Michael La Kier

Vice President of Brand Development Michael La Kier recently joined the Alliance to lead Red Oval Partner relationships, bringing his experience in marketing, branding, and strategy with brands including The Coca-Cola Company, where he spent over 15 years, Gannett/USA Today Network, General Mills, Walmart, Meat & Livestock Australia, and more. We spoke to La Kier about his plans for the Red Oval partnership and what retailers can expect for the remainder of 2023.

QR codes have become increasingly popular in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the technology has become easier to use and consumers have shopped at home more. QR codes have become increasingly popular in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the technology has become easier to use and consumers have shopped at home more.

As some shoppers return to brick-and-mortar locations, other will continue to buy online. Be flexible and mindful in your marketing to capture both types. Brands and retailers need to adopt a new retail reality as consumers emerge from stay-at-home sensibilities of COVID-19. Things have changed. Michael La Kier, a former Coca-Cola market strategist and corporate lead for shopper marketing and retail strategy at Gannett/USA Today Network, offers these nine tips for retailing today.

While many apparel retailers were rattled by the novel coronavirus pandemic, direct-to-consumer men’s essentials brand Mack Weldon benefitted from an unexpected tailwind after the initial shock of the first two weeks of pandemic disruption. Since then, the brand has consistently found ways to optimize its positioning and connect with consumers.

Amazon Prime delivery shoppers are reportedly crowding aisles, emptying shelves, ignoring safety rules, and bothering busy associates as they scurry around Whole Foods stores fulfilling online orders.

What types of influencers do marketers and agencies want to work with this year? As it turns out, the smaller the follower size (nano-influencers with 5,000 or fewer followers being the exception), the more likely respondents are to see future engagement.

The historic COVID-19 crisis has the consumer packaged goods industry reprioritizing the present and bracing for a ‘new normal’

An online discussion about the matter by the experts on the RetailWire BrainTrust earlier this month explored Modell’s questionable decision to crowdsourced capital and – more importantly for Modell’s at the moment – how it might move forward toward a turnaround.

An all-inclusive, "one-stop shop" format created a conducive atmosphere for learning, sharing and community building last week at the Path to Purchase Expo in Chicago, as illustrated by this gallery of images from the event.

Privacy is becoming a bigger and bigger concern. Efforts like this, which may seem innocuous or something that can drive ease to a retailer, may not be perceived the same by consumers.

Groupon, the beleaguered daily deals website, has officially launched a rewards program to increase engagement and repeat purchase rates.

Amazon wants to sell consumers every product and service for their homes. Naturally, it’s gotten into the subscription clothing game by offering Prime Wardrobe to millions of Prime members across the U.S. and elsewhere.

In an apparent challenge to Stitch Fix, Amazon.com has added a styling service to its Prime Wardrobe subscription service.

Despite Amazon.com’s success with products such as its Echo voice-activated speakers, not everything is quite as rosy when it comes to the e-tail giant’s private label products.

The use of social media influencers is expected to take another leap in 2019, but finding a return on investment (ROI) remains a challenge.

The end of 2015 is a good time to consider what we've learned about shoppers this year, and where things stand with integrating the physical and digital worlds in a retail environment. This article interviews two experts on shopper insights and retail marketing innovation.

Big data provides big opportunities for brands and retailers to identify and target their most valueable shoppers. Understanding all of that information and using it to create effective strategies that target and motivate core shoppers is a key to success.

Coca-Cola Refreshments is creating a more dynamic presence in stores for its assorted beverage brands by customizing displays, messaging, and promotions to match shopper preferences. At the same time, this coordinated effort aims to support the retailer’s objectives to increase basket size and trips, and enhance image. Targeting shoppers is the key.

Loyalty programs have come a long way for food and beverage marketers, from time-intensive point collection and redemption to personalized programs designed to foster an ongoing dialogue between marketers and their best customers and reward them more readily.

Rewards programs are about more than just points and free merchandise. They're about building a deep relationship with your consumers.

My Coke Rewards has established a benchmark for all marketers considering an online loyalty program. But Coca-Cola Co. hasn’t rested on its laurels.

The concept is simple: Establish a back-and-forth repartee with your customer (chiefly through online methods), collect and analyze the names and preferences of said customer and — ta da! — sell more.

Coca-Cola North America introduced in April a new bottle design for its Powerade sports drink that's easier to hold and grip.

When you think of Coca-Cola’s marketing strategy, you likely think of mass marketing at it “mass-est.” In fact, Coca-Cola often thinks instead in terms of large niche markets driven by lifestyle or life stage, according to Michael La Kier, director of My Coke Rewards for Coca-Cola North America.