Social Media

NEW YORK, NY -- Walmart has endured its fair share of criticism in the press, and now a new study reveals that the world's largest retailer has garnered some negative views in the realm of social media.

Accordin to Amplicate, an online opinion collating resource that claims to account for more than 80 million public opinions of social media users, there has been over 9,985 negative Walmart opinions (http://amplicate.com/hate/walmart) expressed on Twitter, Facebook and Amplicate within the last 3 months.

Beachwood, Ohio -- Developers Diversified Realty Corp. said that it earned one MAXI Gold and four MAXI Silver awards for shopping center marketing and management programs at the International Council of Shopping Centers' Fusion Conference in Hollywood, Calif.

In the Sales Promotions and Events category, a MAXI Gold was awarded to the 25 on the 25th event at Deer Park Town Center in Chicago. The center developed a wine-tasting promotion to showcase a local merchant and encourage shoppers to explore the center.

By Kuruvilla Mathew, [email protected]

AUSTIN, Texas — Proving that natural food stores have a sense of humor, Whole Foods hosted a faux website homepage to celebrate April Fools' Day.

The homepage featured such items as "insects raised with compassion," stinky cheese lipstick and bizarre recipes. The retailer even featured a video about finding love at its stores on both the website and its Facebook fan page. Needless to say, it received many "likes."

KATY, Texas – Sue Miller Payton has been named director of marketing at Igloo Product Corp. In her new position, Payton will be responsible for all aspects of product marketing, promotion, advertising and public relations, cyber-marketing including all social media, special events and exhibits. She is based at the company’s corporate headquarters and primary manufacturing location in Katy, Texas.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.  -- Kenmore announced that it has launched an online reality series, "So You Wanna Be a Designer."

For six weeks the reality show will stream live on Kenmore's Facebook page to show budding designers at work, making their dreams a reality. Through the series, contestants will learn how to navigate the barriers of entering the design world: how to create and launch a brand, and how to price, present and promote designs successfully, among other things.

Boston -- The Wilder Cos. announced several new hires, including Howard A. West II, who joins the company as asset manager to assist in monitoring various properties’ financial and operating performance, act as a liaison to ownership groups on management and reporting issues, provide assistance on property acquisitions, and oversee daily operations for various shopping centers throughout the portfolio. 

CHICAGO -- Wrigley's announced that is offering fans of its Extra sugar-free gum product the chance to create and purchase personalized packs featuring their photos and designs via the company's first-ever custom-packaging offer, MyExtra.  Consumers can visit www.MyExtraGum.com and upload photos and messages to celebrate and remember a variety of occasions such as weddings, baby showers, birthdays and vacations.