BOCA RATON, Fla. -- Office Depot didn’t have to look far in its search for a new agency of record, as the Boca Raton, Fla.-based office supplies and services company announced the selection of Fort Lauderdale-based Zimmerman Advertising.
“We are impressed by Zimmerman’s strong understanding of the retail sector as well as their ability to turn marketing challenges into sales results,” said Neil Austrian, Office Depot’s interim chairman and CEO. “Zimmerman lives and breathes retail. This expertise combined with web and direct marketing know-how will play an important role in helping Office Depot meet our business objectives.”
Zimmerman Advertising is the nation’s 14th largest advertising agency and part of the Omnicom Group.
“Our mission is to help Office Depot more effectively reach and impact consumers during what continues to be a challenging economy for its core target of small and medium-size businesses,” said Michael Goldberg, Zimmerman’s EVP and chief marketing officer. “Office Depot is a world-class brand and we believe there is so much potential in helping to reestablish its place in the minds of today's consumers.”
It has been a rough couple of years for Office Depot, as a weak economy took a toll of sales and profits. Last fall amid deteriorating results, the company announced the departure of Steve Odland as chairman and CEO and a search for a replacement is now in its six month, with Austrian continuing to serve in an interim capacity. Most recently, the company stumbled when the Internal Revenue Service determined some losses were improperly accounted for, which forced the company to restate financial results that turned a meager 2010 profit of $33 million into a $46 million loss.
Zimmerman thinks it can help turn around the company’s fortunes.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Creative Channel Services - Quality Training: Delivered
LOS ANGELES -- Creative Channel Services announced that it has significantly expanded its partnership with Sears Holdings Corporation by providing the CyberScholar employee-learning platform to five of the retailer's store brands that carry home appliance and consumer electronics products. CCS has been delivering the CyberScholar solution to Sears' full-line stores and now will deliver product and sales knowledge to Kmart, Sears Home Appliance Showrooms, Sears Appliance & Hardware, and Sears Hometown stores.
CyberScholar (www.cyberscholar.com) is CCS' proprietary digital product-knowledge platform, enabling leading manufacturers to connect their brands to retail associates. The site offers manufacturers an economical solution to deliver training to dispersed stores, while offering retailers a flexible way to educate their staff and measure employee knowledge. More than 200,000 retail associates nationwide complete millions of individual product-information modules over the CyberScholar Network each year, increasing their product knowledge in order to elevate the customer's shopping experience and deliver sales performance.
"Creative Channel Services is pleased that Sears Holdings Corporation has expanded its relationship with us to include five of its retail formats that sell electronics and appliances," says Andy Restivo, CEO and president of CCS. "Additional Sears employees and the Sears Hometown Stores Dealers now have access to standardized, up-to-date product information from dozens of manufacturers, which will help to increase in-store product knowledge and enhance millions of Sears' customers buying decisions."
CyberScholar (www.cyberscholar.com) is CCS' proprietary digital product-knowledge platform, enabling leading manufacturers to connect their brands to retail associates. The site offers manufacturers an economical solution to deliver training to dispersed stores, while offering retailers a flexible way to educate their staff and measure employee knowledge. More than 200,000 retail associates nationwide complete millions of individual product-information modules over the CyberScholar Network each year, increasing their product knowledge in order to elevate the customer's shopping experience and deliver sales performance.
"Creative Channel Services is pleased that Sears Holdings Corporation has expanded its relationship with us to include five of its retail formats that sell electronics and appliances," says Andy Restivo, CEO and president of CCS. "Additional Sears employees and the Sears Hometown Stores Dealers now have access to standardized, up-to-date product information from dozens of manufacturers, which will help to increase in-store product knowledge and enhance millions of Sears' customers buying decisions."
Friday, April 1, 2011
And They Needed It.....
Sony brings a New Experience
LOS ANGELES -- Sony Electronics announced that on April 1 it will open its first newly branded Sony store in the United States at the Westfield Century City Shopping mall in Los Angeles.
According to the company, the 4,200-sq. ft. store offers customers a full interactive experience with Sony's wide range of products. To encourage this experience, the store features an open space with products displayed on tables, Sony said. In addition, the store features movable interior walls and changeable color schemes so that it can be adapted and reconfigured to highlight specific products, services, or create fresh experiences for returning customers.
While in the store, customers can test out Sony's network services -- including Music Unlimited and Video on Demand powered by Qriocity -- on network-connected products, to playing PlayStation's GranTurismo 5 on a PS3 and a Sony 3DTV. They will be able to shoot video on a wide range of cameras, get lost in a 3D movie from Sony Pictures, and test headphones while listening to Sony Music artists.
The store also provides a place to learn about future and emerging technologies and innovations, such as the RayModeler, a futuristic 360-degree display prototype that projects a 3D image that can be seen from all angles.
While in the store, customers will have access to a trained staff that can assist with setting up all products, activation of wireless services, and technical PC and IT support, Sony reported. Also available are in-home consultation, delivery, and TV, and home audio and video installation by authorized technicians.
"Sony's goal is always to exceed customer expectations by providing an exciting, interactive and entertaining shopping experience," said Phil Molyneux, president and COO Sony Electronics. "Our new store concept gives shoppers an opportunity to interact with trained and knowledgeable staff as well as preview, test, compare and unlock the full potential of Sony's entertainment offerings."
LOS ANGELES -- Sony Electronics announced that on April 1 it will open its first newly branded Sony store in the United States at the Westfield Century City Shopping mall in Los Angeles.
According to the company, the 4,200-sq. ft. store offers customers a full interactive experience with Sony's wide range of products. To encourage this experience, the store features an open space with products displayed on tables, Sony said. In addition, the store features movable interior walls and changeable color schemes so that it can be adapted and reconfigured to highlight specific products, services, or create fresh experiences for returning customers.
While in the store, customers can test out Sony's network services -- including Music Unlimited and Video on Demand powered by Qriocity -- on network-connected products, to playing PlayStation's GranTurismo 5 on a PS3 and a Sony 3DTV. They will be able to shoot video on a wide range of cameras, get lost in a 3D movie from Sony Pictures, and test headphones while listening to Sony Music artists.
The store also provides a place to learn about future and emerging technologies and innovations, such as the RayModeler, a futuristic 360-degree display prototype that projects a 3D image that can be seen from all angles.
While in the store, customers will have access to a trained staff that can assist with setting up all products, activation of wireless services, and technical PC and IT support, Sony reported. Also available are in-home consultation, delivery, and TV, and home audio and video installation by authorized technicians.
"Sony's goal is always to exceed customer expectations by providing an exciting, interactive and entertaining shopping experience," said Phil Molyneux, president and COO Sony Electronics. "Our new store concept gives shoppers an opportunity to interact with trained and knowledgeable staff as well as preview, test, compare and unlock the full potential of Sony's entertainment offerings."
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