Windward Mall in Kaneohe has launched a free mobile application and a new customer loyalty program well ahead of Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving that marks the official start of the Christmas shopping season.
Called simply Windward Mall, the app’s iPhone version also works on the iPad and was released a couple of weeks ago, while the Android version hit the market Thursday, said Windward Mall Marketing Manager Alex Kirley.
The mobile app clues in users to the latest offers and promotions by mall merchants and offers instant "access to shopping information," she said.
"This year has been the year of Windward Mall going digital," Kirley told TheBuzz. The mall has a new website, its marketing staff uses Facebook and Twitter to engage with customers and it has now begun mobile marketing with the app.
Separately, the new customer loyalty program is called "The Scoop," which shoppers can access for free on a desktop, laptop, Netbook, tablet or smartphone, or what ever other device has Internet connectivity.
Shoppers wanting to receive texts about special offers and promotions on mobile phones can text "windward" to 444222 to enroll. "We then communicate with our shoppers telling about special sales, events and sometimes freebie offers." she said, "and stay tuned, because there are other marketing initiatives that we’re going to be embarking on within the next couple months."
"We’re really trying to integrate digital technology with our traditional marketing and advertising," Kirley said.
The burst of integrated marketing initiatives is spread across malls managed by Jones Lang LaSalle, a publicly traded, Chicago-based financial and professional services company specializing in real estate services. However, each mall’s app bears its own name.
» www.windwardmall.com/mobile-app
FCC vs. MWP
Broadcaster Michael W. Perry has been assessed a $10,000 fine by the Federal Communications Commission for "apparently willfully violating" a section of the Communications Act of 1934.
The item about the so-called Notice of Apparent Liability in the FCC’s Daily Digest this week caused your columnist to do a double take, a click-through to the federal document and a query to the KSSK-FM 92.3/AM 590 morning radio personality.
"It’s all part of my fiendish plot to take over Tampa radio with a $49 Citizens Band radio," Perry replied via an email emphasized with a "Mwahhaahahahahah!"
The Michael W. Perry contacted by the FCC, it turns out, is not the co-star of Hawaii’s highest-rated morning radio show. Rather, he lives in Tampa, Fla., and was found to have a "non-certificated CB transmitter" and other related equipment. The Florida Perry has time to dispute the amount of the assessment.
Meanwhile the Hawaii Perry may still be chuckling about his namesake-doppelganger’s brush with the feds.
Reach Erika Engle at 529-4303, erika@staradvertiser.com, or on Twitter as @erikaengle.
