American Express has launched an analytics and consulting organization, called American Express Business Insights, to help its business customers develop better-informed strategies. The new unit, announced November 19, will study the aggregate trend analysis and spending patterns of approximately 90 million cards across 127 markets to provide business planning and marketing expertise.

Markco Media, a UK-based media and advertising company, will launch a paid search marketing campaign on November 19 to promote CouponCodes4U.com, the US counterpart to MyVoucherCodes.co.uk. Previously the site was only promoted through organic search engine marketing.

When it comes to lead management, you can't just roll the dice and expect to be successful. Even with today's powerful marketing automation technologies, process and strategy are essential to developing a strong lead-management program. To win big, you need planning, creativity and technology working in close concert with one another. Here are some key tactics that will help you engage prospects, move them through the pipeline and ensure that you beat out the competition.

New members of Omni Hotels' Select Guest loyalty program will receive double credits for stays booked on Omnihotels.com through the end of the year.

CRM agency Merkle, which created healthcare and mobile groups this year, launched its market research practice on November 12. The division is a part of the company's Quantitative Solutions Group. The Columbia, MD-based company has hired Christine Baskin to lead the division as VP of market research.

Borders is using free Wi-Fi service, as well as other initiatives, to differentiate itself from competitors and increase membership in its loyalty program this holiday shopping season.

Software providers NetSuite and InsideView are partnering to make InsideView's social media information available through NetSuite's cloud CRM platform. The companies announced the deal November 10. Discussion leading to the partnership began in May, with both companies saying that their clients wanted more social media-related insight.

This month, clothing retailer Gap launched a pilot loyalty program in the Vancouver, BC area. Once consumers opt-in, the program known as Sprize tracks purchases via a card swiped at checkout. If the price of any of the purchased items from the store drops within 45 days of the purchase, the customer will be credited the difference to his or her Sprize card.

Analytics firm Alterian reported revenue of $24.1 million for the first half of fiscal 2009, a 40% increase from the first half of last year. This included a 44% growth rate in North America, up from a 19% growth rate this time last year.

In this week's Toolbox, experts discuss how to personalize your e-commerce site before the holidays, online data exchanges, managing customer experience and sending highly personalized e-mails.