-Man 2 movie.

Consumers can also enter a giveaway and a new Kellogg sweepstakes with Sony for a chance to win more than 1,000 prizes, including a free trip for two to New York.

"Spider-Man fans are gearing up for the film and we're casting a web of fun that everyone can enjoy," says Melissa Pawlowicz, senior director of integrated promotions at Kellogg.

By Rodney Mason, CMO, parago

Today, consumers have more information sources to help them make purchasing decisions. Smartphones, tablets, social media and the Internet — combined with traditional shopping channels like magazines and direct mail — means that deal-finding and comparison-shopping methods are almost always at consumers’ fingertips. As a result, shoppers are making their purchases faster.

New York – Despite their reputation as being jaded by branding efforts, a majority of Millennials consider themselves brand-loyal. According to a new survey of Millennial consumers from marketing data provider Adroit Digital, 64% of Millennials are more brand-loyal or as brand-loyal as their parents, with 24% considering themselves to be more brand-loyal than their parents.

New York - Online video viewers, compared to non-online video viewers, are more frequent patrons of quick-service restaurants (QSR). A new study from video marketing platform Videology shows that those who watch video were 60% more likely to visit QSRs after hearing about a promotion or seeing an advertisement, regardless of the medium.

San Francisco — Mobile shopping platform ShopSavvy, has enhanced its AdOns advertising network to support iBeacon integration. The upgrade allows ShopSavvy AdOns partners to run more targeted in-store contextual ads.