Marketing Tactics

MINNEAPOLIS — Target has announced the names of the 50 recipients that were selected to receive a $100,000 grant to purchase much-needed resources and improve their learning environments. The $5 million donation from Target to K-through-12 schools in 31 states across the country is part of the company’s commitment to education, which includes plans to give $1 billion for education by the end of 2015.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it is expanding its Race Time 2012 program to give fans more accessibility to discounted race tickets, driver appearances and fan events at stores, a greater selection of authentic NASCAR merchandise and a special sponsorship of Bill Elliott at the Coke Zero 400.

Washington, D.C. -- Survey results released Thursday by the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, and conducted by BIGinsight, found that 173 million people will watch the Super Bowl football game on Sunday, Feb. 5, the most in the survey’s eight-year history and up from an estimated 171 million last year.

London -- A report released Thursday by the Confederation of British Industry said that U.K. retail sales fell in January at the fastest pace in almost three years, reversing an increase in December when discounting by stores drew shoppers.

The gauge of annual sales growth fell to minus 22, the lowest since March 2009, from nine in December, according to the report.

Dallas -- Loyalty and marketing solution-provider Alliance Data Systems Corp. said Thursday that it has signed a multi-year renewal agreement to continue providing private label credit card services to Reeds Jewelers.

New York City -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index slightly dropped in December despite small improvements in three-out-of-four components.

The index — which is comprised of tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices — fell to 1.86 from a reading of 1.93 the previous month. Because of this drop, the ability for consumers to continue to spend at the rates seen in 2011 may be in question, Deloitte said.

Bedford, Mass. -- Mobile marketing solution-provider SoundBite Communications announced Thursday it has deployed a new mobile campaign with Westlake Ace Hardware, the largest member of the Ace Hardware Cooperative. Westlake is leveraging SoundBite’s multichannel communications platform and mobile marketing expertise for its Weather the Storm mobile campaign.

Indianapolis -- The Finish Line said Thursday it has appointed Jay Custard as VP of digital marketing for the company.

Custard’s responsibilities include leading and directing corporate strategies involving digital customer acquisition, retention and superior customer satisfaction, as well as developing new strategies to support future growth.

He was previously VP of e-commerce, global, for Crocs.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — Hy-Vee has introduced a mobile application that it said could make locating pie crust in its stores as easy as saying "pie."

The supermarket chain announced the release of the app, which allows customers to locate products, browse ads, search for recipes, build shopping lists, shop and interact with the company through social media. The app is built on the AT&T Mobile Enterprise Applications Platform and uses Taqtile Mobility's Shingle solution.

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Lowe's announced that is partnering with Houzz, a leading social site for home remodeling and design, to offer consumers the chance to win a dream kitchen.

As part of its marketing relationship with Houzz, Lowe's has launched the “Dream Kitchen” sweepstakes, giving customers the chance to win a dream kitchen, valued at $50,000, designed and built by Houzz's top designers and contractors with materials from Lowe's.