Mobile Payments Startup...

Looking for a last-minute stocking stuffer this holiday season? Square has launched a new campaign to encourage existing users to give their favorite entrepreneur or small business owner a mobile payments device as a holiday gift. The Square reader comes nicely gift wrapped in snowflake wrapping paper and the purchaser only has to pay $1 (FYI—un-wrapped Square readers are free). Square tells us the campaign launched on November 15 and has already brought over 20,000 orders for gift-wrapped devices. And as the holiday shopping season kicks off, Square has also noticed a significant uptick in sales at its 9,000 retail partners , which include Apple, Best Buy, Radio Shack, Target and Wal-Mart. At these stores, Square readers retail for $9.99 in stores but each purchaser can redeem a $10 credit to their bank account. For Square, which is now processing $11 million in payments per day, 20,000 readers shipped via the campaign is no small amount considering the company had previously reported that a total of 800,000 readers had been shipped (and activated) by merchants.

Nivea launches video, a...

Skincare brand Nivea has rolled out interactive video and augmented reality apps on its US Facebook page as part of the brand's $1 billion "Skincare for Life" campaign that launched in May. The company is working with global digital AOR Blast Radius on the campaign, which celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Subaru campaign targets...

Car company Subaru of America is conducting an integrated marketing campaign targeting Asian-American consumers. The "Sweet Tomorrow" effort is promoting the company's Legacy model through online, TV, print and out-of-home components. The car-maker developed the campaign with AdAsia, its Asian-American AOR.

Sara Lee tests social c...

Sara Lee recently ran a social coupon campaign with social marketing firm SocialTwist that resulted in 81% coupon redemption. While the campaign only generated around 65,000 website visitors in 30 days, it is one more example of brands testing out traditional direct marketing tactics in the realm of social media.

Old Navy launches mobil...

Clothing retailer Old Navy launched a mobile marketing campaign February 17 with mobile app developer Shazam. The effort gives consumers digital coupons and product information through Shazam's music identification service. The retailer developed the campaign with Crispin Porter & Bogusky, the lead creative agency of parent company Gap Inc.