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CREATIVE Electronics & Entertainment Merchandising
October/November, 2005

Disney Store Unveils Fantasy Themed Retail Environment

Disney Store has opened the first in a series of remodeled Disney Store locations designed to capture the fun of Disney in greater detail than ever before.

Dubbed “The Mickey,” the new Disney Store prototype in Trumbull, CT is designed to transport guests into a world of classic Disney magic, with imaginative settings and displays. Plans call for the renovation of 30 stores in North America this year.

From the bright red entryway shaped like Mickey's iconic silhouette to the "Twirl Here" icon on the floor outside the Princess-themed girls' dressing area, the 5,000 sq. ft. space is designed to give families an authentic Disney experience. An 11’ high “Sorcerer Mickey” is featured in the store’s center, with an elliptical ceiling and sparkling, lenticular lighting overhead. There is a media wall area with kid-friendly, Donald and Daisy "duckbills" as seats. Tinkerbell flutters over a fantasy-themed dressing area with décor inspired by The Disney Princesses and Peter Pan-themed characters.

Disney Store worked with St. Louis, MO-based Kiku Obata Company on the “Mickey” store design.

Download & Go Stations Open At f.y.e. Stores

Trans World Entertainment Corp. has partnered with WideRay to launch “Download & Go” mobile entertainment stations at TWEC’s f.y.e. retail locations in New York, Los Angeles and Boston.

The mobile entertainment content available from WideRay includes music, video games, ringtones and wallpapers. Games will be offered and can be paid for in-store through f.y.e.’s point-of-sale system. To receive the mobile content from the “Download & Go” stations, customers need a Bluetooth- or infrared-enabled mobile device. Once inside the store, customers with mobile phones will be automatically sent a wireless message with the content offer.

Fred Fox, Exec. V.P., Marketing, TWEC said, “Our partnership with WideRay will enable f.y.e. to reach customers with exciting entertainment choices.”

Ritz Camera Centers To Offer Digital Photo Kiosks

Ritz Camera Centers is equipping the “Print Bars” in Ritz Camera locations with digital photo kiosks powered by Lucidiom. Ritz Camera Center’s Print Bars, which the Company introduced earlier this year, allow customers to sit comfortably at photo kiosks to select, edit and print their digital images from their media cards.

Lucidiom Automated Photo Machine (APM) systems in Ritz Print Bars will be connected via the APM Network to allow Ritz to remotely manage order volume, order status and kiosk performance.

“Customers love the convenience of being able to grab a seat and not feel rushed as they select what photos to print, how many to print and which to order as enlargements,” said Rich Tranchida, EVP of Ritz Camera Centers. “With Lucidiom’s APM technology, we have a system that is quick and easy to use and that provides business insight into how our kiosks are performing.”

Powerwing Display Promotes Madagascar Toothpaste

This one-piece corrugated power wing shipped packed with 24 or 48 tubes of Madagascar Wild Cherry Vanilla flavored toothpaste. Two different display sizes were designed to accommodate the smaller and larger pack-outs.

The power wing is constructed of 32 ECT B flute and is printed one-color flexo with 4-color spot mounted litho label. The attached header card easily pivots upward into position by way of incorporated flute wire. The displays were distributed to Wal-Mart and other food market and drug store chains.

The Madagascar Toothpaste Power Wing was produced by Arrow Display, a Division of Mannkraft Corp., which is located in Newark, NJ.

Lenticular Movie Posters Promote Sharkboy & Lavagirl

Virtual Images Unlimited recently created this large format lenticular movie poster for the release of “The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D.”

These large format photographic movie posters are sized at 27" x 40." With intensive 3D depth effects and color clarity, only achievable with the use of photographic lenticular, the image features both Sharkboy and Lavagirl, utilizing 3D effects to illustrate the capabilities of their powers. The photographic lenticular movie posters added unimaginable depth to the film’s 3D-themed marketing campaign, according to David Corey, President of Virtual Images Unlimited, San Bernardino, CA.

Pop-Up Books By Robert Sabuda Inspire Borders Displays

Shoppers at Borders and Waldenbooks stores will find themselves virtually inside a larger-than-life, 3-D pop-up book featuring enchanting winter scenes created by Robert Sabuda, the best-selling children’s book artist who is regarded as the wizard of pop-up books.

Sabuda’s latest book, “Winter’s Tale-An Original Pop-Up Journey” is the inspiration for exclusive store scenery in more than 1,200 Borders and Waldenbooks stores nationwide this holiday season. Under the theme, “Open Up A Season Of Surprises,” Sabuda's work will be brought to life in Borders and Waldenbooks stores. Larger-than-life pop-up scenes will greet shoppers, including a giant paper snowman that will welcome customers as they enter the store. The stores will feature paper pop-up scenes depicting snowball fights, sledding adventures and ice-skating fun. 3-D paper snowflakes will create the illusion of winter inside all stores.

New Virgin Vines Wine Defies Stereotypes

In partnership with Brown-Forman Wines, Sir Richard Branson’s, Virgin Group of Companies has unveiled Virgin Vines, a wine that is fun and approachable. Virgin Vines is targeted to young adult consumers who are just beginning to discover the enjoyment of wine but are turned off by traditional wine imagery and attitudes.

“Virgin Vines takes a non-traditional and less intimidating approach to wine, making it engaging, fun and approachable for consumers,” said Don Freytag, Brown-Forman Brand Director.

Virgin Vines promotional materials playfully poke fun at traditional wine reviews.

Kodak In-Store Campaign Honors Rusty Wallace

Eastman Kodak and NASCAR have teamed up to offer 12 collectible NASCAR prints, including four of the retiring #2 driver Rusty Wallace, at more than 22,000 KODAK Picture Maker kiosks nationwide. The campaign is part of Eastman Kodak’s larger company-wide focus on its digital capabilities.

When the Kodak Picture Maker is idle in stores, a looping video will encourage consumers to purchase the collectible photos. Additionally, point-of-sale materials support the promotion.

Kodak has been an official sponsor of NASCAR since 1987.

Marketing communications agency Eric Mower & Associates, based in Atlanta, GA, developed the in-store promotion for Eastman Kodak.

Epicenter To Create First-Of-Its-Kind Shopping Destination

Epicenter Holdings, plans to create a first-of-its-kind shopping destination that brings together online, catalog and in-store retailing. Epicenter and WalkerGroup, a retail design firm, are working to create a state-of-the-art consumer experience that will open in 2006 at the Polaris Fashion Place in Columbus, Ohio.

At the Epicenter, each Collection will span 150,000 -200,000 sq. ft. of open shopping space and be comprised of branded retail showcases with demonstrations of new products, and fashion shows. Epicenter’s open layout encourages shoppers to move easily from one showcase to another. Throughout the common space, consumers will find an array of personal shopping technology-self-service kiosks and and-held shopping devices. Inside merchant spaces, they will be able to interact with dynamic information displays and media walls.

Jay Valgora, Design Principal of WalkerGroup, said, “By creating constantly changing virtual storefronts, Epicenter will offer all the advantages of Internet shopping, but with a distinctly human, hands-on feel.”

BET Links With Wal-Mart In Ground Breaking Urban Marketing Campaign

BET, a leading brand in Black entertainment, and Wal-Mart are forming a marketing alliance to offer DVDs containing urban-oriented music and movies with BET content and branding in Wal-Mart stores. These DVDs will be packaged with the featured releases and sold as “BET Official” branded two-packs in BET-branded retail sections and other merchandising displays throughout thousands of Wal-Mart and SAM'S CLUB locations.

“We’re excited to be able to bring our customers some of the most popular music and movie titles in this category and our relationship with BET allows us to offer exclusive releases with award-winning artists,” said David Porter, Wal-Mart V.P., Merchandising.

Zoom Deploys Automated Retail Stores In Airports, Hotels, Malls & Grocery Stores

Zoom Systems is implementing networks of 40 sq. ft. robotic stores placed in heavily trafficked locations such as airports, hotels, and malls. Zoom Shops have a touch screen consumer interface and deliver product via a robotic arm. Leading brands can place products like digital music players, headphones, computer accessories and cosmetics directly in the path of consumers generating revenue opportunities where none existed before.

“We have developed the technology to offer consumers the hottest products from $10 to $200,” said Gower Smith, CEO of Zoom Systems. “It’s like shopping online, but consumers have the instant gratification of getting their product immediately.” Zoom plans to build a network of 3,000 robotic stores over the next 24 months and to grow to 10,000 stores in the next five years.

Musicland & Cingular Innovate Lifestyle Retailing

Musicland Group has formed a strategic alliance with Cingular Wireless to carry Cingular’s Pay-As-You-Go GoPhone pre-paid products in Sam Goody and Media Play stores. The two companies will focus on designing a “breakthrough” concept in wireless retailing. Musicland and Cingular will focus on the youth segment--a group that many analysts feel offers the greatest growth potential in voice and data services over the next several years.

Eric Weisman, Musicland CEO, said, “Young adults present huge upside when marketing converged devices. The objective is to establish an environment in our stores where the chemistry of relevant entertainment content and highly advanced devices can flourish.”

Offering our products in Musicland’s stores will play a significant role in Cingular's leadership in attracting the youth segment,” said Glenn Lurie, President of National Distribution at Cingular.

Opus Opens New Entertainment Concept

Opus, a new breed of destination for enjoying a musical concert in a more comfortable and affordable setting, has opened its first 16,000-sq. ft. venue at the Palisades Mall in West Nyack, NY. The music themed entertainment and dining facility will allow patrons to enjoy taped and simulcast performances by leading artists in an immersive musical atmosphere, while incorporating the best elements of a high-end movie theater and restaurant. “This concept has gained relevance in recent years, given the high cost of tickets for live shows and the challenge of enjoying them,” said Ken Croney, Opus founder.

Patrons will first enter the Opus Lounge, dedicated to music where visitors can surf the Internet and create custom CDs. The 260-seat Opus Theater offers state-of-the-art technology, anchored by an oversized screen.

Opus plans to open in other major suburban malls across the U.S.

Taubman Shopping Centers To Feature Interactive Holiday Experience

Taubman Shopping Centers plans an interactive promotion surrounding Disney’s upcoming film, “The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” Taubman shopping centers will showcase elements of the world depicted in “The Chronicles of Narnia.”

The holiday set will include a walk-through magic wardrobe that simulates snowfall in Narnia; life-like figures that help tell the story from the film; and children will also have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa Claus and receive a special Narnia themed photo snow globe gift from Kodak.

The experience was designed and produced by the Becker Group, Baltimore, MD.

Devoted Video Gamers Key To Profits

IDG Entertainment’s (IDGE) annual industry white paper reveals that devoted gamers are responsible for the majority of the dollars spent on video games and systems in the first six months of 2005.

According to the study, active gamers can be segmented into three categories: devoted, social and casual gamers. Devoted gamers, who count game-playing as their primary activity, make up 41% of the total gaming audience and are responsible for 52% of the dollars spent on video games and systems. Social gamers represent 35% of spending while casual gamers represent 28% of the gaming audience and 13% of dollars spent. Devoted gamers will drive sales of new systems in 2005 and 2006 with more than half of them likely to buy a PlayStation 3 and over 45% planning to buy the Xbox 360 within the first year of their release. Industry executives predict 2006 will be a transitional year. The continued availability of at least two current generation platforms, and the presence of a vibrant handheld market, will soften the decline in revenue typically seen in life cycle transition years. Most executives predict revenues will be driven by devoted gamers’ move to the new consoles, and the strength of handhelds, although industry revenues will remain relatively flat for 2006.

“Generation Y” & Digital Devices

A recent survey conducted by KRC Research and Hitachi Global Storage Technologies found that U.S. adults have an average of $1,135 worth of entertainment stored on devices such as laptops/PCs, MP3 players, DVRs, mobile phones, PDAs, and digital cameras, and that their appetite for storage is growing. In particular, Generation Y (18-24 years) consumers have an even higher average of $2,199 entertainment stored on devices.

More than half of those surveyed (56%) stated that they felt all the photos, music, movies and video games they have stored is somewhat important, valuable or priceless. Nearly one in five said their digital content was “priceless.” 60% of U.S. adults polled said they wish they had more storage on their electronic devices, particularly “Generation Y” consumers, who on average, have nearly 1,200 songs stored.

Yankelovich Studies Family Decision Making

If marketers think that nagging is the way kids talk to their parents, they are wrong, according to Yankelovich Inc., based on its 2005 Youth Monitor study. It’s time for marketers to retire phrases, like nagging and adopt “Team Decision-Making” as the ruling mantra for connecting with kids and families.

Since the early 1990’s, the percentage of kids helping their parents pick out home electronics is up 300% (to 41%), the family car is up 100% (to 26%) and a place to go on vacation is up 35% (to 50%). 68% of kids age 9-17 say they discuss important family decisions with their parents (up from 53% in 2001). 54% of parents say they get a great amount of ideas and information regarding what to buy from their kids, compared with a similar 60% getting information from the parents’ friends.

The following percentages of kids report helping their parents pick out the following: Clothes (84%), Movies, DVDs and Videos (77%), restaurants (63%) and stores to shop in (58%).

John Page, Youth Insights Manager at Yankelovich, said, “While marketers must rethink some of the old standbys in marketing to kids, they also have opportunities to tap into the 'Team Decision-Making’ dynamic by understanding that the pre-shopping, actual purchase and usage of many products and offerings these days are family experiences.”.

U.S. Hispanics Entertain At Home

U.S. Hispanics are more likely to purchase media and entertainment products for the home compared to the general population, according to a recent study conducted by ICR, a Media, PA-based market research firm. This finding includes DVR’s, cable products, video game systems, video games, movies and music.

U.S. Hispanics are almost twice as likely to report having a Digital or Personal Video Recorder. While the reported penetration of these products is still relatively low in the general population (8%), 15% of Hispanics reported having one. Hispanics are also more likely to own a Video Game System (47% vs. 40% of the general population).

“These findings highlight the values placed on their family and the home that is common across Latin cultures,” said Melissa Herrmann, EVP of ICR. “It also shows the influence of the younger Hispanic generation on their overall household spending.”

Royal Launches Hot Shots Digital Key Chain

Royal Consumer Information Products has introduced the Royal Hot Shots key chain for sharing digital pictures. The 1.2-ounce Royal Hot Shots is a sleek, digital accessory that carries up to 56 digital pictures for on-the-go consumers of all ages.

Disney Unveils Portable Digital Audio Player

Disney Consumer Products is launching the Disney Mix Stick digital audio MP3/WMA player, which allows kids to download music, copy CDs or listen to digital music on plug-and-play memory cards. For easy entertainment without a PC, kids can use the built-in SD/MMC card slot to listen to Disney Mix Clips, plug-and-play add-on memory cards with popular albums from Walt Disney Records. Disney Mix Sticks come in: Disney Chrome, Forever Princess and Tinker Bell.

Kodak Ships Wi-Fi Digital Camera

Eastman Kodak has lauched the EasyShare-One zoom digital camera, the world’s first Wi-Fi consumer digital camera.

“Only the EasyShare-One camera has the ability to send e-mail from the camera to connect to the Kodak EasyShare Gallery at home and on-the-go from thousands of hot spots worldwide, to store up to 1,500 favorite pictures and to optimize viewing and operation via its unique touch screen and graphical menus,” said Greg Westbrook, General Manager, Digital Capture, Digital and Film Imaging Systems.

Nintendo To Launch ‘Revolution’ Controller

Nintendo has unveiled the controller for its next home video game console, code-named Revolution.

The one-handed wireless controller, senses motion, depth, positioning and targeting. It can be joined to a second analog unit for more traditional control, and to give gamers an unprecedented sense of immersion, particularly in 3-D environments.

Motorola & Apple Launch Mobile Phone With iTunes

Motorola and Apple have joined forces to offer the world’s first mobile phone with iTunes, enabling music lovers to transfer up to 100 of their favorite songs from the iTunes jukebox on their Mac or PC to their mobile phone.

The Motorola ROKR features easy navigation and playback and the ability to switch from listening to music to talking on the phone and back again with the push of a dedicated music key.

Garmin Introduces nuvi

Garmin International has introduced the nuvi, a Personal Travel Assistant that combines a GPS navigator, language translator and travel guide capability, an MP3 player, an audio book player, a currency and measurement converter, a world clock, and a digital photo organizer, all in one slim, sleek, and easy-to-use device.

“The nuvi represents the pinnacle in integrated consumer electronics for travelers,” said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s V.P., Marketing.

Jones Soda & Nintendo Conduct Joint Promo.

Jones Soda Co.has partnered with Nintendo for the “Under the Black Cap” promotion.

Jones Soda bottles will have specially marked black caps during the promotion as well as limited edition labels with an image of Nintendo’s title, Metroid Prime Hunters, on three Jones Soda flavors.

To participate in the promotion, consumers must collect five Jones Soda bottle caps with letters that spell out J.O.N.E.S. One Grand Prize winner will receive a flat screen TV, a Nintendo GameCube, two Nintendo DS video game systems, three Nintendo GameCube games, two Nintendo DS video games as well as a chance to win $25,000 in cash.

Peter van Stolk, CEO of Jones Soda Co. said, “Nintendo targets the same teen demographic as Jones Soda, which makes this a perfect cross-marketing promotion.”

CoasterRom Promotes Canadian Club

Canadian Club is sponsoring the “Smooth Challenge” poker tournament in Las Vegas. CoasterRoms™, were distributed at weekly poker tournaments leading up to the Smooth Challenge. The CoasterRoms feature mini CDs with drink recipes, poker tips and an online poker experience.

Publicis-USA, agency of record for Canadian Club, developed the “Smooth Challenge” promotion. Said Alison Carabetta, Publicis USA Program Manager, “Coaster Rom provides consumers with a fun and interactive way to learn about Canadian Club and how to play poker like a pro. The CoasterRom will help drive traffic to the ccsmooth.com web site, where users can enter the Canadian Club Smooth Road to Vegas 2 Sweepstakes.” For more information about CoasterRoms, contact Limerick Studios, Charlotte, NC (Tel) 704-371-4991, (Web Site) www.limerickstudios.com.

Motorola Launches Motomoments Tour

Motorola has launched the Motomoments tour, an interactive road show designed to connect people with the Motorola Ojo Personal Video Phone at festivals, Expos and retail stops.

The tour will include a Motomoments truck, several Motorola Ojo displays built for live demonstrations, and Motorola representatives who will be available to answer questions.

“We are launching the Motomoments Tour so that more people can experience how real-time video brings people closer together,” said Bill Taylor, Sr. Dir. Marketing, Motorola Connected Home Solutions. “It’s an opportunity for us to share a revolutionary technology.”

Mission Foods Disneyland 50th Anniversary Topper Display

Mission Foods introduced new Kid Size Tortillas with Disney Edible Tortilla Decals. To create excitement and drive sales of the new Mission product, the program featured in-store beautiful castle topper displays. This display is a visually dynamic merchandiser that is easy to assemble and cost effective to produce. It was featured in supermarkets throughout the USA. For more information, contact Rapid Displays, 4300 West 47th Street, Chicago, IL 60632.

8 Prong Gift Card Display

This 8 prong wire and metal display was designed to attach to the greeting card gondola and to provide another location for highly profitable gift cards. The display provides metal strips for UPC labels and a header sign holder at the top. The unit has a durable black powder finish. For more information, contact Nashville Display, 306 Hartman Drive, Lebanon, TN 37087.

Walmart Holiday Pinwheel Battery Display

This display was designed to drive sales of Duracell batteries during the peak holiday selling period when consumer electronics, toys and other items are needing batteries. The injection molded pallet features 4 styrene modules. Each module is composed of an injection molded base, gravity feed shelves and header, as well as a die cut heat bent wall. The headers are silkscreened. The pallet drops into place in minutes. The Walmart Holiday Pinwheel Battery Display was created by New Dimensions Research Corp., 260 Spagnoli Road, Melville, NY 11747.

Wal-Mart Stores Magazine Merchandiser

This sheet metal and wire merchandiser was designed to boost the sale of magazines in the checkout aisle of Wal-Mart Stores. This variation on the time-tested Sidekick merchandiser was developed to gain merchandising space on the side of checkout aisle endcaps. Because magazines are impulse items, it was expected that more facings would translate into greater sales. Each merchandiser contains ten pockets for standard sized publications as well as three side pockets for digest sized magazines and four opposite side pockets for small puzzle books, calorie counters, etc. Installation and set-up are quick and easy with the unit just positioned on the side of any gondola upright. These magazine sidekicks are currently being installed in Wal-Mart Stores. The Magazine Sidekick Merchandiser was created by Thorco Industries, Inc., 1300 E. 12th Street, Lamar, MO 64759.


Midway Displays Inc. is introducing its new Clipper Rack that snaps open. This unit dramatically reduces distribution/freight costs and eliminates damage when shipping clip style displays. The Clipper rack is a new patented unit that ships flat and "snaps" open with "no tools required". Custom color dispays are available and may be ordered as 36 clip (counter), 60 clip (floor), 72 clip (floor) and l08 clip (floor). The bases are tailored to product load. Company and custom logos can also be printed on bases. The KD base can get 400% more displays per pallet, saving $$$$. For more information, contact Midway Displays, Inc. 6554 S. Austin Avenue, Bedford Park, IL 60638.

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