Heineken And RealNetworks Team For Promotion
Heineken USA and RealNetworks, Inc. have joined forces for a summer promotion to offer digital music fans millions of free songs. Every specially marked 12-pack of Heineken will include a unique code redeemable for 2 free songs from RealNetworks. Heineken will support the promotion with a comprehensive marketing program.
“2004 will be the year digital music takes off and Heineken is proud to work with RealNetworks to deliver the best digital music experience to consumers,” said Steve Davis, Sr. V.P. of Marketing for Heineken.
“Heineken’'s marketing savvy and commitment to the music industry makes them the ideal partner,” said Dan Sheeran, Sr. V.P. Marketing, RealNetworks. “Heineken’s ability to reach millions of consumers and deliver free music is a great way to help celebrate the ten-year anniversary of RealNetworks.”
Fujifilm Unveils Digital Camera Developing Kiosk
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. has unveiled its Digital Photo Center Express (DPCE), a compact digital camera developing print solution for retailers seeking additional kiosk capacity.
“The DPCE allows consumers to view and order from up to three images at a time, which allows retailers to increase the number of orders received per hour,” said Jens Klok, Sr. Product Manager, Fuji Photo Film. "
The DPCE offers professional prints that can be easily ordered from a unique screen, which offers previews of up to three images at a time.
The countertop kiosk, which measures 9" W by 12" D and 11" H, can be networked into a Frontier digital minilab or Printpix NC-1000 printer.
AOL Places Broadband Kiosks MMN Music Stores
America Online has placed AOL for Broadband kiosks at Music Monitor Network ‘s (MMN’s) independently owned music retailers across the country.
The AOL for Broadband kiosks feature interactive demos and free AOL software. The kiosks let customers learn more about AOL for Broadband including popular features from AOL Music and showcase a selection of original Sessions@AOL videos, which are intimate, in-studio recordings from top artists.
Mark Wymer, VP of Broadband Marketing, AOL, said, “This collaboration represents an exciting new way for us to reach an important audience of consumers. We are able to showcase some of AOL for Broadband’s music offerings to an audience of savvy music fans in an entirely new and interactive environment.”
Volvo Runs Promo With Virgin Megastores
Volvo Cars of North America is teaming up with Virgin Megastores as part of a comprehensive marketing campaign to promote the new Volvo S40 to a new, youthful and diverse customer group. “For the launch of the Volvo S40 we looked at partnerships that are unexpected for us,” said Thomas Andersson, Exec. V.P. of Marketing for Volvo. “We’ve teamed up with Virgin Megastores because their customers fit the profile of the target audience that we are trying to reach.”
The cooperation with Virgin Megastores consists of two parts: the All Access Tour and an All Access Drive Experience. At the All Access Tour consumers will be able to see and touch the Volvo S40 via an interactive kiosk that features holographic displays of the vehicle’s exterior, interior, lifestyle and safety features. Product specialists will be on hand to talk to consumers. Participants will receive a free music CD that is loaded with music from up-and-coming artists, Volvo messages and links to the Volvo All Access Tour web site. The All Access Tour is set up to encourage prospective customers to attend the All Access Drive Experience. Both day time and night time drive sessions are offered. On Saturday nights, the drive program will feature live performances by a new recording artist. The event combines a closed-course driving experience with a live concert, helping Volvo achieve a positive relationship with a new, youthful customer group.
Schlotzsky’s Announces Wi-Fi Initiative
Schlotzsky’s has expanded its free wireless Internet access (Cool Cloud) from its Austin, TX base to include restaurants in six states.
The expansion reflects the Company’s business model that “free wireless is great for business,” said Monica Landers, Schlotzsky’s spokeswoman.
Where Schlotsky’s has tested free Wi-Fi service, more than 40% of customers said that free Wi-Fi was a factor in choosing Schlotzsky’s to dine, and 6% said that free Wi-Fi is the key reason they chose to come to Schlotzsky’s that day. “Wi-Fi has also extended our business beyond the lunch hour so the restaurant feels alive at all times,” said Landers.
Shlotzsky’s restaurants will now feature “Cool Deli stations,” where customers can surf the Web, check e-mail and play games. They can also access the Web for free with their own wireless laptops or PDAs.
Napster-Brand Products Launch At Target
Napster, a division of Roxio; Imation Corp., a leader in data storage media; and Case Logic, a supplier of personal technology organization solutions, announced a partnership with Target Corp. that will bring the Napster online music experience to the retail shelf. Target Stores will feature the first “one-stop shop” in a retail environment where consumers can find everything needed for a complete digital music experience, including pre-paid Napster download cards, a Napster 2.0 and Roxio software pack, blank Napster-brand optical products from Imation that feature unique “value-added” promotional codes for redeeming free music downloads, and Napster-brand CD cases from Case Logic.
Steve Eastman, V.P. Merchandising, Target, said, “The Napster line offers Target guests options to obtain and store the music they want, both in-store and online at Target.com.”
Swecoin US announced that Pearlson Development Corp. (PDC), has selected Swecoin’s TTP70x0 and TTP8200 thermal printers to be featured in Pearlson’s new self-service kiosks. The new Treeosk Models TR-25 and TR-26 can print out receipts, coupons and 8.5x11 pages. For more information, contact Swecoin at www.swecoinus.com or Pearlson at www.pearlson.com.
DigitalTech Displays has introduced an interactive digital audio/video previewing station for multi-product merchandising. The Advantia "M" system is a digital, self-contained Video previewing system. It is based on a 15" LCD display, which displays nine different still images or messages per screen. Below the images are membrane navigation switches, which allow the user to highlight any one of the nine images or move to the next set of images on another page. Once the user selects the highlighted image, the Advantia M immediately plays the Video message. The Advantia M is not connected to a computer or kiosk. An internal video player is built into the system. All Audio/Video content is stored on non-volatile Compact Flash memory chips. For more information, contact DigitalTech Displays, 1801 Catalina Street, Sand City, CA 93955; (Tel) 866-523-5353; (Fax) 831-392-1754 (Web Site) www.dtdisplays.com.
Planar Systems has expanded its suite of embedded display solutions for retail and kiosk needs. The LA product line of indoor, open-frame monitors is ideally suited for kiosks. The LA product line is based on the Company’s desktop LCD monitors including 15-, 17-, and 19-inch open-frame monitors with or without touch-screens. An automatic dimming feature has been added to its LC15 display; a rugged, sunlight-readable, 15" LCD monitor for outdoor and indoor applications. For more information, visit www.planar.com.
Yahoo! Traveling Billboard Increases Brand Awareness
Yahoo! recently conducted a “Yahoo! Search Traveling” brand-building tour. “Billboard,” a 15-foot video cargo truck, made appearances at popular events all across the country.
On the back of this Traveling Billboard, thousands of people saw a Yahoo! Search bar, like that used by millions each day on Yahoo! on a video screen, which revealed updated, animated search results related to that specific event.
Kiosks Let Travelers Create Postcards
Maida Automated Systems, Fort Washington, PA, has introduced the Memory Card Machine self-serve kiosk that produces postcards from digital photos.
Users follow simple on-screen instructions prompting them to install the camera’s memory card into the Kiosk, select the photo they want to use, and design their postcard.
After inserting their bills into the MEI bill acceptor, postcards print on thick glossy paper. Users can crop the image to create a custom border.
The Memory Card Machine features a polished stainless steel enclosure. Hardware in the kiosk includes a touch screen computer and color dye sublimation printer.
“Rather than buying a run-of-the-mill postcard, tourists can transform their own digital photo into a postcard,” said Michael Maida, Principal of Maida Automated Systems.”
Healthnotes Debuts EasyAnswers Kiosk
Clemens Family Markets is the first store chain to roll out the new Healthnotes EasyAnswers Touchscreen kiosk offering shoppers an interactive, up-to-date resource on health, food, nutrition and lifestyle.
“We are excited to offer Healthnotes in-store because it's a win-win situation,” said Jack Clemens, President and CEO for Clemens Family Markets. “The kiosks serve as reliable self-service resources that enhance the shopping experience for our customers, while also encouraging shoppers to buy more products, improving our bottom line.”
For more information, contact Healthnotes Inc., (Tel) 503-234-4092, (Web) www.healthnotes.com.
Immediatek Releases NetBurn Kiosks
Immediatek, Inc., has made available its NetBurn Station music-burning kiosks.
The unit features a touch screen interface, mix-and-match track or full CD selection, and a plasma screen display for targeted advertising.
The automated kiosk delivers a burned CD, complete with printed label, in minutes. The broadband-enabled kiosk is tied into a central system that has the ability to update the kiosk’s local catalog on-the-fly.
PUMA Hits The Streets In True Crime: Streets of LA
PUMA recently partnered with Activision, Inc. to take part in the driving and action game, “True Crime: Streets of L.A.” As part of the relationship, PUMA has “outfitted” various characters in the game, including the game’s star Nick Kang.
“Video gaming is a phenomena with a diverse appeal. From the skate kids, to the hipsters and fashionistas, gaming is the common denominator to a widespread audience, and a distinctive medium for PUMA to utilize to interact with consumers,” said Barney Waters, Marketing Director for PUMA North America.
PUMA is showcased in various avenues throughout the game. “True Crime: Streets of L.A.” features more than 240 square miles of a digitally depicted Los Angeles, including Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade, which is home to the PUMA store. Billboards displaying PUMA retail advertisements are dispersed throughout the virtual city where players are sent on various missions including the heist of a truck filled with counterfeit PUMA gear.
“The PUMA brand is well aligned with the urban lifestyle portrayed in True Crime: Streets of L.A.,” said Dave Anderson, Director of Licensing and Business Development for Activision.
Fans could get exclusive pre-release access to “True Crime: Streets of L.A.” in a special kiosk at the PUMA Flagship store in Santa Monica.
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