CLEVELAND, June 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As consumer
expectations evolve with rapidly changing emerging media
applications, Developers Diversified Realty (NYSE: DDR), owner,
manager and developer of an international portfolio of shopping
centers, is launching a program to engage consumers in an online
medium they embrace – social media. Developers Diversified created
ShopStar, an interactive online community that brings together
like-minded consumers and provides value to shoppers across the
country.
Launching June 1, 2010, ShopStar
leverages two of today's most popular social media platforms –
Facebook and Twitter – to create an online hub for a fun,
tight-knit and customer-focused retail and entertainment community
that offers surprises and perks throughout the year, including
spending sprees, prize packages, freebies and experiences. This
"VIP Club" is brought to life by partnerships between the shopping
center and its tenants, both working together to ensure customers
find valuable rewards and engage in meaningful dialogue throughout
all elements of the program.
"Our recent focus group research confirms that traditional
advertising is not impacting consumers' buying decisions," said
Scott Schroeder, Vice President of
Marketing and Corporate Communications for Developers Diversified
Realty. "The reality is that consumers are doing their homework
before they come to a shopping center. They are searching the web,
talking to friends via social networks and reading online reviews.
This behavior and dialogue guides their decisions of where to
shop and what to buy. At the end of the day, we wanted to create an
effective program that speaks to the convenience and value our
centers offer in the same space that our customers are making their
buying decisions – online."
ShopStar will roll out in 25 Developers Diversified shopping
centers and is a platform for participating properties to provide
regular rewards and perks to loyal customers, deal-hunters and
social media-savvy shoppers. ShopStar debuts with two great
offers:
1. Join ShopStar between June 1 and June
30, 2010, and be entered to win a spending spree to a
ShopStar center.
2. Between June 1 and June 30,
2010, each time a new member refers a friend to become a
ShopStar member; he or she will be eligible for an exclusive prize
package from a local ShopStar center.
ShopStar perks will be updated frequently so members are
encouraged to regularly visit the site to discover new offers.
Additionally, there will be interactive elements, including polls
and a community forum for users to discuss everything from trends
to books to upcoming movies. ShopStar also incorporates the
centers' Facebook pages and Twitter accounts for followers to keep
up on the day-to-day activities at a center.
"Leveraging the power of social media adds a new level of
customer service that is critical," said Schroeder. "The
opportunity to communicate directly with our customers and create
relationships allows us to foster loyalty and build a personal
connection with our shoppers. Additionally, ShopStar and the
associated social media channels enable us to be actively involved
in online conversations with customers as they are making
purchasing and entertainment decisions."
ShopStar URL: www.GoShopStar.com
About Developers Diversified Realty
Developers Diversified owns and manages approximately 640 retail
operating and development properties in 44 states, Brazil, Canada and Puerto
Rico. Totaling more than 140 million square feet, the
Company's shopping center portfolio features open-air,
value-oriented neighborhood and community centers, mixed-use
centers and lifestyle centers located in prime markets with stable
populations and high-growth potential. Developers Diversified is
the largest landlord in Puerto
Rico and owns a premier portfolio of regional malls in and
around Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Developers Diversified is a self-administered and self-managed REIT
operating as a fully integrated real estate company. Additional
information about the Company is available on the Company's website
at www.ddr.com.
SOURCE Developers Diversified Realty Corporation