Marketing Tactics

Dallas -- Alliance Data Systems Corp., a provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich, announced that its Canadian coalition loyalty business has signed a national agreement with The Children's Place Retail Stores.

The agreement provides for The Children's Place to participate as a national sponsor in the Canadian Air Miles Reward Program and issue reward miles across Canada. Previously, The Children's Place launched a seven-month Air Miles pilot initiative in Alberta and British Columbia.

New York City -- The Home Depot partnered with Scanbuy to launch a national communications strategy utilizing mobile barcodes enabled by Scanbuy’s ScanLife system. The initiative incorporates 2D bar codes (QR codes) that give customers immediate access to such information as product rating and reviews, How-To guides and videos on specific products.

PLEASANTON, Calif. -- The Safeway Foundation announced that it has donated $100,000 and will match employee donations up to $50,000 to help with the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief effort. The contribution will be distributed to the impacted area through the American Red Cross.

PLANO, Texas -- JCPenney announced that has been named the number one retailer on DiversityInc's annual ranking of "Top 50 Companies for Diversity," which recognizes leading organizations for best practices in diversity management. This is the second consecutive year that the company has earned its place on the list, moving up 11 spots to No. 35 overall. The company also snagged the seventh position on DiversityInc.'s "Top 10 Companies for Latinos."

ATLANTA — Goody, a maker of hair accessories and styling tools, is relaunching its StayPut collection — originally designed to give athletic women hair accessories with superior hold — under the name Slide-Proof, to coincide with the launch of its new hair accessories for use in any occasion.

LA JOLLA, Calif. — Kashi has added an entree and pizza to its line of all-natural frozen foods.

The new spicy black bean enchilada single-serve entree features red skin potatoes, roasted red peppers, corn and spinach, all wrapped in a seven whole grain and corn tortilla, which is topped with a vibrant tomatillo, cilantro and jalapeno salsa. The entree also includes a side of Kashi seven whole grain pilaf. The entree will retail for $4.09, the company said.

CINCINNATI — Procter & Gamble's Crest Pro-Health portfolio now includes the new Invigorating Clean toothpaste and mouth rinse.

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Adidas has announced the launch of its newest running shoe, the ClimaCool Ride. The shoe features 360-degree ventilation, attacking the main cause of runners' discomfort – high humidity and temperature, the company reported. The shoe is available in 26 colors. 

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- The Walmart Foundation has donated $5 million to Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) to help fight senior hunger in communities across the nation. Through the grant, MOWAA will boost the efforts of Senior Nutrition Programs (SNPs), organizations that provide critical services to more than six million seniors in the U.S. currently facing the threat of hunger.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Meijer is continuing its pantry donation program by kicking off a springtime campaign.

The Midwest retailer is once again teaming up with its customers and team members in implementing its Simply Give program to help restock the shelves of nearly 200 local food pantries in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky.

This marks Meijer's eighth Simply Give effort, which began on March 20 and will continue through May 14.