AT&T Stores Unveil Microsoft Surface Displays
AT&T is bringing Microsoft Surface(TM) technology to life in a retail environment, giving customers the ability to explore their mobile worlds using touch and device-recognition displays. Customers can experience Microsoft Surface in select AT&T retail locations, in major U.S. cities.
Microsoft Surface is a 30-inch table-like display that gives individuals or multiple people the opportunity to interact with devices and content by using touch, gestures and placement of devices on the display.
AT&T plans to harness the power of Surface to provide its retail store visitors with opportunities to learn about the growing universe of mobile applications and devices. The interactive touch displays will work without a traditional mouse or keyboard. Customers can review features of a particular mobile device by simply placing it on the display. Surface will recognize the device and provide a graphical overview of its capabilities. Customers can place two devices side by side on the unit and easily compare their features. Customers can view interactive coverage maps at the national, state, local or street level. Customers will be able to drag and drop ringtones, graphics, video and more by “grabbing” content with their hands from a menu on the display and “dropping” it into the phone.
“We are thrilled to bring this groundbreaking new technology to our stores so that we can introduce customers to their mobile worlds in a very personal and easy way,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility.
Borders Unveils First Concept Store
Borders has unveiled it’s first new concept store in Ann Arbor, MI, the first of 14 the company expects to open nationwide this year.
Borders Group CEO, George Jones, said, “We’ve stayed true to what our customers have always loved about Borders. Yet, we’ve brought a fresh new look and an exciting interactive dimension to the store with a Digital Center where customers can mix their own custom CDs, download books and music, explore their family history, and create photo books.” “In addition, we’ve put a strong focus on popular categories-including Travel, Cooking, Wellness, Graphic Novels and Children’s- making these sections of the store interactive destinations where customers can use computer kiosks featuring recommendations from our expert buyers, and related video content. There are large in-section LCD screens broadcasting content featuring some highly recognizable names in these subject areas,” Jones continued.
The new Borders is a bit bolder with a modern fascia featuring enormous windows and a louvered construction that evokes images of the pages of a book. Inside the store, curved feature tables highlight the latest book titles front and center. There are large, illuminated drums suspended from the ceiling that feature dazzling graphics and guide customers to destinations within the store.
Cellular Opens New Experiential Store
Cellular South has launched the cellularsouth.com retail experience, the industry’s first fully integrated interactive online and in-store retail shopping experience. “We believe this is the world’s first retail store designed as a mirror image of a Web Site,” said Cellular South President Hu Meena. “The cellularsouth.com experience will help customers get the most out of their voice and data services.”
The new cellularsouth.com store in Ridgeland, Miss., is designed to provide customers with a “walk through the Web” experience by physically replicating the company’s cellularsouth.com Web Site. There are 28 in-store computers, which serve as a primary tool for browsing and placing orders. All displays will be positioned on wheels so the store’s layout can be altered to reflect navigational changes on the Web Site.
Digital Signage Network Promotes Apple iPhone
AT&T Mobility recently leveraged an extensive in-store digital signage network to promote the Apple iPhone. AT&T deployed 2,120 digital signs as part of 7'x3' iPhone kiosks in 1,840 of its stores to promote the product launch.
Each kiosk attracts in-store customers to the iPhone promotional area and visually communicates key features. Display iPhones are also mounted to the front of each kiosk, allowing customers to touch, feel, and test drive the phones.
AT&T Mobility utilized STRATACACHE ActiVia for Media as the enabling technology for content management and delivery to the network of 1,840 locations. Through this digital signage network, AT&T Mobility highlighted the product and reinforced its up-scale, high-tech but easy-to-use image.
Hollywood Video Introduces In-Store Kiosk
Hollywood Entertainment is using this kiosk to increase the rental rate of each store’s Film Library. When consumers interact with the display, it provide the consumers with a list of suggested rentals from the library.
The use of powder coated metal for the kiosk enclosure allows for a sleek, but extremely sturdy display. The sleek look and ability to interchange the graphic panels allows the retailer many merchandising opportunities.
Movie library rentals have increased by 65% in store using the kiosk.
The Hollywood Video Guidance Kiosk was created for Hollywood Entertainment by Innomark Communications, a Fairfield, OH-headquartered point-of-purchase display firm.
Loblaw Supermarkets Feature moviecube Kiosks
The New Release is placing its moviecube DVD rental kiosk throughout Loblaw Companies Canadian grocery stores. The New Release (TNR) expects to install kiosks in over 350 Loblaw supermarkets by July 2008.
“moviecube has the dominant position in the grocery channel in the US, so expanding into Canada, where movie rental customers have shown a voracious appetite for DVD rentals, is a much-anticipated move for us,” said Tim Belton, CEO of The New Release.
“Loblaw is driven by innovation and value. moviecube is driven by the same principles and we’re thrilled to be their first Canadian partner, offering a great product at great value for our customers,” said Elizabeth Margles, Loblaw, V.P.
7-Eleven® Powers Up ‘Iron Man’ With Promotion
7-Eleven has launched an “Iron Man” promotion tying in with the “Iron Man” movie. The featured Slurpee flavor of the month is the new AMP Energy Freeze, a frozen version of Pepsi’s AMP Energy, created exclusively for 7-Eleven.
Four special multi-image, three-dimensional Slurpee cups for the promotion feature the Iron Man Super Hero and his nemesis, Iron Monger.“
“Just as action movies keep creating new special effects, our Slurpee cups, mugs and straws have to continually reach their own new heights of creativity,” said Jay Wilkins, 7-Eleven Slurpee and Big Gulp brand manager.
Special store signage and a true-to-the-movie 6'4" Iron Man standee will support the promotion in 7-Eleven stores.
SprintStudio Store Designed To Revolutionize Customer Experience
Sprint has unveiled its new, flagship retail store, SprintStudio, a contemporary-designed, interactive wireless store in Kansas City.
Paget Alves, President, Sales & Distribution, Sprint, said, “SprintStudio allows our customers to take time to explore the many compelling ways that Sprint's wireless services can be used-for running a business, running a home or just for entertainment.”
The store features a Digital Lounge, complete with one-of-kind, multi-touch tables that allow customers to interact with animated orbs of light that bubble up to the table's surface, and when touched bring to life the wealth of media content and services available on the Sprint network. Video screens wrap around the perimeter of the store.
“SprintStudio serves as a one-of-a-kind retail experience, designed to bring a more interactive experience to the customer,” said Alves.
Famous Names Boosting Wine & Spirits Sales, Nielsen Study Shows
Celebrity-driven alcohol beverage products- those branded with the name of, or directly associated with a famous individual- are gaining popularity in the U.S., according to The Nielsen Co.
Gaining marketing leverage from celebrities as diverse as film director Francis Ford Coppola, former NFL coach Mike Ditka, professional golfer Greg Norman and recent releases from Martha Stewart and Paul Newman, celebrity wines are on the rise. Celebrity wines are up 19% in grocery store sales since last year and represent 0.9% ($41.8 million) of total wine sales. Celebrity spirits sales show the same growth rate (19%) in grocery stores and represent 0.3% ($7.5 million) of the spirits category. In liquor stores, celebrity spirits are growing at an even faster rate.
Richard Hurst,Sr. V.P., Beverage Alcohol, The Nielsen Co. said, “While some celebrities have had a long-standing personal affinity for these product categories, others view these products as extensions of their ‘lifestyle brands’ and have connected with willing supplier partners to produce and market them. Some suppliers do not have the resources to launch big promotional campaigns and a celebrity can lend a brand instant recognition.”
Philips Debuts Power-Saving Eco TV
Philips has introduced the Eco TV, a high-definition LCD television that minimizes power consumption. The Eco TV is designed with several power saving features such as a proprietary dimming technology that is designed to lower the LCD panel backlight to reduce power consumption without compromising the picture quality.
The Eco TV incorporates lead-free components and flame retardant materials, which are safe to the environment.
Zoombak Launches GPS Dog Locator
Zoombak LLC has introduced its Advanced GPS Locator. Zoombak puts the location power of advanced GPS into the hands of dog owners. Once attached to a dog’s collar, owners can receive text messages and/or emails alerting them to the location of the dog, making finding a missing dog simple.
www.creoh.com
Clarity Debuts New Amplified Telephone
Clarity has introduced the C4230 amplified phone, featuring an ice cream scooper-shaped sound chamber ear piece, which makes telephone conversations clearer and more comfortable for the millions of people with hearing or mobility challenges.
Carsten Trads, President of Clarity, said, “We looked at how we could get the loudest, most comfortable conversations out of a cordless amplified telephone that also interacted in the best way possible with our end users. We discovered that an ice cream scooper provides an interface that is easy to hold and use.”
Madix Inc., has introduced Easel,™ a patent pending interactive shelf front sign channel. The Easel combines both TV broadcasting and interactive selling material in one unit. It can also be used to print coupons, receipts, or shopping lists at the shelf’s edge. The unit is less than 4" tall in normal shelf widths and depths of both odd and even increments. Any combination of electronic devices (touch screen, thin client,computer or media player, speakers, color printer, magnetic card reader), can be utilized. For more information, contact Madix Inc., P.O. Box 729; Terrel, TX 75160; (Tel.) 800-776-2349; (Web) www.madixinc.com.
Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co., inventor of the industry-leading Pullbox® product security tether, has announced successful prototyping of a biodegradable and recyclable version of its flagship product. “As companies strive to establish their ecological credentials with customers, our new Eco-Pullbox helps support their efforts,” said Bob Gustafson, Vulcan’s V.P., Sales. The Vulcan Eco-Pullbox employs a proprietary material that is biodegradable and recyclable. It has similar characteristics to the original housing material but offers an ecologically friendly alternative. For more information, contact Vulcan Spring & Mfg. Co., 501 Schoolhouse Road, Telford, PA 18969; (Tel) 215-721-1721; (Web) www.vulcanspring.com.
Above All Advertising, Inc., offers Portaboards, inflatable portable billboards designed to attract attention in front of stores, at promotional events, trade shows, etc. Portaboards are large enough to have a strong impact, yet they are easily portable to be moved where ever needed. Portaboards can also be used as an inflatable outdoor movie screen for promotional events. For more information, contact Above All Advertising, 9080 Activity Rd, San Diego, CA 92126; (Tel.) 866-552-2683 (Web Site) www.abovealladvertising.com.
Se-Kure Controls offers the Vantage I & II for securing electronic product displays. With its Button Control System, each department can be programmed so that only the designated sales associates can turn on or off the desired products. From Cell Phones to Cameras and MP3 Players, the new Vantage™ can handle the entire Electronics Display. Features include: Totally Self-Contained Alarm w/Power, Color Coordinated, Auto Centering, Power Pass-Thru, Stand Heights: 4" to 10". Advantages include: Every Location Programmable, Unique Color Changeability, Cost Effective, and Minimal Installation. For more information, contact Se-Kure Controls, Inc., 3714 Runge Street, Franklin Park, IL 60131; (Tel) 800-322-2435, 847-288-1111, (Web) www.www.se-kure.com.
Skyy Spirits Partners With ‘Sex And The City’
Skyy Spirits struck a comprehensive marketing deal with New Line Cinema to serve as the official spirits sponsor and promotional partner for the new “Sex and The City” movie. Skyy Spirits’ flagship product, SKYY Vodka®, will serve as the official spirit brand of the movie.
Gerry Ruvo, CEO, Skyy Spirits said, “We are pleased to be able to give consumers the chance to experience this cultural phenomenon through targeted marketing programs that give us a chance to highlight our premium spirits brands.”
Skyy Spirits will support the film's release through a multi-dimensional marketing campaign, including product placement of Skyy Spirits' expansive portfolio in the movie.
Skyy Spirits’ partnership will include national advertising, a consumer sweepstakes and on- and off-premise promotions offering fans a chance to win tickets to the New York City premiere.
Hasbro NetJet Introductory Display
Hasbro wanted the introductory display for its NetJet to explain the product and engage shoppers with NetJet content. This display allows shoppers to try the NetJet controller. The display’s housing is vacuum-formed silver extruded HIPS with a 6/color label applied. The NetJet Logo is injection molded and silver pad printed. This Hasbro NetJet Display won a Gold OMA in the Toys and Accessories Category and was created by United Displaycraft, 333 E. Touhy, Des Plaines, IL 60018.
Hasbro Spiderman/Transformers WalMart Pallet Program: This Hasbro WalMart Pallet display was designed to maintain a permanent selling arena in WalMart for variety of Hasbro products beginning with Spiderman 3 Action Figures, changing to Transformers action figures and toys and then changing throughout the year into a variety of other Hasbro toys.The Unit is constructed using wire, steel tubing, roto molded base, extruded price signs, graphics with overlam for long term stability. The displays achieved complete sell through of product during each promotional period. This display was created by United Displaycraft, 333 E. Touhy, Des Plaines, IL 60018. BRONZE AWARD.
Guitar Hero III Toys R Us Interactive Display. This display was designed to feature the new Guitar Hero III video game and enable consumers to try the game before buying it. The display reflects the "I'm a rock star" excitement of the Guitar Hero video game. The display holds all the elements needed to sell the game; product packaging for the software DVD as well as guitar console, demo guitars, TV-monitor and Xbox 360 console. The display had to be durable enough to last a year. Created by Shorewood Display, 33 Phoenix Drive, Thorofare, NJ 08086. SILVER AWARD.
Dymo-Rhino Floorstand Display. This display educates consumers about the company's products of label printers for specialized users. The display had to be easily restocked and organized. The design features RHINO's trademark colors and houses complete labeling systems in one compact footprint. Created by New Dimensions Research Corp., 260 Spagnoli Road, Melville, NY 11747. BRONZE AWARD.
Nokia Counter/Slatwall Display. The primary objective of the display is to present current and future Nokia Mobile Devices and (optionally) associated Nokia Bluetooth Headsets for consumer examination. The display utilizes materials and finishes evocative of the quality of Nokia products. Created by Packaging Concepts Ltd. 15 Wellington Rd., Lincoln, RI 02865. SILVER AWARD.
WWE Custom Inflatable
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) required a rush job for Wrestlemania 24. They wanted two custom inflatables that needed to be manufactured, shipped and delivered within two weeks. Two 24' inflatable units were created and delivered within the required time constraints. The WWE custom inflatables were delivered in "crunch" time. For more information, contact Above All Advertising, Inc., 9080 Activity Rd, Suite A, San Diego, CA 92126.
Kleerdex Company LLC announced a new addition to its 3D Laminates line, KYDEX®XD MB, which is infused with Microban® protection which prevents mold and mildew. It doesn't wash or wear off. Increased consumer awareness of microbes, along with the importance of maintaining a cleaner environment, makes this new grade a welcome addition to a variety of applications including kiosks, exhibits and displays. For more information, contact Kleerdex Company, LLC, 6685 Low Street, Bloomsburg, PA l78l5; www.kleerdex.com
Lowepro 40' x 50' Exhibit
This exhibit consists of large-scale digital murals, private meeting rooms and extensive product display. Various size walls allowed electronic equipment bags to be easily accessed by attendees. The displays were arranged to maximize traffic flow and space; and giant murals captured dramatic lifestyle images via large vertical towers. Lowepro increased brand awareness with innovative message and large-format imaging. The Lowepro Exhibit was produced by Cyclonix, l40 San Pedro Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037.
Yahoo! Custom Exhibit
This exhibit was designed to showcase Yahoo's new product offering, Go 3.0, and to encourage attendees to enjoy a casual yet impactful interaction with the brand. The exhibit featured an immersive, tented environment with a street fair theme. To direct flow, the floor was divided into pod areas themed by specific services and staffed by brand representatives using large screens to lead demos. A snack bar and concession stand were integrated into the exhibit to extend the street fair theme. This exhibit was produced by Sparks, 2828 Charter Road, Philadelphia, PA 19154.
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