Media Advertising

TOPEKA, Kan. — Payless ShoeSource announced that Sierra Kusterbeck, lead singer of alt-rock band VersaEmerge, will be the face and voice of the retailer's new, exclusive teen brand, Brash.

Major retailers collectively dialed back the number of ads inserts and the number of pages in June when compared to the prior year, according to Market Track. The company each month provides RetailingToday.com with an exclusive look at the promotional activity among 16 of the nation’s leading retailers and the interesting statistic that stands out it June is a huge increase in the number of ad pages that hit the market. Click here for a review of promotional activity.

SAN ANTONIO — H-E-B announced that Jennette McCurdy, co-star of Nickelodeon’s "iCarly," will star in its new "Gear Up for Back-to-School" ad campaign. The campaign launched Wednesday and runs through Aug. 31 in Texas.

Dallas -- 7-Eleven has completed upgrades in more than 1,000 of its stores in the greater New York City, Northern and Central New Jersey, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas. The company also is considering store-remodel programs in other parts of the United States.

SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets announced it has lowered the prices on 1,600 staple items and that it will freeze these new lower prices for ninety days through Oct. 8.  It is the company's seventh 90-day price freeze program over the past two and a half years.

Major retailers dialed back the number of ads inserts and the number of pages in June when compared to the prior year, according to Market Track. Click here to view promotional activity for the 16 of the nation’s leading retailers.

SAN FRANCISCO — Levi's is taking its "Go Forth" campaign beyond the United States in its first global marketing program. 

According to Levi's, its 2011 "Go Forth" campaign will utilize TV, cinema, print, digital and outdoor marketing vehicles and will be present in 24 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. Levi's said the campaign will showcase its fall 2011 collection wihile encouraging customers to make positive changes in the world.

Chicago -- General Growth Properties announced Tuesday that Susan E. Houck has been named senior VP marketing.

In her new capacity, Houck will spearhead integrated field marketing efforts, including advertising, public relations, strategic planning, community relations, and travel and tourism.

Prior to her appointment as senior VP, Houck oversaw marketing efforts for the Southwest region of GGP.
 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it will offer customers savings of 10 cents a gallon on all fuel, gas and diesel at participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations.  The reduction is part of a 90-day Rollback program.

WAYNE, N.J. — Toys"R"Us announced that it will offer an exclusive collection of toys based on the animated short Toy Story: Hawaiian Vacation, playing in theaters in conjunction with Cars 2.

Examples in the line include:

• Sheriff Woody 16-inch action figure dressed in Hawaiian shirt, straw hat and lei. The toy can say 20 phrases when kids pull the string on his back and plays Hawaiin music.