Chief Marketer Staff, Author at Chief Marketer

ASI Promo Promises Distributor “Makeover”

The Advertising Specialty Institute has come up with its over version of the popular reality TV show, Extreme Makeover. But instead of breast augmentations and rhinoplasty, ASI is offering a contest where three U.S.-based ASI distributor firms will …

Agencies

Auto Manufacturers Raise Consumer Incentives as Dealer Deals Drop

Consumers shopping for automobiles last month found that manufacturers are offering a better deal than dealers themselves. A recent report by Autodata Corp., that studies dealer incentives, among other factors, found that dealer incentives by sellers of …

Bally Total Fitness and General Mills Offer Coupons to Work Out

Bally Total Fitness and General Mills have partnered to offer 3 million 30-day trial fitness memberships on specially marked boxes of cereal. The offer can be found this spring on boxes of Total Raisin Bran, Total Corn Flakes and Total Brown Sugar & …

Agencies

Rewards Network Hires Ron Blake as New Chief

Loyalty marketer Rewards Network, Inc. has named Ron Blake as president and CEO. Blake replaced George S. Wiedemann, who resigned to pursue other interests. The company expects to announce a loss for the first quarter of this year in part because of a …

Agencies

Bon Jovi and Elway Promote AFL In Las Vegas Finale

Call it people placement as opposed to product placement. Arena Football League team owners Jon Bon Jovi and John Elway were in Hollywood last week to tape the season finale of the NBC hit series Las Vegas, and their appearance will be used as …

Agencies

CD Premiums—Music To The Ears

Marketers searching for new ways to thank clients or reward employees are moving beyond mug and hat premiums, and instead are being lured by the gift of music. Enter cardtunes, a gift that blends the traditional greeting card and full-length CD into one …

Agencies

McDonald’s Touts The Cat, The Dog as Happy Meal Premiums

McDonald’s Corp. is teaming up with 4Kids Entertainment for new Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal premiums to feature The Cat and The Dog properties. Beginning April 15, McDonald’s kids meals will feature 16 breeds of plush pals inspired by …

Best Buy Accelerates Store Conversions

Best Buy will adopt its “customer-centric” model in 150 to 200 more stores this year, with plans to convert all 700-plus stores by 2008. Customer-centric stores each tailor merchandise and marketing to two of Best Buy’s five key customer groups: …

Agencies

Pokémon Stars In Subway Kids Meals

Subway is recapturing a favorite among youngsters, offering four new Pokémon action toy premiums as part of its Kids Pak meals. The latest Subway offerings include the Crazy Pok Ball, the Deoxy Whirl, the Pokémon Lacrosse Stick and the Rayquaza Disc. A …

Agencies

Ditech.com Leverages NASCAR Sponsorship With Sweepstakes

Direct mortgage lender Ditech.com is leveraging its NASCAR sponsorship with a sweepstakes that dangles a $50,000 room remodel as the grand prize. Race fans and home decorating enthusiasts can enter the Ultimate Racing Room Challenge at Ditechracing.com. …