New ‘Graze’ Brand Targets Youth At Sam Goody Stores
Musicland Group has launched Graze, a new brand that invites youth to experience digital products and content in a non-traditional retail environment. Graze will be featured in Musicland’s Sam Goody retail stores and as a stand-alone kiosk in select malls.
“Musicland is reinventing itself as an entertainment lifestyle destination while celebrating our music heritage,” said Jack Chadsey, Musicland’s CEO. “Graze is more than a physical location extending into the digital space; it will evolve into a youth-inspired way of thinking, doing and living that captures the vibe of a generation.”
Graze stores have recently opened throughout the Philadelphia area with flagship prototypes in Deptford, NJ and Mall of America, in Bloomington, MN. Graze offers a unique gathering place that encourages community and engages all five senses through interactive table displays, directional sound, a see-through video wall and scent machines. Lounge guests hear various environmental sounds, have their sense of smell awakened by pleasant aromas, and watch the latest concert on the video wall, all while sampling the latest digital products. Customers can experience the latest digital wireless devices including pre- and post-paid phones, MP3 players, portable video games and digital cameras in an environment that encourages product exploration and interaction with others. Graze visitors can also access the latest mobile content such as ringtones, wallpaper, and games; burn customized CDs and create digital images to share within the Graze community.
The company is also reinventing existing categories, including posters and t-shirts. Both initiatives fall within the company’s on-demand strategy-offering consumers more choice and control of their shopping experience. To enhance its poster offering, the “Off The Wall” section allows customers to access thousands of posters and art images from kiosks and print them in the store.
As mobile and digital technologies continue to converge, Musicland will evolve Graze to ensure cutting-edge product offerings and a fresh shopping experience.
Fisher-Price Offers Elmo & Pooh 'Knows Your Name'
Fisher-Price has introduced Elmo and Pooh Knows Your Name, transforming kids’ favorite characters into life-like plush friends. Through the use of today’s intuitive technology, Elmo and Winnie The Pooh will know the child’s name, their favorite foods, favorite animals and color, the child’s birthday, siblings’ names, best friend's name, favorite games and songs. Utilizing a simple USB cable and a CD Rom, parents can easily download key information into the Knows Your Name characters. Parents can update the toys as often as they want so every day can be a new way to play.
Fisher-Price makes it possible for parents to enter their child's name into a special in-store display so they can hear the characters say the name. If, for some reason, a child's name is not among the 15,000 already in the bank, parents can submit the names to Fisher-Price and they may be offered by download at the Fisher-Price web site.
Tiger Electronics Launches New Tween Electronics Line
Hasbro, Inc.’s Tiger Electronics is introducing a line of consumer electronics and lifestyle products designed specifically for tweens.
The tween electronics line incudes the VUGO portable multi-media system; VCAM NOW digital video camera; portable ZOOMBOX projector!; I-DOG Interactive Music Companion; VIDEONOW XP interactive video system and the CHATNOW Two-Way Radio Communicator.
Special interactive p.o.p. displays will support the launch of the VIDEONOW line.
Sonos Digital Music System Now Available At Tweeter
Sonos, Inc. is offering its Sonos Digital Music System at Tweeter retail locations. Each Tweeter location will feature a prominent Sonos point-of-purchase display in which Tweeter customers can demonstrate and understand the benefits of multi-room digital music.
Tom Cullen, V.P., Marketing, Sonos, Inc. said, “We are thrilled to work with Tweeter to introduce the Sonos Digital Music System to music lovers across the United States."
The Sonos Digital Music System is the first multi-zone digital music system with a wireless, full-color LCD screen controller that lets consumers play all their digital music, all over their home, and control it all from the palm of their hand.
Sirius Satellite Radio Endcap At Fry’s Electronics
The Sirius Satellite Radio Endcap was designed to merchandise and demonstrate the Sirius Satellite radio receiver and components. The display is live, and all equipment is interactive and secured.
Materials used to build the display include 3mm Sintra, a silkscreened back panel, brushed metal pedestals and acrylic literature holder. Satellite Radio hardware and software were incorporated.
The Sirius Satellite Radio Endcap graphics were produced by Blaupunkt USA, Broadview, IL. Rapid Displays, Chicago, IL, was responsible for the design, engineering, manufacture and distribution of the displays to Fry’s Electronics stores.
MotoPhoto Debuts Digital Photo Kiosk Café Nationwide
MotoPhoto recently unveiled its new digital photo kiosk café program using Automated Photo Machines (APMs) from Lucidiom Inc. Each MotoPhoto franchise specialty retail location now will feature at least four APMs under the band MOTO Select Prints.
The kiosk cafes feature dedicated APMs for express print ordering and additional APMs in customized furniture-settings for special consumer offers, such as making greeting cards.
Said Harry Loyle, MotoPhoto CEO, “We’re expanding MotoPhoto to be more than just a place to get great photo processing. We are creating an entire consumer experience that makes it fun and easy for customers to enhance, print, share and save their photo memories. We’ve created our kiosk cafes to engage consumers-focusing on what do you do with your prints, not just on printing photos.”
Eastman Kodak Adds Multimedia To New Picture Kiosks
Eastman Kodak Co., has introduced the G4 family of digital photo kiosks. These models offer performance improvements and new features designed to elevate the consumer printing experience.
The improvements include new, faster printers, with 4x6 inch prints in as little as four seconds each; a high performance processor that doubles the image upload speed from memory cards; contemporary new styling and a 30% reduction in footprint and weight.
The Kodak Picture Kiosk G4, available in floor and counter models, is a full-service digital photography solution, supporting all popular digital media formats, digital scanning and wireless printing via BLUETOOTH and infrared technologies, while offering services beyond standard printing.
Showcraft
iBall Wireless Speaker For Apple iPod Debuts
Oregon Scientific is introducing iBall, a wireless speaker that incorporates a three-speaker array system, delivering high quality sound performance. IBall is a wireless speaker that doubles as a fashion statement.
The included transmitter docks acts as home base for the iPod, provides solid wireless communication with the iBall, charges the iPod and synchronizes the iPod with the computer.
The product launch is being supported with this eye-catching counter display.
Starbucks Opens Next Evolution Of Hear Music™ Coffeehouse
Starbucks has opened the next evolution of its Hear Music™ Coffeehouse on the Riverwalk in San Antonio. An additional location will open in South Beach (Miami), FL.
These additions to the Starbucks retail portfolio extend the concept of the initial Hear Music™ Coffeehouse, which opened in Santa Monica, CA in 2004. The new stores represent the full integration of a classic coffeehouse experience with an extensive digital and physical music inventory. The unrivaled combination results in a compelling destination for customers to connect over coffee and explore and buy quality music.
“Starbucks has changed the rules of engagement for the music industry,” said Howard Schultz, Starbucks chairman. “By integrating the Starbucks Experience with the discovery of music, the Hear Music™ Coffeehouses offer a music retail environment unlike any other.”
The new coffeehouses feature the next generation of the Hear Music™ media bars, which provide customers with an easy, self-service way to discover and customize music on CDs. The new Hear Music™ media bars offer more than one million songs digitally.
The Hear Music™ Coffeehouses feature innovative in-store merchandising, allowing for more CD facings, and emphasizing Starbucks Hear Music’ role as a curator to help customers discover new music.
Xbox & adidas Form Global Alliance
Two global brands at the leading edge of youth culture, Xbox and adidas, have formed a long-term strategic alliance, merging the worlds of sports and entertainment.
One of the primary initiatives will be the placement of Xbox 360 kiosks in adidas stores. Xbox kiosks will be placed in retail locations across the U.S., Europe, Japan, Canada, Asia, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand for a variety of activities leading up to the FIFA 2006 World Cup.
adidas will install content on Xbox 360 consoles, while Xbox will have a presence on adidas' FIFA 2006 World Cup mobile portal. Xbox is supporting “Goal: The Movie” with a series of cross-promotional events with adidas. Xbox will also have kiosks at all adidas soccer events leading up to the FIFA 2006 World Cup.
“The alliance between adidas and Xbox reflects the fact that sports, lifestyle and video games are inextricably linked,” said Peter Moore, V.P., Worldwide Marketing for Xbox at Microsoft. “Xbox 360 is a place where all three of these elements come together to truly amplify the sport experience.”
Gizmondo Kiosks Placed In Top Malls
Tiger Telematics, Gizmondo is launching a $30 million marketing campaign to launch the Gizmondo multi-entertainment handheld in North America.
Part of the new marketing retail initiative will be placement of mall kiosks coast-to-coast in the U.S. where consumers will be able to experience every aspect of the hardware, presented by well-trained Gizmondo staff. The kiosk will spur sales in retail outlets unrelated to Gizmondo from the marketing aspects of displaying, testing and sampling the units.
Carl Freer, Chairman, Tiger Telematics, said, “We’re excited about the enormous marketing potential represented by the Kiosk initiative. This gives us the opportunity to engage the consumer on a one-to-one basis and walk them through the awesome entertainment experience only available on the Gizmondo handheld.”
Nintendo Wi-Fi Online Gaming Service Available At McDonald’s Hotspots
Nintendo has signed an agreement with Wayport, a provider of wired and Wi-Fi high-speed Internet access to extend Wi-Fi service to Nintendo DS users at 6,000 McDonald’s restaurants across the U.S. Through the agreement with Wayport, Nintendo will offer complimentary access to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, its new wireless gaming service.
Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo’s EVP, Sales & Marketing, said, “Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is simple to use. Beginning with free access at participating McDonald’s, we have removed one of the major barriers that have kept people from going online to play games.”
Dell Direct Stores Now Reach More Than Half Of U.S. Population
With the opening of the 145th Dell Direct Store in San Francisco, CA recently, Dell announced its convenient shopping kiosks are now within reach of more than 50% of the U.S. population.
Dell Direct Stores were launched in 2002 as a hands-on complement to Dell.com and phone sales. The stores showcase an assortment of Dell's newest plasma and LCD TVs, notebook and desktop computers, printers, music players and digital cameras. Direct Stores are staffed by representatives ready to assist customers with questions or help with their online purchases.
Alienware Opens First Retail Location
Alienware, manufacturer of high-performance desktops, notebooks, media centers, servers and professional systems, has opened its first retail location at Dadeland Mall in Miami, FL. The new location allows customers to try out the latest Alienware products, speak face-to-face with technology experts, sign up to take instructional classes and play the hottest PC games, as well as test drive, custom configure and buy Alienware systems. The retail location marks the launch of Alienware's initiative to create an incredible user experience.
“The mission of our new retail location is to create an exuberant user experience that has been thrilling thousands of Alienware customers since 1996,” said Nelson Gonzalez, CEO for Alienware. “The retail location represents an opportunity for customers to see the entire line of Alienware systems, as well as never-before-seen products, in a personal and interactive manner.”
OfficeMax Unveils New Store Design
OfficeMax has unveiled a new store prototype replacing its warehouse format with an engaging, colorful environment that highlights small- and home-office solutions.
As customers enter the new store prototype, a central technology “hub” creates a striking focal point. Whimsical photographic banners direct shoppers to their destinations, and a community area called OfficeMax Café allows customers to check e-mail, sip coffee or catch up on the news. One of the newest areas is Filling Station, a refillable ink cartridge kiosk. Soft lighting and a soothing color palette create a residential, boutique feel.
“The new design truly differentiates OfficeMax,” said Ryan Vero, OfficeMax Chief Merchandising Officer. “Warehouse stores were primarily about convenience without style. The new store brings together convenience and style with a warm, inviting atmosphere that re-captures the fun of shopping for office products.”
OfficeMax partnered with FRCH Design Worldwide to help create the new store format.
First New York Times Bookstore Opens
The nation’s first New York Times Bookstore recently opened at The Paradies Shops in Lexington, Kentucky’s Blue Grass Airport.
This new retail store includes unique features such as an online station with access to The New York Times web site, a plasma screen television running excerpts and programming from the Discovery Times Channel, a children's section, New York Times gift and specialty items along with books from the New York Times’ bestseller list.
MODA International Marketing, the licensing agency representing the New York Times, arranged the partnership with The Paradies Shops, an Atlanta, GA-based airport retailer.
Best Wave LLC, creates interactive displays designed to add value and excitement to the retail environment. Best Wave partners with experienced enclosure builders to deliver a turn-key project. Its proprietary Kiosk Communicator software is used across the nation. For more information, contact, Best Wave, 12069 E. Yucca St., Scottsdale, AZ 85259; (Tel) 480-368-8900; (Fax) 480-368-8905; (Web) www.bestwave.com.
3M Digital Signage has released the FRED Network version 2.0 digital signage software providing the ability to distribute media files, schedule playlists and monitor a network of digital signs from any Internet-connected computer. FRED Network 2.0 augments and streamlines the user-friendly, network management features that FRED products are known for. For more information, contact 3M Digital Signage at 1-888-460-8060.
POP-Screens are a new media concept using dynamic images to attract and motivate greater sales activity by increasing the virtual retail space. POP-Screens with dynamic, vibrant images show the advantage of rear projection in daylight conditions. The picture is projected onto a specially formulated rear projection surface of the screen, creating a bright, sharp message or promotion to the viewer. Applications include large electronic media advertising, flying screens in shop windows or shopping centers, and public information signage in railway stations, airports and shopping malls. For more information, contact The Screen Works, 2201 W. Fulton Street, Chicago, IL 60612; (Tel) 312-243-8265; (Fax) 312-243-8290; (Web Site) www.popscreens.info.
POP AdVisions, Inc., offers the Brightboard 19 digital signage system. The unit, a self-contained pedestal unit with a 19” diagonal LCD screen requires no PC or network connection. It displays JPEG images and MPEG videos that are easy to change. For more information, contact POP AdVisions, Inc., 1043 SW Willow Lane, Palm City, FL 34990; (Tel) 866-217-6723; (Fax) 772-221-1792, (Web) www.popadvisions.com.
Noventri has introduced SignFlash Touch, which adds touch screen technology to the Company’s SignFlash Dynamic Digital Signage. When SignFlash Touch is partnered with the Automatic Viewer Detection (AVD) module, SignFlash will respond to a viewer’s presence and switch from a standard layout to another layout or an interactive touch screen. “This add-on solution has seen increasing demand by our Digital Signage clients, especially in the retail environment,”said Massimo Colella, Sales Manager, Noventri. “This allows for more flexibility when designing solutions for clients and it rounds out our line of Digital Signage services.” For more information, call 1-800-359-1858 or visit www.noventri.com.
Helius, Inc. has launched its MediaStream SST Advanced (SST-ADV), a next-generation digital signage output device that provides businesses with the ability to store and deliver unique content on display points from a centrally managed location. When the SST-ADV is used with Helius' MediaSignage software, users can quickly and easily implement a robust digital signage network solution providing high quality multi-media presentation. Because the SST-ADV has on-board content storage capabilities, network traffic is minimized and the customer has the flexibility to include wireless networking as part of their Digital Signage solutions. For more information about the MediaStream SST Advanced, contact Helius, Inc., 333 South 520 West. Suite 330, Lindon, Utah 84042; (Tel.) 801-764-9020; (Fax) 801-764-9022; (Web Site) www.helius.com.
Merchandising Inventives, Inc. has released the new Clear Christmas Tree Clip, made out of a clear Polypropylene, which makes it stronger than the current clear Christmas tree clips that are on the market. The Polypropylene allows this clip to be more flexible and durable for a wide variety of display assembly applications. The length of the clip is ¾" with an 11/16" head. For more information and samples, contact Merchandising Inventives, Inc., 1665 S. Waukegan Road, Waukegan, IL 60085; (Tel.) 847-688-0591; (Fax) 847-775-6974; (Web Site) www.merchinv.com.
Lighthouse Technologies, has introduced a portable, self-contained “pop up” high brightness LED video screen for event and marketing venues. The 6mm screen is contained in a 5’x2’ mobile case with a wireless remote and hydraulic system that enables the display to “pop up” for fast set-up. For more information, contact Lighthouse Technologies, 16662 Hale Ave., Irvine, CA 92606, (Tel.) 949-271 0470; (Fax) 949-271 0474 (Web Site) www.lighthouse-tech.com.
Four Winds Interactive offers its Interactive Media Station (IMS) and Overhead Play digital signage solution, designed to enable shoppers to fully evaluate media products prior to purchasing. The IMS allows shoppers (via touch screen and barcode scanning interaction) to preview music, games and video content with DVD-quality graphics and superior sound. The system helps create an interactive shopping experience that’s fun, effective and better than shopping for media online. For more information on the Interactive Media Station, contact Four Winds Interactive, 6355 Joyce Drive, Arvada, CO 80403; (Tel) 720-890-8000, (Fax) 720-890-8008, (Web Site) www.fourwindsinteractive.com.
Xstream Solutions offers the XSTREAM Signage Network, a digital signage solution for advertising in grocery stores. The XSN allows marketers to target different demographics throughout the store using the grouping and targeting features of this digital signage solution. The XSN can target shoppers at the checkout line, in front of shelves, at the top of shelves, at end caps, and other locations. For more information about digital signage networks at grocery stores and other retail locations, contact Xstream Solutions, Inc., One Glenlake Parkway, Suite 700 Atlanta, GA 30328;(Tel.) 770-552-5553; (Web Site) www.xstreamsolutions.com.
Tradeshow Multimedia Inc. has introduced Intouch3, an innovative product that allows multiple messages to be displayed simultaneously. Intouch3 is ideal for touch screen applications. The software allows for multiple messages on each of the 3 screens with time sensitive programming. For more information, contact Tradeshow Multimedia Inc., 701 Beta Drive, Ste.3, Mayfield Village, OH 44143; (Tel) 440-446-9483, (Fax) 440-446-1261; (Web Site) www.tmiexpos.com.
Reactrix Deploys Reactive Media Network
Reactrix Media Systems, Redwood City, CA, is deploying its first reactive media network, a way for advertisers to reach and influence millions of consumers in high-traffic malls, theaters, stores and other public venues.
The new medium reacts to consumers when they step on or pass over the projected image. Marketers will have access to more than 100 million consumers using the new Reactive Media Network.
For more information on the Reactive Media Network, call 650-980-2700 or visit www.reactrix.com.
Interactive Floor Display At Virgin Megastore
Virgin Megastores are engaging shoppers with interactive digital floor displays. Epson has partnered with GestureTek, to install the digital marketing technology in flagship Virgin Megastores.
The solution projects imagery from the sleeve of Nirvana’s album, ‘Nevermind,’ which becomes animated when shoppers interact with it, creating an interactive experience combining movement, sight and sound.
“Combining Epson’s expertise in imaging technologies with our GroundFX ™ interactive software, retailers have a compelling avenue for in-store advertising,” said Bill Leckonby, GestureTek’s CEO.
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