Social Media

Indianapolis - The Finish Line Inc. is running an omnichannel promotion linked to the upcoming pro basketball all-star weekend in New York City. Finish Line collaborated with Under Armour, pro basketball star Stephen Curry and several key influencers within the basketball marketplace to host a contest surrounding the new Curry 1 product launch on Feb. 13.

Neiman Marcus is entering the social shopping fray by launching its first ever user-generated content contest on Instagram.

The retailer has said previously it understands the influence user-generated content can have on purchase decisions. That’s why they integrate it into key points in the user journey. Neiman Marcus says it is aiming to create powerful, socialized shopping experiences, online and in-store. 

Amazon.com has long considered itself a pioneer of social shopping. But now the retailer has introduced a game-changing new service that allows customers to do their own social media marketing.

The new service, called Amazon Giveaway, is a self-service tool designed for Amazon customers who want to use giveaways to grow their social media followings and reward their customers and audience. Features include the ability to require contestants to follow the contest organizer on Twitter to be eligible for a chance to win a prize.

By Deepak Advani, IBM Commerce

The 2014 NFL season is over and teams have shifted focus from the Super Bowl to what’s next. This assessment requires a detailed examination of their rosters, where money was spent and what investments produced the desired outcome. It’s this same exercise that advertisers must do right now, especially those that dropped $4.5 million for a 30-second spot during the big game.

Petco is leveraging the power of its multichannel capabilities to educate its shoppers about pet nutrition.

The retailer is launching an initiative focused on the importance of proper nutrition for pets.

Framingham, Mass. - Staples Inc. is launching a new brand campaign featuring the “Staples Guy,” who showcases how the company helps small business customers succeed. The new campaign, which features radio, digital and social media, builds on the tagline “Make More Happen” to highlight the value, convenience and services that help Staples customers achieve success in surprising and affordable ways. The national campaign begins Sunday, Feb. 8.

New York -- U.S. retailers seeking to grow business with online shoppers across country borders should look to Canada, according to a report by Borderfree, a provider of international cross-border ecommerce solutions.

Selling toilet paper is a tricky proposition, but a clever campaign from Procter & Gamble looks to drive sales by leveraging the popularity of firefighters to engage with consumers via social media.

The Charmin Relief Project encourages consumers to nominate their local firehouses online or via social media for the chance to receive a year’s supply of toilet paper. Since firehouses serve as a home-away-from-home for many firefighters, Charmin wants to make sure these heroes are fully stocked with one of the most basic comforts of home: toilet paper.