Chief Marketer Staff

• Agencies

  A Secondary Market for Gift Cards: Selling and Swapping

  There’s an emerging business dealing in gift cards and its not Sears or Blockbuster. The image of a Best Buy Gift Card, as shown by a recent seller on her eBay posting Giving gift cards and certificates this past holiday season topped many shoppers’ …

• Agencies

  Slim-Fast Touts Success Stories

  Slim-Fast Foods is using real stories to pitch its new Slim-Fast Optima Diet in an advertising and retail promotion campaign. The effort centers on TV and print ads featuring two real-life Slim-Fast users, chosen from thousands who wrote to Slim-Fast …

• Non-compliance with CAN-SPAM Widespread

  (Direct Newsline)—Spam accounted for 77% of all e-mail traffic in 2004 and virtually all unsolicited e-mails transmitted failed to comply with the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act, according to MX Logic, …

• Nickelodeon Promotes Pamela Kaufman to Executive VP

  Nickelodeon has promoted Pamela Kaufman to executive VP-marketing and worldwide promotions. The position took effect Jan. 1. Pam Kaufman In her new role, Kaufman will handle domestic and international marketing for Nickelodeon and promotional …

• Agencies

  Shift Toward Mole Sauce and Mariachis for Travel Planners

  Business meeting and incentive travel planners are looking to warm climes this year as destinations of choice. Trendy destinations Los Cabos and Cancun, both among Mexico’s luxury resorts, ranked among the top 10 on Maritz Travel’s Top Ten List for …

• Agencies

  VW Testing Insurance Incentives

  In a three-month pilot program that began Tuesday, Volkswagen of America is offering the industry’s first no-charge one-year insurance policy to customers who purchase or lease selected models in Illinois and Wisconsin. VW will offer the VW In The Car …

• Agencies

  Vesdia Bolsters Coalition Loyalty Programs

  Vesdia Corp. has signed a number of high-profile retailers for its coalition loyalty programs and is readying a first-quarter push for its newest program, Fundraiser Rewards. Vesdia’s coalition programs add partners Avis Rent a Car System, Hickory …

• Krispy Kreme to Restate Earnings

  Krispy Kreme plans to restate earnings incurred during its recent fiscal year to correct errors in its financial reporting amid allegations that the company padded sales by doubling shipments to wholesale customers, according to news reports. The …

• News Briefs

  DREAMWORKS SKG: has named Rick Sands as the company’s new president and COO. Sands formerly served as COO for Miramax Films. He joined Miramax in 1990 as the executive VP and CFO and was played an instrumental part in the negotiations that brought …

• Agencies

  P&I Postscripts

  TRILEGIANT LOYALTY SOLUTIONS: has partnered with Destination Rewards, Inc. to offer hotel reward cards and travel and entertainment cards to the financial services industry. TLS is a Richmond, VA-based provider of loyalty and incentive programs for a …