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.
Displays Promote King Kong: Video Game
Video game publisher Ubisoft has released Peter Jackson’s King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie.
The game, based on Universal Pictures’ movie release, King Kong, from Academy Award winning Director Peter Jackson (The Lord of the Rings trilogy), delivers an unprecedented video game experience.
Ubisoft worked with Peter Jackson and Wingnut Films to capture the King Kong movie dynamics through a unique video game experience.
Players will experience unprecedented dual gameplay within a movie-licensed game that alternates between Jack Driscoll in first person and as King Kong in third person. These contrasting perspectives will immerse players in a journey that features epic battles, tough choices and a dynamic experience within the visually stunning environment of the Skull Island.
Ubisoft is using a variety of point-of-purchase displays to merchandise Peter Jackson's King Kong: The Official Game of the Movie at retail. Displays include large QuadPanel overhead signage, a display tower, corrugated floor displays and pallet displays.
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.
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.
Mountain Dew Introduces MDX Energy Soda
Mountain Dew is bridging the gap between energy drinks and soda with the launch of MDX. Pioneering a new category of energy sodas, MDX features the familiar citrus flavor of Mountain Dew, but is fueled by a “power pack” of ingredients including Ginseng, Guarana, Taurine, and D-Ribose. The launch of MDX also marks the debut of a new single-serve 14-oz PET bottle that is convenient, portable, easy to grip and features a re-sealable cap.
“Mountain Dew helped create the energy category and MDX is the next logical step in our evolution,”said Katie Lacey, V.P., Marketing, Carbonated Soft Drinks, Pepsi-Cola North America. “Consumers are increasingly looking for energy-witness the explosion of energy drinks-there is great opportunity for a new category. MDX satisfies the consumer who is looking for a boost of energy but refuses to sacrifice taste and refreshment.”
Stone Cellars By Beringer Launched In Single-Serve Bottles
Stone Cellars by Beringer has introduced the first nationally available premium wine in unbreakable single-serve bottles.
At one-fourth the size of traditional 750 ml bottles, the unbreakable 187 ml bottles easily go where glass can't, including sporting events, the beach, picnics and camping.
The launch of the new Stone Cellars package comes at a time when wine has replaced beer as Americans' number one preferred alcoholic beverage, according to a recent Gallup poll.
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.
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.
Sterling Promotions
Displays Promote New Hershey's Kissables
The Hershey Co. has introduced Hershey's Kissables candy, which are miniature candy-coated versions of Hershey's Kisses chocolates. The colorful blue, red, yellow, green and orange candies come in convenient, single-serve packaging as well as take-home packages.
A special corrugated shipper display supports the launch. “Hershey’s Kissables candies deliver the power of Kisses to new retail channels, such as convenience stores, and the packaging means consumers can enjoy them on-the-go,” said Jay Cooper, V.P., Chocolate, at Hershey’s
Kissables will take to the track at Daytona International Speedway in February as the sponsor of the season opening 2006 NASCAR Busch Series-the Hershey’s Kissables 300. The race will feature a specially painted Hershey’s Kissables Chevrolet.
Charmin Features Mobile Demo Display
This display was created to fill the need of Proctor & Gamble for an eye-catching, innovative unit to introduce the new Charmin Mega roll.
The display is built on a standard metal shopping cart which allows for mobility throughout the store. The primary header is mounted on poles and constructed of 200# flute corrugate.
The most noticeable portion of the display is the large “Mega Roll” located on the front of the cart. A second smaller, laminated header on the front of the display holds an actual roll of the new product. The display has a very high interaction rate among customers.
This display was created by Linpac Displays, a Tullahoma, TN based display firm.
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.
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.”
Chopin Vodka Displays New Look
Chopin Vodka, the world’s only luxury potato vodka from Poland, is making a fashion statement with enhanced packaging, and elegant point-of-purchase displays.
Melissa Frank, Brand Director, Moet Hennessy USA Vodkas, said, “Chopin is a refined brand that has always made a bold packaging statement. It was time to introduce some changes to enhance our look.”
The artistic inspiration for the change came from the famous 19th Century Polish composer Frederik Chopin. The signature hand drawing of the artist is now more visible from the front, seen as an elegant profile through a looking glass window into the bottle. The artist’s signature appears even larger on the front of the bottle.
The words “Potato Vodka” immediately below the signature call out the brand’s point of difference, the rich flavor that stems from cultivated, naturally grown potatoes in the Podlasie region of Poland.
Flying Fish Merlot Features On-Premise Display
Big Fluke Wine Co., a subsidiary of Click Wine Group, has introduced Flying Fish, a premium Merlot from the Columbia Valley in Washington State.
Committed to protecting the environment, Click Wine Group has partnered with The Ocean Conservancy and pledged a portion of the proceeds from Flying Fish to help protect wild healthy oceans.
Flying Fish Merlot draws inspirations from Washington’s state natural and cultural heritage. The label’s image blends classic art of the Pacific Northwest together with the emblematic Sockeye salmon. The artwork for the bottle and display is a replication of Northwest artist Blaine Billman’s painting entitled, “Spirit of the Sockeye.”
The name Flying Fish was chosen based on the graphics Blaine created.
Oral B-Braun Display Featured At Wal-Mart
The Gillette Co. is using the Oral B-Braun display to create a category outpost for Braun electric toothbrush products in Wal-Mart stores.
The entire display is designed to set up in minutes. Materials include an injection molded pallet and 4 styrene modules screwed on to the pallet with sheet metal brackets. Each module is composed of an injection molded base, shelves and header as well as a die cut heat bent wall. Each module has stiffening strips of sheet metal in the walls and headers are silkscreened.
The Oral-B Braun display was produced by NDR, a Melville, NY-based display firm.
Pfaltzgraff Kiosk Provides ‘Virtual Inventory’
Pfaltzgraff, a leading manufacturer of casual dinnerware and accessories offers a large number of patterns, each with a varying number of pieces. One of Pfaltzgraff'’s goals is to offer consumers the most complete line of accessories for its dinnerware patterns. The Company wanted a kiosk to provide a tool to store staff that would allow them to easily help customers browse through the myriads of patterns. Pfaltzgraff also wanted the ability to access their Web-based gift registry system from the kiosk.
Livewire, a York, PA, based kiosk manufacturer, implemented a hybrid online kiosk application that leveraged Pfaltzgraff's existing web site to provide “virtual inventory” ordering capability to customers and salespeople in the stores. This virtual inventory system ensures that a customer will never be turned away from a purchase because their item is not in stock.
Blank Quilting Inspiration Center Debuts Nationwide
Quilters across the U.S. will find inspiration and easy access to the hottest designs on the market with the debut of the Blank Quilting Inspiration Center, which provides one-stop shopping for America's quilters patronizing independent fabric shops.
The Blank Quilting Inspiration Center is the in-store anchor of a major promotional push from Palatine, IL-based Responsive Marketing Communications.
As the Inspiration Center rolls out to more than 2,500 Blank Quilting independent retailers nationwide, the merchandiser will receive direct mail, trade and consumer advertising support targeting small, independent fabric shops.
The Blank Inspiration Center is constructed of durable steel with locking casters for easy placement anywhere in the retail environment. Every display will feature quilt project instructions, current promotional materials and the latest Blank fabric designs.
“The homespun feel of the traditional baker’s rack and with their smooth, elegant lines and soft curves were the inspiration for the merchandiser design,” said Carmen Bona, Director of Client Services for Responsive Marketing Communications. "We felt the design would strongly connect with the target audience at retail, given the homespun appeal of quilting. We used scalloped ornamental metal as a common element in five different sections."
“Because of the varying sizes of retail environments that were targeted as part of the promotion, from full-fledged traditional retail locations to boutique-style smaller shops, it was important that the display design accommodate a large amount of product in a small footprint,” said Rich Gausselin, V.P., Visual Marketing, Inc., manufacturer of the merchandiser. “We also made sure that the unit was easily updateable with information about new promotions and projects as part of the promotional cycle.”
First Chevy Showcase Retail Store To Open At Mall
Kravco Simon Co., manager of King Of Prussia Mall and General Motors’ Chevrolet division have formed a marketing alliance that will bring a unique retail concept-ChevyShowcase-to King of Prussia Mall.
The ChevyShowcase store will feature five to six Chevrolet vehicles. Staffed by a team of Chevrolet specialists, this concept will allow Chevrolet to showcase its vehicles to a broad audience of customers.
“The driving concept behind our ChevyShowcase retail store is to show consumers the wide variety of Chevrolet products designed to fit every lifestyle,” said Dave Klemm, Regional Marketing Manager, Chevrolet. “The partnership with King of Prussia Mall gives Chevrolet a premier marketing venue to attract new customers. Our existing customers will get a chance to see the latest updates to their favorite vehicles.”
Other elements of the deal include vehicle displays positioned at key locations in the mall outside Philadelphia; Chevrolet-produced events throughout the year; strategic signage and promotional materials throughout the mall; and on-site test drive opportunities.
New Subaru Dealership Features Next Generation Design
Subaru recently broke ground on the new Subaru of Plano dealership, which will be the first to feature the designs of the next generation Subaru Signature Facility.
The new Subaru facility will present a contemporary image representative of the advanced technology of Subaru vehicles. Exterior finishes include metallic surfaces, natural slate, and an all-glass view into the showroom. The curved front wall will provide both architectural interest and express progress. The interior architecture will provide high, open spaces. A mixture of both private and open spaces will be offered for all customer functions. The service technology and vehicle care is proudly displayed from windows within the waiting area. Interior materials include natural slate, cherry hardwood flooring, granite wood veneer furnishings, and leather upholstery, to express richness and quality.
Power-It-All Centers Launched At Circuit City Stores
Comarco and Kensington Consumer Products Group have rolled out Kensington’s Power-It-All centers, showcasing the full line of Comarco’s mobile power products in Circuit City stores.
Comarco’s power adaptors under the Kensington brand name enable consumers to charge multiple electronic devices, such as laptop computers, cellular telephones, and digital cameras with one compact power adapter.
The Power-It-All centers are “store-within-a-store” merchandising kiosks. “The store-within-a-store concept focuses the consumer on how this product portfolio can conveniently address their mobile power needs,” said Ian Lombard, Director, Product Strategy for the Kensington Technology Group. “It reflects our commitment to providing retailers with the added value of a powerful brand and effective merchandising solutions.”
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.
Waddajuice Healthy Beverage Is Launched
Waddajuice, a healthy on-the-go juice beverage with an innovative kids sports cap, has been launched by Snapple founder Arnold Greenberg and entrepreneur and father of two children.
The idea started with the advice of a pediatrician who opened the parent’s eye to the growing childhood obesity epidemic.
Waddajuice is made with wholesome ingredients, no added sweeteners, flavors, dyes, preservatives or additives, and contains half the sugar, calories and carbohydrates of other fruit juices. Waddajuice’s unique spill-proof package design allows children to easily pop off the overcap, remove a small seal and drink away. Waddajuice offers 100% vitamin C, 10% calcium and 10% of the essential B vitamins and comes in four kid-favorite flavors: Apple, Orange, Wild Berry and White Grape.
Special display racks will call attention to the launch.
Displays Offers Rip It Power Energy Fuel & PowerBlast
National Beverage Corp. has introduced Rip It Power Energy Fuel and PowerBlast powders in convenient power-paks ready to mix with water.
Rip It Power Energy Fuel powder contains the same energy burst offered by the Company’s fast growing energy beverage, Rip It. PowerBlast powder provides a vitamin boost in addition to an extra ‘blast of energy’. Both powders will be available in 24-pack display cartons.
“Our mission is to successfully launch the first nationally distributed ‘powdered’ energy and vitamin-enhanced products offered in unique power-paks,” said Joseph Caporella, President. “We are positioning PowerBlast to appeal to active adults in the 24-44 age bracket. Rip It powders are targeted to men aged 18-24 who are looking for a quick burst of energy.”
Source 1 Ideal Store Program Supports Brand Image
The Ideal Store Program from Source 1, the aftermarket division of York International provides heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) parts distributors with a unified look to merchandise the Source 1 offering for the Luxaire, Coleman and York equipment lines.
The Ideal Store Program includes p.o.p. materials, lighted displays and signage, and shelving plan-o-grams.
“We wanted to dramatically elevate our parts business with both a merchandising package and parts offering that represented best in class in the industry,” said Renae Turnbaugh, Source 1 Marketing Manager. “The Ideal Store builds a consistent brand image for Source 1 and gives our distributors more reasons to buy all their parts through our buying group.”
Hearth & Home Develops Modular Point-Of-Sale System
Hearth & Home Technologies, a manufacturer of fireplaces and hearth products, wanted a comprehensive point-of-sale system for its Heat & Glo ™ and Quadra-Fire ® brands.
“We envisioned a solution that would promote awareness of our brands and help dealers boost sales of individual products,” said Alan Trusler, Sr. V.P., Retail Channel, Hearth & Home. “Since every dealer’s showroom is different, we had to have a flexible system.”
A modular system, designed by nParallel, a display agency located in Minneapolis, MN, included 40 individual elements featuring window cling signs, exterior and interior banners, design center kiosks, fixtures and light boxes.
“We’re confident this new point-of-sale system will enhance the retail experience for consumers and help drive the sales process,” Trusler said.
West End Games Employs Lenticular Motion Display
West End Games, a Sadsburyville, PA-based publisher of video games, is using this motion lenticular display featuring images that are driven by one AA battery.
The moving lenticular images help to attract consumers by conveying the action in the video game and bringing it to life.
The display unit is compact and helps to enhance the image of West End Games.
The motion lenticular display was created for West End Games by Hankscraft, Inc., a Reedsburg, WI-based p.o.p. display company.
Displays Promote ‘40-Year-Old Virgin’
“The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” is being offered in DVD and VHS formats in a rated and unrated version featuring over 17 additional minutes of wildly hilarious footage filmed specifically for the DVD and not shown in theaters.
Both versions of the DVD are filled with bonus features including uproarious outtakes and deleted scenes.
The film, which has earned over $100 million at the box office, was released in time for holiday gift giving from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Universal City, CA.
An array of P.O.P. displays featuring Steve Carell as “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” included this 24/48-count corrugated merchandiser. A graphics side panel on this display calls attention to some of the funniest scenes in the movie.
The display base features a special offer for “Band Camp,” another comedy of interest to the target consumer.
Time Displays Magazine Gift Subscription Program
Time Direct Ventures is promoting its new Magazine Gift Subscription program via this p.o.p. display. Giftscriptions are elegantly packaged and displayed in a festive red box with a magazine guide that describes each magazine and offers a sneak peak at its content. Simple redemption directions allow recipients to just open, choose and redeem their gift subscriptions from a selection of 50 magazines that include People, Time, and Sports Illustrated.
Giftscriptions are on display nationally in all Books-a-Million, Meijer and Wegmans stores as well as at select Best Buy, Borders and Wal-Mart stores.
“Our goal was to develop a gift subscription product that consumers would be proud to give,” said Deede Dickson, V.P. Business Development, Time, Inc. “The festive packaging makes giving a magazine subscription into a more tangible gift that can be wrapped.”
TippingSprung, a New York-based brand consultancy, partnered with Time Inc. to develop the Giftscriptions brand.
Egismoz P.O.P. Urges Consumers To ‘Seize The Deal’
Egismoz sells overstocked and recertified electronic products at great prices in a small retail environment.
The brand has been launched with identity and promotional materials created by re:group, a brand marketing firm located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The introductory marketing campaign encourages consumers to rebel against traditional means of purchasing these items, come into the store and “seize the deal.”
The initial Egismoz promotional campaign consisted of a series of freestanding inserts and attention-getting point-of-purchase display materials.
Curad Powerwing/Floorstand Targets Children
Beiersdorf is featuring the Curad Maya & Miguel powerwing/floorstand display, designed to add value and grow market share in the competitive small bandage category.
The powerwing/floorstand display provides the retailers with great flexibility. The powerwing portion can be displayed independently in a wire cage or mounted on the base.
The display utilizes five color offset litho-lam corrugated board with UV coating. The display base is B-flute corrugated board and printed one color flexo with aqueous varnish.
The artwork on the display matches that which is on the product packaging, making for a colorful, eye-catching presentation.
The Curad Maya & Miguel Powerwing/Floorstand display was designed and produced by Menasha Display Group, a Philadelphia, PA-based point-of-purchase display firm.
P.O.P. Materials Support Grains For Life Campaign
The Grain Foods Foundation (GFF) is running a campaign to promote bread in 1,800 Kroger stores nationwide. Kroger is highlighting the nutritional value of bread and grains through point-of-purchase materials, which will be supported by a creative message that addresses the necessity of bread in making sandwiches.
The floor decals will be featured in the bread aisle in addition to the deli and peanut butter aisles.
The Grains For Life campaign and in-store materials were created by the Mullen agency, Wenham, MA.
Chopin Vodka Displays New Look
Chopin Vodka, a luxury vodka from Poland, is making a fashion statement with enhanced packaging, and elegant point-of-purchase displays.
Melissa Frank, Brand Director, Moet Hennessy USA Vodkas, said, “Chopin is a refined brand that has always made a bold packaging statement. It was time to introduce some changes.”
The artistic inspiration for the change came from the famous 19th Century Polish composer Frederik Chopin, whose signature now appears even larger on the front of the bottle.
Flying Fish Merlot Features On-Premise Display
Big Fluke Wine Co., a subsidiary of Click Wine Group, has introduced Flying Fish, a premium Merlot from the Columbia Valley in Washington State.
Committed to protecting the environment, Click Wine Group has partnered with The Ocean Conservancy and pledged a portion of the proceeds from Flying Fish to help protect wild healthy oceans.
Flying Fish Merlot draws inspirations from Washington’s state natural and cultural heritage. The label’s image blends classic art of the Pacific Northwest together with the emblematic Sockeye salmon.
The artwork for the bottle and display is a replication of Northwest artist Blaine Billman’s painting entitled, “Spirit of the Sockeye.”
The name Flying Fish was chosen based on the graphics Blaine created.
This unique bottle-glorifier calls attention to the brand at on-premise locations, while highlighting the brand’s unique heritage.
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