Social Media

Columbus, Ohio – Big Lots has named Andrew Stein as senior VP, chief customer officer. Prior to Big Lots, Stein was a marketing executive at Kmart, where he served a number of roles leading up to his appointment as chief marketing officer in August 2011. Stein’s appointment is in line with Big Lots’ intent to expand its digital presence.

Target is enlisting Jonna Mendez, a former CIA officer, who will serve as a “Kids’ Gift Detective.” Inspired by her years of CIA experience, Mendez will offer online tips and techniques via a video series at ABullseyeView.com where she works with popular mom bloggers.
 
In addition, Target will offer a dedicated kids’ gifts page on its website and will launch a digital gift catalog in early November.
 

Minneapolis – Target Corp. is enlisting Jonna Mendez, a former CIA officer and mom who will serve as a “Kids’ Gift Detective.” Inspired by her years of CIA experience, Mendez will offer online tips and techniques via a video series at ABullseyeView.com where she works with popular mom bloggers.

In addition, Target will offer a dedicated kids’ gifts page on its website and will launch a digital gift catalog in early November.

New York -- With a late Thanksgiving and the shortest holiday shopping season in years, consumers report they are starting their holiday shopping sooner and spending more this year, according to the latest American Express Spending & Saving Tracker research. The report is more optimistic than some other holiday forecasts.

Boca Raton, Fla. -- Office Depot, in partnership with TriplePundit and CSRwire, will convene a “Twitter Chat” on environmental transparency on Oct. 24, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. EST.

The chat will be hosted by Yalmaz Siddiqui, senior director of environmental strategy at Office Depot. To register, send the following tweet: Join me for the #transparency chat with @officedepot @yalmazsiddiqui @triplepundit @csrwire on Oct. 24.

Woonsocket, R.I. – CVS/pharmacy is launching myWeekly Ad, a digital circular powered by the CVS/pharmacy ExtraCare program. The new circular serves up a personalized version of the sales ad for each customer.

Upon signing up, each user will immediately see which of their favorite items are on sale that week, including frequently-bought items or deals in categories that might be of interest to that specific shopper. Personalized ExtraCare savings and rewards can also be found all in one place.

New York -- Twitter has hired J.J. Hirschle, who directed media and entertainment advertising at Google, as its head of retail, according to various media reports. The hire comes as the online messaging giants works to expand its business ahead of its initial public offering. Hirschle will be responsible for the team selling advertising products to retail companies.

Hirschle is to start on Oct. 28, the same day Twitter is expected to launch its investor roadshow. Twitter announced at the beginning of October that it plans to go public.

Washington, D.C. – Many online retailers are starting or have started their holiday preparations early this year. According to Shop.org’s eHoliday survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, 74% of online retailers had started preparing for the 2013 holiday season by July of this year, and 51% plan to start their holiday promotions by Halloween.