The Alaska Journal of Commerce

Bullseye signals the store's arrival in Alaska, as well as Target's promotion of the “Teacher on the Trail” program.

On its Web page, Target states that it donates more than $3 million each week to the communities in which it conducts business in the areas of education, the arts, safe families and communities, and team member involvement.

“We think (the Iditarod) is a perfect fit for our Take Charge of Education program,” said Amy vonWalter, senior communications manager for Target.

Each year, one teacher is selected to take students and teachers from all 50 states and around the world on an action-packed adventure from checkpoint to checkpoint along the Iditarod trail via the Internet. This year's Target Teacher on the Trail is fifth grade math and science teacher Jane Blaile from Christ Lutheran School in Phoenix.

“This is a fantastic experience. This last week I spent visiting schools in the Mat-Su Valley, and I watched the Junior Iditarod start and finish,” said Blaile, who was chosen from a group of applicants from across the U.S. “This is not just an honor; it's an adventure.”

Target hired and assembled a team and dressed them in red coats, complete with the Target bullseye graphic, to spread the word that the store has arrived in Alaska. Target is set to open in Wasilla and East Anchorage Oct. 4. The Minneapolis-based company will open an additional store in South Anchorage next year.

The team also handed out 10,000 pairs of black mittens with the red Target logo and coupons for 15 percent off any purchase of more than $50 at any Target store.

While the yelping dogs along Fourth Avenue were eager to race, the noise and attention didn't seem to faze Bullseye. But the white bull terrier certainly stood out, with a lipstick-red circle around his left eye, and donning a red rhinestone-laced collar, red booties and a cherry-red sweater.

Even Gov. Sarah Palin, Mayor Mark Begich and Sen. Lisa Murkowski doted over the iconic animal.

David McMillen, the dog's trainer from Worldwide Movie Animals, stood close by. McMillen manipulated the dog with treats to look just right in the photos, moving his hand like he had invisible marionette strings attached to the dog's head.

The spectacle demonstrated that Target is now a part of Alaskan consumer culture. But the company's marketing thrust in Alaska wasn't by chance, according to vonWalter.

Later, Blaile, Bullseye (in the sled) and dog handler Anna Berington, No. 98, receives instructions from former Iditarod Champion Dean Osmar while dog trainer David McMillan gives Bullseye commands for videographer Russ Weston. Target team members passed out 10,000 pairs of mittens to Iditarod fans lining Anchorage's Fourth Avenue Saturday. A vendor serves up a different kind of dog at the ceremonial start. Photos by Rob Stapleton and Margie Bauman/AJOC

Alaska and Hawaii will be the first markets outside of the continental U.S. to get new Target stores.

According to vonWalter, Target has to date donated $30,000 to Alaskan schools though its Target Red Card and Visa charge card programs. The programs offer 5 percent of consumer purchases to designated schools.

Target hopes to fill its Alaska stores with an appropriate mix of merchandise, according to vonWalter, with some items for sale by local businesses, authors and artists.

“We are really pleased at the reception by Alaskans,” vonWalter said. “The community has really embraced Target. We are also really excited to part of this race and to support one of Alaska's great traditions, the Iditarod.”