Digital Marketing

Walmart in May launched a "Gamecenter" microsite that carries previews of new video- game releases, "first-look" exclusives on upcoming games and special promotions -- the first of which was an offer for a free $50 "eGift" card with preorder of three titles.

Picture this: While waiting in line at a fast food restaurant, a customer notices a sign advertising a "healthy" new chicken sandwich. Skeptical about the claim, he holds up his cell phone to the black-and-white, matrix-style bar code printed on the corner of the sign and snaps a picture.

In May, Marathon Oil Corp. agreed to sell 166 SuperAmericastores in Minnesota (along with its SuperMom's Bakery supply business) to ACON Investments, NTR Partners and TPG Capital LP. Also included in the sale are 67 franchisee locations: 61 in Minnesota, five in Wisconsin and one in South Dakota.

Sam's Club recently completed an upgrade of its website that was designed to enhance user customization.

H-E-B this month began piloting a new value format with the opening of Joe V's Smart Shop in Houston.Carrying approximately 9,000 SKUs -- about one-fourth the number sold at traditional H-E-B supermarkets -- Joe V's Smart Shop offers "a narrow assortment of items that customers buy most often," acc

Vestcom is running trials that will place QR codes on-shelf next to price stickers so that shoppers may download more information. The trials are running in supermarkets this summer.

Scanbuy has done various magazine QR code campaigns, including a men's fashion spread in Esquire (top) and a print ad for the Volkswagen 2010 GTI (bottom).

The online stores at Gerber.com, FlattCola.com and NatureValley.com are actually "branded storefronts" on Alice.com. Once shoppers place an item in their shopping cart, they are prompted to sign up with Alice.com to complete the order.

In this fourth installment of the "Who's Who" series,

The message is clear: Brands and retailers not already developing digital coupon strategies need to get in the game. Now.Digital couponing, including mobile delivery methods, is here and growing at a feverish pace.