Social Media

BETHEL, Conn. — Duracell has tapped National Football League All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis for the brand's Trust Your Power program, which aims to encourage fans to follow their dreams.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens over the weekend officially launched its customer loyalty program, which since Sept. 6 has garnered more than 1 million customers during an online-only, early-enrollment period.

“Our loyalty program is distinctive,” stated Graham Atkinson, Walgreens SVP and chief customer experience officer. “This comprehensive rewards program is one of Walgreens largest and most important programs in company history."

Balance Rewards offers three key benefits, all customized for the consumer:

Bentonville, Ark. -- Walmart on Friday announced its Top 20 Toy List for the upcoming holidays and said the items are available now at Walmart stores in time for the retailer's layaway program, which launches this Sunday. In a social media tie-in, customers who “like” their local Walmart store's Facebook page can begin using the service immediately.

And the award for most effective use of social media in the pet category goes to…

Global pet care leader Nestle Purina has created a new national contest called "The Friskies" with a $15,000 grand prize that is sure to set off a new round of online cat videos.

According to the company, many great art forms have awards for the best new work created each year. Films have the Oscars, TV shows have the Emmys and now Internet cat videos have The Friskies.

NEW YORK — Macy's on Sept. 12 will debut a new fashion line from Nicole Richie. The Nicole Richie for Impulse collection will include 1960s and 1970s influenced silhouettes, prints and fabrications and be sold at approximately 100 Macy’s stores and on Macys.com/impulse.For the first time, Macy’s Facebook fans will be the very first to shop the collection at facebook.com/macys before it hits stores Wednesday.

JOHNSTOWN, N.Y. — Greek yogurt maker Fage has partnered with Bobby Flay, chef, restaurateur and cookbook author, to help everyday chefs create extraordinary meals using the simplest of ingredients: plain Greek yogurt. Those looking for plain inspiration can visit the Plain Kitchen menu at fageusa.com/plainkitchen, which features exclusive, inventive recipes featuring Fage Total and step-by-step cooking demonstrations by master chef Bobby Flay.

New York -- Hollister has fired three male models it flew in for the grand opening store of its first store in South Korea after the models mocked Asians in photos and on their social media accounts, according to various media reports.

New York -- A report released Tuesday by e-commerce marketplace technology provider Merchantry found that marketplace customer experience compares unfavorably to that of e-commerce sites, particularly in regard to comprehensiveness of product information and logistics transparency.

The State of Online Marketplaces report, conducted by Merchantry in concert with the e-tailing group, found that online marketplaces need a lot of improvement before their full potential is realized.

New York -- Fashion and technology combine to surprise customers and engage them in new ways at Bloomingdale’s flagship in New York City and other locations across the country.  The department store retailer had deployed a 3D virtual dressing room, called Swivel, which is supported by Microsoft Corp.’s Kinect for Windows motion sensing technology. With Swivel, customers can “try on” clothes without having to go through the actual physical process.

New York -- Nine West has opened the first standalone store for its Vintage America Collection line. The store, in New York City’s SoHo neighborhood, reflects the modern bohemian ethos of the brand.