Finalists were selected from the entries, and to honor their strength they’ll be treated to a lunch and a style makeover. The overall winner, Gaye Clark, has also been presented with a $500 Chatswood Chase Gift Voucher.

One of the ways the center drove campaign awareness and engagement was with the Inspirational Woman Mother’s Day online app. Shoppers had the opportunity to surprise their inspirational woman by uploading a photo of her and adding it to a magazine mockup on the center’s Facebook page. Once they did, they were also given the option to email the cover to that inspiration as a nice surprise.

Now, I don’t know about you, but my favorite sort of gambling is the kind that I don’t have to pay for. So this sounds pretty perfect: anyone age 12 years and older can play for free, with prizes from merchants throughout the center at stake.

Younger kids won’t have to feel left out. While everyone else is busy marking off their Bingo cards, Norwalk Town Square will also be offering fun activities for younger children. There will be free carnival games and craft activities throughout.

When Norwalk Town Square held Bingo Madness last summer it drew more than 300 weekly players. With great prizes and good times on the line, this summer seems likely to be better than ever.

With a small minimum deposit, customers can open a Gift Club account at customer service. From then on, shoppers can drop by to top their accounts up as often as they like. As an extra little treat, the first 100 shoppers who open an account with £10 or more will receive a free Potteries Piggy Bank to keep track of their spare change too.

At the start of November, shoppers will be able to redeem the value of their Gift Club account on Potteries gift cards – one for shopping, or many for giving. 100 shoppers who manage to save up at least £200 by November 1st will get a bonus £10 top-up too.

Here’s the ICSC’s pitch: “Does your work set a new standard in the world of retail real estate? are you a trendsetter in the design, development and operation of shopping centers, providing a shining example for others to follow? If you are and the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, then this competition is the prime opportunity for you to showcase your efforts, your company and your properties.” Now, we know many of our readers fit that description to a T, so if your center is in the relevant region you should be set. Just a note for the folks from outside agencies, though—all entries in marketing categories must be implemented and entered by a recognized shopping center, shopping center owner, developer and/or management company.

This year’s marketing categories have been tweaked to reflect the importance of social media in giving shopping centers a human touch, bringing customers closer to their favorite brands and allowing marketers to engage directly with their followers in fun and creative ways. At the 2012 awards the Jury will award a special distinction to the marketing campaigns that demonstrate the best use of social media.

Think you have what it takes? You can find the call for entries here and tips and advice here. Once you’re ready to go, you can enter right here.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on September 11, 2012 at the ICSC Retail Real Estate World Summit. That’s taking place at the Shanghai International Convention Center in Shanghai, China.

“We are thrilled to welcome Natalie to the Fashion Place management team,” said Celeste Dorris, the center’s general manager. “Natalie has extensive marketing experience in the shopping center industry. Her proven track record with events, PR and communications will be a great strength in managing our growing center as we continue to provide Utah shoppers with new selections in modern retail.”

Watson has worked most recently as senior marketing manager for Macerich at South Towne Center. During her eight years at the center, she executed strategic marketing initiatives and programs, public relations, promotions, events, income generation, retailer support and community relations. Prior to that position, she spent time leading marketing efforts for The Factory Stores at Park City, where she was selected to serve on the Summit County Celebration Committee for the 2002 Winter Olympics. She also directed events and marketing for Cottonwood Mall and Trolley Square, where she launched her career in marketing.

A University of Utah graduate, Watson earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing. She has also earned the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) designation as senior certified marketing director and has been awarded an ICSC Maxi Silver award for her strategic marketing efforts at South Towne Center.

Congratulations, Natalie!

Have you recently welcomed someone new to the team or taken up a new role? Let us know and your story could be featured in our next On the Move.

“Northumberland Mall is excited to be selected to host the Malls of Science event this Saturday,” commented Northumberland Mall marketing manager Alexis Smith prior to the event. “There will be a lot of different interactive displays, exhibits and experiments throughout the day that are sure to pique the interest of shoppers of all ages. It’s always fun to bring events to Northumberland Mall that shoppers wouldn’t normally find at a shopping centre.”

The day was spent igniting a passion for science and technology in kids of all ages. They had opportunities to create chemical concoction, build hovercrafts to learn about air and flight, take a close look at the microscopic world, and more. The hope with the event, and every other event thrown by Scientists in School, is to make science accessible to thousands of people with engaging, informative and interactive events and to encourage a better public understanding of the tremendous impact science and technology has on our lives.

Sloane Lucas, director of Corporate Philanthropy for Toys”R”Us, explains it best. “Thousands of military wives each year experience the journey of pregnancy without friends and family nearby to provide support during what can be an overwhelming time in an expectant mom’s life. And, quite often, these women don’t have the opportunity to enjoy the tradition of a baby shower to celebrate this exciting milestone,” she said. “Through this new partnership with Operation Shower, Babies”R”Us is proud to assist the families of America’s armed forces by helping ensure that military moms-to-be are showered with joy while their husbands are so courageously serving our country.”

Along with the donation, organized through the Toys”R”Us Children’s Fund, the company is using its platform to help its customers learn about the cause and to encourage them to donate. By visiting its Operation Shower sub-site, shoppers can either donate money directly or buy items off the specially-curated Operation Shower baby registry. Expectant moms can also add donations to the charity to their own registries.

If you’re curious about how they pulled this feat off, there’s a full making-of feature right here.