Management

Digital Content is everywhere - your website, blogs, social media outposts, and every mobile device imaginable. And with customers and prospects radically adjusting to this wealth of information, companies are investing in developing digital content like never before. Despite their efforts, however, these same companies often miss valuable opportunities because they lack a well-rounded content marketing strategy.

This new whitepaper from Bridgeline Digital identifies the top 10 steps to building a content marketing strategy that you can execute within your company in an effective and timely manner.

What you will learn:

- What is content marketing management
- Why you should treat content like a critical business asset
- How to understand the content needs of your audience
- Why maintaining an editorial calendar is so important
- Why you need to give your content a "voice"
- Why content management and web analytics tools can best help you deliver relevant content

Gander Mountain withdrew last week from two National Rifle Association (NRA) events that partially focused on supporting Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in next month's recall election. Gander Mountain had planned to host workshops in connection with the meetings at its stores in Rothschild and Eau Claire, WAOW-TV reported. When the company withdrew, the NRA moved the meetings to other locations. Gander Mountain, which sells firearms and other hunting gear, said it has been a longtime supporter of the NRA and has partnered with the organization many times before. But the company said it recently decided to stay away from political events.

West Marine announced the company's board of directors has named Matthew Hyde, 49, president and CEO, succeeding Geoff Eisenberg, 59, who, earlier this year, disclosed his intention to step down upon the appointment of a successor. Hyde will join West Marine on June 19.

A new digital marketing landscape is beckoning; how can you be sure you're prepared? With the simultaneous explosions of mobile, social networking, Wi-Fi and constant connectivity, we're creating a world that constantly offers more, with more selection, more options and more more than ever before.

More than 3.5 billion pieces of content are shared weekly on Facebook alone — certainly the fastest growing of the social platforms, but definitely not the only one. It's simply not enough to call this digital landscape "modern marketing" anymore.

Key points you'll take away from this free whitepaper include the following:

• how to build the best team, insource vs. outsource;
• what are the right tools for your marketing strategy — content management, e-marketing, web analytics and e-commerce;
• how to choose the most effective technology for your company goals — SaaS vs. perpetual, integrated vs. multiplatform; and
• how to tie all three together to increase traffic, visitor engagement and conversions.

Foot Locker announced the promotion of Richard A. Johnson to the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective immediately. Johnson will retain responsibility for all of the company's store banners worldwide. He's been executive vice president and group president, retail stores since July 2011. Johnson has been with the company for more than 15 years in positions of increasing responsibility, including as president and CEO of the company's Foot Locker divisions in the U.S., president and CEO of Foot Locker Europe, and president and CEO of Footlocker.com/Eastbay.

Office Depot announced that it's finalized an agreement with the U.S. Army Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) Program. The unique program will provide Office Depot with a source of highly qualified applicants for potential employment following their service in the military. It also serves as an additional recruiting incentive that increases the Army's ability to man the force.

Redcats USA, a multichannel, web-driven home shopping leader, announced today that Jonathan (Jon) Bernstein has been appointed CEO of The Golf Warehouse, effective immediately. Bernstein is a member of the Redcats USA executive team; his office is located in Wichita, Kan., the home of The Golf Warehouse, and he will report to Jay Berlin, CEO of The Sportsman’s Guide, another Redcats USA brand.

Walgreens on Monday launched its national Retail Employees with Disabilities Initiative (REDI), an in-store training program designed to help people with disabilities gain retail and customer service skills. Walgreens works closely with community organizations and vocational rehabilitation agencies to train and develop candidates. Another similar initiative at Walgreens’ distribution centers (DCs) resulted in 10 percent of the workforce being made up of people with disabilities at all levels across all 20 DCs. The company hopes to see the same success with REDI. 

Amazon.com has begun its hiring ramp up, with about 50 management positions on the docket currently. The online retail giant, which is opening distribution sites in Lebanon and Murfreesboro, Tenn., is hiring managers in operations, facilities, human resources and other areas, according to the company. This marks an initial swath of hiring on the way toward more than 1,500 jobs. 

Best Buy officials said Monday that former CEO Brian Dunn, who resigned after a company investigation found that he had a personal relationship with a female employee, demonstrated “extremely poor judgment and a lack of professionalism.” However, the probe found no evidence that he improperly used company resources, including the use of aircraft. In related news, Best Buy’s founder Richard Schulze has decided to step down as chairman of the board for the retail chain. The board determined that Schulze “acted inappropriately” when he failed to notify Best Buy’s Audit Committee of the allegations.