Sony Store Opens New Shopping Experience
Sony Electronics has opened a newly branded 4,200-sq. ft Sony store at the Westfield Century City shopping mall in Los Angeles. “The new store in Century City is a significant step in building a blueprint for future Sony stores, both in the U.S. and around the world,” said Kiyoshi Shikano, Global Marketing Officer, Sony Corp.
Consumers will be able to experience everything Sony, from its network services available on a wide array of network-connected products, to its PlayStation GranTurismo 5 game. They will be able to shoot video on a wide range of cameras, get lost in a 3D movie from Sony Pictures, and test headphones while listening to Sony Music artists. The store also provides a place to learn about emerging technologies. It will feature Sony’s RayModeler, a 360-degree display prototype that projects a 3D image.
The new store features products displayed on tables so consumers can interact with them like they would in a home environment. The layout of the store is flexible, with movable interior walls that can be reconfigured to highlight specific products and engage customers with fresh experiences each time they return.
Clinique Displays New Skin Care Diagnostic Tool
Clinique is the first cosmetics brand to use the Apple iPad®1 in-store as part of a state-of-the-art, self-guided skin care diagnostic tool. “Clinique was built on the promise of providing our consumers with the most personalized, engaging and informative experience at every interactive touchpoint,” said Lynne Greene, Global Brand President of Clinique, Origins and Ojon. “By integrating digital technologies into the Clinique shopping experience, we are offering the consumer a stimulating and socially modern way to connect with the brand.”
Using software exclusive to Clinique on the Apple iPad® at Clinique counters, consumers identify their skin care concerns and receive personalized recommendations using a 90-second computer-guided skin care analysis. The diagnostic tool processes over 180,000 product combinations that precisely match each consumer’s personal needs. At the end of the analysis, consumers receive a printout or email with a list of their custom-fit product recommendations.
Progressive Unveils Snapshot
Progressive has introduced its Snapshot Discount that offers drivers the chance to lower their car insurance rates by as much as 30% based on real-time analysis of their driving habits. Powering this program is the Snapshot device, which plugs into the onboard diagnostic port of most cars built after 1996. The device enables the customer to automatically and wirelessly share their driving patterns with Progressive. After 30 days, the customer can log in to their policy to see how much of an initial discount they're earning and what changes they can make to their driving habits to save even more. At the end of the six month policy term, the customer returns the device to Progressive, and Progressive calculates the final discount.
Tesla Reinvents Car Buying Experience With Opening Of Santana Row Store
Tesla Motors has opened a store in the popular Santana Row retail district of San Jose, CA. In preparation for the introduction of the Model S, the world's first premium electric sedan, Tesla has designed an interactive experience to inform potential customers; allowing them to explore Tesla’s technology, learn about owning an electric car, and configure their car in the Design Studio.
The new stores location ensures plenty of foot traffic while the layout engages the customer through a series of hands-on interactive touchscreen experiences. The Design Studio allows customers to configure their own Roadster and than seamlessly complete the purchase. “Purchasing a Tesla should be a delightful experience,” said Tesla CEO, Elon Musk. “ People will feel welcome to walk in and learn about the many advantages of our technology.”
MediaTile, San Francisco, has extended its HumanKiosk™ product line featuring MediaCast™ Video Presence with a new, smaller-footprint 19" configuration. As with HumanKiosk 32" and 42" configurations, the HumanKiosk 19" utilizes the MediaCast Video Presence system to deliver a revolutionary breakthrough in consumer engagement with both interactive digital promotions and live 2-way, face-to-face video conversations. The solution enables companies to augment traditional human staffing with lower cost-per-touch, virtual alternatives. For more information, contact MediaTile, (Tel) 831-439-8786; (Web site) www.mediatile.com
ideaLAB has developed SlimLine digital merchandising displays that bring motion media and interactive touch to display fixtures. The fixtures are networked, run simple software, and have the flexibility to accept shelves and brochure holders. A Battery-Powered version enables retailers to bypass extension cords and run promotions for 14 hours before a recharge is required. For more information, visit (Web site) www.idealabinnovationcorp.com
BrightSign has introduced its new turnkey Tabletop Digital Signage Solution, The BrightSign TD1012. The freestanding digital signage solution doesn’t require a PC nor any external power or wiring. The BrightSign TD1012 features a durable steel enclosure, Wi-Fi capabilities and a 12.1" high-resolution screen. Content updates can be made remotely with the built-in wireless networking. For more information, visit (Web site) www.brightsign.biz
Moss Inc., has introduced EZ Engage, a 39" W x 93" H wall from Moss’ EZ Fabric Wall System with a monitor and an electronics package including eight sensors and a computer. Each EZ Engage wall includes eight LED-lit proximity sensors so users can select from eight media files that are preloaded into the system. Users wave a hand in front of the sensors to select the media they want to see. For more information, contact Moss Inc., 2600 Elmhurst Rd., Elk Grove Village, IL 60007; (Tel) 800-341-1557; (Web site) www.mossinc.com
Social Vending System Enables Consumers To Connect With PepsiCo
PepsiCo has launched its Social Vending System, a state-of-the-art networked unit that features full touch screen interactive vending technology.
PepsiCo’s Social Vending System enables any user to gift a friend by selecting a beverage and entering the recipient’s name, mobile number and a personalized text message. There’s also the option to further personalize the gift with a short video recorded at the machine. The gift is delivered with a system code and instructions to redeem it at any PepsiCo Social Vending system. When the recipient redeems their gift, they’re given the option of thanking the sender with a gift of their own or paying it forward and gifting a beverage to another friend.
“Our vision is to use technology to create new ways for consumers to engage with our brands and each other at the point of purchase,” said Mikel Durham, Chief Innovation Officer at PepsiCo.
GE’s Healthymagination Showcased At PGA TOUR Events
GE’s Healthymagination innovations will be showcased at eight PGA TOUR events in 2011. Mike Barber, VP healthymagination, said, “Through the PGA TOUR sponsorship, GE will share high-tech innovations - like ultrasound, MR and Lunar body composition testing .”
The GE Pavilion will feature interactive technology and activities for fans. These include: Golf Swing Analyzer; Swing Upload Zone; Body Composition Scanning; and Healthy You, which offers a self-guided educational experience that includes topics such as golf instruction, fitness and nutrition.
Miller Lite Encourages Beer Drinkers To “Save Their Summer”
The Miller Lite Taste Points program allows consumers to collect points found on specially marked packages of Miller Lite by checking-in on foursquare at participating bars and restaurants. Consumers can bank Taste Points, team up with friends and use them to enter for the chance to win thousands of daily and weekly prizes, or one of three epic prizes, including an around-the-world journey. Retail point-of-sale featuring the Miller Liteguards supports the program.
“Great-tasting Miller Lite is here to save beer drinkers from having anything but an epic summer,” said Grant Leech, VP, Marketing for Miller Lite. “Our Taste Points program will reward loyalty in a very cool and multi-faceted way, utilizing unique codes on specially marked packages of Miller Lite in concert with popular social-media platforms such as Facebook and foursquare.”
Nintendo 3DS Demo Tour Provides Firsthand Look At Nintendo’s Newest Portable Game System
Nintendo of America has launched the Nintendo 3DS Demo Tour, allowing people to be among the first in the nation to experience Nintendo's newest portable game system.
Visiting select cities nationwide, the Nintendo 3DS Demo Pods provides consumers with an exclusive, firsthand look at the system's unique features in advance of its March 27 launch date. People can enjoy taking photos and playing games in 3D without the need for special glasses.
Panasonic Launches 'Experience Amazing’ Tour Showcasing Entertainment Products
Panasonic has launched the Panasonic Experience Amazing Tour, a six-week, 15-market tour designed to give consumers a chance to experience Panasonic’s line-up of home entertainment products.
The Experience Amazing Tour will give visitors an opportunity to experience for themselves Panasonic’s line of Full HD 3D VIERA® HDTVs, VIERA Connect-enabled IPTVs, 3D Blu-ray Disc™ players, rechargeable 3D Active Shutter Eyewear, and Panasonic’s digital imaging products including Panasonic's consumer 3D camcorders and LUMIX digital cameras with interchangeable 3D lenses.
“We are excited to get out there and engage consumers across the country with our Experience Amazing Tour,” said Shiro Kitajima, President, Panasonic Consumer Electronics. “We created this tour to let consumers get hands-on with our products and experience for themselves how amazing and easy-to-use the world of home entertainment has become.” Visitors at the Experience Amazing Tour will be able to enter to win the ultimate Panasonic Full HD 3D Home Entertainment system.
Closure Systems Adopts Scanbuy’s Mobile 2D Barcode Technology For Beverage Applications
Closure Systems International (CSI) (www.csiclosures.com), has adopted Scanbuy Inc.’s 2D Barcode solution, called ScanLife, for beverage and food closure development. CSI has developed a new solution called ScanCapTM, which uses 2D barcodes, for application either inside or outside of a closure. This technology introduces a powerful platform to support a brand owner's mobile marketing activities right from the package itself.
The solution leverages a unique code which can be printed as small as 1/4" and can be read instantly with the ScanLife app on web-enabled camera phones. With this technology, beverage and food companies have the power to capture instant access to their consumers at the point of consumption.
John Grainda, CSI Global Marketing Director, said, “With ScanCap, a quick scan of a 2D barcode on a closure, using a web-enabled cell phone camera, takes the consumer directly to content related to a company’s products, promotions, or loyalty programs without the need to input alphanumeric codes.”
Obscura Digital To Transform Sydney Opera House Using Graphic Projections
Obscura Digital, (www.obscuradigital.com), recently transformed the dynamic Sydney Opera House structure into a visual augmentation of a live symphonic performance, amplifying the artistry of the YouTube Symphony Orchestra event with real-time audio-reactive graphic projections that simultaneously canvased the interior and exterior of the iconic building with parallel projection shows. Obscura Digital's team of creatives, technologists, and strategists conceptualized and designed an interactive visual performance component to the music so audiences could be exposed to a show of light and sound from all angles.
Chillingo Partners With Monster Media To Showcase Its Games
Chillingo, a subsidiary of EA, has launched street-level game-play systems, showcasing the just-released update of its “Cut the Rope” game. This is the first time multi-touch technology has been utilized for gaming in such a display developed by Monster Media, Orlando, FL, (www.monstermedia.net.)
Reaching millions of new players across the country, each interactive board has been placed in a landmark location: one at Los Angeles’ renowned Hollywood & Highland Center, and the other at the Atlanta International Airport, a major hub for both world and domestic travelers.
There are also brand ambassadors dressed up as Marilyn Monroe, Darth Vader, Superman, etc. to enhance the energy around the display and encourage pedestrians to engage in the game system.
Mister Landscaper Leverages On-Pack Mobile Marketing Campaign At Lowe’s
A new mobile marketing campaign for Mr. Landscaper, powered by Augme Technologies, brings the Mister Landscaper Start Kit’s instructions to life in Lowe’s hardware stores. Consumers can opt-in to the product’s mobile program via QR codes and SMS codes printed on the Starter Kit pack, which provide mobile how-to instructional videos and a step-by-step guide to assist customers with their Mister Landscaper product needs.
The campaign features on-pack QR codes along with in-store displays, and shelf stickers to access the mobile web experience.
David Apple, Chief Marketing Officer of Augme Technologies, (www.augme.com), said, “We developed a way for customers to engage in store to promote purchase confidence and, after they’ve left the store, to help them install the product and drive interest in additional products. Mister Landscaper's mobile strategy helps them stand out in the store and adds true value to the customer experience away from it.”
Allure Global Completes Roll-Out Of Digital Signage For MNM Theatres
MNM Theatres is utilizing Allure Global’s (www.allureglobal.com), digital menu board solution to draw more customers to its concession stands and increase sales. Brad Beck, Vice President of Operations for MNM Theatres, said, “Twenty-one weeks after the initial installation, we are currently tracking an increase in our concession net sales in the range of 5.95%. This combined with the aesthetics improvements and simple versatility of the digital menu boards has made our investment an overwhelming success.”
Xbox Kinect Pop Up Area Helps Xbox Exceed Sales Goal
The goal was to create and develop a freestanding, transportable, and interactive area that allowed consumers to interact with the Kinect experience in a full environment. The Kinect Pop Up Environment helped Xbox exceed their sales goal of 3 million units. Microsoft event research found that the number of people who recommended the Kinect prior to engaging in the experience was 16%, and after going through the experience was 80%. The Xbox Kinect Pop Up Environment was produced for Microsoft by Design Phase, (www.dphase.com), a Waukegan, IL-based display firm.
Barnes and Noble Rack. The objective of this display was to increase sales of this new category at Barnes and Noble. The display was constructed of MDF wood with LED lighting, electrical, printed graphics and metal. This display won the Gold OMA in the Specialty Retailer Category and the Display-of-the-Year Award and was created by Rapid Displays, 4300 West 47th Street, Chicago, IL 60632; (Web site) www.rapiddisplays.com
20ll Diageo Virtual Bartender. This display was designed to generate brand affinity and increase sales. To accomplish this, Digital Aisle, with expertise in interactive content management, was required to create a digital touch-screen providing brand messaging and cocktail preparation guides to retail shoppers. Digital Aisle’s experience management software (EMS) allowed Diageo to deliver distinct content. This display won a Gold OMA in the Beverages - Liquor Category and was created by The Niven Marketing Group, and Digital Aisle, 130 South Jefferson, Chicago, IL 60661; (Web site) www.digitalaisle.com
Google TV Interactive Pallet Display for Costco. The objective of the display was to introduce the Costco shopper to Google TV and show how easy it is to take control of their HDTV with one controller. Another objective was to demonstrate the capabilities of the product in a club store environment. This display was created by Darko, Inc., 2026 Summit Commerce Park, Twinsburg, OH 44087; BRONZE AWARD (Web site) www.darkoinc.com
LG Electronics Best Buy Tech Stage Display. This LG Best Buy Tech Stage display created to help LG establish LG as a premium brand in the home electronics category. NetCast and 3D come to life on the display, giving shoppers a compelling reason to purchase LG products. The display is manufactured of MDF, sheet metal, 1/2" sq steel tubing and injection molded plastic. This display was created by Design Phase, Inc., 1771 South Lakeside Drive, Waukgegan, IL 60085; SILVER AWARD (Web site) www.dphase.com
LeapFrog Gaming Demo Display. This interactiveLeap Frog display demonstrates the Leapster 2 and Leapster Explorer on store shelves. The display, constructed of ABS plastics, incorporates sophisticated electronics to demonstrate the new gaming units. This interactive LeapFrog Gaming Demo Display was created by Rapid Displays, 4300 W. 47th St., Chicago, IL 60632; BRONZE AWARD (Web site) www.rapiddisplays.com
The Shaw Living Area Rug Kiosk. This interactive kiosk provides consumers with a method to browse through 5,500 plus carpet samples of area rugs available through Shaw Industries Group. The display allows consumers to shop for area rugs by style, size and color, returning a list of the top-selling styles that fit the shopper’s requests while also offering educational information on fiber, rug construction, and color. The fixture is engineered for durability using powder coated sheet, wire and tube steel, painted hardboard and MDF. This display was created by Trans World Marketing, 360 Murray Hill Parkway, East Rutherford NJ 07073; SILVER AWARD (Web site) www.transworldmarketing.com
P.O.P. ShelfADS®
P.O.P. ShelfAds® are a cellular communication technology to deliver a 2-way conversation between the advertiser/retailer and the shopper at the in-store display. These electronic sales clerks can influence and persuade a shopper into a buyer through digital sound 2D and/or glasses free 3D messages. All “hits” are automatically relayed to the sponsors in real-time for them to measure advertising effectiveness and sales results. P.O.P. ShelfAds are available from P.O.P. Broadcasting Co., 210 Pine Hollow Lane #100, Houston, TX 77056; (Web site) www.popbroadcasting.com
Thin Profile 7” LCD Battery Media Player
Focus Display Group offers a 7” LCD battery media player which may be built into custom floor, counter and shelf displays. The display offers 800 x 400 pixel resolution and supports a wide range of different video formats. The units are available with an open or closed frame design and they can incorporate a motion sensor. This thin profile 7” LCD battery media player is available from Focus Display Group, 19328 Highlands West Drive, Escondido, CA 92029; (Web site) www.focusdisplay.com
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