Digital Marketing

Beachwood, Ohio -- DDR Corp. announced a strategic agreement with MobileBits Holdings Corp., provider of SAMY, a mobile marketing and engagement platform, to acquire DDR's proprietary location-based mobile marketing solution ValuText.

MobileBits will integrate the ValuText product into the SAMY solution and will make the solution available to DDR tenants and shopping centers. SAMY is an innovative 'mobile mall' application that allows shoppers to gain instant access to the latest discounts, coupons and loyalty cards, via their mobile devices.

Katy, Texas -- The Vista Cos. said that Lindsay Kaye has joined the LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch team as director of marketing and public relations, effective April 23.

Kaye will handle marketing, advertising, event coordination and public relations for the LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch mixed-use development.

Prior to joining The Vista Cos. team, Kaye was promotions manager for Radio Disney.

CINCINNATI — Vantiv, a leading provider of payment processing services and related technology solutions for merchants and financial institutions, is combining point-of-sale redemption technology with the Visa Offers platform for cardholders and merchants of all sizes. 

The upgraded technology will help drive additional value at the point-of-sale. 

WESTPORT, Conn. — TCC, a global leader in retail marketing programs, has appointed former PepsiCo executive Van B. Sapp as president of TCC Americas. In his new role, Sapp will be responsible for TCC's operations in North and South America, adding capabilities with licensed properties and integrating digital components to current customer initiatives.  

LOS ANGELES — Specialty sporting goods retailer Sport Chalet is looking to public relations boutique agency Formula PR to help establish its brand as a leader within the active lifestyle industry. 

The multi-faceted program will focus on elevating visibility around Sport Chalet’s in-house health and fitness experts, heightening regional awareness through interactive events and custom programs, in addition to connecting with consumers, and positioning the brand as the go-to resource for education, training and gear in the vast sports arena. 

New York -- With 25% of annual flower sales (for an estimated $1.9 billion) tied to Mother’s Day, it’s no wonder the holiday looms large for 1-800-Flowers. IBM is helping the retailer simplify Mother’s Day gift-giving for its digital customers no matter where or how they shop, including through the website, with a mobile device or via social media.

NEW YORK — Target is beta testing a new app that allows users to save on items and share deals on Facebook.

A Bullseye View, Target's online magazine, announced the introduction of Cartwheel, where people can find offers on products by browsing the system or looking at friends' activites, and add up to 10 of their favorites to a list. Once a red check appears in the corner of the offer card, the item can be purchased, and customers can either print a special barcode from their desktop computers or use their mobile devices in-store to access it.

Thanks to an agreement between Meijer and Voyager network owner U.S. Bank, Fleet drivers can now use their Voyager network fuel cards at Meijer gas stations in the Midwest.

Cardholders presenting U.S. Bank Fleet Cards or those issued by any of the bank’s Voyager network partners can now make purchases at 189 Meijer fueling sites in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Acosta Sales & Marketing, a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry, is partnering with the Wounded Warrior Project to hold the 2013 Believe in Heroes campaign. 

Bentonville, Ark. — Walmart and its philanthropic arm, the Walmart Foundation, were busy working alongside notable food companies in April, as part of the corporation’s Fighting Hunger Together Initiative. 

Between April 1 and April 30, more than 443,000 votes were cast for the more than 300 eligible Feeding America food banks and partner agencies as part of the campaign, which fights hunger in local communities.