Retailer Campaigns

Walmart’s opponents employed a new tactic this week by launching a repository of negativity under the auspices of The Center for Media and Democracy.

Tampa, Fla. -- Burger 21, founded by the owners of The Melting Pot Restaurants, has executed its first franchise agreement in Michigan, under which a debut restaurant in Ann Arbor will open summer 2015.

Additionally, the company signed two franchise agreements for single units in Ocala, Florida, and Raleigh, North Carolina. The new deals are part of the fast-casual concept's growth strategy to expand its presence in new and existing markets nationwide.

To date, Burger 21 has 13 open locations and 25 franchised restaurants in development.

San Francisco -- Gap is launching the inaugural GapKids Class of 2014, a social media contest inviting parents to submit photos of their kids for the chance to be featured in a 2015 GapKids marketing campaign. This is Gap's next generation of Casting Call, a marketing program that lasted six years.

A new effort from Gap Kids is allowing parents the chance to have their child featured in an ad campaign in 2015.

A new partnership with Hendrick Motorsports has 3M off to the races. The company has signed a three-year contract to become the primary sponsor of NASCASR driver Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 car, starting in 2015.
 
The brand will use its sponsorship — which includes 11 Sprint Cup races every year — in product launches and promotions.
 

Shanghai, China -- M&M’S celebrated the grand opening of its first M&M’S World store in Asia – M&M’s World Shanghai, a 17,000+-sq.-ft. entertainment destination that marks the brand’s fifth M&M’s World flagship store. Current flagships include Times Square, New York; Orlando; Las Vegas; and Leicester Square London.
 
Spanning two floors and combining iconic Chinese landmarks and cultural elements, the store features a large array of candies and M&M-branded merchandise.

Austin, Texas -- A Shoppers Trend report released by RetailMeNot found that, once kids leave the nest, parents are just as ready as their kids to start a new chapter in life. In fact, nearly three-in-four parents (74%) surveyed indicated they would do things differently once their kids leave the house, with traveling (42%), spending time with friends (37%) and pampering themselves (33%) topping the list of changes.

The Walgreens Charity Classic, presented by the Seagate Country Club, is set for Nov. 6 to 9, 2014 in Delray Beach, the Country Club announced Friday. The Charity Classic will showcase the talents of 48 former LPGA Tour stars now playing the Legends Tour, the official senior tour of the LPGA.

The four-day event will also raise funds for three area charities: The Dan Marino Foundation, Achievement Centers for Children & Families and Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse.
 

Hair care product manufacturer Paul Mitchell has launched a new social media campaign, #GivingIsMyStyle. The new campaign also accompanies a redesigned site that will showcase the company’s products and philanthropic efforts.
 

Nordstrom has launched its first-ever private label give-back brand, Treasure&Bond, which will be available in the T.B.D. clothing department at 86 stores around the country and on nordstrom.com.

Five percent of net profits of Treasure&Bond will go to nonprofits that work to empower women and girls.