Apple Opens Retail Store On New York’s Fifth Ave.
The Apple Store Fifth Avenue is Apple’s most architecturally innovative store, featuring a distinctive 32-foot glass cube that creates a stunning new destination on New York’s Fifth Avenue.
The Apple Store Fifth Avenue will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to offer an unprecedented level of service.
The new store offers more than 100 Macs and nearly 200 iPods for customers to try before they buy, as well as the world's largest assortment of accessories to help you get the most out of your Mac or iPod.
The store features a combined 45-foot Genius Bar, iPod bar and The Studio where customers can get face-to-face support, free advice and work on creative projects at any hour of the day or night.
The hands-on Apple Store experience provides visitors with a chance to test-drive Apple’s entire product line.
“With outstanding service and an amazing location open 24 hours a day, we think the Apple Store Fifth Avenue is going to be a favorite destination for New Yorkers and people around the world,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. More than 147 million people on three continents have visited Apple retail stores since they opened in May 2001. Apple now operates 147 stores, including six in Japan, six in the U.K. and two in Canada.
Build-A-Bear Offers Custom Gift Card Kiosks
Build-A-Bear Workshops faced a challenge in selling its gift cards in a retail setting where customization and personalization are an integral part of the customer experience. Build-A-Bear wanted to improve this experience for its guests and speed the gift card buying process by incorporating self-service technology.
Build-A-Bear worked with Nanonation, Lincoln, NE, to create a personalized on-demand gift card printing station. The custom gift card kiosks offer a personalized experience, as well as a way to speed up transaction times and decrease wait times. The kiosks enable users to select the custom card background and specify the value they want to add to the card. A preview feature allows the customer to see exactly what the card will look like when printed.
Lay’s & Kodak Run Summer Promotion
Lay’s potato chips and Eastman Kodak have teamed up to “Capture The Smiles of Summer” by offering free photo stickers with Lay’s potato chips. Consumers can redeem codes found on Lay’s potato chips and receive 12 free photo stickers from Kodak Easyshare Gallery, an online photo service. Consumers may also enter to instantly win one of 150,000 Kodak prizes, such as a Kodak Easyshare V530 digital camera or free Photo Mugs and Photo Books The promotion will be supported with online advertising and point-of-sale displays.
“The Capture the Smiles of Summer promotion will introduce millions of Lays customers to the Kodak Easyshare Gallery,” said David Rich, V.P. Marketing, Kodak Easyshare Gallery. Jeff Swearingen, V.P., Shopper Marketing, Frito-Lay, said, “Lay’s and Kodak Easyshare Gallery are turning good times with family and friends into great memories.”
Nanonation, a software provider for kiosks and digital signage and LocaModa, Inc., a technology company enabling consumers to use cell phones to interact with out-of-home networks, have formed a partnership to deploy mobile-enabled interactive digital signage. Mobile consumers can now use a cell phone like a remote control to surf multi-media content on Internet-connected signage, typically in storefront windows. For more information, contact Nanonation at (Tel) 402-323-6264, (Web) www.Nanonation.net; For more information on StreetSurfer, contact LocaModa at (Tel) 617-629-9600, (Web) www.LocaModa.com.
Palmer Promotional Products offers a wide array of point-of-purchase signage products, including animated LED signage, lenticular p.o.p. signs, menuboards, illuminated and motion signs. Palmer also offers digitally printed banners, curb and pole signs, vacuum formed plastic, metal and wooden wall signs. For more information, contact Palmer Promotional Products, 23001 W. Industrial Drive, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080; (Tel) 586-772-4225; (Fax) 586-772-4627; (Web Site) www.palmerpromos.com.
Kaon Interactive has introduced the Kaon v-OSK(TM), which features large screen 3D product displays. Kaon’s visual realism and interactivity that allows shoppers to investigate moving parts, rotate, view and measure products from every angle, and view full product demonstrations. “The Kaon v-OSK is the most effective way for companies to enhance and extend the selling environment,” said Gavin Finn, CEO, Kaon Interactive. “It allows both manufacturers and their sales channel partners to increase the likelihood of product sales through a compelling and dynamic customer experience.” For more information, contact Kaon Interactive, 2 Clock Tower Place, Maynard, MA 01754; (Tel) 978-823-0111; (Fax) 978-268-5300; (Web Site) www.kaon.com.
Eletech Electronics has introduced its QuikWave model EM31 A-X audio repeater with extended device control. EM31A-X is a flash card based MP3 player with a built-in power relay. Through this relay, external devices such as solenoids, motors and lights can be turned on and off at any time in perfect synchronization with the audio playback. No computer or software is required to program or operate the unit. EM31A-X provides stereo, CD quality line output to be amplified by external power amplifiers. Housed in a rugged metal enclosure measuring 6.6" x 3.1" x 1.5", it is built to provide years of reliable service. Applications include animated point of purchase displays and exhibits. For more information, contact Eletech Electronics, 16025 Kaplan Avenue, City of Industry, CA 91744; (Tel) 626-333-6394, (Web) www.eletech.com.
Showcraft
OnScreen Technologies has debuted its new Living Window, a colorful, dynamic messaging sign that can turn any retail or store front window into a customized dynamic digital sign. OnScreen has added new features to its original Living Window, such as multi-color LEDs, modular design for custom sizes and WiFi local management capabilities. “The Living Window is a proven, powerful sales tool, and the addition of a colorful display will only increase that impact,” said Rob Gowans, V.P., Sales. For more information, contact OnScreen Technologies, 600 NW 14th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209; (Tel) 866-710-7334, (Fax) 503-417-1717; (Web Site) www.onscreentech.com.
Ampronix Imaging Technology has designed the Infomaxx CF to meet the evolving needs of point-of-sale displays. This unit is a stand-alone device for retail store digital flyers, point-of-sale advertising and digital sign applications. With an integrated Compact Flash Media Station, it is easy to load videos directly to the display. With the DVI-D input, it is also easy to connect the panel to digital video sources. For more information about the Infomaxx CF, contact Ampronix Imaging Technology, 8697 Research Drive, Irvine, CA 92618; (Tel) 949-428-3976, 800-400-7972, (Web Site) www.infomaxxcf.com or www.ampronix.com.
Fairfield Displays has introduced a display unit with an integrated 17" LCD screen. The ultra-bright digital screen runs from compact flash cards, capable of storing up to 4mb of information each, forgoing the need for a computer link-up. Both still and moving images can be displayed, along with an audio soundtrack, in sequence or loops. The unit is 60" tall with an aluminum upright, metal base and leaflet dispenser. For more information, contact Fairfield Displays, (Tel) 800-496-2181, (Web Site) www.fairfielddisplays.com.
Monster Media has introduced two portable versions of its patented GroundFX consumer activated media system. The GroundFX system draws spectators into each ad with interactive video technology projected onto large floor displays where consumers’ body motions interact with dynamic animation. “Recognizing a strong demand at trade shows, we designed two systems that deliver the same great product but are easily transportable,” said John Payne, President of Monster Media, which holds the license for the GroundFX system. The portable unit display system is a sturdy 10’ x 10’ application and can be easily installed into booths. For more information call 407-323-1686, (Web site) www.monstermedia.net
Onspot Digital Network Is Launched
Publicis Groupe and Simon Property Malls have launched the OnSpot Digital Network, a high-definition digital network in Simon Malls.
“We are offering marketers a unique opportunity for ongoing brand awareness with extremely upscale consumers," said Simon Badinter, CEO of Publicis. Stewart Stockdale, CMO, Simon Property Group, said “Our shopping centers are extremely targeted, high traffic locations.”
OnSpot Digital Network will broadcast on nearly 2,000 screens by the end of the summer.
Airships To Display Interactive Advertising
The Lightship Group, has introduced the new A-170 Video Lightsign Airship, offering a new technology to broadcast live TV, Internet sites, slide shows or virtually any other media on its full color 30' x 70' LED screen. It can also be used in integrated marketing and promotional campaigns utilizing GPS tracking, two-way communication with customers, text messaging and phone tie-ins.
Messages can be changed in real time so an advertiser could promote a breakfast product in the morning and a lunch or dinner entrée in the afternoon or evening on the same LED sign without having to land to change the data.
For more information, contact The Lightship Group, Orlando, FL, (Tel) 407-363-7777, (Web Site) www.lightships.com.
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