Entertainment Tie-ins / Licensing

Easley, N.C. -- The new 138,000-sq.-ft. Sam’s Club in Easley Town Center Easley, N.C., celebrated its grand opening on June 27. Mayor Bagwell and Chamber of Commerce president Cindy Hopkins attended.

As part of the continuing celebration, University of South Carolina running back George Rogers will sign autographs on June 29.

Dick’s Sporting Goods has partnered with IMG academy to develop an innovative new digital training platform to help the retailer drive increased engagement with athletes looking to achieve peak performance.

FORT WORTH — One doesn’t normally associate social media with Dickies, but the global workwear maker is teaming up with pitcher R. A. Dickey to launch a contest on Facebook and using the social media site to extend its reach.

The contest, called Built to Work, recognizes the dedication and contributions of blue-collar workers from all walks of life — that is, the target consumer which Dickies aims to outfit with its apparel. 

CONCORD, Mass. — Welch’s brought in food historian and Food Network star Alton Brown to celebrate Ephraim Wales Bull, the man who grew the first Concord grape in the mid-19th century.

In a ceremony at the company’s new headquarters in Concord, Mass., Welch’s and Brown honored Bull with the dedication of a freshly planted vineyard, grown from his original Concord grapevine, cultivated more than 160 years ago.

NEW YORK — Macy’s continues preparations for its Fourth of July fireworks display and has tapped New York-based supermarket Fairway Market to be its hospitality partner. 

Fairway will provide dinner, drinks and dessert to the thousands of guests invited by Macy's and to watch the 37th annual Fourth of July fireworks display from a prime location on the Westside of Manhattan.

An epic journey and exercise in social media brand building is now underway in Canada where four intrepid young men are crossing the country in a custom RV to promote awareness of Hudson’s Bay and have a good time in the process.

NEW YORK — Saks Fifth Avenue and the Entertainment Industry Foundation have named actress Jennifer Aniston as the EIF ambassador for Saks Fifth Avenue’s 2013 Key to the Cure campaign. 

In the 14 years since the inception of the Saks Fifth Avenue charity shopping weekend, the company, together with its vendors and partners, has raised more than $33 million for cancer research. 

Norwalk, Conn. — Pepperidge Farm is looking to drive sales of its Puff Pastry product by bringing in culinary expert and Top Chef judge Gail Simmons. Simmons developed a collection of exclusive recipes that feature the company’s Puff Pastry as a key ingredient. 

In addition to being a judge of Bravo’s Emmy-winning show, Simmons is also the special projects director at Food & Wine magazine.