Marketing Tactics

Atlanta -- Global Franchise Group announced Tuesday a master franchise agreement with Western Brands PVT for the opening of the first Marble Slab Creamery locations in the country of Pakistan.

The deal calls for the development of 10 Marble Slab Creamery stores in Pakistan over a 10-year period, with the 5,000 sq. ft. flagship store opening up in the major city of Lahore, Pakistan.

Marble Slab Creamery is managed by GFG Management, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group.

Grand Rapids, Mich. — Meijer has expanded its program that supports Michigan small businesses to feature 55 new Michigan-made grocery products in all its stores statewide, Meijer co-chairman Doug Meijer announced Tuesday.

BRADENTON, Fla. — Champs Sports and Adidas Originals are launching the latest Adicolor Collection with a first-of-its-kind, advertising campaign inspired by the micro-blogging site, Tumblr, featuring three of the hottest tastemakers in professional sports. A 30-second television commercial starring Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks and Von Miller of the Denver Broncos premiered Thursday, Mar. 14 during the TNT broadcast of the Knicks vs. Blazers NBA game.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Sears Holdings with a 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year - Sustained Excellence Award for its continued leadership in protecting the environment through superior energy efficiency. This year, Sears Holdings is being awarded for both its role as a retailer of Energy Star certified products and for energy management in its stores. Sears Holdings' accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 26.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples has expanded its Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery line available exclusively at Staples. The new organization products are in stores this week.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Sam's Club has announced the third installment of The Sam's Club National BBQ Tour, the largest continuous barbecue competition in the United States, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). As the official supplier of KCBS, Sam's Club is the 'choice' destination for the highest quality meats and ingredients for backyard grillers, restaurateurs and more than 750 professional teams who will compete in the 2013 Sam's Club National BBQ Tour.

LEXINGTON, Mass. — Keds has announced its sponsorship of seven-time Grammy winning, multi-platinum singer-songwriter and style icon Taylor Swift's North American RED Tour, kicking-off on March 13 in Omaha, Nebraska and continuing through September. To celebrate, Keds is releasing a limited edition Champion sneaker featuring the names of each city on the tour.

WASHINGTON — The National Retail Federation reported that the average person celebrating Easter this year will spend about $145.13 on candy, décor, apparel and food – which is flat with last year’s $145.28.

NRF, through its Easter Spending Survey conducted by BIGinsight, estimated that total spending will reach an estimated $17.2 billion this year.

NEW YORK — The Jones Group has named Greg Clark to the position of chief marketing officer, effective immediately. Clark will report to Stefani Greenfield, chief creative officer, and will oversee global marketing and brand identity for the company's portfolio of fashion brands.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — HSN has partnered with HGTV to launch HGTV Home Outdoor Living, only at HSN. Launching across HSN and HGTV's multiple platforms on March 19, HGTV Home Outdoor Living will redefine the outdoor living retail landscape with top HGTV experts appearing on HSN, including Designer John Gidding, star of Curb Appeal.  The HGTV experts will offer advice and showcase an assortment of high-quality, HGTV-curated, outdoor products, including exclusive HGTV Home branded items.