Home Theater Internet Kiosk Features Movie Trailers
Comjet Information Systems Corporation, a manufacturer of DVD players and WebDVD convergence appliances, has formed an alliance with Tomato Land Display Systems, Inc., a St. Paul, MN-based display firm, to create the Home Theater Internet Kiosk.
The rainbow colored kiosk on casters supports ten five foot moveable wire DVD display racks that can hold over 500 titles, two 13' color TVs, two DVD-i Players and a Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound system. The Home Theater Internet Kiosk contains Comjet’s HomeMighty DVD-i set-top player.
The high tech DVD kiosk can be used to demonstrate DVD technology; sell DVD players; surround sound home theater systems; DVD titles or video game systems and accessories; rent DVD titles and players; staff and consumers can access movie related web sites; and the DVD player can run movie trailer discs or featured titles.
Page Music Center Offered To Music Retailers
Page Music Inc., has introduced the Page Music Center, an interactive listening display as part of a nationwide turnkey program for music retailers. The 3 ft. and 4 ft. units include 30 title selections and the 2 ft. unit has 20 selections, ideal for cross merchandising and waterfall displays.
The Page Music Center has state-of-the-art modular construction for easier in-store set-up. It
features push button design for easier consumer selection of 60-second music samples. The display is back lit and contains a CD Rom player with matched stereo speakers for better sound.
Musicland Stores Feature Magazine Display
Musicland Stores is using this display, designed by Creative Solutions International, Minneapolis, MN, to enhance product visibility. The display is fabricated using clear sheet extruded from Eastman Chemical’s Spectar copolymer.
The design couples a central frame with graduated shelf units that together form the A-frame structure. The clear shelves snap on easily with plastic clips.
With minor modifications, the display can be used to showcase magazines, compact discs or sheet music. Individual stores can customize the size to meet their needs. The display is held together with a plastic clip and tab assembly, allowing the entire unit to be easily disassembled.
MicrosoftSF Retail Environment Debuts At San Francisco’s Metreon Center
Microsoft Corp. has unveiled microsoftSF, an interactive, hands-on retail environment in which people of all ages and levels of technological expertise can explore the benefits technology can bring them. MicrosoftSF is a showcase for the latest technology from Microsoft and the hardware and software companies with which it collaborates. The facility opened at Metreon, the new Sony Entertainment Center in San Francisco, a first-of-its-kind destination with 15 movie theaters, attractions, restaurants and shops.
Microsoft has developed microsoftSF in consultation with its retail channel partners and will use the site as a laboratory to develop retailing solutions that can be shared with those channel partners. MicrosoftSF is organized into 12 "lifestyle areas" that create a real-life look and feel to the merchandising and a fun and informative place for people to shop for technology products. Each lifestyle area incorporates the latest multimedia technologies in state-of-the-art displays, featuring glass screens suspended over 6-foot-wide "event islands" that use rear-projected video to demonstrate the technology solutions in action
7-Eleven Offering Big Savings On Movie Candy
7-Eleven, Inc., is hoping movie fans will first head to one of its participating 5,600 stores to pick up their favorite candy prior to flocking to movie theaters. The nation’s leading convenience retailer is targeting movie-goers with a new line-up of boxed theater candies, typically found only in concession stands. John Moser, Confectionery Category Manager, 7-Eleven, said stores are adding special displays featuring top-selling theater brands and other large bags of candy, at significant savings over theater prices.
Moser said, "Sales of theater candies have increased 8% from 1996 to 1998. Some of our franchisees and stores have been selling theater box candy for some time with great success. Now we’re making a concerted effort to devote space to it in all stores."
Nintendo & Blockbuster Team For Promo.
Nintendo and Blockbuster have teamed up for a 70 market-plus "Are You Game Enough?" tour to showcase the year’s hottest new Nintendo 64 video games via the largest interactive mobile game arcade of its kind. Simultaneously, Nintendo and Blockbuster are conducting an in-store promotion supporting Nintendo’s Pokemon Snap, the first Pokemon title for N64, which will be featured at Blockbuster stores through November. Pokemon Snap players can bring their game cartridge to a local Blockbuster video store to print out stickers of their favorite Pokemon characters.
"Nintendo and Blockbuster have a tremendous track record for successful product sampling promotions," said Peter Main, Nintendo’s Exec. V.P., Sales and Marketing. "Now, we’re taking that concept on the road with a nationwide tour. The addition of the Pokemon Snap promotion provides new excitement in-store."
GM & Warner Form Marketing Alliance
General Motors and Warner Bros. have formed a long-term, multi-million dollar marketing partnership providing GM category-exclusive promotional tie-ins.
As part of the announcement, the Chevy Venture Warner Bros. Edition minivan was unveiled. The vehicle features a state-of-the-art entertainment system that will bring Warner Bros.’ entertainment history to the family road-trip. Upon purchasing a Chevy Venture Warner Bros. Edition minivan, consumers will be given special access to Warner Bros. entertainment. The three-year relationship includes benefits such as free videos and compact discs, special discounts at Warner Bros. Studio Stores, early access to Six Flags theme parks, and sneak previews of Warner Bros. movies
Consumer Electronics More Popular For Back-To-School
As Americans begin to stock up on school supplies for the upcoming school year, nearly twice as many will be purchasing consumer electronics, according to a study by the International Mass Retail Association (IMRA), Arlington, VA.
In 1998, 20% of back-to-school shoppers bought consumer electronics. This year, 38% say they plan to buy some type of consumer electronics, from calculators to software to computers, for the school year. On average, Americans plan to spend approximately $519 on back-to-school items, $171 of that on consumer electronics. Nearly one-half of those buying consumer electronics (45%) will spend $75 or less on items such as calculators and computer software. But 17% will spend over $900 on consumer electronics including purchases of computers and computer related equipment for back-to-school.
Vivitar Introduces E-CAM Digital Camera For Kids
Vivitar Corp., Newbury Park, CA, has introduced the E-Cam, an easy-to-use digital camera for kids. The small, lightweight E-cam features a focus-free lens and an automatic exposure system. Pictures may be downloaded to any PC and e-mailed to family and friends. The E-cam is also supplied with LivePix Looney Tunes Photo Print Studio photo-editing software from Live Picture, Inc.
The E-cam, available at electronics stores and mass merchandisers, will sell for under $80, making it an ideal first digital camera for kids.
Sprint Introduces 'Smartphone'
Sprint is entering the wireless data arena with Sprint PCS Wireless Web, a suite of wireless data products and services. The Sprint PCS "Smartphone," launched with Sprint PCS Wireless Web, integrates a personal digital assistant (PDA) and wireless phone to offer advanced features like an Internet microbrowser, email capabilities, and personal scheduler.
GE Offers Family Radios
GE brand’s new Family Radios are small, colorful, two-way radios which provide clear reception for up to two miles, making it easy for people to stay connected.
"Concerns about safety and keeping track of children are two of the most compelling reasons for purchasing these products, and they are equally appealing for campers, skiers, and others who need an open line of communication in emergency situations," said Andy Laria, Manager, Communications Division of Thomson Consumer Electronics.
Sega Launches Mobile Assault Tour
Sega of America is deploying its new gaming machine, Sega Dreamcast, on a nationwide “Sega Dreamcast Mobile Assault Tour.
The 22-week "Sega Dreamcast Mobile Assault Tour" hits more than 200 high-traffic locations in major U.S. cities. The tour vehicles "assault" all the senses, from their massive size, military design and high-performance sound systems, to the 16 Sega Dreamcast demonstration units available.
Partnering with Sega on the tour is IGN.com, the leading Internet destination for games and entertainment information. IGN.com will host the “Sega Dreamcast Championships” game competition, giving contestants a chance to compete in the championship round for $15,000.
Peter Moore, Sr. V.P., Marketing, Sega, said, "This tour gives us a chance to reach the
hard-core gamer while casting our net over the mass market target to cut into our competitors’ customer base." The Mobile Assault Tour is part of a $100 million Sega Dreamcast marketing campaign.
Dodge & Universal Studios Run Mktg. Program
Dodge and Universal Studios have joined forces for a major relationship marketing effort. Inside Universal Studios’ new theme park in Orlando, FL, Dodge will showcase 13 different displays and 41 Dodge vehicles.
The alliance between Dodge and Universal provides for unique licensing and merchandising opportunities for Dodge to build on the entertainment value of Universal’s properties. These include a first-look at marketing tie-ins with motion pictures; an exclusive automotive partnership with animalhouse.com, the web site for young adults; and the use of Universal characters through advertising and p.o.p. displays.
New Kodak Campaign Targets 'Tween' Girls
Beginning with this year’s back-to-school season, Eastman Kodak will focus on teenage girls with a multi-million-dollar marketing campaign that supports Kodak Max one-time-use cameras. The youth marketing program, which includes advertising and promotional activities, is intended to make the taking and sharing of pictures a "must" in teen social life. Portable and durable Kodak Max one-time-use cameras are a perfect match for teens’ picture-taking needs.
Developed with Saatchi & Saatchi Kid Connections, the campaign concentrates on "tween" girls, who are between 9 and 15 years of age. Kodak views tween girls as the most lucrative group within Generation Y. "Our goal is to make Kodak Max one-time-use cameras a must-have accessory by showing how cool it is to take pictures," said Dave Hardie, V.P., Marketing, Kodak.
Chupa Chups Partner With 'Buffy' For Fall
This Halloween, Chupa Chups lollipops’ new Tongue Painters will feature images of cast members from Fox’s "Buffy The Vampire Slayer."
Greg Heanue, Brand Manager, Chupa Chups, said "This affiliation makes us even more relevant to the show’s audience."
CDNOW & Miller Run Custom CD Promotion
CDNOW, Interscope Geffen A&M Records and Miller Genuine Draft’s MGD Music Productions, recently launched a custom CD promotion that offers consumers the ability to create a custom CD. Consumers can create the CD for $6.99 by locating codes inside Miller packages. The code directs them to CDNOW. Consumers can enter the site and choose up to 10 songs from 12 different Interscope Geffen A&M artists. CDNOW then creates the custom CD and ships it to the consumer.
"Teaming up with CDNOW offered a great opportunity for MGD to demonstrate its association with music," said Ann Stickler, Miller Genuine Draft Senior Brand Manager.
Universal Studios Runs 'Mummy' Promotion
Universal Studios is releasing "The Mummy" on home video and DVD backed by a multi-million dollar campaign, taking advantage of Halloween retail traffic. Hershey Foods and Polaroid have joined forces for a cross-promotional tie-in that includes a sweepstakes; rebate offer on Polaroid cameras; and an FSI from Hershey.
The Mummy’s Gold Sweepstakes offers consumers a chance to win a grand prize of $100,000 in gold. The entry form will be found on more than 100,000 Hershey’s displays.
Universal’s P.O.S. includes merchandisers, standees, posters, mobiles, and counter cards.
Bud Light Sponsors Def Comedy Jam Tour
Bud Light is a "presenting sponsor" with the "Bud Light/Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam Talent Search Showcase" for the 1999/2000 seasons. Andy Goeler, Director, Bud Light Marketing, said,
The contemporary audiences enjoying the shows match perfectly with the profile of our Bud Light
drinker. Bud Light is promoting its sponsorship with posters, banners, table tents and counter cards.
Nantucket Nectars "Promotes New" Squeezed Nectars
Nantucket Nectars is supporting the launch of its new line of lemonades called Squeezed Nectars, in a promotion with Trans World Entertainment, the nation’s largest music retailer.
Through the promotion, consumers will be able to redeem five Squeezed Nectars bottlecaps to receive $2.50 off their next compact disc purchase at participating Trans World stores. P.O.P. materials will support the promotion.
Alpak Manufacturing Corporation offers the CD-120, CD/Cassette Display. This “Price Busters” custom printed (and re-sized Header) stock display was produced for EMI. The Header was re-shaped to allow for attention-grabbing artwork. It is printed in 4-color process plus gloss varnish. The base, tray and dividers are printed 1 color plus gloss varnish. A special "Mop Protector" built around the bottom of the base prevents weakening of the display due to retail mopping. For more information contact Alpak Manufacturing Corporation, 181 Boyd St., P.O. Box 339, Montgomery, NY 12549.
This fiber optic sign for Fender Strings offers brightness and implied motion, enhancing brand identity and memory retention. Using signs as a form of dealer incentive is a widely used merchandising tool. Fender uses fiber optics because its dealers like the displays. Halogen lamps used in the sign, need changing only every 5,000 hours, making this a low maintenance permanent display. For more information in fiber optic signs, contact Fiberoptic Lighting, Inc., 950 SE "M" Street, Grant Pass, Oregon 97526.
Pepsi’s summer promotion tied into the blockbuster Star Wars film, "The Phantom Menace" and featured this 3-D sign. The sign brought the appeal and glamour of the Star Wars characters into the retail store. The sign is pre-printed vacuum formed styrene with the characters in dimension with real textures. Two signs were mounted back to back with a hole on the top for ease of hanging from the ceiling. The texture and dimension was achieved through careful sculpting and precise vacuum forming of the pre-printed styrene sheets. The signs were featured in C & G stores. For more information, contact Art Merchandising, 601 West 26th Street, New York, NY 10001.
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