Thomson Multimedia Expands Reach Of Digital Audio With Plans To Offer Internet Radio Products
Thomson Multimedia has formed an agreement with Kerbango, Inc., paving the way for a new category of home audio products that utilize the Internet to access streaming media files and deliver thousands of new radio channels to home listeners. Thomson's first new Internet Radio product will be sold under the RCA brand in the U.S. and will use the Kerbango Tuning Service. The AM/FM/IM (Internet Modulation) radio connects through an ethernet connection on the tabletop product, allowing listeners to find thousands of different channels of entertainment. A later version of the Internet Radio is now in development and will have a dial-up modem for direct Internet access as well.
Lane Introduces Massage Recliner
Lane has introduced the HTT Robotic Massage Recliner, in partnership with Interactive Health, a global leader in robotic massage chairs. This revolution in robotic massage technology, along with the advancement of care of the back, works simply with the touch of a button on the chair's easy to operate wand. The patent pending mechanism that works just like hands and arms features two soft, yet firm discs that move three dimensionally. The HTT control massage wand gives consumers a personalized massage through compression, rolling, kneading and percussion modalities.
Maytag Debuts Rapid-Cook Products
Maytag is introducing three new rapid-cook products designed to provide significant benefits to both home and commercial chefs. The Maytag Accellis(TM) 2X rapid-cook freestanding residential range cooks food in half the time of a traditional range. It uses a unique combination of radiant heat and microwave energy that saves time without sacrificing the quality of the food being prepared. An extensive national television and print advertising campaign featuring track star Michael Johnson and the new range, is currently under way. Maytag is also introducing the Jenn-Air Accellis(TM) 5XP wall oven, which uses technology from Maytag's strategic partner TurboChef Technologies, Inc., to cook up to five times faster thatn a traditional oven without sacrificing the taste, texture or appearance of the food. Selected Jenn-Air dealers are conducting a "Take A Taste Drive" pre-sell program to promote the Accellis 5XP wall oven. Consumers may visit participating stores and experience the benefits of this rapid-cook oven through live demonstrations.
General Motors Offers `Virtual Test-drive' Inside Buick LeSabre During `Drive With Confidence' Tour
Ferris Productions, Inc., a Phoenix, AZ-based Virtual Reality Company, has developed the concept of the "Virtual Test-drive" for General Motor's 2000 Buick LeSabre "Drive With Confidence Tour."
The "Immersive" Virtual Reality experience simulates a cross-country drive in the new Buick LeSabre. The premise of the trip is that the driver has picked up Buick-sponsored pro-golfer Ben Crenshaw at his New York hotel and must drive him to a California golf course for his tee time. Filmed in 360-degree video, the driver experiences a seamless visual including conversations with passengers, narration and music from the car radio, sounds outside the car and even an aroma mechanism transmitting scents through the headgear that match the scenery.
"We wanted to demonstrate the newly designed and re-engineered LeSabre in an exciting way, with a test drive as close to reality as possible," said Marcus Vinson, Assistant Brand Manager, Marketing, Buick LeSabre, GM. Momentum Marketing was the brainchild behind this new application designed for GM.
Marconi Commerce Partners With Ten Square
Marconi Commerce Systems, one of the world's largest suppliers of Web-enabled fuel dispensers and POS site management systems, is partnering with Ten Sqyare to provide its vast network of gas pumps with the most up-to-date Internet communications technology.
As Marconi's preferred provider, Ten Square will certify Marconi's Gilbarco brand fuel dispensers, including the newest Eclipse and Encore, with Infoscreen and Monochrome to deliver dynamic content to more than 100,000 screens nationwide. The information will be delivered to the screens via the Internet.
Ten Square's technology provides an open environment to develop and broadcast interactive media over a secure, Internet-based network. Ten Square will extend its digital interactive network across Marconi's retail petroleum marketplace, which includes convenience stores, fuel dispensers and automated teller machines.
Miller Jet Tour 2000 Promotion Takes Off
Miller Brewing Company has launched its international Miller jet Tour 2000 promotion, a 5-day, 4-city cross country music club and concert tour. More than 200 lucky music fans from 25 countries will travel via private jet to the hottest clubs and concerts in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago.
"The Miller Jet Tour is the first of its kind," said Victor Chua, Vice President, Miller International. "Miller Genuine Draft is synonymous with music and we want to offer fans from around the world the chance to experience the American music scene firsthand."
Glen Moray Featured In Off-Premise Promotion
Brown-Forman Beverages Worldwide is conducting an off-premise promotion for Glen Moray Premium Speyside Single Malt Whisky. The promotion features eye-catching POS materials that convey an inspirational message to encourage blended scotch drinkers to trade up to Glen Moray.
Shelf and floor display materials, case cards, case bins, shelf talkers, and product fact cards are available to retailers to increase brand awareness.
Winn-Dixie Stores Will Host `The Return Store' In 14 States
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., one of the nation's largest supermarket chains, will provide host locations for operation of The Return Store, a new business designed to serve e-commerce and traditional merchants and their customers in handling merchandise returns. The Company plans to have approximately 400 to 600 operations in the approximately 1,100 Winn-Dixie Stores by the end of 2001.
The Return Store, on behalf of the merchants (dot com, brick & mortar, catalogue on TV) provides a customer service links to consumers who need to return or exchange an item either purchased or received as a gift. Richard P. McCook, Sr. VP of Winn-Dixie, said that including The Return Store to the services offered by the stores was consistent with the Company's continued efforts to provide the most modern and important products and services to its customers. The Return Store has chosen to use supermarkets such as Winn-Dixie as host locations because they generally offer convenient hours, ample free parking, a safe, well-lighted and secure environment, and shopping cart availability to handle larger items. Also, the return process may be combined with grocery shopping.
Welch's Names P. Martin VP, Marketing
Welch's, the world's leading producer of Concord and Niagara grape-based products, has promoted Peter Martin to Vice President, Marketing. Martin previously served as Welch's Product Marketing Vice President.
AVVA Acquires Rights To Distribute "Lite Image"
AVVA Technologies, a Calgary, Canada-based leader in edge-lit sign technology, has acquired world-wide distribution rights to "Lite Image," a multi-color, flexible ropelight. Lite Image, manufactured by Lights Alive Ltd. of Edmonton, Alberta, is used for any size of indoor and outdoor displays. AVVA designs, manufactures and distributes the world's finest energy-efficient, illuminated sign products.
News America Marketing Introduces SmartSource Price Pop
Supermarket shoppers will see magnified price, product and brand information instantly and clearly with New York-based News America Marketing's introduction of SmartSource Price Pop targeted to be in 5,000 grocery stores nationwide, beginning January 1, 2001.
"SmartSource Price Pop is a shopper's `At-Shelf Price Check,'" said Paul Carlucci, News America Marketing Chairman and Chief Executive. "The timely, specific information simplifies purchase decisions, while delivering complementary messages from the retailer and manufacturer."
Four-color, two-sided, perpendicular (7" x 5 1/2") Price Pop signs will display enlarged unit and absolute shelf prices, retailer's logo, and manufacturer/brand information including product logo, tagline and key selling points. Price Pop will provide price-focused enhancements for existing SmartSource programs such as Coupon Machines, Shelftalk, Floortalk and Take One promotions. The custom-tailored signage and quick turnaround time will enable retailers and manufacturers to enhance co-marketing efforts.
The Newark Group Selects Location For Graphic Board Operation
The Newark Group, Inc., headquartered in Cranford, NJ, is locating and building its graphic board machine at a newly acquired mill site in Fitchburg, MA. It will have initial capacity to produce 85,000 tons annually. The Newark Group's Vice President of Graphic Board Operations, Dick de Haas, has many years of experience in the graphic board industry in Europe and will be the Fitchburg project manager.
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