PBS KIDS Destinations To Be Placed In Mills Mall Locations Nationwide
The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and The Mills Corp., a leading shopping center developer, have announced plans to create PBS KIDS destinations inside Mills’ properties across the country by the end of 2004.
PBS KIDS-branded physical environments will be placed in Mills properties, with themed learn-and-play areas, Internet kiosks and displays. In these locations, local PBS affiliates will play an important role in activating the spaces with community events.
These destinations are not stores, but educational environments that will boast jungle gyms, live events, book nooks, computer kiosks and community boards with information on PBS KIDS programming and family-oriented community events.
Wal-Mart Debuts TLE Tire Kiosk
This interactive kiosk was designed for a shelf within the Wal-Mart Tire department, allowing the consumer to research various types of tires.
The AVM interactive unit is accessed using a touch pad. Information is displayed on the video monitor and speaker. The display also provides literature and promotional graphic areas.
The Wal-Mart TLE Tire Kiosk was produced by Harbor Industries, a point-of-purchase display firm based in Grand Haven, MI.
Tower Records’ Featuring Music Discovery Center
Tower Records has launched its Music Discovery Center program to help consumers navigate the vast catalog of music in both Tower’s retail and online stores. This next-generation kiosk goes beyond the traditional listening station by making it easier for Tower customers to perform multiple shopping activities.
The unique benefit of the Music Discovery Center is that it recommends CDs based on the music that a customer is browsing. With the “Scan and Listen” feature, customers can preview song clips of virtually any CD in the store without having to open the package. Customers can scan more than 200,000 albums and 3 million songs by simply scanning a CD’s barcode. Customers can also browse “Tower Picks,” a selection of essential CDs organized by genre and theme and immediately listen to song clips from those CDs. In addition, customers can search for music based on an artist, song or CD title.
The Discovery Center kiosks were developed by software company Savage Beast Technologies and kiosk hardware manufacturer NCR.
House Full Of Windows Display Promotes Giveaway
This self-standing promotional display features “in-in-motion” tech nology, going through three phases as it promotes the Kensington Windows’ “House Full of Windows” giveaway.
The display’s animation runs for over six months on two AA batteries. The sign can be customized for a local Kensington Windows dealer.
The “House Full of Windows” promotional display features innovative animation technology provided by E-Ink, Inc., of Cambridge, MA.
Shower Kit Display Features Fully Assembled Product
This display, created for American Shower & Bath, was designed to feature a fully assembled shower kit as it would appear in a home environment.
To accomplish this, a “corner” in which to install the product was created by joining two laminated fiberboard panels mounted to a platform base. The shower kit is then installed within this fabricated corner area.
The finished display allows the consumer to view the product size, assembly, glass, metal frame and wall options.
The American Shower & Bath Kit display was produced by Display Design & Sales Co. of Philadelphia, PA.
Popeyes Chicken Uses Digital P.O.P.
Allure Fusion Media has created new digitally animated menu boards, outdoor pre sell boards and promotion/confirmation outdoor displays for Popeyes Chicken And Biscuits, designed to replace the familiar, static plastic POP with wireless, digital, Web-enabled screens.
The Web-enabled screens allow Popeyes to run DVD-quality promotions and graphics, update menu items and prices by the time of day or season, and bring the benefits of sophisticated e-business technology to the fast food drive thru and restaurant. The merchandisers display more food and combo choices than can be displayed on static menu boards.
Popeyes or the store manager determine which playlist to use to promote different items at the best times.
By displaying more and timely choices, the boards also help improve accuracy of the order, easing consumer frustration.
Allure Fusion Media, Inc., based in Atlanta, GA, (www.allurefm.com) creates
creates software solutions that control digital merchandising.
Dell Direct Kiosk Gives Consumers First-Hand Experience With Dell Products
Dell is adding a new dimension to the way people shop for computers, bringing the benefits of the company’s direct sales kiosk to customers who want to experience Dell's products before purchase.
The new Dell Direct multimedia sales kiosk in Austin's Highland Mall will allow consumers to get first-hand experience with the latest computers and accessories. Orders can be placed from the location through www.dell.com and computers are shipped directly to customers’ homes. Dell representatives will answer customer questions and work with customers to order customized, built-to-order systems that meet their specific needs.
Kurt Kirsch, Director of New Business Development for Dell’s consumer group, said, “This program extends that approach to consumers who have told us that they would also value opportunities to see, touch and actually play with our products as they purchase.”
The new Dell Direct multimedia kiosks are opening at 20 other U.S. mall locations.
First Ever Hershey’s Store Opening
Hershey Foods Corporation is opening its first ever Hershey’s store in New York City’s Times Square..
The store, planned to be an interactive experience for customers, opens this fall as a whimsical feast for the eyes with new outdoor signs carrying over 15 of Hershey Foods' major brands. Included will be a pyramid of Hershey’s Kisses, a Jolly Rancher wind sculpture, and a replica of the dual Hershey's chocolate factory smoke stacks, an icon in Hershey, PA.
"Nowhere is the diversity of New Yorkers more apparent than in Times Square, and one thing most everyone can agree upon is the joy and fun of Hershey's candy," said Wynn Willard, Chief Marketing Officer and Senior V.P. of Hershey Foods Corporation. “Tens of thousands of people visit Times Square every day, and we hope to make their visit a little sweeter.”
Once Upon a Toy Opens At Walt Disney World Resort
Once Upon a Toy, a new toy store combining the magic of Disney and the fun of Hasbro has opened at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Alan Hassenfeld, Hasbro’s CEO, said, “Once Upon a Toy offers visitors an incredibly unique play experience for ‘kids’ of all ages. Together with Disney, we’ve created a destination filled with great toys, games, and fun.”
Once Upon a Toy offers five uniquely themed rooms that add up to 16,000 sq. ft.; a retail playground created by Walt Disney Imagineering in collaboration with Hasbro; creative new toys combining Disney and Hasbro brands, including a new Mr. Potato Head with Mickey Mouse ears and Disney theme park editions of such popular Hasbro board games as ‘Monopoly” and “Candy Land.”
The store will feature whimsical kinetic displays, including a ceiling-mounted spinner from “The Game of Life,” and a rotating conveyor of toys. Guests can build their own Mr. Potato Head after previewing their design on one of five special touch-screen terminals.
Display Werks Inc. has added a 24" open-frame LCD monitor to complement its retail and kiosk open-frame LCD monitor line. The display boasts a versatile open-frame chassis that allows the monitor to be mounted flush to a surface, rear panel mounted, front panel mounted or vesa-mounted to a vesa-standard device. “Larger LCD display sizes are getting a lot of attention for retail and kiosk applications,” said Mark Harriman, President. “Display Werks offers a 24" open frame display that meets the requirements for these uses.” The display has an optional Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) touch screen for interactive applications. For more information, contact Display Werks, 2747 29th Avenue SW, Tumwater, WA 98512; (Tel) 360-705-4112, (Fax) 360-709-9552, (Web) www.displaywerks.com.
TraC Associates has introduced the GlassVu and LumenStar High Ambient Light Displays, a new technology that delivers high contrast, high resolution images in any lighting condition. Using proprietary “black shelves” technology, the GlassVu and LumenStar displays 16 million colors, a 5.8 grain, and delivers an incredible contrast ratio of 500:1. Perfect for extreme lighting applications such as trade shows and digital signage, the Glass Vu and LumenStar offer the unique opportunity to display any images in HDTV quality, even in extreme lighting conditions. In addition, the custom sizes and easy set up provide a portable and flexible solution. For more information, contact TraC Associates, 6481 Horton Rad, West Linn, OR 97068; (Tel) 503-657-6599, (Fax) 503-650-1035, (Web) www.tracassociates.com.
Animated Sign Technologies introduces the Multi Image Player (MIP), a backlit graphic sign cartridge. The MIP plays three different images, one at a time, all on one translucent graphic sheet. Each image of the sheet is displayed independently, with each image seamlessly fading sequentially into the other. Various dynamic motion effects-flip, animation, morph or 3D-can be achieved with the MIP. Additional services offered include project development assistance, design team, on-site testing, and full product support. For more information about the Multi Image Player, contact Animated Sign Technologies, 640 Apex Road, Sarasota, FL 34240; (Tel) 877-626-2210, 941-343-0110, (Fax) 941-343-0079, (Web site) www.animatedsigntechnologies.com.
IEControl has introduced the PerfectCAST Tradeshow Appliance, an economical video tradeshow display solution. The PerfectCAST measures just 70” tall x 25” wide by 3.5” deep. A 15-inch LCD display is placed at eye-level with an eight-line LED message board below. The full motion video and text display is beamed wirelessly to PerfectCAST from a laptop computer, or can be controlled via the Internet. Multiple units can be networked. PerfectCAST weighs less than 100 lbs. For more information, contact IEControl Solutions, 4936 Fairmont Ave., Bethesda, MD 20814; (Tel) 240-497-0290; (Web Site) www.iecontrol.com.
C-360 Offers Advertisers A New Medium
The patent-pending C-360 Imaging enables consumers to see any illuminated image, housed within a clear container, which appears to be floating in mid-air thanks to a proprietary process of illumination and light filtration. This technology is well suited for malls, retail outlets, and trade show exhibits.
C-360 is launching its line of ADS (Advertising Display Systems) with fully interchangeable image screens, allowing the display material to be switched in minutes. ADS products are available in three screen sizes: Proteus (12" x 15"), Cirrus (12" x 10") and Cygnus (4" x 5"). Custom sizes are also available. According to the Company, ADS products are competitively priced with such display technologies as light boxes, lenticular imaging and holograms.
For more information, contact C-360, Inc., 3 Davol Square, Providence, RI 02903; (Tel) 401-258-0471, (Web) www.c360technologies.com.
AT&T Unlimited Plan Runs Mobile Tour
AT&T has launched a mobile kiosk tour and sweepstakes to promote AT&T Unlimited, its newest long distance calling service. The Company retained DVC Communications to launch the campaign.
The tour features a 30’x30’ AT&T-branded tent and stage set up to invite consumers to experience AT&T Unlimited in a “living room” setting. Consumers can then enter the sweepstakes at AT&T Kiosks, which collect customer data.
Cross Purchase Pal Kiosk Introduced
NCR Corp. has teamed with A.T. Cross to offer the Cross Purchase Pal, a kiosk that provides shoppers with immediate access to shopping lists, purchase history and loyalty program information.
Consumers can use a scanner-equipped key fob or pen to scan items at home. In the store, shoppers download the information into an NCR EasyPoint kiosk, which displays and prints a shopping list, coupons, and price comparisons.
Coca-Cola Ticket Tank Travels To Events
The Coca-Cola Co. recently unveiled the Coca-Cola Ticket Tank, a 14-foot curved bottle with a high-powered floor fan that will travel to concerts, sporting events and stores. Consumers stand inside and grab for gift certificates for Coke products, concert tickets, and other prizes blown around by the fan.
The Tank made its debut at Atlanta’s Music Midtown Festival and will tour venues owned by marketing partner Clear Channel Entertainment, which devised the Tank project for Coca-Cola. CMI, a promotion agency owned by Clear Channel Entertainment, executes the program.
Labatt Blue Runs Outfitters Tour
Labatt Blue’s Outfitters Tour, complete with a Canadian-style Labatt Blue Lodge, is traveling to the hottest outdoor events and festivals in the U.S. The Labatt Blue Lodge, a self-contained 40’ trailer, features a full-size bar, an indoor fireplace, and TV’s with satellite access to top sporting events.
Using an interactive kiosk, the Outfitters Tour staff will sign up customers to receive a Labatt Blue Card. The Card features member benefits, Blue Bonus items and specials available only to card holders.
The kiosk also offers “digital postcard” capabilities so Lodge visitors can pose for a picture and email it to friends and family.
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