Marketing Tactics

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — LeapFrog Enterprises has partnered with Disney Publishing Worldwide to develop e-books for its children's tablets and game systems.

"Doc McStuffins: Rundown Racecar" and "Wreck It Ralph: Sugar Rush" were developed and produced by Disney Publishing Worldwide for LeapFrog and are available for purchase in the "Just for Fun" section of the LeapFrog App Center for the kid's learning tablets, LeapPad1 and LeapPad2, and learning video game systems, Leapster Explorer and LeapsterGS.

TORONTO — Canadian consumers eager to get their hands on a Target loyalty card can now apply for one. Target Canada announced that pplications for its REDcard products - the Target Debit Card and the Target RBC‡ MasterCard - are now available online at Target.ca/redcard. Guests planning to shop at Target stores in Canada with a REDcard will receive an additional 5% off Target's already low prices, applied instantly at the time of purchase.

CHICAGO — Consumers are better able to make informed decisions when it comes to grocery shopping, meaning new strategies are needed in order to reach them, according to a new report from SymphonyIRI Group.

NEW YORK — A new line of apparel, toy and specialty goods inspired by Nickelodeon's Dora Rocks! is now avaible exclusively at Target stores and on Target.com through April.

"We are excited to bring the Dora Rocks! experience to Target's guests," said Ron Johnson, SVP retail development, Nickelodeon Consumer Products. "Dora Rocks! extends the interactivity kids and parents have come to expect from the show, bringing Dora into their homes with specially designed products."

Items available exclusively at Target include:

Toronto -- Mood Media announced that it is consolidating its portfolio companies — Muzak, DMX and Mood Media — into a single global brand under the Mood banner. Mood acquired Muzak, which was founded in 1934, in 2011.  

“It’s the end of an iconic American brand,” said Lorne Abony, chairman and CEO Mood Media, in a New York Times report.
    

New York -- Banana Republic is partnering with Match.com to host in-store meet and greet events for the online dating site’s subscribers in key markets, including San Francisco, New York, and Chicago. The partnership is part of the retailer’s newly announced “Love” global marketing campaign.

To further engage consumers, Banana Republic will ask their Instagram and Twitter followers to share photos of hearts for a chance to be featured in a special Valentine's Day album posted on the brand’s Facebook page.


Minneapolis -- Winmark Corp. announced today that the name of its recently launched women's resale brand will be Style Encore. The company also announced that Susan Baustian, formerly the company's brand director for its children's resale franchise Once Upon A Child has been named as the brand director for Style Encore.

Fort Worth, Texas -- Trademark Property Co. said Tuesday that Dick’s Sporting Goods and Corner Bakery Café will open this year at The Shops at La Palmera in Corpus Christi, Texas. The 61,233-sq.-ft. Dick’s store will anchor the 200,000-sq.-ft. redeveloped and rebranded center, located across from La Palmera mall. Construction on Dick’s is set to begin in February with opening slated for fall 2013.

Scheduled to open in May is a 4,166-sq.-ft. Corner Bakery Café, adding to its 140 locations across the country.

By Jeff Weidauer, [email protected]

Canton, Mass. -- Dunkin’ Donuts announced the signing of multi-unit store development agreements with two franchise groups to develop 11 restaurants throughout New Orleans.

The two franchise groups and their development plans include: