Wyman’s Liquors Using Denon Digital Signage System
Wyman’s Liquors, a well-known brand in Massachusetts for over 80 years, called upon the Denon Professional DN-V755 Digital Audio/Video Player to achieve the chain’s goal of bringing in digital signage that would cost-effectively increase awareness of its offerings. The Denon DN-V755 has the ability to store and playback a variety of file formats from its built-in hard drive.
“The Denon DN-V755 has brought about a significantly enhanced shopping experience,” said Jacques Marchetti, President of Marchetti Engineering, the Boston-area company which developed a proprietary remote control interface (SW-755) that allows customers to navigate the content stored on the DN-V755s hard drive.
Wymans goal was to draw customers’ attention to weekly specials in an engaging manner, and to do so cost-effectively, with low maintenance requirements and the ability for each store to manage its own digital content.
KFC Selects Wireless Ronin's Digital Signage
KFC Corp. has selected Wireless Ronin Technologies, a Minneapolis-based digital signage provider ,www.wirelessronin.com), for the market test phase of its dynamic digital signage menu board program.
Jeffrey Mack, CEO of Wireless Ronin, said, “The quick-serve restaurant industry is an ideal venue for our technology, offering the ability for timely changes of information not currently available with static alternatives."
James O'Reilly, Chief Marketing Officer for KFC, said, “Not only will digital menu boards create a new standard for in-store communication and experience for our customers, we hope it will provide a cost effective way to communicate targeted menus by daypart and allow us to quickly make product and pricing changes.”
Virgin Megastores’ Digital Banner Promotes ‘Heroes’
Virgin Megastores recently began promoting the recent release of NBC’s “Heroes” first season with a hanging digital banner created by Epson to resemble the DVD box.
The Epson digital marketing solution includes an Epson projector, a custom acrylic screen, a digital content management and distribution system, and content provided by NBC. The system allows for dynamic content change and can accommodate a variety of screen sizes and shapes. The rectangle-shaped digital banner is 5’ long and hangs over the DVD section in the center of the store. The digital banner promotes the “Heroes” DVD by projecting content from various episodes during the first season.
HP Launches New HP Photo Center
HP has unveiled new retail photo printing solutions that provide consumers the tools to personalize their photos and publish customized creative output.
David Murphy, Sr. V.P. at HP, said, “In combining our printing franchise with a world-class set of software and web assets, HP is creating a multibillion-dollar business poised to lead the transformation to a comprehensive digital supply chain, from content creation and management to publishing and consumption.”
The difference between the number of images captured and those that are actually printed is vast and growing. To bridge this gap, HP is empowering consumers with the tools to personalize their photos and publish customized creative content. In the retail environment, the company is transforming retailers’ traditional photo labs into digital publishing centers that move beyond prints to digital media, such as photo books, posters and calendars.
The new HP Photo Center features a new consumer order station with a 17" screen with screen-assisted navigation to make publishing creative content easier.
Kodak Launches New Photo Kiosk Solution
Kodak's new Picture Kiosk G4X enables retailers to better leverage innovative new offerings from Kodak through a faster, powerful integrated combination of dual core processor and additional RAM & hard disk memory.
This high-performance kiosk will reduce wait time and increase consumer satisfaction with its rapid image loading and overall speed from start-to-finish. With the KODAK Picture Kiosk G4X and accessory DVD burner, consumers can create a Picture Movie DVD in as little as 5 minutes - making it the industry's only true instant solution that brings life to digital images easily and with original artist music.
"Consumers are looking for more ways to enjoy their stories,” said Brad Kruchten, General Manager of Kodak’s Retail Printing Group.
U.S. Post Office & Lucasfilm Feature Starwars Display
The United States Postal Service recently teamed up with Lucasfilm Ltd. to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Star Wars, with special Star Wars® stamps.
This display, placed in post offices around the nation features full size Star Wars Licensed characters. The twinkling LEDs in the eyes of C3PO and on R2D2 are attention-grabbers.
The Standee drew customers to the display to pick up a sweepstakes entry form, to win a Trip to Star Wars Celebration IV in Los Angeles.
This display was created for the U.S. Postal Service by Innomark Communications, a Fairfield, OH-based p.o.p. display firm.
Wal-Mart Kiosks Display Digital TV Options
Some 13 million U.S. households will be impacted by the switch to digital broadcast, so Wal-Mart has made specific plans to help customers make an informed decision. U.S. households are about to receive $40 digital converter box coupons, and Wal-Mart is stocked and ready with these small converter box units designed to keep home analog TVs receiving a digital signal.
This digital shelf display will remind consumers of the impending switch to digital broadscast and their need to take action to continue receiving TV signals.
Customers can also sign up for cable or satellite service at Wal-Mart stores for their current home TV or with the purchase of a new TV through in-store kiosks with the help of a Wal-Mart associate.
Showcraft
HMSHost And Airport Wireless Launch Techshowcase
HMSHost and airport technology retailer, Airport Wireless, have opened the first Techshowcase at Oakland International Airport. Techshowcase features mobile consumer electronic devices from the world’s leading manufacturers.
Techshowcase incorporates multiple leading brand technology manufacturers into one easy-to-shop store. Each store is designed to convey the atmosphere of a “please touch” science museum, with live technology demonstration units mounted on interactive display fixtures.
“Business travelers are able to put their dwell time to productive use by shopping for high-quality mobile electronic products and accessories to keep them connected while on the road,” said Ilene Berman, Co-CEO, Airport Wireless. “Techshowcase also accommodates the needs of non-business travelers seeking mobile phone accessories, a high-quality entertainment device, headphones, batteries, gifts, and more.
Each manufacturer’s interactive display unit and product occupies a branded and distinct “mini-store” inside the Techshowcase store. Interactive exhibits are frequently replaced or refreshed with the latest merchandise so that travelers may enjoy a new experience upon each visit. Because Techshowcase provides electronics manufacturers direct access to their target demographic, many new products will be launched at Techshowcase locations before other venues.
Domino’s Launches Pizza Tracker
Domino’s Pizza has launched the Pizza Tracker(TM). This revolutionary technology allows Domino's Pizza customers to follow the progress of their order online from the time they click the “Place Order” button or hang up the telephone until the Domino’s delivery expert is knocking on their door.
Chris McGlothlin, Domino’s Chief Information Officer, Chris McGlothlin, said, “At Domino’s, we’re obsessed with great service. Now we can prove it every step of the way. Pizza Tracker will allow customers to know when their order is being prepared, when it’s out of the oven, and when it’s out the door and on its way.” “Customers using Pizza Tracker will no longer have to wonder where their pizza is in the ordering process -- it takes the ‘mystery’ out of waiting for their pizza. Not only that, it’s entertaining, too.”
Micro Industries, Inc., has added a 65-inch model to its line of line of Touch&Go Messenger interactive display systems. “The Messenger 65 provides a large-format, computer system for in-store, interactive marketing applications,” said Michael Curran, Micro Industries’ CEO. The Messenger 65 comes with an ultra-bright LCD, a 160-Gb hard drive and DVD/CDRW. Also available are an IR touch screen, internal stereo speakers, and video options. The computer is retail-ready for interactive digital signage, advertising, and demonstrations. For more information, contact Micro Industries, 8399 Green Meadows Drive North, Westerville, OH 43081; (Tel) 800-466-6762; (Web Site) www.microindustries.com.
Keith-Fabry Reprographics offers The KFRplayer, a turn-key digital signage display. It incorporates a hi-res LCD display (with optional touch-screen and motion activation), audio, and interchangeable printed graphics. Simply plug in the KFRplayer and preloaded content plays immediatly. Changing graphics and digital content is easy. For more information, contact Keith-Fabry Reprographics, 7 East Cary St., Richmond VA, 23219; (Tel) 888-649-7551; (Web) www.KFRplayer.com.
ZipCast is on the cutting edge of technology outpacing the competition in building a multi-cultural digital advertising network. ZipCast provides strategic advertising screen placements in restaurants, taxis, banks, supermarkets and other high-traffic locations. ZipCast enables clients to target and reach their customers, improve brand equity and increase ROI. Campaigns are easily updated. With ZipCast, marketers can update and manage content and creative in real time by location, by demographics, by day part and by specific network. For more information, contact ZipCast, 510 Bering Drive #455, Houston, TX 77057; (Tel.) 713-953-7200; (Fax) 713-266-0124; (Web Site) www.zip-cast.com.
Fastrak North America offers a range of 7” to 40” LCDs integrated with a solid-state video player that is easily updated via CompactFlash storage media. These affordable all-in-one display units with integrated speakers plug-and-play right from the box; no Internet or network connection is required. Content preparation is as easy as dragging and dropping audio, video, and image files onto a CompactFlash Memory Card. For more information, contact Fastrak Retail North America, 11508-H Providence Rd. #204, Charlotte, NC 28173;(Tel) 704-998-3565; (Web Site) fastrakretail.com.
Media giant NBC Universal used this exhibit at the recent CES Show.The exhibit, which featured a broadcasting studio, presented various NBC properties, including iVillage, CNBC and SciFi channel in one space. The exhibit also featured special kiosks from Mediaport. The kiosks enabled CES attendees to download popular NBC programs such as 30 Rock, Project Runway and 12 Corazones from one of the many Mediaport kiosks located throughout NBC Universal’s CES booth. “Mediaport is helping us reach out to the digital savvy community. The company’s kiosks are providing the perfect channel for us to reach and influence new target markets,” said Frank Radice, Exec. V.P. at NBC.
Auto Broadcast Network Announces Launch & Alliance With CBS
Automotive Broadcasting Network™ (ABN) has announced an alliance with CBS, to provide a new, innovative marketing channel to reach consumers at more than 20,000 auto dealers across the U.S.
CBS Outernet, a part of CBS, will power ABN with family-friendly entertainment including CBS programming not normally available during business hours as well as clips and segments from “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson,” “Entertainment Tonight,” and news content from “60 Minutes.” Central to ABN’s offering is a series of automotive-specific “shorts,” produced by ABN.
“The CBS viewing experience is the perfect basis for ABN because we are supplying rich content that is sure to engage the dealership visitor,” said George Schweitzer, President, CBS Marketing.
For more information, contact Automotive Broadcasting Network, 5000 Sawgrass Village Circle, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082; (Web) www.automotivebroadcastingnetwork.com.
MediaCart To Deliver Digital Grocery Shopping Ad Experience
MediaCart Holdings, Microsoft and Wakefern Food Corp announced that Wakefern plans to pilot MediaCart’s next-generation computerized shopping carts for potential rollout to all ShopRite stores. Microsoft’s Atlas Division will provide video ad serving on the MediaCart grocery cart screen.
By using Microsoft technologies, the MediaCart solution will enable anonymous ad targeting through data obtained through ShopRite’s customer loyalty card program. A shopper scans their card at the MediaCart, and receives promotional offers based on past purchases and/or saved shopping lists that could be uploaded from a home PC.
Shoppers will also be able to save time and money with MediaCart shopping carts by performing comparative price checks, locating products in the store, viewing store specials in aisle as they shop, shopping using an electronic shopping list presented in aisle order, totaling the cost of the items in their baskets before checkout, and expediting the checkout.
MOD Systems Launches New MOD POD Kiosk
MOD Systems has introduced the MOD POD, a touchscreen device which provides consumers with the ability to search, sample and download digital media quickly and conveniently while in retail stores.
Mark Phillips, MOD Systems CEO, said, “Whether you’re looking to purchase music, a TV show, video, or a full-length feature film, the MOD POD is the next stage in retail content delivery and is helping reshape the entertainment-content-buying experience. Its compatibility with a large number of devices makes content more accessible than ever, as it is not restricted by proprietary formats.”
Alpha Multimedia Launches Kiosk Network
Alpha Multimedia, has launched a network of kiosks designed to provide high speed internet access, emails and games for a fee.
The kiosks are placed in high traffic locations including shopping malls, airports, hotels, and colleges/universities. The digital advertising possibilities, generated by the second screen, provides advertisers with a unique opportunity to reach their target market.
The holographic-like 3D images originally produced in 3D or converted from existing visual content using Alpha’s professional 3D software attract attention. With Alpha Multimedia's kiosks, advertisers can accurately determine their customers by demographic including ethnic, age, income etc.
For more information about the network, contact Alpha Multimedia, 6295 Shawson Drive, Unit 2, Mississauga, Ontario L5T 1H4; (Tel.) 1-877-ALPHA-27; (Web Site) www.alphamultimedia.info.
Pyramid Sandwich Board Attracts Attention
Pyramid Brewing Co. is using this Sandwich Board for marketing on-premise. The Sandwich board features two framed chalkboards with a printed wooden header. Hinged at the top, the sandwich board can easily be displayed in a vestibule or on a sidewalk.
This Pyramid Sandwich Board was created by Heritage Sign & Display, 344 Industrial Road, Nesquehoning, PA 18240; (Tel) 570-645-8701; (Web) www.popsigns.com.
Fastrak Retail creates interactive media experiences for the shelf-edge where 85% of purchase decisions are made. Fastrak combines retail design and store planning knowledge with brand marketing, software development, and technology to ensure successful, well integrated products and services. It strives to blend technology into the natural shopping experience while utilizing the latest design and merchandising techniques. It offers a full range of retail-ready, stand-alone or network-ready, small to large formats digital screen technologies. For more information, contact Fastrak Retail North America, 11508 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28277; www.fastrakretail.com.
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