For fashionistas who love trying on clothes but don't want to leave home, online retailer Tobi.com has opened a virtual fitting room. The online dressing room is based on augmented reality technology and lets a user take a photo with a webcam and then try on and rate different outfits.

IBM has released WebSphere Commerce 7, the latest version of its e-commerce platform, which includes integration with social media and mobile. The overarching goal of the platform is to create a more personal experience at the consumer level.

Who says direct marketing is boring? Perhaps one of the most innovative and unusual campaigns in recent history started as a direct marketing campaign. I'm referring to the "Best Job in the World" campaign by CumminsNitro Brisbane for Queensland Tourism. With a limited budget of only $1.7 million, the agency was tasked with promoting Queensland's Hamilton Island as a desirable tourist destination.

Keith Loell, executive creative director at Draftfcb, on New England Lincoln Mercury Dealers' "Follow Me to Bliss" push, Camelback Mountain Resort's postcards and InStyler's affiliate marketing.

Manufacturers and brand marketers overhaul Web presence to reinforce digital presence, provide superior customer experiences, and drive additional sales.

A troubled 2009 has seen cutbacks and ad budget freezes across all industries. Both consumers and executives have dithered in purchase decisions, absorbing information, coupons, custom content, product reviews, free trials and freebies before signing the check or invoice.

US online retail spending totaled $29.6 billion in Q3 2009, according to a e-commerce sales estimate released on November 5 by ComScore. The period, down 2% versus a year ago, was the second in online shopping history in which sales figures had a downward trend in consecutive quarters. However, the projections for the holiday season are healthier.

Online holiday sales will increase this year, but marketers will have to work harder for each buyer than last year, according to the 2009 US Online Holiday Retail Forecast, released by Forrester Research on November 2. The research company's report, based on an online survey fielded in August of 4,723 US adults, projects an 8% growth rate for November and December US online retail sales.

Samsung, conducting a test for more than six months on BestBuy.com, found that it could increasingly interact with consumers via a "Mr. Samsung" expert who answers consumers' questions on the retail site. The company discovered that consumers tend to view products more often after interaction with Mr. Samsung, says Kris Narayanan, director of integrated marketing at Samsung Electronics America.

Target has eliminated 85 positions as part of a reorganization of its marketing department. The company said in a statement that it "routinely evaluates all areas" to ensure its organizational structure is efficient and that staffing levels meet its changing needs. The position eliminations were not specific to employment levels or skill sets, according to a company spokesperson.