Social Media

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Eastman Kodak Company announced that its Kodak Picture Kiosk software will now allow consumers to use images from Facebook to create photo products. The enhanced Facebook application is the flagship feature of the new Kodak Picture Kiosk software version 5.0 currently being rolled out to retailers worldwide, the company said.

PITTSBURGH — Dick's Sporting Goods announced that it is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month with its "October -- The Power of Pink" campaign supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Throughout October, Dick's Sporting Goods will feature a variety of pink ribbon items in its stores and online at www.DicksSportingGoods.com/pink from top brands including Nike, Reebok, Under Armour, Lady Hagen and MaxFli and is encouraging consumers to join in showing their support for the cause.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores said Tuesday it will launch a “My Local Walmart” Facebook application, which will allow more than 3,500 Walmart stores to interact direct with their local customers and some 9 million total Facebook fans.

The "My Local Walmart" Facebook application will provide locally relevant information on everything from new products and sales information, to details on in-store events.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Increased localization of shopper marketing efforts at Walmart is now possible via Facebook following the retailer’s announcement that it would create approximately 3,500 store-specific Facebook pages to serve its nearly 9.5 million fans.

Walmart chief marketing officer Stephen Quinn said the move was an example of the company’s ongoing effort to engage with and listen to customers who desired a more localized experience on Facebook.

New York City -- Jos. A. Bank Clothiers is teaming up with wedding and bridesmaid dressmaker/retailer Alfred Angelo, Investors Daily said.

Catalogs of Jos. A. Bank's tuxedos and matching accessories will be available at Alfred Angelo Signature’s bridal stores, while Alfred Angelo will be the exclusive wedding-gown partner for the women in Jos. A. Bank's customers' lives, according to the report.

The two will also team up on bridal shows, web content, blogs and social media.
 

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that its annual Honoring Our Heroes fundraising campaign to support the United Service Organizations garnered $1.5 million.

The funds were raised in partnership with customers and associates through a variety of in-store activities at Kroger stores nationwide, as well as online at HonoringOurHeroes.com. Procter & Gamble and Anheuser Busch also participated in the program and contributed $250,000 each in conjunction with special sales programs in Kroger stores.

New York City -- Research results released Tuesday by American Express found that more than a third (38%) of small business owners believe that the U.S. is still in the throes of a recession.

According to the American Express OPEN Small Business Monitor, a semi-annual survey in its 10th year, concerns about the economy are weighing heavily on entrepreneurs. Twenty-seven percent say they do not plan to grow in the next six months (up from 21% in the spring) and just 77% describe themselves as glass-half-full optimists (down from 85% a year ago).

General Growth Properties is leveraging social media to promote Halloween. The mall owner has launched an online Halloween photo contest that prompts participants – from Oct. 17 through Nov. 2 -- to visit their local GGP mall’s Facebook page and upload a Halloween photo for the opportunity to win a family vacation for four to Universal Orlando Resort.