Vancouver-based integrated communications agency Hot Tomali
has launched an online retail training community called Cheddar Labs
(www.cheddarlabs.com). This website rewards retail sales associates with prizes
and branded SWAG in exchange for training on the products they sell. The
program is free to sales associates, and is funded by brands and product
manufacturers.
Over 10,000 retail sales associates have already joined, and
the community is growing quickly. These site members represent almost 4,000
store locations in North America and more than 85 retailers, including Best
Buy, Future Shop, Apple Store, Target, Staples, and Walmart.
“Cheddar Labs is a powerful marketing channel for brands,”
said Thomas Stringham, Hot Tomali's Founder & Creative Director.
“Manufacturers now have a direct line of communication with the retail
associates on the front line. Electronic Arts already has training hosted on
Cheddar Labs, and several other innovative retail brands currently have labs in
development.”
A survey of Cheddar Labs users found that sales associates
are highly motivated to learn more about the products they sell. Survey
highlights include the following:
- 95% of sales associates feel that Cheddar Labs increases their product knowledge.
- 81% of sales associates feel that Cheddar Labs helps them sell more products.
- 99% of users report telling their colleagues about Cheddar Labs.
“It's an adaptive solution that's designed to effectively
train any vertical market, including technology, apparel, food and beverage,
automotive, and healthcare,” said Thomas Stringham. “Our administrative tools
make creating and updating content easy, so that marketing and communications
teams and their agencies can manage materials directly.”
***
Winner of Ad Age’s 2010 International Small Agency of the
Year award, Hot Tomali is an integrated communications agency guided by ideas —
not mediums. Every project is approached individually to tailor innovative and
thought-provoking communications that are specific to their client’s audience.
To learn more about these services and to view Hot Tomali’s online portfolio,
visit www.hottomali.com.
