PMO_P&I_ Penton Media January 27, 2010 If you want to view this on the web go to: http://enews.penton.com/enews/promo/v/1570 ---------------------------------------- ADVERTISEMENT The digital version of Chief Marketer gives a variety of features beyond the fastest way possible delivery-including many advantages that will make searches for information easier. You'll need no special software-click here http://subscribe.chiefmarketer.com/subscribe.cfm to get your copy now! ---------------------------------------- --Microsoft's Big Apple Bing Maps Challenge By Brian Quinton A New York online scavenger hunt should unearth Bing's mapping advantages. In an effort to build some awareness of the leading-edge mapping functions recently unveiled for its Bing search engine, Microsoft has announced the "Bing Maps Challenge," offering Web users a chance to win one of two $100 Visa gift cards by using Bing maps to navigate New York City. The contest, which will remain up and online at DiscoverBingMaps.com ( http://www.discoverbingmaps.com) until Feb. 19, asks U.S.-based players to try to answer four fairly abstruse questions about New York City using Bing Maps. The questions are generally things that all but the most knowledgeable Manhattanite will need to look up using bing's maps and photo galleries: for example, what's being promoted at the American Museum of Natural History right now, and how many toes Tyrannosaurs Rex has on its hind feet. To make sure that participants in fact do search for the answers within Bing Maps and not elsewhere on the Internet, the scavenger hunt has a time dimension. The questions need to be completed within a total of four minutes, which tends to rule out using other resources for search -- at least, on the first play. The game's leaderboard, in which the slowest of the top ten players has a time of four seconds, suggests that participants have taken some short cuts to answer the four questions. To view the full article go to: http://promomagazine.com/incentives/news/microsofts-apple-bing-maps-challenge-0127/ --Amex Pitches Card Use During NYC Restaurant Week American Express cardholders have been given another reason to use their cards when dinning out in New York City this week. Cardholders who dine out three or more times at any of the restaurants participating in Restaurant Week this week and use their American Express card can receive a $15 statement credit. American Express is a founding sponsor of the dinning program. To view the full article go to: http://promomagazine.com/contests/news/amex-use-nyc-restaurant-week-0127/ --Coupon Use Skyrocketed in 2009 Consumers are using more coupons on an annual basis for the first time since 1992 and coupon distribution has hit the highest level recorded since tracking began in 1988, according to Inmar. Last year, shoppers redeemed 3.3 billion consumer packaged goods coupons, a whopping 27% increase over the 2.6 billion redeemed in 2008. To view the full article go to: http://promomagazine.com/incentives/news/coupon-use-skyrockets-0127/ --Corporate Incentives "Cautiously Optimistic": IRF Study A survey of those involved in the incentive travel industry has found a certain degree of optimism that corporate budgets for such programs will hold steady or even see moderate increases in 2010. The Incentive Industry Trends 2010 study, released yesterday by the Incentive research Foundation trade group, polled corporate incentive travel buyers, suppliers and other industry professionals in October and November of last year. The study is the latest in a quarterly initiative by the IRF to trace the impact of financial forecasts, competitive stance and overall perception on travel and other non-cash incentive programs. To view the full article go to: http://promomagazine.com/incentives/news/corporate-incentives-cautiously-optimistic-0127/ --BDA Hires Former Nintendo Marketer for Power A Division Power A, a manufacturer of licensed retail consumer electronics accessories and the consumer products division of Bensussen Deutsch & Associates Inc., has hired John Moore as divisional vice president of product development and marketing. Moore is responsible for identifying new product development opportunities and direct product marketing for Power A. To view the full article go to: http://promomagazine.com/incentives/news/bda-hires-former-marketer-0127/ --P&I Postscripts OMNI HOTELS & RESORTS: is launching a promo just in time for Valentine's Day to attract romantics. The "Double Bubble" getaway begins with guests being welcomed with a commemorative ice bucket with two personal-sized bottles of Domaine Chandon Rose Sparkling Wine. The package also includes a romantic turndown service -- complete with rose petals and soft music -- as well as the guests' choice of breakfast in bed or in the restaurant complete with complimentary mimosas. An advance call from Cupid gives couples the opportunity to make special arrangements throughout the weekend, from an intimate dinner for two in their suite to private picnic by moonlight. To complete the package, late checkout is available on request. The promo runs through December 2010. To view the full article go to: http://promomagazine.com/incentives/news/postscripts-012709/ --Call For Entries: 2010 Interactive Marketing Awards The Call for Entries for the 2010 Promo Interactive Marketing Awards is open. The program honors the best and brightest in effective interactive marketing -- and recognizes the valuable role that interactive campaigns play in motivating consumer response and creating strong, exciting brands. The winners will be announced in the April/May issue of Chief Marketer magazine, online, and celebrated in a Promo Webinar on April 7. Enter today! To view the full article go to: http://promomagazine.com/awards/ima-awards/ Advertisement ---------------------------------------- This issue brought to you by: eTail 2010 http://www.wbresearch.com/etailusawest/.aspx?mac=10701XU46BA&cm_mmc=External-_-10701.004-_-AMA-_-Banner ---------------------------------------- Featured Research ---------------------------------------- Bubble. Resurgence. Recession. And now....? How can you take advantage of the next phase in the retail cycle? The way to find the answers to your uncertainty is joining your senior-level Retail, Marketing, E-Commerce, Sales, Technology, Finance and Operations peers at eTail 2010. http://www.wbresearch.com/etailusawest/.aspx?mac=10701XU46BA&cm_mmc=External-_-10701.004-_-AMA-_-Banner ---------------------------------------- Advertisement ---------------------------------------- * Buyer's Guide (http://sourcebook.promomagazine.com/) ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- *Build your Brand with Email (http://promomagazine.com/webinars/go/campaigner/) *"Road To RoadShow" Webinar Series on Entertainment Marketing (http://promomagazine.com/webinars/go/roadshow2008/) *The Social Media Vaccine: The Search for the Cure (http://promomagazine.com/spcl/) ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- Whitepapers Explode Six Direct Marketing Myths http://whitepapers.chiefmarketer.com/whitepaper7477/ Borderless Brand Management: The Philips Strategy for Global Expansion http://whitepapers.chiefmarketer.com/whitepaper6420/ Webinar: Making the Most of Bid Management Automation with Andrew Goodman http://whitepapers.chiefmarketer.com/whitepaper7496/ ---------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- (http://www.promomagazine.com/ate/listings/) (http://expert.promomagazine.com/loyalty/) Andrew MitchellLoyalty Brandmovers (http://expert.promomagazine.com/loyalty/) (http://www.brandmovers.com/) (http://expert.promomagazine.com/interactive/) Joël ParentInteractive (http://expert.promomagazine.com/interactive) (http://www.icgroupinc.com) (http://expert.promomagazine.com/rebates_and_rewards/) Dave HuntRebates and Consumer Reward Management (http://expert.promomagazine.com/rebates_and_rewards/) (http://www.therebatecompany.com/) (http://expert.promomagazine.com/contests/) Bruce HollanderSweepstakes (http://expert.promomagazine.com/contests) (http://www.dja.com/) (http://www.promomagazine.com/ate/become_an_expert/) Become anExpertMore Info (http://www.promomagazine.com/ate/become_an_expert/) ---------------------------------------- MORE ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER News and feedback should be sent to Promo Executive Editor: Patricia Odell (mailto:patricia.odell@penton.com) For information on advertising in this newsletter, please contact Bryan Benjamin, Associate Publisher, PROMO at (201) 845-2444 or by e-mail at bryan.benjamin@penton.com (mailto:bryan.benjamin@penton.com) For information on classified advertising in PROMO, contact Cynthia Foristel at (203) 358-4378, cynthia.foristel@penton.com (mailto:cynthia.foristel@penton.com). 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