Social Media

NEW YORK — Target is beta testing a new app that allows users to save on items and share deals on Facebook.

A Bullseye View, Target's online magazine, announced the introduction of Cartwheel, where people can find offers on products by browsing the system or looking at friends' activites, and add up to 10 of their favorites to a list. Once a red check appears in the corner of the offer card, the item can be purchased, and customers can either print a special barcode from their desktop computers or use their mobile devices in-store to access it.

Target’s new “Cartwheel” Facebook shopping app is a great concept – use the world’s most popular social media platform to help generate in-store traffic. But the execution is clunky. It kind of reminds me of the second “Star Wars” trilogy that came out around the turn of the millennium – the back story of Darth Vader was rich with potential, but George Lucas polluted a great dramatic story arc with floppy-eared aliens and lame attempts at political commentary.

Los Angeles -- Bebe Stores, Inc. is naming Keith Keegan as senior VP of marketing, effective May 13. Keegan will be in charge of all aspects of marketing and branding across all Bebe brands and report to CEO Steve Birkhold.

Previously, Keegan has worked for Abercrombie and Fitch, Limited, and Express and most recently served as VP of marketing and creative director for American Eagle and the Aerie brand.

Walmart continues its superhero streak and courting comic book fans onto its website via social media — this time the superhero in question is Marvel’s billionaire badboy and Iron Man alter ego Tony Stark. 

The discount retailer posted a photo of Iron Man 3 to its Facebook page Monday, April 29, emblazoned with a burst bearing the Walmart logo and urging fans to ‘Preorder Now,’ even though the film did not release in theaters until Friday, May 3. 

Social media giant Facebook is generating lots of buzz with the debut of its app launcher, Facebook Home, which turns existing Android smartphones into a Facebook-centric mobile device. (App launchers are applications that allow users to customize the home screen on their personal devices and add various other functionalities to it.)

HERSHEY, Pa. — Twizzlers candy is getting in on the Man of Steel hype and teaming up with Warner Bros. to offer fans a chance to remake themselves as the invincible one and win prizes.

Between now and July 6, participants can visit www.Facebook.com/Twizzlers to create and star in a personalized Man of Steel- inspired video. The custom video application called Create the Invincible You takes Facebook fans through a two-minute transformation that they can then share on social media sites.

Canton, Mass. -- Destination XL Group on May 5 launched a national advertising campaign designed to draw attention to the many challenges men who wear extra large sizes face when shopping for clothes and position Destination XO stores as the one-stop-shopping solution for the style needs of this underserved consumer.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever’s Dove has announced the launch of a new initiative, “Let’s Make Girls Unstoppable,” as part of its commitment to reach 15 million girls by 2015 with self-esteem programming.

PLANO, Texas — Ruffles potato chips, one of the flagship brand's from PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division, has launched a new Ultimate Tangy Honey Mustard flavor potato chip alongside a comical marketing campaign in television, cinema and digital inspired by 1970s grindhouse-style action movies.

New York -- J.C. Penney Co. on Wednesday unveiled an advertisement on Facebook that asks customers to return to its stores. The ad will air Wednesday and Thursday on national television, as well as on Penney’s social media platforms.