Digital Marketing

Boca Raton, Fla. – Office Depot is offering college students a variety of online back-to-school shopping services through a dedicated page on its e-commerce site. Features include an online catalog geared toward college students and an online college checklist, as well as a partnership with connected learning platform Chegg.

Through the Chegg partnership, Office Depot will run a contest called the “Countdown to College Giveaway” with prizes including technology devices and school supplies, and co-authored online tips and articles.

LOS ANGELES — Ergobaby has named former VP of digital at Mattel and group strategy director at the DuMont Project, Cynthia Neiman, as the company’s CMO.

Neiman has more than 20 years of experience developing multichannel marketing strategies for both global corporations and internet startups. In addition to developing digital strategies for leading brands and retailers at digital consultancy the DuMont Project, Neiman also boasts deep experience in many consumer products categories including infant, pre-school, digital games and pets. 

Woodland Hills, Calif. – Build-A-Bear Workshop is partnering with 505 Games to release an app for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch called “Bear Valley.” The app, available for $4.99 at the Apple App Store or on iTunes, lets customers create a virtual teddy bear and take it through various online experiences.

Bear Valley game features include shopping, buying and decorating a condo, performing in an outdoor theater, playing with toys, participating in scavenger hunts and playing on a playground. The game was developed by WayForward.

PAWTUCKET, R.I. — Hasbro reported net revenues of $766.3 million for the second quarter ended June 30, a 6% decline compared to $811.5 million in 2012. Despite seeing growth across its girls, games and preschool categories, it was not enough to offset a decline in the company’s boys category. 

Hoffman Estates, Ill. -- Sears is offering personalized digital coupons to members of its Shop Your Way loyalty program that are redeemable in-store, online and from a mobile device. Members can download the virtual coupons, tailored to their interests, style preferences and shopping habits, from the Internet or the Sears mobile app.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot is not forgetting college students during the highly competitive back-to-school season, and to meet that segment’s unique needs, it has teamed up with Chegg, a student hub that offers various services to college students, including textbook rentals.

GRAPEVINE, Texas — As retailers large and small vie for foot traffic during the highly competitive back-to-school season, GameStop is focusing its efforts on the segment of its market that is on summer vacation.

The multichannel video game retailer has launched a five-week Summer Playcation promotion the offers gamers deals now through Aug. 18 in all U.S. GameStop locations.

New York – Gilt.com is launching the Gilt Insider Program, a new free rewards program offering Gilt members the opportunity to earn points for free by interacting with the site. Activities such as making purchases, referring friends and visiting online sales earn members points they can redeem for benefits such as access to early sales, exclusive discounts, free shipping and invites to special events.