What do you get when the second largest quick-service sandwich chain in the U.S. goes Plink? The opportunity for customers at 3,500 Arby’s restaurants to earn 10 Facebook Credits for every $5 spent.

Plink, the online-to-offline social media-based loyalty program already counts Taco Bell, Outback Steakhouse, 7-Eleven, Red Robin, Quiznos, and Dunkin’ Donuts as affiliates. Now you can add the Atlanta-based Arby’s Restaurant Group, purveyor of the classic Roast Beef and Beef ‘n Cheddar sandwiches, Curly Fries and Jamocha Shakes, to the Plink roster.

“Facebook Credits is the missing ingredient that’s been needed to connect social media to offline sales,” stated Peter Vogel, co-founder of Plink, in January. “Now with the ‘glue’ of Facebook Credits our national restaurant and offline retailer partners have a way to tap into the nearly 800 million users on Facebook, motivate them to become loyal customers, and reward them.”Continue reading...

What does money sound like online? Plink, the latest arrow in the quiver of digital behemoth Facebook.

Plink, a social media-based loyalty program, leverages Facebook Credits to reward members for dining and shopping at their favorite restaurants and offline retailers. Plink’s inaugural partners include 7-Eleven, Dunkin’ Donuts, Quiznos, Red Robin, and Taco Bell.

“Facebook Credits is the missing ingredient that’s been needed to connect social media to offline sales,” stated Peter Vogel, co-founder of Plink, in a press release. “Now with the ‘glue’ of Facebook Credits our national restaurant and offline retailer partners have a way to tap into the nearly 800 million users on Facebook, motivate them to become loyal customers, and reward them.”Continue reading...

Though Boston-headquartered Au Bon Pain dates back to the late '70s, CEO Sue Morelli is positioning the brand as contemporary, approachable and kind of chic, she explains in the above video. Their brand promise includes fresh, flavorful food, consistency, and a staff that loves what they do. Pandemic Labs, a pioneer in dedicated social media marketing (“marketing is a dialogue, not a monologue”), just landed the Au Bon Pain account.

Au Bon Pain ("the place of good bread") currently operates in 318 locations, and is considered the leader in the fast casual restaurant category, for the past three years earning Health Magazine's designation as one of America's Top 5 Healthiest Restaurant Chains.Continue reading...

When many Americans think of New England, they likely think about lobsters in Maine, a game at Fenway, a vacation to Nantucket, or (cue Sarah Palin joke) Paul Revere’s Wild Ride. 

But when the approximately 400 marketers across the US were asked to think New England, they had quite different things on their minds: Timberland, T.J. Maxx, and ESPN, among 22 others.Continue reading...

Google may be the target of a Us antitrust probe,  as brand's bid for Nortel’s patent assets coincides with Larry Page’s first day back as CEO.

Japan sets new radiation safety level for seafood after nuclear plant spews highly contaminated water into sea as Tepco shares plunge to record low. Also, Toyota reports misunderstanding over US impact and Honda targets rise in US sales but faces supply restrictions.

Amazon, Costco and Kohls are top brands for customer service in a new survey. 

BAT to develop “safer” nicotine products for long-term use. 

Boeing and Southwest deal with aftermath of fuselage tear.Continue reading...

Super Bowl XLV combatants, brand marketers including Kraft and Verizon, automakers and other game advertisers and fans gird for the game in north Texas this weekend between the Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Apple and Campbell Soup say that iAds are twice as effective as TV. 

AT&T reaches out to business users. 

BJ’s Wholesale places itself on auction block

BMW may lease, not sell, its Megacity EV.

Dunkin’ Donuts foresees 50% hike in expansion deals this year.Continue reading...

Dell says 3Par accepted its raised bid, trumping HP for control of the computer-storage company. (Updated).

US egg farmers launch a public reassurance campaign in the wake of nationwide salmonella outbreak.

Facebook is the leading social networking site in India for the first time, overtaking Orkut.

Academy Awards telecasts could move to Mondays to make room for NFL games on Sunday nights.

Alibaba Group, China's biggest e-commerce operator, expands travel business to include international airline-ticket sales and plans to undercut rivals' prices.

BHP, undeterred by rivals, vows restraint in its bid for Potash.

British Heart Foundation calls for more labelling on food after UK salt survey cites KFC, McDonald's, Pret a Manger and others.Continue reading...