Social Media Marketing

American Express and Foursquare announced the national rollout of their partnership, which enables American Express card members who link their Foursquare profiles to their cards to "load" and seamlessly redeem merchant specials without the need for coupons, special codes or showing their mobile device to cashiers. This is the first time this technology has been used to allow card members nationwide to take advantage of merchant specials offered through Foursquare. The national launch kicks off with specials from H&M, Sports Authority and Union Square Hospitality Group, and is expected to expand rapidly in the coming weeks and months.

eBay could be eyeing Twitter and YouTube to help it take advantage of the rise in social activities among shoppers as it launches new social features to the eBay marketplace. eBay Marketplaces vice president Christopher Payne said the company's philosophy was to try "a whole bunch of things" in the social space. Payne announced a new social shopping feature that uses Facebook to engage shoppers during his keynote address at the Internet Retailer conference taking place in San Diego this week.

Antique and collectibles shoppers are now using Skype to communicate in real time with dealers as they shop on RubyLane.com. Company spokesperson Palmer Pekarek said many of Ruby Lane's sellers have enabled Skype in their shops so they can provide answers to questions and develop relationships with shoppers. Both buyer and seller must have Skype to communicate via instant messaging and can also engage in video conversations.

An increasing number of brands are becoming more active on Facebook these days aware that the more active they are the better the chances of being "Liked." A new crop of retailers recently reached the 1 million liker milestone, but the ways brands are acquiring these likers is changing. This was the key finding from the latest installment of a study on retailers’ growth on Facebook and Twitter conducted by marketing agency Media Logic.

Listen in as Bernie Brennan, co-author of 
“Branded! How Retailers Engage Consumers With Social Media and Mobility," (with Lori Schafer) discusses how leading retailers Macy's, J.C. Penney and Best Buy are meeting the needs of their customers — and generating revenue — by communicating with them via the web, social media and smartphones. This podcast…

Crocs was putting more and more emphasis and attention on its corporate Facebook page than it had in the past, which led to an increasing number of fans "liking" the brand each day. Crocs sought to take advantage of this growth by turning these "likers" into more than just your average fans.

A room full of direct marketers listened as three cross-channel retailers discussed marketing strategies including social media, mobile, sales attribution and more at the Direct Marketing Club of New York's June luncheon in Manhattan yesterday.

LovingEco, which launches June 6th, is an invitation-only, social commerce platform that offers unsurpassed and innovative eco-friendly products at exclusive price points without compromising style. LovingEco is an advocate of "style for change;" an opportunity for people to make smarter choices about the products they purchase so it can create a more environmentally and socially conscious planet.

Ever stumble upon a box of old family photographs tucked away in a closet or attic and end up spending hours reminiscing as you flip through the images? I know I have. While entertaining, the experience often leaves you unfulfilled because you're unable to share those memories with others. Well, at least until now. A startup business from e-commerce veteran Jim Simon is helping consumers to relive and save their cherished memories.

Twitter passions can flare in a heartbeat, turning potentially millions for or against a specific cause. Urban Outfitters is the current focus of one such movement — one attracting the attention of pop star Miley Cyrus — that alleges intellectual property theft from an independent jeweler’s “I Heart Destination” designs.