Marketing Tactics

Toms founder and CEO Blake Mycoskie is the latest recruit to join the B Team, a nonprofit initiative, co-founded by Sir Richard Branson and Jochen Zeitz. Mycoskie is the youngest member of team.

The B Team was created to encourage businesses to be a driving force for social, environmental and economic benefit.

Iselin, N.J. -- McDonald's New York Tri-State Area Restaurants, a franchisor group, has launched a new social media campaign to connect fans across the globe with athletes who will be competing in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. Customers can send personalized messages and good luck wishes to their favorite athletes or teams by using the hashtag #CheersToSochi or by visiting www.cheerstosochi.com.

Austin, Texas - Whole Foods Market and Pivot, Participant Media’s TV network targeting Millennials, are launching the television series "Dark Rye.” The first episode, hosted by Kirk Lombard, a Bay Area fisherman and forager, airs Jan. 22.

Dark Rye was created as an online magazine by Whole Foods Market in 2012 and explores the realms of food, health, sustainability, design, technology and social enterprise.

Atlanta - Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. has appointed Fallon as its national creative agency of record following a review period and search that began in October 2013 and ended in January 2014. As Arby's advertising agency, Fallon will lead the strategic creative development and implementation for the brand's television, radio, print and digital channels.

Fallon will officially begin work effective Jan. 21, 2014. In addition to the AFA board, Arby's was also aided by Joanne Davis Consulting, Inc. throughout the agency review process.

The Year of the Horse arrives January 31, 2014, the first day of the Chinese New Year, which will run through February 18, 2015.

Beverly Center in Los Angeles plans to celebrate the Chinese New Year and promote the Year of the Horse from day one through the month of February.

The Chinese Zodiac follows cycles of 12 years, with each year named for an animal. This year is the Year of the Horse. It is said that people born in the Year of the Horse may be hardworking, independent, intelligent and fall in love easily.

By Jonathan Barsade, [email protected]

New York – Macy’s opened the exclusive NFL Shop at Super Bowl on the fourth floor of its flagship Herald Square in New York City on Sunday, Jan. 19. Macy’s will keep the 36,000-sq.-ft. space open through Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Framingham, Mass. – Staples, Inc. is launching a new technology trade-in program. Staples already recycles electronic office products for free and now small businesses and consumers can trade-in a variety of used technology devices for Staples eCash Cards, which can be used in Staples stores or on Staples.com.

Plano, Texas – PassBee Media is rolling out a new iBeacon location-based marketing solution. The application is aimed at allowing retailers to target indoor or in-store consumers for increasing foot traffic, engagement, and sales.

San Francisco - Shift Communications is now representing Whole Foods Market as its primary public relations agency in the Northern California region, which includes the San Francisco Bay area, Sacramento, San Jose and Reno.