Marketing Tactics

Before you declare your personalized marketing efforts a success, check with your customers.

That is the overriding message from a global study of 1,200 consumers and 200 marketing professionals conducted in October 2015 by Forrester Consulting for hybris. The study, “The Contextual Marketing Imperative,” finds that while 66% of marketers rate their efforts at personalization as “very good” or “excellent,” just 31% of consumers report companies are consistently delivering personalized, cross-channel experiences

Digital marketing is a discipline that is rapidly evolving; that’s because the Web itself is changing faster than ever. We’re nearing the realization of Web 3.0 – The Semantic/Intelligent Web – thanks to the mountains of data pouring out of new devices, products, and social platforms every second of every day.

As a result, marketers need to understand how this deluge of data impacts content & community marketing strategies.

Boston -- Gordon Brothers Group and Hilco Merchant Resources announced that the companies will be managing the stores closing process, which has begun, for Los Angeles-based, Kitson, at all 17 locations throughout California, Oregon, and Nevada. Sales are offering discounts of up to 50% on all of the fashion apparel, gifts and novelty merchandise. Store fixtures, furniture and equipment will also be available for sale.

Jordan’s Furniture has opened a massive store in New Haven, Connecticut, and this time the retailer is putting customers on the ropes — literally.

Jordan’s, known for its larger-than-life stores that combine retail with entertainment, pulled out all the stops for the 192,500-sq.-ft. location. Some 20,000 sq. ft. of the space is devoted to entertainment attractions that include an elaborate indoor rope course, a water show complete with light and sound effects, a pizzeria and ice cream counter.

Target merges physical and digital retailing in its holiday pop-up, Target Wonderland, in Manhattan.

Walmart confirmed that its CMO, Stephen Quinn, who had held executive marketing positions with the chain for 10 years, will retire in January.

Michael Francis, Target Corp.'s former marketing guru, has been hired as a consultant. Francis spent 26 years at Target and most recently served as global brand officer for DreamWorks Animation. In August, he announced that he planned to step down from Dreamworks.

Sam Edelman has opened a 2,500-sq.-ft. store at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Designed by Dagnell Folger of Architecture + Information, the store stays true to the Sam Edelman aesthetic with a mix of materials that includes reclaimed wood and raw concrete with rose-colored brass and black leather.

Hints of the brand’s signature shade of green provide a pop of color. Vintage furniture pieces — curated by Sam Edelman himself — are mixed throughout for a personal touch.

Kay Jewelers is looking to leverage social media and gamification to better engage with shoppers this holiday season.

From now through Dec. 20, visitors to Kay Jewelers' social media channels will be encouraged to participate in an interactive holiday-themed memory match game for a chance to win jewelry prizes. Fans can enter the Merry Match sweepstakes for a chance to win a prize from the featured daily collection by visiting KayMerryMatch.com, registering and playing the game. One winner will be selected each day and will receive a piece of jewelry.