Following a competitive RFP process that began last fall, snack food and candy giant Mars Inc. has appointed Publicis to lead its media, production, paid social and influencer and connected commerce capabilities. …

Digital media is significantly expanding the opportunities for printed direct mail campaigns. NAPCO Research has launched a comprehensive report, Direct Mail and Digital Media: A Winning Omnichannel Marketing Combination, which explores the key drivers behind the increased effectiveness of direct mail, the methods through which digital media enhances its performance, and the fresh opportunities accessible to those in the direct mail printing industry. Evolution on many fronts has heightened the value of direct mail and strengthened opportunities for direct mail printers. Over 89% of direct mail users participating in a NAPCO Research survey currently integrate or plan to integrate digital media and direct mail. A top factor driving direct mail demand is the ability to boost its performance with digital media to create omnichannel campaigns.

Heading into the season, shoppers and retailers alike are getting squeezed by tariffs and mounting economic uncertainty. Throughout the first half of the year, retailers have repeatedly said on earnings calls that consumers are acting resilient. This is despite the fact that macroeconomic pressures, such as tariffs, are impacting both shoppers and companies alike.  Some retailers have continued to see sales rise, even in traditionally discretionary categories, while others are struggling to keep up.  But retailers are responding. Target, for one, recently announced an October deals event — joining Walmart, Amazon and others — to entice consumers to shop early. Ahead of the holidays, Target has doubled its merchandising assortment and expanded its same-day delivery capabilities to new markets.  The mass merchant’s vice president of experiential store operations, Michael Scrafford, recently told Retail Dive during a live virtual event that newness and meeting customers where they shop — in stores or online — is key this season.