Social Media

New York -- Shopko is leveraging social media to promote its expanded assortment of national brands. The retailer is holding an eight-week Facebook contest offering participants a chance to win prize packages associated with the featrued brands.

Woonsocket, R.I. – The Feb. 5 decision by CVS to stop selling cigarettes and other tobacco products by October 2014 reportedly created a large volume of related discussion on social media. According to analysis from social media analysis technology provider Crimson Hexagon, as of 6 p.m. on Feb. 5, there were more than 139,000 total posts on Twitter (92% of the conversation) and public Facebook (8% of the conversation) posts mentioning CVS.

New York -- Caribou Coffee has taken over the rotunda in the nation’s largest shopping center, Mall of America, Bloomington, Minn., to put up a 64-ft.-tall “Living Pinterest Board” to celebrate the launch of its new Real Inspiration blend, created in collaboration with its fans on Pinterest. The Caribou board is on display through Thursday, February 13.

Facebook just reported record levels of user engagement along with fourth quarter sales and profits that blew away forecasts, but a new study offers a more measured view of the social media network’s longer term prospects.

The director of the USC Annenberg Center for the Digital Future Jeffrey Coles and the research firm Bovitz conducted a survey last fall in which one third of respondents said they will be using Facebook less in five years.

By Rory Dennis, Amplience

Houston - Shell has launched “How I FRN,” a contest that invites consumers to submit a photograph or video via Instagram or Twitter that represents the individual's experience with the Shell Fuel Rewards Network (FRN) loyalty program.

New Albany, Ohio – Abercrombie & Fitch is launching a spring 2014 marketing campaign that includes omni-channel features such as live Twitter Q&A sessions with celebrities. The campaign, “The Making of a Star,” spotlights a select group of rising actors and musicians.

Pet360, a leading network of digital resources for pet owners, has appointed Jon Roska as VP of strategic partner development.

In this role, Roska will oversee the development and execution of strategic programs that help brands connect with pet owners in new ways. Roska founded the company's longest-standing Web property — PetFoodDirect.com — in 1997 and most recently served as Pet360's VP of merchandising.