Social Media

MADISON, Wis. — The Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles, the country’s longest-running mobile marketing campaign, are trying out a different type of mobile space with the brand’s launch of its first-ever Wienermobile Run program.

Oscar Mayer is leveraging social media to engage existing and would-be fans. First, the brand is encouraging people to visit WienermobileRun.com, where they can join their favorite Wienermobile team. Those who do will receive a team bumper sticker while supplies last, and help their team earn points. 

Business and friendship are generally considered incompatible. It’s hard to take the dispassionate, profits-first mindset that traditionally governs business transactions with a person you think of as a friend. However, in this burgeoning age of social media and social commerce, retailers need to make friends with their customers to maximize engagement, loyalty and profits.

Santa Monica, Calif. -- Global e-commerce sales are expected to rise 17.5% this year to $963 billion, up from $820.5 billion last year, according to a study by Siemer & Associates.

Currently, online accounts for just 6.5% of all retail sales worldwide but is growing four times faster than traditional retail. E-commerce sales are expected to account for 9.3% of retail sales by 2016.

BALTIMORE — Under Armour is going back to its roots — grassroots football, that is — in its latest global marketing campaign. Things kick off with a 60-second spot called, "Ready for August," which will serve as the centerpiece of phase two of the I Will campaign.

The commercial will be broadcast July 15 on Fox during the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby, and is viewable on YouTube now.

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Happy Family, a leading organic baby and toddler food brand founded and operated by moms, wants picky eaters to clean their plates for a chance to win $20,000 toward a college education.

As part of the campaign, which launched on Facebook and is called Stories from the Bright Side, Happy Family is calling parents to submit their funny mealtime moments.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot has unveiled the next phase of its anti-bullying collaboration with pop group One Direction. The retailer will offer a limited-edition collection of back-to-school products and donate a percentage of sales to anti-bullying education.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Kmart is celebrating its inclusion in the summer comedy, “Grown Ups 2” by offering one Shop Your Way member a chance to be an extra in a future Sony Pictures Entertainment film.

Shop Your Way Members can enter the "Stars of Summer Sweepstakes" now through Sunday, July 21, for a chance to see themselves on the silver screen.

Seattle – Nordstrom is expanding a trial of marking the items in its stores that receive the most pins on Pinterest with small “P” logos. As reported by BusinessWeek, Nordstrom is taking the pilot from two to 13 stores.

Nordstrom, which has 4.5 million Pinterest followers, gives store associates access to an online dashboard that notifies which items the store has in stock are most pinned in their geographic area. The pilot is expected to conclude later this month.