Marketing Tactics

Chantilly, Va. -- Social media advertising revenues in the United States will grow from $5.1 billion in 2013 to $15 billion in 2018, for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24%, according to BIA/Kelsey’s latest U.S. Social Local Media Forecast. This year represents the greatest year-over-year jump in social media ad revenues, growing to $8.4 billion in 2014, largely due to increases in mobile and native advertising.

New York – Many Americans are unsure of the level of privacy afforded by social media communications. According to a new survey of 1,141 U.S. adults from research and consulting company YouGov shows that 57% of respondents did not think social media was a good method to send private messages.

In addition, older users are less likely to venture into the realms of private messaging than younger users. Two-thirds (67%) of 18-34-year-olds have used Facebook's private messages compared to only 41% of those 55 and older.  

Billund, Denmark – The Lego Group opens a new Legoland Discovery Center store at Assembly Row in Somerville, Massachusetts, on May 23. The 44.000-sq.-ft. store will include two Lego rides, a 4-D cinema, and a large soft play area.

It will feature 11 attractions in total and be the sixth Legoland Discovery Center in the U.S. and 10th worldwide. The store is aimed at children ages 3-10, but minors must be accompanied by an adult.

Walmart’s new convenience store test concept, Walmart To Go, is located in its hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas.  

The approximate 2,500-sq.-ft. store is a hybrid. Part grocery store, part c-store and part quick-serve restaurant, it offers a mix of groceries, c-store staples, and refrigerated and fresh prepared foods, complete with a deli counter. Products are priced the same as they would be in a regular Walmart store.     

In a case of art imitating life, Walmart stores are featuring a pallet display of paperback books featuring a fictional cowboy who competes in the real world Professional Bull Riders organization led by a former Walmart executive.

Walmart’s first quarter sales were not great, but longer term success could be driven by an interesting range of pilot programs and expanding initiatives the company shared during a recap of its results.

Blyth — a direct-to-consumer company and leading designer and marketer of candles and accessories for the home, as well as health, wellness and beauty products sold through the direct selling and direct marketing channels — has promoted Jane Casey to the role of CFO.

The company this week announced that VP, CFO Robert H. Barghaus plans to retire later this year after 13 years. Barghaus will remain active as the company's CFO until Casey, an 18-year veteran with the company, assumes the role.

The Coca-Cola Company’s innovative fountain dispensing platform, Coca-Cola Freestyle, has unveiled three new dispensers that will significantly expand the number of customer locations suited for the technology.

The units offer additional beverage choices, including more low- and no-calorie options, as well as connectivity. The dispensers will be piloted by the end of the year.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation has awarded more than $6 million in grants to 700 schools, nonprofits and literacy organizations across the 40 states Dollar General serves to support adult, family and summer literacy programs.

Nearly one-third (32%) of United States and Canadian consumers can’t identify which tier they belong to in their favorite loyalty rewards programs, according to a study recently released by Colloquy.

Colloquy's research reveals that the familiar gold, silver and bronze tiering system no longer works. The study shows the three-tiered structure is outdated as a way for brands to keep their customers engaged — sometimes creating confusion rather than inspiring loyalty.