Social Media

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.

London – Omni-channel global fashion brand Burberry is taking a pioneering step into the realm of digital customer engagement with a new program called Burberry Kisses. Partnering with the Google Art, Copy & Code project that presents itself as a “series of experiments to re-imagine advertising,” Burberry is allowing consumers to send online letters which are sealed with digital replicas of their kisses, complete with their choice of Burberry lipstick shade.

Lipton Iced Tea recruited singer and actress Katharine McPhee to host the Lipton Summer Tastes Party, which celebrated the summer solstice with an illuminated installation that will provide 24-hours of light to New Yorkers. 

The luminous orb, aptly named the Lipton Sun, was created in partnership with the Pratt Institute. 

Menlo Park, Calif. -- Facebook on Thursday announced the launch of a video feature for its photo-sharing app, Instagram. The new feature, which allows users to share video clips lasting up to 15 seconds, is seen as a direct shot at Twitter, which acquired short video start-up Vine last year.

Similar to photos, the Instagram videos will show up on a user's profile and will be available immediately on both Apple’s iOs platform and Google’s Android devices.

Denver -- Multichannel specialty apparel Pampered Passions Fine Lingerie is turning to Facebook to find its next new models. Pampered Passions is launching a contest where women can post photos of themselves on its Facebook page. Every month, the customer with the photo receiving the most likes will receive a dedicated page with their pictures on the Pampered Passions e-commerce site and also get a one-year free membership in the retailer’s “Lingerie of the Month” club.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble is launching its latest ad campaign in the Big Apple. Called the Everyday Effect, the campaign is the largest consumer event in the company's 175 year history and will involve P&G representatives showing New Yorkers why they should consume P&G products.

The company will demonstrate how its brands make “everyday life better” and broadcast results of these demos through on-the-ground reports, social media updates and content featured across the company’s website and social media pages. 

Marlborough, Mass. – According to the latest edition of the seasonal “The Why Behind the Buy” report from Acosta Sales & Marketing, consumers are increasing their usage of every digital tool except for email in their shopping activities. Concurrently, consumers are using traditional tools such as coupons and store flyers less frequently.

Specific results include:

Washington, D.C. -- Retailers and consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies are increasingly using technology to better connect with customers and drive profits, according to a new study from the Grocery Manufacturers Association and PwC US.

Results of “Growth Strategies: Unlocking the Power of the Consumer” indicate that despite generally slowing retail net sales growth in 2012, food, beverage and household products companies experienced positive net sales growth of 7%t, 5.5% and 3.2%, respectively.

Irving, Texas -- As part of the celebration of its 40th year, Michaels Arts and Crafts will launch a Michaels Craft Tour this month, stocking an 18-wheeler with a 1,000-sq.-ft. craft room that is transported to various Michaels store openings and other events around the country.

Other features include interactive social media walls and TV screens showing Michaels DIY videos.

IRVING, Texas — To celebrate its 40th birthday, Michaels will launch the first-ever Michaels Craft Tour this month in a specially designed 18-wheeler that features a fully stocked, 1,000-sq.-ft. craft room on the inside. 

The tour will travel throughout the U.S. from coast-to-coast, visiting store openings, outdoor festivals and other events along the way.