BACK-END AND BELOW-THE-LINE SERVICES

BREWING PARTNERSHIPS

The Pabst Brewing Co., San Antonio, TX, is seeking marketing, promotion, special event, and merchandising proposals for May-September 2003. Tie-in partnerships are also of interest. Two-page, bullet-pointed proposals should focus on detailing the dollar value of the available advertising exposure. Pitches in the $10,000 to $50,000 range will be given priority consideration. Send to: Marketing Director, Pabst Brewing Co., P.O. Box 1661, San Antonio, TX, 78296.

SHOP RIGHT

Valassis Relationship Marketing Systems, Shelton, CT, has a new Shopper Connection service that helps packaged goods makers and retailers target coupons and other offers more efficiently. The retailer-specific co-op mailer lets marketers customize offers to a store's shoppers based on as much as one year's worth of frequent-shopper data. Offers can be tailored for new-customer acquisition, retention, re-acquisition, upselling, or brand exposure. Results are tracked extensively. Shopper Connection is free to retailers, and costs about $50 to $60 per 1,000 for participating brands. More info: 203-225-1300 or www.vrms.com.

TV NATION

Media measurement service Arbitron, New York City, is developing a “portable people meter” that automatically logs the programming seen or heard by the wearer anytime. Users sport the device as they move around, then place it in a home docking station overnight so the data can be electronically delivered to Arbitron. The device uses microphones to pick up codes embedded in TV, radio, and streaming Internet broadcasts. It also has a motion detector to verify its use. Arbitron recently held a trial with 1,500 consumers in Philadelphia. More info: 212-887-1314 or www.arbitron.com.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

New York City-based WhenU is offering what it terms “contextual online marketing” by focusing on buying habits rather than demographic information. Consumers agree to acquire WhenU's Adware package in exchange for free downloads of other popular software. (WhenU splits ad revenues with the software publishers.) Adware then activates when the user nears a purchase decision for a product or service. For example, a user pricing airfare on a travel site may get a pop-up discount offer from an airline. More info: 212-255-8386 or www.whenu.com.

COPY RIGHTING

Chapel Hill, NC-based Yankelovich, Inc. launched MindBase Scribe, a new application for its lifestyle database. The service helps generate marketing copy to appeal to specific consumer groups, and offers messaging tips for developing direct mail packages, call center scripts, or e-mail copy. More info: 919-932-8873 or www.yankelovich.com.

TICKET TAKERS

New York City-based Clear Channel Entertainment launched getAccess, an online membership program offering concert ticket discounts, exclusive merchandise, VIP services, and back-stage tours. Annual membership fee is $60. Clear Channel launched the program in conjunction with Sam Goody Stores, Minnetonka, MN, which offered pre-sale Rolling Stones tickets in four cities to registrants. Sam Goody parent The Musicland Group (a division of Best Buy) is offering getAccess to its two million Replay loyalty club members. Similar marketing partnerships are available. More info: 612-573-3110 or www.samgoody.com.

TOAST MASTERS

Toast! Network, Lexington, KY, introduced a national online loyalty program it says will help off-premise alcohol retailers collect better information on customer preferences. Consumers register in-store to receive personalized e-mails with special offers and promotions. The base program, which includes in-store registration materials, advertising services, and customized Web sites, is free to retailers who agree to generate a minimum number of registrations. Members receive customized e-mail communication containing special offers. Research and data analysis programs are available. More info: 877-778-6278 or www.toastnetwork.com.