Macy's and Frank & Oak are two brands leveraging new types of Bluetooth technology this holiday season to bolster loyalty and in-store engagement. Although there are a few best-practice tips, marketers have plenty of room to experiment with the new technology this year.

Sony Music and One Direction have launched the first marketing campaign on mobile messaging platform Kik to reach 1D fans and promote the band's new album.

Registration is open for the 3rd annual Mobile FirstLook: Strategy 2014 conference Jan. 15-16 featuring speakers from Macy's, eBay, Coca-Cola, Office Depot, Lowe's, Amazon's Zappos, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Rue La La, Citi, REI, Campbell Soup, Omni Hotels, Forrester, Yahoo, NYT, USA Today and Cumberland Farms. Must-attend event for brands, retailers, agencies and publishers.

Please register for the free annual webinar at 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 5: "Mobile Outlook 2014: Up, Down or Flat?" Panelists include execs from BIA/Kelsey and Hipcricket.

The National Basketball Association has tipped off a season of giving with a mobile and social program that invites basketball fans to share photos of themselves performing acts of kindness during the holiday season.

The University of Texas at Austin and three other universities are training new math and science teachers to use mobile in what is claimed to be a first-of-its kind national program.

Mobile Commerce Daily - Blockbuster, Office Depot nail Black Friday mobile performance: report; Kona Grill personalizes gift cards via mobile.

Mobile Marketer is inviting nominations for the Mobile Marketer Awards, the most prestigious recognition honoring outstanding mobile advertising, marketing and media work in 2013 by brands, retailers, marketers, agencies and publishers.

Luxury Daily today - Jaguar builds upon F-Type Coupé myth via Instagram video; Fashion brands embrace spirit of giving with holiday charity initiatives.

By Gary Schwartz

On the return flight home for Thanksgiving this past week, I read Nassim Taleb's book, "The Black Swan," and decided that 'tis the season to draw profound parallels between innovation and poultry.