Marketing Tactics

Michael Francis left his role as Target’s chief marketing officer for presumably greener pastures at J.C. Penney. That gig proved short-lived, but Francis landed on his feet this past February as chief global brand officer at Dreamworks and he shared his thoughts on the studio, consumer products and retail in the June issue of License! Global. Click here.

SOLON, Ohio — Efficient Collaborative Retail Marketing announced that BV Investment Partners has become its majority shareholder, and Greg Farrar has been named ECRM's CEO as a result.

New York -- Nordstrom emerged as the top brand in an inaugural benchmark study ranking the digital performance of the world's top department stores by digital think tank L2. Among the 40 stores included in the study, Nordstrom was No. 1, followed Macy's, Saks, and the U.K.’s Marks & Spencer, all of which earned 'Genius' titles.

ATLANTA — Lowe’s has donated $1 million to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America so the organization can refurbish clubs across the country. Lowe's grants of up to $50,000 will fund repairs and renovations at 20 Boys & Girls Clubs, from northern Washington State to South Florida.

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Staples is taking a page from retailers like Macy’s and turning to social media as it gears up for the back-to-school shopping season as it encourages students to follow Staples on Facebook and Twitter with hashtag #StaplesHasIt.

NEW ALBANY — Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is taking its 2013 Stars on the Rise back-to-school campaign, featuring a group of up-and-coming actors, to the digital arena with a new mobile app that offers potential shoppers an interactive experience. 

MADISON, Wis. — The Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles, the country’s longest-running mobile marketing campaign, are trying out a different type of mobile space with the brand’s launch of its first-ever Wienermobile Run program.

Oscar Mayer is leveraging social media to engage existing and would-be fans. First, the brand is encouraging people to visit WienermobileRun.com, where they can join their favorite Wienermobile team. Those who do will receive a team bumper sticker while supplies last, and help their team earn points. 

Purchase, N.Y. -- Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened at Orange Plaza, an 815,000-sq.-ft. Middletown, N.Y. power-center owned by National Realty & Development Corp.

Orange Plaza’s anchors include a Wal-Mart Supercenter, The Home Depot, Kohl’s Department Store, Burlington Coat Factory, Marshalls, Bed Bath & Beyond and Staples.

The center draws shoppers from a 12-mile radius with a population of more than 157,000. Approximately 20,000 of the 46,000 vehicles passing the center every day are shopping center destination trips.