News
Branding Brand Delivers Punch to Mobile Retail Sales (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)
Branding Brand grew in four years from a startup interactive marketing agency to an authority in building mobile shopping websites and apps, then studying traffic and using the results to rev up sales.
Branding Brand Is Growing Fast as It Helps Improve the Mobile Shopping Experience (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
"When it started out, a lot of people had the idea you had to dumb down mobile," said Christina Koshzow, another co-founder and the company's chief marketing officer. Websites brought up on smartphones could be hard to read, hard to operate within the small screen and no match for the experience in the store.
People now expect their phones to be able to track orders, check balances and scroll through merchandise as easily as their personal computer might.
Ace Hardware Builds A Handy Mobile Site (Internet Retailer)
Consumers can use the site to conduct research, read reviews and purchase all products available on the Ace Hardware e-commerce site. The retailer developed the mobile site with m-commerce technology provider Branding Brand.
Branding Brand Obtains $7.5 M From Insight Venture Partners, Others (Daily Deal Media)
“In 2013, many of our clients will see more Internet traffic coming from mobile devices than desktop computers," said Chris Mason, a co-founder and the CEO of Branding Brand. “There is unprecedented opportunity in front of us, and we’re ready to take things to the next level."
M-Commerce Startup Branding Brand Goes from Bootstrapped to $7.5M Series A, Brings in Former GNC, Dick’s Sporting Goods Head as President (TechCrunch)
Branding Brand, a startup powering the mobile commerce for sites and mobile apps from – you guessed it – big-name brands, has raised $7.5 million in Series A funding and has now brought in Jeffrey R. Hennion as President. Hennion is the former head of e-commerce at GNC and Dick’s Sporting Goods, and will be helping Branding Brand manage its global marketing and e-commerce functions. The Series A round, announced...Branding Brand Raises $7.5M to Expand Its Mobile Commerce Platform (Mobile Commerce Daily)
With several major retailers as clients – including American Eagle Outfitters, Costco, Ralph Lauren, and Sephora – Branding Brand is already one of the leading mobile commerce platforms. The news comes as Internet traffic to retailers’ sites continues to grow, with many now seeing over 10 percent – and in some cases up to 50 percent – of their traffic coming from smartphones and tablets.
Branding Brand Nabs GNC's E-Commerce Chief (Internet Retailer)
The mobile platform provider has named Jeffrey R. Hennion president. Hennion has led e-commerce operations at General Nutrition Centers and Dick's Sporting Goods. Branding Brand also has secured $7.5 million in venture funding.
Why Are More Retailers Not Leveraging the Power of Passbook? (Mobile Commerce Daily)
“Passbook is a market-defining way to drive customer engagement,” said Chris Mason, cofounder/CEO of Branding Brand. “Those who have it will excel and those who don’t will find themselves providing less convenience to to their customers than their competitors."
“Passbook is the only system currently in place with the critical mass and simplicity to connect online and offline,” he said. “All of this is headed straight to the in-store experience. Passbook can provide swift, convenient methods of redemption for loyalty programs and buy-online-pickup-in-store experiences. This is the new email for the iOS user."
Branding Brand Raises $7.5 Million Series A Led by Insight Venture Partners (Press Release)
Branding Brand, a mobile commerce platform used by major retailers, including American Eagle Outfitters, Costco, Ralph Lauren, and Sephora, today announced that it has secured $7.5 million in Series A funding led by Insight Venture Partners, with CrunchFund and Eastern Advisors also participating. Branding Brand will use the investment to scale customer acquisition, technology development, and operations.
How We Dress: Branding Brand (The Blush)
The people at Branding Brand have one of the coolest gigs we’ve ever heard about. This team helps create apps and websites for mobile phones for some of our fave companies (including Ralph Lauren, Crate and Barrel and Sephora)! If you work at a tech company or are looking for the right thing to wear during your work week, you’re going to be inspired.
How Big Will Tablet Commerce Be During the Holidays? (Mobile Commerce Daily)
“Last year, we were all still in the experimental phase, so many tablet experiences focused simply on getting something launched,” said Chris Mason, CEO of Branding Brand, Pittsburgh, PA. “This year, there is more of a focus on creating a fluid transactional experience on tablets and mobile devices in general.
5 Common Mobile Commerce Mistakes (Mobile Commerce Daily)
“The QR code black hole,” said Chris Mason, cofounder/CEO of Branding Brand. “Although QR codes are trendy, and effective when used properly, consumers are being conditioned to ignore them.
Top Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile Commerce (Mobile Commerce Daily)
“Our data shows that clients with fewer steps in their checkout process experience significantly higher funnel conversion rates,” said Chris Mason, cofounder/CEO of Branding Brand.
Branding Brand Clients Sweep Top Three Positions in New Mobile Report (Press Release)
"We're fast, nimble, and our technology is unmatched," said Mason. "We're building the mobile railroad with our clients. It's about to get interesting."
Sephora and Pantone's New Foundation Matching Solution (TIME)
The technology behind Color IQ is advanced, but the concept is simple: a handheld device allows Sephora makeup artists to digitally scan various spots on a customer's face, resulting in 27 images in less than two seconds. The color capture technology then assigns each person a Pantone skin-tone number, which when entered into the coinciding iPad app, brings up a list of foundations — of the more than 1,000 Sephora sells — that are the closest match for the customer's skin tone.
Costco’s New Mobile App Bridges Online and Store Shopping (Internet Retailer)
“These apps increase convenience by providing a bridge between online and offline worlds,” says Branding Brand co-founder and CEO Chris Mason. “Although tasks like refilling prescriptions, printing photos and creating shopping lists can now begin on mobile, they still end in in-store.”
Sephora, Crate and Barrel Offer Best-in-class Mobile Web Sites: Report (Mobile Commerce Daily)
The top five performing mobile Web sites are American Eagle Outfitters with a score of 87, Sephora with 84.5, Crate and Barrel with 84, Nordstrom with 83.75 and REI with 83.
American Eagle Outfitters Strengthens mCommerce Push with iPad App (Mobile Commerce Daily)
American Eagle Outfitters is proving that mobile plays an integral role in driving sales by rolling out a new iPad application that lets consumers shop the latest trends.
In addition to an iPad application, AE also has an iPhone and Android app, as well as a mobile-optimized site. The mobile apps are developed by Branding Brand.
Top Do’s and Don’ts of Mobile Marketing (Mobile Marketer)
There is nothing more frustrating than a well-thought-out campaign that lacks a proper execution.
“If they're scanning the code, they're on their phone,” Mr. Mason said. “You'd be surprised how many QR codes take people to a desktop site.”
Branding Brand Launches Costco Mobile Apps for iPhone and Android (Press Release)
Branding Brand today announced the launch of its new Costco smartphone
apps for iPhone and Android.
Costco Plunges Further into mCommerce with iPhone, Android App (Mobile Marketer)
Costco is making a bigger push into mobile with a new iPhone and Android application that lets consumers shop its inventory.
The company worked with Branding Brand on the mobile initiative. The app is available for free download in Apple’s App Store and Google Play.
Branding Brand Sees the Future and It Looks Mobile. Expanding and Hiring. (Pop City)
The future is mobile. To survive we need an effective tool that connects us with the consumer revolution. In other words, a mobile phone, says Branding Brand CEO Chris Mason.
Mobile is the New Black (Mobile Marketer)
“Black is always in style, it just has to be used for the right context and in the right amounts,” said Chris Mason, cofounder/CEO of Branding Brand.
“Yes, mobile is the new black,” he said. “Moving forward, it should always be considered as part of your marketing strategy – although, more often than not, people are using it as a panacea.
“Mobile has to be situation – and context-relevant more than any other part of your solution set.”
Costco Launches New Mobile App (Forbes)
In early May, Costco – the country’s largest retailer after Wal-Mart – announced it was beginning to build a mobile presence to rival its other big-box competitors. Today, Costco, which does about $2 billion in sales a year, launched a mobile app available for both iOS and Android.
Currently, Costco.com ranks 17th among online retailers, and its own neighbor in Seattle – Amazon – ranks first. Wal-Mart, which is more similar to Costco with a brick-and-mortar experience in addition to an online store, ranks fourth online — and both are growing faster than Costco, according to the trade publication Internet Retailer.
Why Sephora Is Betting Big on Digital Shopping (Mashable)
Sephora is one of the brands that’s leading the way in shaping digital experiences for its customers. The company recently invested in an entirely new shopping experience that integrates mobile, social and in-store activity. On this episode of Revolution, Julie Bornstein, SVP Digital at Sephora, shares with us the importance of delivering a holistic digital and “IRL” experience, while also enhancing the individual path each customer takes to engage with the brand and their favorite products.
Crate & Barrel Has the Hook-up for Your Gifts (Appolicious)
Did you know you can have a registry for something other than a wedding? This was news to me, but the Wedding & Gift Registry by Crate & Barrel app comes prepared to assist in setting up a gift registry for a wedding, commitment ceremony, anniversary housewarming, a birthday or even just a simple generic celebration. If you want some presents from C&B for nearly any reason, this app is an easy...Eddie Bauer Takes First Major Step into Mobile with Commerce-enabled Site (Mobile Commerce Daily)
“Having a mobile site is no longer about being cutting-edge; it’s about meeting customer expectations,” said Chris Mason, cofounder/CEO of Branding Brand, Pittsburgh.
“There is a new breed of power consumers who live by the philosophy of anytime accessibility,” he said. “This audience is on the go, always connected, and they expect the same from their brands. Whenever you can increase customer convenience and revenue, it’s a win.
“Traffic to Branding Brand mobile sites is up 31 percent since January 2012, and revenue is up 46 percent. Whether it’s in-store, in advertising, or in general, mobile is no longer its own separate box. Mobile commerce, as it’s traditionally known, is quickly evolving into commerce, period.”
Eddie Bauer Introduces Mobile Commerce Site (Press Release)
Crate and Barrel Builds on mCommerce Strategy with Bar Code Scanning App (Mobile Commerce Daily)
Crate and Barrel has added a new mobile application to its repertoire that aims to increase the company’s in-store traffic, as well as accommodate consumers who are looking to manage their wedding and gift registry. The Wedding & Gift registry iPhone app is available for free download in Apple’s App Store. The app was developed by Branding Brand.
“This app provides a great example of how mobile can be used in-store,” said Chris Mason, cofounder/CEO of Branding Brand, Pittsburgh. “Digitizing the traditional registry allows Crate & Barrel to offer their audience a seamless experience whether they’re on the showroom floor or laying in bed,” he said.
Lamps Plus Turns on a New Mobile Strategy (Internet Retailer)
Lamps Plus selected Branding Brand to create its mobile site, Hsu says, in part to get it up more quickly than the retailer could do on its own. A New TigerDirect Mobile Site Increases Conversions by a Roaring 63% (Internet Retailer)
TigerDirect is logging a 63% increase in mobile conversions since it launched a new mobile site last September.
TigerDirect, which sells computer goods, had an old mobile site, which was built by Velocitude, now a subsidiary of Akamai Technologies, Inc., but it was not generating much mobile sales, says Lonny Paul, vice president of marketing and strategic initiatives at Systemax, Inc., No. 25 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide parent company of TigerDirect, CompUSA and Circuit City. So he chose a new e-commerce technology vendor, Branding Brand....
How Beauty Chain Sephora is Taking Retail Digital (WebProNews)
In another effort to bridge its offline and online shopping experiences, Sephora introduced an in-store iOS initiative. The company has brought in iPod Touch devices to speed up the checkout process for consumers. Furthermore, Sephora is testing the use of iPads in multiple stores to allow consumers to interact with its menu of services, which includes the option of emailing instructions for certain makeup techniques.
“It’s a mix of, I would say, bringing great information to the consumer and also just making the shopping experience a little more seamless,” said Bornstein.
Lamps Plus Announces New Mobile Website (Press Release)
Chris Mason, co-founder and CEO of Branding Brand notes that, "Even though Lamps Plus is a West Coast brand from a brick-and-mortar standpoint, their number-one city for mobile traffic and sales is New York. Retailers need to be where their customers are, and Lamps Plus realizes this. We are proud to connect their consumers across the country in a way that is seamless and convenient."
Branding Brand is an "Ultimate App Developer" (Stylus)
2012 Retailer Data Reveals New Mobile Commerce Leader (Press Release)
More Internet Retailer Top 500 clients are powered by Branding Brand than any other mobile commerce vendor, according to new data available online at top500guide.com.
"We always said we're the fastest-growing mobile commerce platform; now, we're also the largest," said Chris Mason, Branding Brand's co-founder and CEO. "We are proud to have twice as many Top 500 clients as other vendors in the space."
Last year, Branding Brand experienced a 140 percent increase in live-site growth, as well as a 55 percent increase in client count. Year-over-year mobile pageviews increased by over 360 percent, and mobile visits increased by over 385 percent.
Why Pinterest is the New Black (Mobile Marketer)
“Social has always been integral to mobile, ever since phones were only used for talking,” Mr. Mason said.
...In addition to changing the social space for the better, Pinterest is also changing the mobile shopper....
Consumers are constantly on their mobile devices and by adding Pin It functionality to many of their efforts, brands and retailers are letting consumers buy their favorite products by tapping on the Pin It button.
For example, Sephora now has Pin It buttons on every of its product pages that lets users pin any of the 14,000 products from the company’s site.
Will Smartphones Account for Most Visits to E-commerce Sites by 2014? (Internet Retailer)
A new study of the Internet Retailer Top 500 e-retailers suggests the answer is yes.
Of 49.6 billion visits to the top 500 e-retailers in 2014, 26.4 billion, or 53.2%, will stem from smartphones, predicts mobile commerce technology vendor Branding Brand in a new study. There will be 41.0 billion visits to the top 500 e-commerce sites this year, 10.1 billion, or 24.6%, coming from smartphones, the study predicts.
How Pinterest is Changing the Mobile Shopper (Mobile Commerce Daily)
"Pinterest is a better mousetrap for those that like to socially share products," said Chris Mason, cofounder/CEO of Branding Brand. "It puts items front-and-center for admiration and the creation of lookbooks.
"In some ways, using Facebook Like is too generic compared to Pinterest’s ability to solve this specific use-case," he said. "We find that in mobile, there are many shoppers who are simply there to 'window shop,' and Pinterest does a good job of embracing that."
"The actual shopping is where it gets tricky. If an item’s original source or store is not mobilized, the experience can easily get lost when a shopper is referred over to that environment," Mr. Mason said.
GNC Redesigns iPhone, Android App to Enhance Mobile Shopping Experience (Mobile Marketer)
“Our strategy is to go to our customers, wherever they are and however they want to shop,” said Jeff Hennion, chief marketing officer and ecommerce at GNC, New York.
“In addition, our customers spend a substantial amount of time researching our products, so getting customers the tools to research products, track their regimens and find any of our 5,000 U.S. locations is very important to us,” he said....
Branding Brand powers GNC’s mobile app.
Sephora Strives for Personalization via Multichannel mCommerce Push (Mobile Commerce Daily)
"The idea is to provide a seamless brand experience that bridges the online/offline gap by using mobile devices. Sephora is an innovator in the mobile space, and this effort helps to secure its position as a leader," said Chris Mason, cofounder/CEO of Branding Brand.
"Sephora provides a clear example of how mobile can enrich shopping experiences across the board," he said. "Rather than sitting around worrying about the death of retail, brands should be asking themselves, 'how can I use these devices to bring my in-store experience to the next level?'" he said.
Sephora Gets a Mobile and Social Makeover (Internet Retailer)
Beauty products retailer Sephora USA Inc. showed several new looks today, as it rolled out a new mobile site, revamped iPhone and iPad apps, and an updated e-commerce site with advanced social features.... Most of the upgrades were done in-house, with support from outside firms including mobile commerce developer Branding Brand, Bornstein says.
GNC Releases a Major iPhone App Upgrade (Internet Retailer)
The main menu of the m-commerce app, built by mobile technology vendor Branding Brand, is now organized with nine, large, thumb-friendly buttons designed to get shoppers quickly to the products or information they seek. Buttons include Shop, Scan, Deal of the Day, Ratings & Reviews, Gold Card, Reminders, GNC Way, Health Center and Clearance. A site search box sits atop the buttons.
Sephora’s Not Afraid of Smartphone-Carrying Customers (AllThingsD.com)
Unlike other stores that flinch when consumers pull out their phones, fearing that they are scanning bar codes to compare prices, the beauty supply company is embracing the practice.
Beauty and the Geek Time at Sephora (Portfolio.com)
...the company has seen a 300 percent increase over the past year in mobile shopping on its website.... iPad traffic to Sephora.com is up 400 percent in the first quarter over the same period last year, and 20 percent of all of the traffic to the site comes from mobile devices.
Sephora's Smart Social and Digital Makeover (Forbes)
Lots of retailers are hesitant to bridge the online and offline world, Sephora Direct’s senior vice president Julie Bornstein tells Forbes. Instead, she says Sephora’s embracing it as a way to connect with customers on the devices they use most and keep them engaged and informed of trends.
Sephora’s New Site Is Crack for Beauty Junkies (Gizmodo)
The company has perfected its in-store app-powered scanning capabilities as well--its iPhone and iPad apps pull up pricing, stock, and reviews.
Sephora Gives Its Shopping Experience a Makeover (Mashable)
Digital is a huge part of Sephora’s business. The company has seen a 300% increase over the past year in mobile shopping on its website, with 70% of its mobile traffic coming from iOS devices. iPad traffic to Sephora.com is up 400% in Q1 of 2012 over the same period last year, and 20% of all of the traffic to the site comes from mobile devices.
Sephora Doubles Down On Tech: In-Store iPads, Revamped Website (TechCrunch)
Sephora today rolled out what it’s calling a "social and mobile makeover." The updates include a newly overhauled website with ultra specific search functionality, spruced up mobile web and iOS app, and a commitment to install iPads in more than 100 of its physical stores this year....
American Eagle on Top in Omni-channel Survey (MR Magazine)
Young men’s and women’s retailer American Eagle Outfitters has come out on top in a global omni-channel fashion survey, doing particularly well in online purchase cycle, mobile and social....
Redken Rolls Out Mobile App to Better Equip Hairstylists (Mobile Marketer)
“Mobile sites are quickly evolving from nice-to-haves into must-haves,” said Christina Koshzow, cofounder/chief marketing officer of Branding Brand, Pittsburgh, PA.
Costco Goes Mobile with Costco.com & Costco.ca (Addicted to Costco!)
I am amazed at how really usable the mobiles sites are for making purchases and finding information. It’s far better than a lot of mobile sites that I have tried to use and left in frustration.
Makeup Retailer Sephora Launches iPad Program (VentureBeat)
The iPads come with a custom Sephora app installed and give a buyer access to information such as whether a lotion gave anyone with a certain skin type a rash.
Google Exec: Sephora, eBay Really Embrace Mobile Across Multiple Tactics (Mobile Commerce Daily)
“Sephora and eBay both come to mind as marketers who really embrace mobile across multiple tactics,” said Erin O’Neil Schultz, head of industry, retail, at Google, Mountain View, CA.
The Year in E-Tail: Lessons Learned and Looking Ahead (WWD)
She calls mobile the bridge between a rich e-commerce and in-store experience, a tool that can enrich the brick-and-mortar component to the retail equation. “[We’re] creating an ecosystem that works together to ease the consumer’s shopping experience.
10 Big Tech Ideas for Retailers (Information Week)
Released late last year, American Eagle's latest mobile app hits the usual checklist of features. It's integrated with the loyalty program, so customers can look up their points. It displays the latest catalog of merchandise. It lets customers scan barcodes to add those items to their wish list. It also delivers special offers and promotions, and is commerce enabled, so customers can buy from their phone. Oh, and it also lets customers upload pictures to Facebook so friends can weigh in on the new threads.
Trends 2012: US Retail eBusiness (Forrester Research)
Sephora uses the iPad 2's forward-facing camera to give shoppers assistance with makeup. Benefit Cosmetics uses tablets to provide billboard-like messaging in stores.
Ralph Lauren: Mobile Bridges Online Commerce with In-store Experiences (Mobile Marketer)
Ralph Lauren has used mobile as a way to bridge online commerce with in-store experiences, allowing the luxury brand to pave the way with today's modern and affluent consumers.
Sephora Is Most Competent in Mobile Among Prestige Brands: Study (Mobile Commerce Daily)
Sephora leads in mobile competence on a new ranking from digital innovation think tank L2 of 100 prestige brands. Brands across several industries were reviewed and measured based on their mobile Web sites, mobile apps, mobile marketing as well as innovation and integration.
High-end Brands Are Missing the Boat on Mobile, Study Finds (Mashable)
Despite the broad admonitions, there were some standouts in the index. Beauty retailer Sephora nabbed the top spot, thanks to its robust mobile site, and apps for iPhone and iPad devices. All three feature a rich, browsable library of how-to and inspirational video content, as well tools for online and in-store shopping. The iPhone app also features a barcode scanner and interactive tool that allows users to sample various hues of nail polish.
Prestige 100 Mobile IQ Report (L2)
Sephora has secured the top spot in L2's first-ever Prestige 100 Mobile IQ report. The ranking measures the mobile competence of 100 iconic prestige brands across five industries.
Retailers Stuff their Stores with QR Codes (Internet Retailer)
Some retailers, such as American Eagle Outfitters Inc., No. 102 in the Internet Retailer Mobile Commerce Top 300, used QR codes to prompt consumers to download the merchants' iPhone or Android apps.
American Eagle Outfitters Ramps up mCommerce Strategy with iPhone App (Mobile Commerce Daily)
Retailer American Eagle Outfitters has rolled out an iPhone application that lets fashion-savvy consumers shop the latest looks and get exclusive deals via their mobile device. In addition to a mobile app, the company also has a mobile-optimized site.
Holiday Shopping Nirvana Smells Like Teen Retail Rally (Forbes)
American Eagle launched its AE mobile app to woo online shoppers.
American Eagle's Fast-growing Mobile Channel Boosts Store Traffic (RIS)
Mobile commerce sales at American Eagle Outfitters have more than tripled since last year, and the retailer is gaining added value by using mobility to strategically support its other channels, including its brick-and-mortar stores.
Internet Retailer Top 10: A Mobile Mirror (Internet Retailer)
Sephora USA Inc.'s iPad app offers a feature impossible to duplicate on a conventional e-commerce site. The consumer activates Sephora's "mirror" feature, which uses the tablet's front-facing camera to show the consumer on the screen in one window, while in a window below she can watch a video of an expert applying makeup. The app, built by Branding Brand...
Building an Amazing Mobile Shopping Experience with Google Commerce Search (Google Blog)
Branding Brand has worked with Timberland and—earlier this year—GNC to turn their mobile visions into reality. Before GNC optimized their mobile website, 10 to 15 percent of their e-commerce traffic came from mobile. Since launching it this summer, there are twice as many visitors using search, and mobile search conversions are up 50 percent.
Growing the Google Commerce Search Family (Google Blog)
Branding Brand [is] a leader in the mobile commerce space who works with large multi-channel retailers to develop mobile and social commerce applications.
TigerDirect, CompUSA and Circuit City Mobile Sites Add Commerce: Parent Company Systemax Switches Vendors and Launches Fully Transactional Sites (Internet Retailer)
Branding Brand is a young, very nimble company with incredible technology," Paul says. "The unique thing about the company is they can combine their content management system with the data from the e-commerce site that they use to create the m-commerce site and store it all in a portfolio that can be used for other things."
Branding Brand Receives Strong Competency Marks in Mobile Commerce from Independent Research Firm (PR Newswire)
"We are excited to be recognized by such an authoritative source," said Chris Mason, Branding Brand's co-founder and two-time entrepreneur. "We have the best technology, the best team, and a proven track-record of constant innovation. We're young, hungry, and tireless."
Market Overview: Mobile Commerce Solutions for Retail (Forrester Research)
Branding Brand received the most "strong competency" ratings out of the 14 solution providers, with high marks in mobile web, Facebook, catalog and search, product discovery, shopping experience, multichannel tools, purchase/checkout, development tools, and integration tools.
Benefit Cosmetics Tests iPad App In-store to Educate Shoppers on Products (Mobile Commerce Daily)
The in-store app lets consumers learn more about in-store offerings, search products and see what's new. Consumers can also browse and view ratings and reviews to see what other shoppers think of the products. Benefit worked with Branding Brand on the in-store iPad app.
Bath & Body Works Bolsters Sales via Mobile Site (Mobile Commerce Daily)
The company rolled out the mobile site to stay on trend and keep up with the growing number of smartphone users. Branding Brand developed the mobile site for the company.
Sephora Boosts mCommerce Strategy via Integrated Digital Beauty Experience (Mobile Commerce Daily)
Sephora North America has debuted a fully integrated commerce-enabled iPad app that lets consumers shop its beauty products in a magazine-like format. Branding Brand developed the app for Sephora.
Mirror, Mirror on the iPad (Internet Retailer)
"This social shopping app streamlines content and commerce in one living, interactive place," says Nitin Mittal, managing partner at Branding Brand. "Leveraging HTML5, users can seamlessly engage with the app to add a new dimension to the catalog experience."
Vitamin Shoppe Increases Purchase Intent via Live Local Mobile Inventory Offering (Mobile Commerce Daily)
The Vitamin Shoppe has enhanced its mobile-optimized site to let consumers view local product availability in search results. The company worked with Branding Brand to integrate Google Commerce Search Live Local Inventory features into its mobile site.
Drugstore.com and Beauty.com Streamline Mobile Checkout Process (Mobile Commerce Daily)
"PayPal Mobile Express speeds up the purchasing process on mobile," Mr. Horowitz said. "This means fewer page loads and less information to type--two huge factors when shopping from a phone."
Mobile Commerce Forecast: 2011 to 2016 (Forrester Research)
Many companies are finding that allowing outside experts at mobile optimization (e.g., Branding Brand...) to manage one's mobile presence is a much more tenable approach.
Branding Brand Distributes Mobile Portfolio via Free iPods (PR Newswire)
Each new, 8G iPod Touch contains icons that link to a sampling of Branding Brand's clients. Over the last year, the company has launched over 1000 mobile commerce sites and apps, including work for Anthropologie, Bath & Body Works, GNC, Sephora, Steve Madden, and Vitamin Shoppe.
Branding Brand Leads Industry in Multichannel Commerce, as Retailers Invest in More Than Just Mobile (PR Newswire)
"Exactly one half of our 52 clients have signed on for two or more integrations," said Chris Mason, co-founder of Branding Brand. "This means that in addition to a mobile site, retailers are also investing in apps, tablet sites, or Facebook commerce."
GNC Supplements Mobile Site and App with PayPal Mobile Express Checkout (Internet Retailer)
Because they hasten the purchasing process in a setting where speedy checkout is key, alternative payments have the potential to boost mobile conversion rates, some experts say. That is the goal of Branding Brand, which has begun integrating the PayPal mobile payment mechanism with a variety of clients, GNC being the first out of the gate.
GNC Streamlines Mobile Purchasing with PayPal Mobile Express Checkout (PR Newswire)
"Our technology makes it easy to automatically bring PayPal Express Checkout into mobile; and up until this point, nobody thought it was possible," says Chris Mason, co-founder of Branding Brand. "For those with PayPal Express Checkout on their e-commerce site, this is a game-changer for increased mobile conversion."
Retailers Embrace Social Commerce (Wall Street Journal)
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. and GNC Holdings have invited customers to spend money by shopping on company fan pages without ever leaving Facebook.
JustFabulous Launches New Mobile Website (PR Web)
Members and non-members can now log onto JustFab.com from wherever they are with their smartphone. While non-members can sign up for the innovative service from their mobile devices, existing members can also manage their account, invite friends to join, rate their newest purchases and share their personalized boutiques on Facebook.
Go Ahead, Push Me Around (Internet Retailer)
General Nutrition Centers Inc., aka GNC, uses push notifications in an ingenious manner. It's created a system within its mobile app that customers can program to remind them when to take the supplements and vitamins they've purchased.
Deliver the Best Retail Mobile Website Experience (NRF Stores)
Webinar by Joey Rahimi. A highly functional mobile site and uninterrupted service are key to today's online success. During this live web seminar, industry experts will discuss strategies for your mobile site and how you can take steps to deliver a positive mobile web experience to your customers.
A Mobile Tech Vendor Uses Google to Boost M-Commerce Site Functionality (Internet Retailer)
In launching a mobile commerce site, General Nutrition Centers Inc., aka GNC, wanted to stand out from the crowd, by offering features and functions other retailers weren't. Its m-commerce technology provider, Branding Brand, had an idea: What if it integrated Google Inc.'s Google Commerce Search service, which offers some unique functionality, with its own mobile commerce platform?
As Mobile Commerce Matures, Site Testing Becomes More Important (Internet Retailer)
Branding Brand provides the web retailing functionality for about 1,000 web sites, including those operated by college bookstores, says company co-founder Joey Rahimi.
Retailers Retool Sites to Ease Mobile Shopping (New York Times)
Bailey Vincent Clark, a 24-year-old writer and mother in Staunton, Va., shops on her phone for convenience, regularly buying Bare Escentuals makeup on Sephora's optimized mobile site because she can do it from anywhere, and quickly.
Branding Brand Mobile Websites Perform Twice as Fast as Industry Average (PR Newswire)
"Mobile traffic is climbing at an extremely rapid pace, and user expectations are increasing as well," says Joey Rahimi, co-founder of Branding Brand. "Shoppers want mobile sites that deliver rich functionality and features, and at the same time, they want them to load quickly."
Ready, Set, Scan: Businesses Turn to QR Codes as Marketing Method (Pittsburgh Business Times)
Branding Brand, which has 45 clients, is seeing more and more of its customers coming in looking for QR code campaigns, which can fit in easily with a client's existing mobile website, Mason said.
A Fun and Interactive Shopping Experience with Google Commerce Search 3.0 (Google Blog)
"The velocity of smartphone adoption has made the mobile channel increasingly important for retailers. GNC wanted a flexible solution that would provide the best in e-commerce search while allowing us to develop a unique mobile experience."
Branding Brand Joins Facebook Platform Preferred Developer Consultant Program (PR Newswire)
"It is an honor to earn the Facebook Preferred Developer Consultant title, especially with our focus on mobile commerce," said Chris Mason, Branding Brand's co-founder. "We always strive to be at the forefront of mobile/social development, and Facebook is an important part of the equation. Today, mobile is social, and social is mobile; you can no longer separate the two."
Carnival Lets Consumers Book Cruises on the Fly via Mobile (Mobile Commerce Daily)
"When brands don't have a mobile site, they are ignoring this entire audience that is already trying to interact with them," Mr. Mason said. "Having a mobile site is like opening another door to your business."
Drugstore.com Adds Four New M-commerce Sites to its Stable (Internet Retailer)
All of the sites were built by m-commerce technology provider Branding Brand.
GNC Takes Retail Strategy Multichannel with New Mobile Offerings (Mobile Marketer)
GNC is using the mobile medium to advance its multichhanel retail support strategy to provide customers access to its health and nutrition-related products wherever and whenever. Both the mobile app and the site were created by Branding Brand.
Drugstore.com Projects $750 Million Revenue by 2013 (Internet Retailer)
Drugstore.com Inc., an online retailer of healthy, beauty and vision products, says it expects annual revenue of at least $750 million in 2013, with mobile and social media helping the company get there.
GNC Supplements its M-commerce Site with a Mobile App (Internet Retailer)
The app, built by m-commerce technology vendor Branding Brand, complements the m-commerce site the retailer launched in December. GNC's mobile site was also built by Branding Brand.
Pittsburgh Ad Chiefs Pick Super Bowl Standouts (Pittsburgh Business Times)
Branding Brand Managing Director Chris Mason cited a digital trend rather than a specific spot.
Jeffrey R. Hennion Joins Branding Brand Board of Advisors (PR Newswire)
Branding Brand today announced that Jeffrey R. Hennion has joined the Company as a member of its Board of Advisors.
Widget Lets Retailers Repurpose Google Local Availability Data for Mobile (Internet Retailer)
Branding Brand has developed a "Find in Stores" widget that, for the first time, lets retailers repurpose Google Local Availability data feed for use on their own mobile sites.
Download the Sephora App for iPhone and Get a Free iPhone Case (Beauty and the Blog)
Now you can show the world how much you love Sephora while you’re shopping at Sephora on your iPhone!
iPhone and BlackBerry Vie for Top Smartphone Spot (Internet Retailer)
"Although BlackBerry has been dominant for a long time in smartphones, it has not been the dominant platform when it comes to mobile traffic to retail sites," says Christopher Mason, managing director at Branding Brand....
Steve Madden Takes Second Place: 2010 Mobile Marketer of the Year (Mobile Marketer)
"What marks Steve Madden's mobile efforts from its competitors' pushes is the attention to customer ease across all digital media - online and mobile meld seamlessly to create a shopping experience that is friendly and a credit to the footwear brand"....
Drugstore.com on Social Commerce (Forbes)
"It really starts off our sites - enabling our site features and functionality across mobile devices and platforms. We are working with a company called Branding Brand to develop device agnostic sites that allow users to access our sites on their terms."
Sephora Debuts an App with Bar Code Scanning and Video (Internet Retailer)
Branding Brand built the new app as well as the m-commerce site.
Sephora Redefines Shopping for Loyalists with Unique Mobile App (Mobile Commerce Daily)
The Sephora to Go mobile application melds the ease and functionality of the features available through the retailer's mobile commerce site.
Getting Personal with M-commerce Sites (Internet Retailer)
MyBuys has teamed with m-commerce technology provider Branding Brand to build the m-commerce sites.
Sephora Takes its Beauty Products Mobile (Internet Retailer)
Sephora used m-commerce technology vendor Branding Brand to build the Sephora Mobile site.
Sephora Launches Mobile Website (WWD)
"The mobile Web site leverages the technology on our existing ecommerce site, and adds to it." ... Located at m.sephora.com, the program also has the ability to suggest new products based on past purchases and look up past ones.
Steve Madden on Mobile Commerce (Forbes)
"We work with Branding Brand, a market leading mobile platform company, which enables us to develop and reinforce a variety of social media initiatives quickly and effectively."
Case Study: Steve Madden Invests in Mobile Fundamentals (Forrester Research)
After seven months of deliberation, he settled on a company called Branding Brand, which provided him with the flexibility he sought and ultimately launched the mobile-optimized Steve Madden Web site.
Rust Belt Shine: Pittsburgh (Fortune)
Koshzow, Mason and Rahimi launched Branding Brand. In the first year the company snagged heavyweight local clients, including Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS), the $4-billion-a-year retailer.
Ford Promotes Taurus with Microsoft Tags (Wall Street Journal)
Tagging has been used at a variety of companies, including Dick's Sporting Goods, which worked with Pittsburgh-based Branding Brand.
Dick's Sporting Goods and American Eagle Ride the M-commerce Wave (Internet Retailer)
The m-commerce site, built by online marketing firm Branding Brand, enables consumers to shop on their mobile phones Dick's Sporting Goods' complete selection of merchandise.
4 Ways to Get Customers to Buy your New Product (Fortune)
To win over an early client, Christopher Mason, managing director of Branding Brand, knew he'd have to do more with less.
How to Use the Best Social Media Channels (TEQ)
According to Alexa.com, the Web information company, the number one most visited site in the United States is... Google! (Duh.)
Social Networking Can Jump Your Business to a New Level (TEQ)
Believe it or not, social networking has been around since e-mail was just getting popular.
Investing It (Pittsburgh Business Times)
A two-time entrepreneur before she marked her 28th birthday a few weeks ago, Christina Koshzow is augmenting her traditional portfolio by turning entrepreneurial investor.
YouTube Offspring Creates Niche Sites (Christian Science Monitor)
Small websites will not try to compete directly with powerhouses such as YouTube, Facebook, and MySpace, says branding expert, Joey Rahimi, managing director of Branding Brand.
How to Sell a City (CNN)
Local entrepreneur Chris Mason has co-founded two companies in Pittsburgh...
Why I Stayed in Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Top 50 in Business: From high school to college to small business owner, CMU grad found opportunities at home.
Branding a Winner (Carnegie Mellon homepage)
Last year, Koshzow and two College Prowler colleagues launched Branding Brand, a Pittsburgh-based PR and viral marketing company.
Young Entrepreneurs Choosing Pittsburgh (Pop City)
Thinking like entrepreneurs led three Carnegie Mellon grads to launch two successful companies, both in Pittsburgh.
Best Creative Tactic (Public Relations Society of America)
Branding Brand receives its first Renaissance Award, beating out firms such as Ketchum, Blattner Brunner, and Burson-Marsteller for the "Creative Tactic" honor on the work done with Capristo Salon and Wellness Spa.The Last Word (Carnegie Mellon Today)
Christina Koshzow, founder of Branding Brand talks about starting her second company in Pittsburgh.
Create a Brand Identity (Pittsburgh Business Times)
Christina Koshzow, founder of Branding Brand provides advice on creating a brand identity for your company.