Marketing Tactics

Why does Godzilla destroy cities and terrify crowds? Snickers posits that the infamous monster is just hungry in its latest commercial, which makes its debut nationally Sunday, March 2, during the 86th Annual Academy Awards.

Three years after launching its Let’s Play initiative, Dr Pepper Snapple Group wants to play some more. The company has committed another $11 million to expand its efforts to provide tools, places and inspiration to make active play a daily priority in the lives of kids, families and communities across North America.

Dallas – Neiman Marcus is launching the NM app for iPhone. Key features include shopping and the ability to text, email, call or FaceTime any sales associate directly from the app.

Other features include checking on loyalty points and cards, viewing upcoming events such as designer appearances and promos, and the ability to follow the Neiman Marcus blog, read catalogs and watch videos. The app allows a customer to search by department to locate or contact sales associates at any Neiman Marcus store.  

San Francisco -- Gap Inc. is bringing its Old Navy brand to China, with the opening of a store on March 1 on Shanghai’s famous Nanjing West Road.

The 22,000 –sq.-ft., three-level Shanghai Old Navy store is located in the Jing’an District, a major commercial area known for shopping, sightseeing, hotels and office buildings that draws thousands of locals and overseas visitors. The store features iconic elements from Old Navy’s U.S. flagship and such interactive features as touch-screen video games and game tables.

Procter & Gamble's Orgullosa program — a platform created in 2011 to celebrate, empower and fuel Latinas’ accomplishments and dreams — unveiled its Nueva Latina campaign. The campaign is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to empower women to define what it means to be a bicultural, modern Latina.

Columbus, Ohio – DSW Shoe is opening a new store in West Hartford, Conn., on Thursday, Feb. 27. Customers will have access to the DSW Rewards loyalty program in which they can earn certificates toward future DSW purchases and receive special member-only offers.

Customers can also participate in a Shoe Lover community on Facebook to receive exclusive offers and giveaways, including chances to win free shoes on Facebook each Tuesday.

Fort Myers, Fla. – Chico’s FAS’ profit was down sharply in the fourth quarter.

The retailer reported adjusted net income of $5.9 million for the quarter, ended Feb. 1, down from $32.7 million a year ago. The adjusted results exclude the impact of tax charges related to its purchase of Boston Proper, and other acquisition costs.

New York -- Sears Holdings’ CEO Eddie Lampert strongly defended his company in his annual letter to shareholders, saying not only does he believe Sears is headed in the right direction, but that “the entire retail industry is headed to where we already are.”