Marketers take note: Facebook's ad offerings just got broader.
For the first time, you can target audiences on Facebook using third-party data and users' own first-party data.
While Facebook already serves ads based on a user's interest, now the ads on the social network will be able to target users who search for say, a Weber grill, outside of Facebook.
You can now bid in real-time to run a targeted banner ad on a non-premium Facebook page (premium Facebook pages are the home page, in the News Feed or on a Facebook profile page).
How effective the new offerings will be remains to be seen. General Motors recently pulled its paid ads from Facebook because they didn't provide a good return, the auto company said. Facebook has been ramping up its ad offerings since its disappointing initial public offering.
Sales Buzz
Consumers Feel Ignored (Retailing Today)
A new study shows that just two in five consumers who shop at big-box retail stores believe these retailers value their input, and just 29% believe it is acted upon.
Facebook Genuises (Buddy Media)
A new Buddy Media study that ranks brands' strategies on Facebook says Macy's, Sephora, Lancôme, and Michael Kors are "geniuses."
Disappearing Middle Class (Inc.)
"In the foreseeable future, the growth businesses will be in 1) high-end luxury items and 2) cheap junk for the hoi polloi," writes Sales Source columnist Geoffrey James. Companies therefore must decide if they are a Neiman Marcus or a Wal-Mart. "If you're a 'Sears,' you're basically toast."
Costco Buys Mexico Stake (Reuters)
Costco Wholesale has bought its Mexico partner's 50% stake for approximately $767 million. The Costco México joint venture had been operated by Costco Wholesale. Jaime Gonzalez Solana will continue as Costco México's chief executive.
Marketing Buzz
Nokia CMO Resigns (Marketing Week)
Nokia's chief marketing officer, Jerri DeVard, is stepping down amid plummeting profits at the Finnish handset maker. DeVard, who joined 18 months ago, will be replaced by Tuula Rytila, senior vice president of portfolio and business management.
Corporate Popularity (CBS)
"You can't fake a personality, which is what makes it such a powerful marketing tool, because your competition can't copy or fake your personality either," writes sales author Tom Searcy.
Gesture Controlled Ads (Marketing Week)
Lynx, Toyota and Samsung are the first brands to use Microsoft's NUads platform for Xbox that uses Kinect gesture control to solicit feedback from users and make ads interactive.
Old School Marketing (Ad Age)
While email has a higher return on investment than snail mail, the latter offers better response rates.
Deutsch's Porter Novelli CMO (Ad Age)
Michael Goldberg, who most recently was global marketing head at Omnicom Group's Porter Novelli, has been named CMO for Deutsch, New York.
Buzz Around the Office
Turns out breaking an egg underwater makes it look like the wax in a lava lamp.
List of the Day: Useless Phrases
Get rid of these words and phrases on your resume if you want to catch a hiring manager's attention.
1. "Responsible for."
2. "References available upon request."
3. "Completed all duties."
(Source: MoneyWatch)
