Sony Electronics & Comcast Unveil Sony Style Comcast Lab
Sony Electronics and Comcast Corp. are partnering to open a unique retail experience in the Comcast Center: Sony Style Comcast Labs in Philadelphia, PA. The co-branded retail store and technology lab showcases the latest innovative products and services from both companies and previews future Comcast technology, products and services.
“Consumer electronics are becoming increasingly advanced, and the strategy behind the Sony Style stores has always been to create a comfortable environment where consumers interact with and educate themselves about the latest technology,” said Stan Glasgow, President & COO of Sony Electronics in the U.S. “At Sony Style Comcast Labs, trained staff show consumers how to unlock the full potential of their devices by demonstrating how Comcast's advanced delivery services integrate beautifully with Sony’s hardware products and entertainment content.”
“Innovation has been the cornerstone of all that we do at Comcast and this new interactive space is the perfect showcase for our current and future technology,” said Tony Werner, Comcast’s Chief Technology Officer. “We’re thrilled to have this unique space anchor our corporate headquarters as a clear demonstration of innovation. It’s also a terrific, hands-on way for consumers to experience how all our products work together.”
Sony Style Comcast Labs feature the best of Sony’s electronics and the most innovative service offerings from Comcast. Sony Electronics offerings include BRAVIA® high definition LCD televisions, VAIO® PCs, Cyber-shot® digital cameras, Handycam® camcorders, PSP® and PlayStation® 3 game consoles and emerging technologies like OLED TVs. Comcast will showcase all of its products and services from voice to video and Internet and demonstrate how they each work together seamlessly for the consumer.
Leveractive Debuts Video In-Store Display
Leveractive has made new video-based point-of-purchase display systems available to retailers of its Giggles Computer Funtime For Baby Software Series for babies.
The new video displays provide shoppers with a quick overview of how the product works, features, benefits for the baby and parent, and information on awards and customer testimonials. Leveractive is providing these displays in both a counter model with a built-in 7-inch video screen as well as a floor stand with a built-in 10-inch screen.
“The video display jumps off the shelf and brings shoppers in,” said Tim Leverett, CEO at Leveractive, LLC.
American Greetings Launches ‘Fun Buttons’
American Greetings has introduced a collection of new cards with fun interactive features, music, and motion. The new cards are sold in special displays marked ‘Lights, Sound, Action’ and have an array of features, some of which are turned on with special “fun buttons” on the cards. Offerings include everything from choose-your-own-punch-line sound cards, to cards that let the recipient remix the audio, to options that incorporate motion with sound and music.
“Sending and receiving a greeting card is already fun. Our goal was to add to the fun, and give both the sender and the recipient something to smile about,” said Carol Miller, Executive Director of New Product Concepts at American Greetings.
“We know that shoppers will get as much of a kick out of playing with them as sending them,” Miller said.
Staedtler Unveils Fimo Kits for Kids
Staedtler's new FIMO Kits offer Polymer clay sculpting projects providing fun for all ages.
Full color instructions are provided with each kit which are easy to understand and help make daunting projects simple. Each kit includes four blocks of FIMO soft in assorted colors.
Staedtler is providing counter displays for individual kits, as well as an attractive floor display that contains 60 FIMO Kits. The nearly 5 foot tall sturdy cardboard floor display has a small footprint (14 3/4" wide by 13 l/2") deep and is easy to assemble.
NPD Reports Consumers Plan To Spend Same Or More On Entertainment In 2009
Most consumers plan to hold steady or increase their entertainment spending in 2009, according to Entertainment Trends In America, a tracking study conducted by The NPD Group.
According to the report, 75% of consumers surveyed said they will spend the same amount or more on digital music downloads as they did in 2008. 65% will spend the same or more on video games, and 60% will spend the same or more on CDs. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of consumers expect to spend the same amount or more on theatrical movies; and based on comparison to last year's statistics, the theatrical movie category appears to be in the best position for growth, as only 66 percent of survey respondents said they would spend the same or more last year.
“Even in a down economy, entertainment remains a popular spending category,” said Russ Crupnick, entertainment industry analyst for NPD. “Most consumers say they'll continue to purchase at least the same amount of many entertainment categories in the coming year.”
NPD reports that 51% of consumers surveyed purchased a DVD or Blu-ray disc in the prior three months. Purchasing a console or portable video game ranked second at 36%, followed by purchasing a CD at 31%.
Honda Demonstrates A Walking Assist Device
American Honda Motor Co. is demonstrating its prototype walking assist device. Stride Management Assist is a lightweight, wearable device designed for people with weakened leg muscles, but who can still walk on their own. Based on information from hip angle sensors. the device calculates the amount and timing of the assistance to be provided.
Wireless Occupancy Sensor From Lutron Turns Lights Off When Room Is Unoccupied
The Wireless Occupancy Sensor from Lutron Electronics saves energy by turning lights off when a room is unoccupied.
Users simply place the sensor on the ceiling and replace a standard light switch with a compatible Lutron dimmer or switch - no wiring is required to the sensor. The unit has user-replaceable batteries, designed to last up to 10 years.
Nintendo Introduces Wii MotionPlus
Nintendo’s new Wii MotionPlus accessory will take the motion-sensing controls of the popular Wii system to new levels of precision and performance. Wii MotionPlus tracks players’ movements in finer detail and with greater accuracy than ever before, building upon the innovative wireless function of the motion-sensing Wii Remote controller.
“Wii MotionPlus represents a new evolution in video game control,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's Exec. V.P, Marketing.
Black & Decker Launches Electronic Motorized Locks
Black & Decker is launching motorized locks developed for interoperability with home automation and security systems.
Key product features, especially for homeowners with security or automation systems already in place, include e-mail and text door lock status notifications, automatic security system arming and disarming, and remote locking and unlocking.
Dell Launches Adamo Brand
Dell has unveiled the world’s thinnest laptop with the new Adamo by Dell brand.
Adamo, derived from the Latin word meaning “to fall in love,” will serve as a flagship in a line of products created with an unmatched combination of design aesthetics, personalization choices and new technologies. The Adamo is being supported by an innovative promotion campaign featuring high-fashion models that reinforces the “fall in love” positioning.
Red Rabbitt Refurbished Computers Are Launched
Redemtech has launched the Red Rabbitt brand of refurbished computers and accessories, the latest evolution in the company's Sustainable Computing strategy aimed at extending equipment lifecycles to protect the environment while making a positive impact on IT's bottom line.
The Red Rabbitt product line features a wide range of desktop and notebook computers refurbished to OEM specifications.
Cricket Features World’s Largest Working Cell Phone
Cricket and Samsung Telecommunications, unveiled the world's largest working cell phone recently in Chicago. The phone is a working replica of a Samsung Messager phone and is 15’ long, 13’ high and 3’ deep.
Cricket invited Chicagoans to make unlimited, free phone calls and texts on the life-size Samsung Messager.
To celebrate the event, Cricket and Samsung Mobile also offered interactive activities onsite including a texting challenge, video booth and a display area featuring Cricket and Samsung Mobile products.
LEGO Group Uses Interactive Kiosk To Boost Retail Sales
The LEGO Group is launching its “DIGITAL BOX” terminal in selected toyshops and LEGO stores worldwide. The DIGITAL BOX terminal from the LEGO Group shows children exactly how the product will look when it has been fully assembled, even before they open the box.
This interactive terminal will utilize innovative technology supplied by metaio (www.metaio.com), in the form of a software program specially-developed by the Munich, Germany-based experts in augmented reality solutions. Together with a camera and display screen, the software lets LEGO packaging reveal its contents fully-assembled within live 3D animated scenes.
Children can hold special LEGO boxes up to an interactive kiosk and watch a 3D animation of the product inside the box superimposed on the box.
In-Store Experience Introduces Flex-Media
In-Store Experience has introduced Flex-Media,™ which combines modular merchandise displays with integrated eye-level digital signage and in-store multimedia. “Typical in-store digital signage programs consist of a wall-mounted TV screen,” said Scott Carter, SVP Sales & Marketing. “Flex-media™ allows the message to be brought down to the consumer level.”
The system allows clients to substitute components, refresh the video content and outer graphics, and service the unit in just moments. “With a heightened focus on sustainable resources, we built a system that allows retailers to maintain the core unit, and simply change the ‘skin,’ said Chris Anderson. President. “That way they are not sending an old display to the landfill, and we only need to send new graphic panels to the store, saving gas and carbon emissions.”
For more information, contact In-Store Experience, (Tel) 203-221-4777; (Web) www.instorexperience.com.
Rockband Interactive Kiosk.
This display for the ROCKBAND Music Video Game, was created to enhance the realistic performance aspect of the Rockband game while providing solutions for in-store contests. The unit is designed to be flexible with dimensions customized for each account.The Kiosk draws consumers through design, sound, monitor of live performances and the option for interactive play individually or with a group. This display won a Gold OMA in the Electronic Interactive and Technology Category and was created by Design Phase, 1771 S. Lakeside Drive, Waukegan, IL 60085.
Best Buy-Mall of America Living Standee
This life-sized living standee used rear-projection and the latest digital signage technology to generate interest and drive traffic to Best Buy’s newest location in the Mall of America. This display featured traditional printing with plastic fabrication to form a 3D shape. This display won a Gold OMA in the Digital Signage Category as well as the Display-of-the-Year Award, and was created by Modernistic, Inc., 1987 Industrial Blvd. Stillwater, MN 55082.
Space Chimps Display
This in-theater standee for the film, "Space Chimps," was engineered to support the weight of a large spaceship structure in motion. The motion of the rocking ship as well as the bobbling heads of the chimp characters attracts attention, while the ship's interior is illuminated by a hidden light.·The rocking spaceship looks as if it is floating "in space" above the base This display won a Gold Award in the Entertainment Category and a Display of the Year Award in the Temporary Category, and was created by Drissi Creative Services, 6721 Romaine Street, Los Angeles, CA 90038.
TomTom - Staples End Cap Display
This End Cap was designed to increase sell thru of TomTom portable GPS devices and accessories at Staples. The TomTom End Cap "kit" needed to fit onto a standard 36" or 48" End Cap fixture. The end cap needed to be modular. Security of the dummy devices needed to meet Staples' theft prevention standards. This display won a Gold OMA in the Electronic Interactive And Technology Category and was created by Rapid Displays, 4300 W. 47th St., Chicago, IL 60632.
Fisher-Price Spike the ULTRA DINOSAUR Shelf Display
This display was designed to showcase Spike and allow him enough room (27" vertically and up to 30" horizontally) to stretch out, stand up and walk while still fitting within all targeted retail channels. The display also protects Spike from the environment with a large clear cover that allows complete visual access from all angles. The giant blinking "Try Me" button calls attention to the shopper of any age. The internal power source consists of 96 ("D") cell batteries. The display base incorporates a battery life indicator. The display is easy to install for the retailer. The interactive display ships fully assembled. This display won a Gold OMA in the Toys and Accessories Category and was created by Darko, Inc., 2026 Summit Commerce Park, Twinsburg, OH 44087.
Magellan Triton GPS Counter Display
This display was created to showcase Magellan’s new Triton Series GPS devices in sporting goods stores. The display conveys Triton’s rugged outdoor usage. It’s urethane molded base provides authentic "rock-like" features. A metal caribeener is used to hold product fact cards. This display won a GOLD OMA in the Personal Products and Accessories Category, and was created by Frank Mayer & Associates, 1975 Wisconsin Avenue, Grafton, WI 53024.
Solio Counter Demo Display
This display was designed to demonstrate a portable solar charger for small electronic devices. It let’s consumers touch and feel the Solio charger. The graphics and icons reflect a green sensitivity that highlight the environmental benefits. The use of formed sheet metal gives the display weight and allows the consumer to move the product without the risk of moving the whole display. The display’s small footprint meant that the retailer did not have to worry about an oversized counter display blocking valuable space. This display was created by One Source Industries, 15215 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92618. BRONZE OMA.
Sony Smile Shutter End Cap Display for Best Buy
Sony featured this endcap display to introduce and demonstrate its new Smile Shutter Technology to Best Buy Shoppers. The display features two Sony CyberShot cameras with the Smile Shutter feature, accessories and a TV Monitor with looping video highlighting the features. There is also a Cybershot Camera embedded in the display which takes the photos of the customer and displays it on a smaller TV monitor. The flash of the camera draws consumers to the display and invites them to participate by smiling. This display was created by AMD Industries, 4620 West l9th Street, Cicero, IL 60804. SILVER OMA.
Mattel Wal-Mart Barbie Peek-a-boo End Cap Dress Up Kit With PDQ Trays
The objective of this "dress up kit" was to create a Wal-Mart exclusive end cap for the new Barbie Peek-a-boo Doll launch. It was to developed to encourage repeat visits to purchase more dolls with each visit. Graphics of the dolls were featured on the oversized two sided header. Shoppers of all ages were able to flip open the window to reveal the TV drivers featured in the PDQ trays. The side panels "Peek-a-boo" window was designed based on a child's height of 48". This display was created by Justman Packaging & Display, 5819 Telegraph Road, Los Angeles, CA 90040. SILVER OMA.
Mattel Wal-Mart Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary Pallet
The objectives of this pallet display were to communicate the 40th Anniversary of the Hot Wheels brand to Hot Wheels collectors at Wal-Mart and to create awareness of the new and exclusive Hot Wheels 40th Anniversary cars and playsets. The display's graphics tied in to the aesthetics on the product packaging, as well as to the logo and color treatments used in promotional events. Special printing on foil was used throughout the graphics on the display to evoke an elite and exclusive feel. Also, a uniquely shaped header was placed on top of the display to further communicate the "wow" factor. This display was created by Justman Packaging & Display, 5819 Telegraph Road, Los Angeles, CA 90040. BRONZE OMA.
BOLT Hamster Sphere
This inflatable was placed in theatres across Europe. The 3D character display was used to draw attention to the upcoming movie inviting patrons to return to see the movie. The center of the ball contained a two-ply PVC panel that created the realistic image of Rhino the hamster. The display communicated the playfulness of the children's animated feature. The display utilizes a character from the film and invited the consumer to take a closer look. This display was created by The Inflatable Marketplace, 1810 Gillespie Way, Ste. 202, El Cajon, CA 92020. BRONZE OMA.
Sansa Mp3 Player Display
This display was created to help SanDisk relaunch its rebranded line of Mp3 players. Previous graphics were much more conservative and lacked the playfulness of the rebranding. The display has a very unique shape in that the main graphic area is on a curved SBS panel that grabs the consumer's attention. The display maintains a small footprint yet is stable thanks to the unique base structure. The display was shipped completely assembled and preloaded with product. This display was created by One Source Industries, 15215 Alton Parkway, Irvine, CA 92618. BRONZE OMA.
Pioneer Pro DJ Retail Experience Display
This display was designed to enable shoppers to "Hear, See and Feel the Pioneer Difference!" It allows the consumer to have a better tactile experience with the products. The consumer can also see what combination of products is available with the simple touch of a selector button. This display was created by Kosakura Co., 2215 S. Standard Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92707. SILVER OMA.
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