Social Media

Hot Pockets is promoting its revamped sandwich line with the help of supermodel Kate Upton and rapper Snoop Dogg. The pair has teamed up in a parody music video called “You Got What I Eat” — a remix of Biz Markie’s 1989 hit single “Just a Friend (You Got What I Need).”

The music video highlights the brand’s re-launch of its Hot Pockets sandwiches which feature 100% Angus Beef and Hickory Ham, real cheese and buttery seasoned crusts.

Folgers is leveraging social media for its latest ad campaign, called “The Best Part.” The interactive strategy encourages users of the brand to read and share positive news through social news feeds.

New York -- Instagram is adding advertising to its application. The popular photo-sharing app, which was acquired by Facebook last year, informed users about the change on its blog.   

Atif Rafiq was named to the newly created position of chief digital officer at McDonald’s after previously serving as general manager of Kindle Direct Publishing at Amazon.

In his new role, Rafiq will lead McDonald's global digital strategy focusing on future growth in e-commerce, modernizing the restaurant experience and engaging with consumers across the digital landscape. Rafiq will report to chief brand officer Steve Easterbrook.

A new marketing campaign from Fruit of the Loom called “Start Happy,” includes an innovative LinkedIn component that rewards those who start a new job with free underwear.

The LinkeIn component is called, “Fresh Gigs,” and runs through the month of October and builds on the central premise of the campaign which is that underwear has the ability to influence the entire day, thus the “Start Happy,” tag line.

New York – Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th has launched an e-commerce site that gives shoppers visibility and accessibility to shop for items that may have limited distribution and only in select stores nationwide.
    
In addition, the e-commerce site will offer customers access to Salon Z, a plus-size women’s program not available in all stores.

Columbus, Ohio – DSW, Inc. is opening four new stores on Oct. 10. The stores will be located in Muskegon, Mich., Rochester, Minn., Boardman, Ohio, and Knoxville, Tenn.

Customers will be eligible to participate in DSW Rewards, a free loyalty program in which customers earn certificates toward future DSW purchases and receive special member-only offers. Customers can also participate in the Shoe Lover community on Facebook to receive exclusive offers and giveaways.

Local cues and digital influences on the rise

Signage continues to gain importance in overall branding efforts, as retailers seek to differentiate themselves with signs tailored to local markets and to create department ambiance. And increasingly, there is a lot more participation by marketing and advertising departments in developing signage programs.

“It is not just the construction or store planning departments anymore,” said Tony Camilletti, executive VP, D/Fab, Madison Heights, Mich.

New York -- Despite the availability of retail technology, price and product selection are still the largest factors influencing shopper decisions, according to an annual study by global IT services and consulting firm Cognizant. Fifty-five percent of shoppers will leave a store to look online or shop another store if they think a price seems too high, and 21% will ask for a price match.
 

Los Angeles – The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf has experienced significant lift across key social metrics such as local Facebook fans and impressions using the MomentFeed location-based marketing platform.