Marketing Tactics

BURBANK, Calif. -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced that it is teaming up with a leading group of global licensees at Toy Fair in support of the Summer 2011 blockbuster film, Green Lantern, highlighted by DC Entertainment's master licensee, Mattel.  The June 17 release of Green Lantern from Warner Bros. Pictures, marks the live-action theatrical debut for the legendary comic super hero, the company reported.

Washington, D.C. -- The Conference Board said Tuesday that its Consumer Confidence Index reached its highest level in eight months as Americans grew more optimistic about the job market.

The Index climbed to 60.6 this month, up from 53.3 in December. While that reading surpassed expectations, it still falls short of the 90 level that indicates a healthy consumer mindset.

The January figure was the highest since last May's 62.7, and hasn’t been above 90 since the recession began in December 2007.

New York City -- TF Cornerstone said it has signed a 10-year, approximately 3,500-sq.-ft. lease with Bakehouse at 113 Horatio Street, in the Meatpacking District of New York City.

In addition to the ground floor, the bakery will occupy approximately 3,500 sq. ft. of the building’s basement and will primarily be wholesaling cakes and pastries to the hotel and restaurant industry. The space will also be built out to accommodate a café/bakery and a French bistro-style restaurant which is anticipated to open this spring.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. - Walmart, the presenting sponsor of the America I AM: The African-American Imprint tour, will offer specially-priced tickets at select Walmart stores in the Washington, D.C. area.

Walmart is offering tickets at the lowest available price: $10 for adults and $5 for children, or 17% off standard ticket prices.

America I AM is a four-year touring museum exhibition that celebrates nearly 500 years of African-American contributions to this country.

CINCINNATI - Febreze teamed up with the Dallas Forth-Worth Salvation Army to collect new and gently used sports equipment and athletic gear at the NFL Experience, an exhibit held at the Dallas Convention Center.

The two will host the first-ever Febreze Game Day Freshness Sports Equipment Drive Jan. 27 to 30, and Feb. 2 to 6. The equipment and gear will be freshened using Febreze products and donated to the North Texas Youth Education Town in Arlington, said Febreze, which is the official air freshener of the National Football League.

CAMP HILL, Pa. - Rite Aid on Monday sweetened the pot for those loyalty card members braving the cold and visiting the pharmacy in February.

With the purchase of $100 or more of specially marked products throughout the store, Rite Aid’s Wellness+ cardholders can earn a $20 +UP Reward, and at the same time be automatically entered into a sweepstakes featuring more than $100,000 in prizes, as part of Rite Aid's new Winter Rewards Program through Feb. 26.

LOS ANGELES — IBISWorld predicted Valentine's Day will boost retail sales in a new report.

The independent market and research firm said that consumers are expected to spend 5.8% more on Valentine’s Day purchases this year than last year, totaling $18.6 billion, or about $125 per person.

Big gains will be seen across all categories. Jewelry is expected to see an 11.3% boost, greeting cards and candy are projected to grow 4.9% and 5.1%, respectively, and clothing and lingerie should see a 3.4% rise.

Activist investor and hedge fund executive Bill Ackman has accomplished at J.C. Penney what he was unable to do at Target. He secured a seat on the department store retailer’s board after purchasing a bunch of shares and will now be able to push for strategies to increase shareholder value. Joining Ackman on the J.C. Penney board is another large shareholder, Steven Roth, chairman of Vornado Realty Trust.

Online sales soared to new heights this past holiday season even though major retailers had a tough time attracting traffic during December. For example, Target.com during December had 37.3 million unique visitors which sounds like a lot and was enough to earn it the 30th ranking on comScore’s top 50 Web properties report released this week.

If you think of Ricky Martin as a one-hit wonder (who doesn’t remember “Livin’ la Vida Loca?”) guess again. Since that catchy pop tune was released more than 10 years ago, Martin became a bonafide superstar selling 65 million records worldwide. Now he has a memoir title Me on the New York Times Bestseller list and an exclusive agreement with Target to serve as a distribution partner for his 12th album, Musica + Alma + Sexo.