Archive for Interactive marketing
Posted on Sep 23, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
Over at AVInteractive.co.uk, Paul Milligan tells us that Steljes has added digital signage to its product portfolio:
Steljes has added digital signage to its product portfolio with the announcement of a deal to distribute products from MediaTile. In line with ongoing Steljes strategy the products will be aimed at digital signage within the education sector.
MediaTile provides 3G digital signage products such as Digital-Sign-in-a-Box and Mediacast.
The Digital-Sign-in-a-Box system integrates the three main components of a digital signage network including: a commercial-grade display with embedded media player, network connectivity using mobile 3G broadband services, and a web-based broadcast portal for content management.
Graham Wylie, group product marketing director, commented ‘We have been monitoring the digital signage market for some time. Many of the systems we looked at were designed and developed for the retail sector and had limited potential for updating on a screen to screen basis. In addition we wanted a solution that could be deployed in large scale installations such as those associated with Building Schools for the Future programme and Further Education and Higher Education establishments. MediaTile offers something different – scalable out of the box solutions that are easy to implement and maintain and can be deployed virtually anywhere using 3G connectivity.
Products
Digital signage in a box
• A commercial grade, HD LCD display available in 19, 32, 42 and 47in configurations; also available in touch screen versions
• A built-in embedded computer with a media player that supports media formats including: mpeg, vob, wmv, swf, jpeg, and ppt
• Built-in and activated internet connection
• A web-based Broadcast Portal that eliminates the need to download and install software ; network control from any internet browser
Pricing and availability
Non-touch solutions
19in Digital Signage Box – SRP £1,699
32in Digital Signage Box – SRP £1,999
42in Digital Signage Box – SRP £2,649
47in Digital Signage Box – SRP £3,199
Touch solutions
19in Digital Signage Box – SRP £1,799
32in Digital Signage Box – SRP £2,649
42in Digital Signage Box – SRP £4,999
47in Digital Signage Box – SRP £6,999
Digital Signage – Portal
Broadcast Portal Service – 24 months SRP £999
Black Box, Digital Signage, FrameMedia, Interactive marketing, Steljes, Thinking Screen Media, Wireless Digital Signage, digital signage news
AVinteractive, digital sign in a box, Digital Signage, FrameMedia, Graham Wylie, Mediacast, MediaTile, Paul Milligan, Steljes, Thinking Screen Media, Wireless Digital Signage
Posted on Sep 21, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Erich Schwartzel posts about Black Box Network Service’s new product:
Lawrence-based digital communications company Black Box Network Services has rolled out a new product meant to improve on how people view information in the airport. Or the doctor’s office. Or the bar. Basically, everywhere.
The iCompel arrives at a time when the digital sign industry is evolving rapidly. Digital signs are already used to tell people when the movie is seating, or when the plane is landing — any evolving screen of information.
But the iCompel creates signs that look like those boring boards on steroids.
Like Apple’s iPhone, this technology can handle multiple media forms. On one screen, the iCompel — a small box that transmits displays designed through a Web site — can simultaneously display text, live television or video, photos, HTML and constantly updated RSS feeds such as scrolling headlines or weather reports.
When the box is attached to a screen, it transmits what looks like a tricked-out Power Point presentation.
Online controls allow users to manipulate what the iCompel screens look like from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.
The iCompel starts at around $1,700 and costs up to nearly $3,500 as features are added.
With a presence in 142 countries, Black Box specializes in data and voice infrastructure systems. The public company employs about 5,000, with 500 employees at the Lawrence site in Washington County.
The company reported revenues of approximately $1 billion in fiscal 2009, with a net income of $45 million. The government comprises the largest portion of the client base, at 23 percent. Black Box has more than 175,000 customers.
The new product launch comes at a good moment in the digital signage world. A 2009 study by Arbitron found digital video displays reached 67 percent of U.S. resident age 18 or older.
Most reported remembering signage in airports, bars, convenience stores and even elevators.
Black Box wanted to create a product that would work for businesses that don’t have a creative staff but want expensive-looking signs, said regional sales manager George Borden.
“Anyone half-dangerous with Photoshop can run this product,” he said.
The iCompel is designed to make digital signs more financially and logistically accessible for smaller companies. Mr. Borden said he could envision the signs in venues such as a bowling alley — clearly a departure from such places as PNC Park that typically use such technology.
Black Box already has seen some more unorthodox settings for iCompel-created signs.
It’s been used to replace archaic displays that highlight which bingo numbers have been picked (replete with a live video feed of the announcer’s hand choosing a ball).
The iCompel even has been set up in funeral homes, where directors can run a slide show of memorial photos alongside a movie, or a quote, or some music.
Of course, there are advertising implications. Director of Marketing Brian Kutchma said companies with iCompel screens could sell space to advertisers looking for a targeted audience.
Erich Schwartzel can be reached at eschwartzel@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1455.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09259/998243-96.stm#ixzz0RPv5i4Vl
Black Box, Digital Signage, FrameMedia, Interactive marketing, Thinking Screen Media, Wireless Digital Signage, digital signage news
Black Box Network Services, Digital Signage, digital signs, digital video display, Erich Schwartzel, George Borden, iCOMPEL, Pittsburgh Post Gazette, RSS feeds, Wireless Digital Signage
Posted on Sep 14, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

The Digital Signage Expo blog has some news about digital signage for health clubs:
Health Club Media Network (HCMN), a provider of advertising and marketing opportunities for national brands in health clubs, recently announced that Crunch has joined its network.
The long-term and exclusive media and marketing agreement begins immediately and will include installation of HCMN’s static and full suite of digital media offerings in all Crunch clubs, including mobile messaging and dedicated video channels that can be viewed by Crunch members during their workouts, according to the company.
“Crunch has long held a unique place within the industry and the marketplace with its forward thinking and innovative group exercise programs,” said Ken Williams, CEO for HCMN, Los Angeles. “We are equally excited that Crunch sees the added value our suite of digital signage and information products brings to their members.”
“[HCMN's digital signage and information system] is much more capable than anything we have experienced or seen previously, and it is uniquely capable of bringing the essence of our brand to life,” said Keith Worts, COO for Crunch. “We also are pleased to see that HCMN is able to deliver high-quality music videos and a Crunch branded video channel highlighting our corporate partners, something we had been unable to do easily with our prior technology solution.”
All Crunch health clubs will utilize Health Club Media Network’s digital media platforms to deliver high-quality music videos and Crunch’s branded video channel highlighting its corporate sponsors to club members.
This announcement follows the news of New York Health & Racquet Club joining HCMN’s network, and also of HCMN’s acquisition of the Alloy Fitness Network, which expanded the company’s network to nearly 4,000 health clubs in 120+ DMA’s across the country, said the company.
Digital Signage, Digital Signage Expo, FrameMedia, Interactive marketing, Thinking Screen Media, Wireless Digital Signage, digital signage news
Crunch, Digital Signage, FrameMedia, health clubs, Thinking Screen Media
Posted on Sep 11, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
Digital Signage Expo tells us about Lancaster County Convention Center’s new digital signage project:
Noventri recently completed the installation of the Lancaster County Convention Center’s
Working closely with Mark Moosic, the convention center’s general manager, Noventri mounted screens in selected high-traffic areas such as near escalators and elevators on all levels of the complex. According to the company, the screens are linked to the convention center’s Delphi databases so that visitors are dynamically informed of meeting times, room numbers, speaker names and more. digital signage, which included six 52-inch LCD screens controlled by Noventri SF-3000 digital signage media players and powered by Harris Corp. Infocaster software.
Live video feeds are integrated within the digital content, offering entertainment value to visitors. Noventri created all the digital content and will continue to update and manage it for a fresh look, the company said.
Conveniently located at Lancaster’s historic Penn Square, the Lancaster County Convention Center showcases its ability to offer the latest in technology and visitor experience and is the ideal facility for groups of up to 5,000.
“Noventri served as a single source for all stages of the project by providing everything from site survey to installation and content creation to technical support,” noted Tim Rollins, project manager for Smithsburg, Md.-based Noventri.
Digital Signage, Digital Signage Expo, FrameMedia, Interactive marketing, Noventri, Wireless Digital Signage, digital signage news
digital signage project, FrameMedia, Lancaster County Convention Center, Mark Moosic, Noventri, Penn Square, Tim Rollins, Wireless Digital Signage
Posted on Sep 9, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am

Digital Recall has added the Department of Education and Early Childhood development to the growing list of schools, universities and businesses that use its world-first Free Digital Signage Software.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Aug 28, 2009 – Melbourne, Australia. The Company that introduced The World’s First Free Digital Signage Software has just added The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development to its list of users of its Free Digital Signage Software.
Michael Marcus (CEO) says “The growing list of schools and universities around the world that use our digital signage software is a further step in achieving our commitment to make affordable digital signage software available to users of all sizes and financial means ”.
“Our philosophy of providing a low-cost and useful free digital signage software solution to institutions & businesses of all sizes is an objective we take seriously. We invest substantial resources in constantly improving and adding functionality to our Software. This is evidenced by the recent release of our newest version which adds both substantial Free and Optional (paid) features.
We know that many businesses and institutions may not have the substantial funds to invest in the “typical” digital signage infrastructure in order to set up a digital signage network. With our free software (and the ability to add functionality at a very low cost if required), as well as users ability to use their own Hardware and LAN or Internet connection, we make a digital signage network exceptionally affordable. Even for the smallest business”.
“IT MAKES BUSINESS SENSE – WHY PAY MORE IF YOU DON’T NEED TO?”
Marcus also reports that Digital Recall will soon make available an exciting new feature that will enable users to schedule and play from Cable Box; IP camera; External DVD and many other devices.
Digital Recalls Free Digital Signage Software may be downloaded directly from their website.
For additional information please visit www.digitalrecall.com.au
Digital Recall. The Worlds First Free Digital Signage Software.
www.digitalrecall.com.au
# # #
Worlds First Free Digital Signage Software.
Supplier to businesses small & large; educational institutions; government departments
Digital Signage, Educational digital signage, FrameMedia, Interactive marketing, Wireless Digital Signage, digital signage news
Australia digital signage, Australian free signage, Department of Educationa nd Early Childhood Development, Digital Recall, free and optional paid signage features, Free digital signage software, Michael Marcus
Posted on Sep 7, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
Xconomy.com’s Wade Roush has posted a wonderful article about FrameMedia’s new name and additional new goals! As Thinking Screen Media, the former FrameMedia is still the leader in content delivery to connected screens worldwide.
Wireless digital photo frames, considered one of the hot new categories in consumer electronics back in 2006 and 2007, haven’t taken off as quickly as expected. People love digital frames, but they’ve tended to buy them as gifts pre-loaded with photos they uploaded to the Web, meaning many frames still don’t come with their own connection to the Internet. That’s a problem for Wellesley, MA-based Frame Media, whose whole business, when I last profiled the startup in 2007, revolved around providing fresh digital content for the frames, such as news and sports headlines, weather, and photos shared by friends.
But while Wi-Fi-equipped frames are still playing catchup, another channel for the company’s programming is emerging: so-called “connected screens,” meaning a whole variety of Internet-ready displays that are turning up in homes and offices. As a result, Frame Media is rechristening itself Thinking Screen Media, and going after what CEO Alan Phillips calls “a whole category [of displays] defined primarily by the fact that, unlike PCs, they are limited in their ability to easily search and configure content.” That includes not just digital frames but high-definition TVs, cable set-top boxes, game consoles, Internet radios, and even printers.
Through its FrameChannel platform, Thinking Screen works with publishers such as Time magazine, the New York Times, People magazine, and Weatherbug to offer more than 1,000 channels of content customized for such screens. (Users choose and configure the information feeds at Thinking Screen’s website.) The company is also partnering with virtually every consumer-electronics company on the block—names like Kodak, Motorola, Nintendo, Philips, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba—to make it easy
“Most of the connected screens haven’t hit the market yet, but they will over the next six months,” says Phillips. In particular, Phillips says, “We’ll see an aggressive push by TV manufacturers to enable TVs to go beyond video.” A taste of what he’s talking about already familiar to millions of video game fans is the home screen of the Nintendo Wii, which, in addition to games, offers links to news, weather, shopping, and photos.
The 15-employee startup collected $5 million in Series A funding from Longworth Venture Partners and CommonAngels in May 2008, and there are plans to raise a Series B round this fall, Phillips says. When it comes to supplying content for tomorrow’s connected screens, Thinking Screen has both technical and strategic advantages over existing and potential competitors, he says.
San Diego-based Chumby, whose interactive media player displays information through “widgets” analogous to Thinking Screen’s channels, is the company’s closest competitor, in Phillips’ judgment. But he thinks Chumby will have a hard time delivering content to devices other than its trademark soft-sided appliance, since the widgets depend on Adobe’s Flash video format, which most other connected screens can’t handle. Thinking Screen’s data, by contrast, is delivered using the Media RSS format, created by Yahoo in 2004 and used by thousands of content publishers.
Thinking Screen also has a network of content and manufacturing partners that would be hard for any other company to match, Phillips says. “The barrier to entry is about partnerships on the content side and more importantly on the screen manufacturer side,” he says. “As we create a critical mass of users, the revenue from advertising is shared with both content providers and screen manufacturers, so there is a stream now that encourages the screen partners to make sure that FrameChannel is enabled on their devices.”
Two new products set to emerge from Thinking Screens in the coming months are designed to widen the service’s appeal to consumers. One is a line of inexpensive digital frames dedicated to a single type of content—examples might include a frame that just shows celebrity news from People magazine or news and scores for the Boston Red Sox.
The other is a selection of 35,000 channels aggregating local information. For example, Phillips says, “You could have a Hopkinton, Massachusetts channel, where we’ve licensed content from local news sources, traffic, weather, relevant sports scores, stock quotes for companies, lottery numbers, a Twitter feed from your state representative—everything to do with Hopkinton. So you can imagine watching the Today show at seven in the morning and as a picture-in-picture experience you’re also getting your local town’s feed.”
Wade Roush is Xconomy’s chief correspondent. You can e-mail him at wroush@xconomy.com, call him at (617) 252-7323, or follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/wroush.
Digital Signage, FrameChannel, FrameMedia, Interactive marketing, Thinking Screen Media, digital signage news
Alan Phillips, connected screens, Digital Signage, FrameChannel, FrameMedia, RSS, Thinking Screen, Thinking Screen Media, wireless digital photo frames, wireless digital picture frames, Wireless Digital Signage, wireless screens, wireless signage
Posted on Sep 2, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
According to Digital Signage Expo.net, the Nebraska Lottery and its on-line network provider, INTRALOT, are working with display provider Blast Panel on a digital signage pilot project that will change the way advertisers and retailers reach consumers.
The pilot involves a new digital signage program for qualifying lottery retailers. INTRALOT service
technicians have recently installed 32-inch high-definition, LCD screens (referred to as Blast Panels) at select locations in Omaha and Lincoln to determine how much this new technology can help the retailers increase sales.
“We hear about economic downturn everywhere, and now more than ever, consumers looking for greater value want promotions and incentives when making purchases. This pilot was created to provide a new channel for marketing and promoting Lottery and retail products at the point of purchase. Measuring the effect of these point of purchase promotions and incentives will be key to the success of this pilot,” said John Pittman, VP of marketing for INTRALOT’s U.S. office in Duluth, Ga.
“The monitors will also display retailer specials, news, weather and other public service announcements and provide retailers with the opportunity to generate additional monetary benefits outside of lottery sales. We have been utilizing Player Advertising Displays for quite awhile, but these new Blast Panels will take that concept to a whole new level.”
Blast Panels display lottery information, advertising and retailer promotions to help give consumers relevant, targeted advertising at the point of sale.
“Consumers only spend a short amount of time in the store so you’ve only got seconds to grab their attention — Blast Panels do that.” says Kirk Manz, CEO of Nashville, Tenn.-based Blast Panel. “We saw an opportunity to partner with INTRALOT and the Nebraska Lottery because a large part of their success is dependent on the retail channel. This digital signage pilot will give us insight into how to continuously make the sale with retail customers.”
Headquartered in Athens, Greece, INTRALOT is a supplier of integrated gaming and transaction processing systems, innovative game content and sports betting management to state-licensed gaming organizations worldwide.
Digital Signage, Digital Signage Expo, FrameMedia, Interactive marketing, Wireless Digital Signage, digital signage news
Blast Panel, Digital Signage, Digital Signage Expo, FrameMedia, increased sales, INTRALOT, John PIttman, Kirk Manz, Nebraska lottery, wireless digital signs
Posted on Aug 31, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
Chris Phelan at the Daily DOOH has posted an article about the first integrated digital signage measurement service in Japan:
Vanten K.K. (Tokyo, Japan, CEO: Neil van Wouw) and Quividi (Paris, France, CEO: Olivier Duizabo) recently formed a strategic partnership where Vanten will act as an integration and sales partner to assist Quividi’s entry in the Japanese Digital Signage market with its automated audience measurement solution.
As part of this strategic partnership, Vanten will add audience measurement metrics to the existing Ad reporting in EngageMedia, Vanten’s Intelligent Signage Platform. The new service will be available starting Sept. 30, 2009. Both technical teams will work together to increase their competitive advantage in the market and investigate further options such as localizing and jointly operating Quividi’s VidiCenter service in Japan.
EngageMedia currently stores playback information in a database for all content and includes location, time, and actual duration as well as a time-stamped screenshot of each content playback. Customers can easily create reports for any content, time period, or group of displays. New functionalities will add information from Quividi’s VidiReports, keeping track of how many people looked at each content item and for how long. It will also record how many people in the vicinity of the displays have an Opportunity To See (OTS) the screens and how long they remain in range (dwell-time).
Vanten started testing Quividi’s audience measurement system at Yodobashi Camera’s in-store media, YodobiTV, in December 2008. The test period showed impressive results with a very high data collection accuracy and remarkably low requirements in terms of computing resources.
Until recently, audience measurement systems have been slow to detect faces and have used significant amounts of computing power, often requiring special, dedicated computing hardware. The accuracy was also insufficient for producing reliable metrics or quality customer reports. The high price tag also proved to be a major barrier to widespread adoption of the technology. Whereas alternative systems are usually deployed only in key locations, Quividi’s affordable pricing model makes it possible to consider audience measurement with each and every display.
“We’re very excited to be working with Quividi”, said Neil van Wouw, CEO of Vanten , “Our evaluation showed them to be a best-of-breed solution. Quividi showed commitment to standardization by quickly demonstrating consistency with the OVAB audience metric guidelines, and in our estimation, Quividi is currently the only practical way to bring true audience measurement to every display in a large scale deployment. Together we can leverage EngageMedia’s ability to bring more content and advertising variations than ever before, and Quividi’s ability to provide automated and precise metrics at fine grained, single content play level. This is the vision we are striving to realize.”
“Vanten is rapidly emerging as the leading player in Digital Signage in Japan, and we’re delighted to be teaming up with a such a visionary company”, said Olivier Duizabo, CEO of Quividi. “Vanten’s plan to include audience measurement in its standard offer is perfectly tuned to our own vision: ubiquitous real time metrics will generate trust and sharpen the execution of marketing campaigns to ultimately boost the performance of Digital Signage networks. We’re confident that, jointly, we will deliver a superior solution to the Japanese market”.
About Vanten
Vanten has been operating since September 1998, and currently delivers a full suite of digital signage services and solutions. Vanten’s Intelligent Signage Platform, EngageMedia, offers world class digital signage advertising and content management, data network management, security and dynamic content feature modules. Vanten also makes award winning content for Digital Signage, and with its AdChoice division, is a leading DOOH Agency in Japan.
DOOH, Digital Signage, FrameMedia, Interactive marketing, Quividi, Vanten, Wireless Digital Signage, digital signage news
audience management solution, Daily DOOH, Digital Signage, digital signage market, EngageMedia, FrameMedia, France, Intelligent Signage Platform, Japan, Neil van Wouw, Olivier Duizabo, OTS, Quividi, Quividi's VidiCenter, Vanten, Wireless Digital Signage, Yodobashi Camera
Posted on Aug 28, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
SelfService.org posted an article about how the digital signage industry is now considered “mainstream.” Author Ajay Chowdhury, the CEO of EnQii, has done a great job explaining this:
There has been a great deal of talk over recent years that the digital signage industry is finally “crossing the chasm” of early adopters and pioneers into the mainstream. We believe that this process is now underway and that the growth in the industry that has often been predicted is materializing.
We believe that this is based around five key factors:
a) Clearer understanding of the benefits of digital signage by sector.
When any new medium arises, it tends to use paradigms from old media to launch the new medium. For example, television borrowed from theatre and the Internet borrowed from magazines. This continues for a while until the new medium begins to create its own vocabulary and changes things in line with the way consumers use the new medium.
Similarly the DOOH space initially used the paradigms of billboards and television when it first launched. While these paradigms may be appropriate in certain situations, it is only now beginning to re-invent itself as its own medium meeting the specific needs of consumers in a place-based way.
There is now a much clearer focus on understanding the role and objectives of the network it is an advertising, merchandising and information network with clearer metrics on measuring the ROI.
This also spills through into understanding how the signage network will work in different environments and how the customer should be addressed. Advertising has classically gone through four phases: interruption, entertainment, engagement and dialogue. In the first phase, the ad interrupts what the consumer is doing and often forces them to watch the ad. This was the classical television advertising model of the seventies where consumers had no choice but to view the ad.
The eighties marked the start of entertaining advertising where the consumer wanted to see the ad and received a payoff from it. The Internet moved things along in the nineties towards an engagement model where the consumer focused on ads that interested them and they became more engaged with the products. Finally in the last few years brands have realized that advertising is about a dialogue with the consumer. Mobile and social networking technologies facilitate this ongoing dialogue.
Digital signage can also use these models effectively in different environments. For instance, in environments with a fast moving audience (outdoor, transport hubs, malls), the interrupt model still dominates the out of home space. In areas with a higher dwell time (cinemas, beauty salons), you start seeing more of an entertainment and engagement model while in other specific areas of healthcare, some retail environments and food services you can now move towards an engagement and dialogue model.
The dialogue model is being used effectively by some digital signage providers. For example, EnQii partner with Ping Mobile, who link the digital signage software to their mobile marketing infrastructure. This allows viewers of digital signage ads to respond and interact using their cellular or mobile handheld technology.
This type of strategic analysis of the networks allows the operator to ensure the best content is delivered in the most appropriate fashion to get the desired result.
b) Maturing of the technology and content
Another area that is driving the industry forward is the maturing technology. Historically, the industry has moved from unconnected DVD based networks to simple connected networks to more complex networks with sophisticated advertising scheduling.
Going forward, it will be important that the network owner has technology that utilizes the basics – it needs to be scalable, reliable and secure. But it also needs to be an open platform that allows third party and internally developed applications to link to it to provide cost and revenue benefits. EnQii, for example, has always been a believer in open API’s (Application Program Interfaces), which allows customers to create front ends that link to the software so that they can link into their own workflows. This also allows linkages to “best of breed” systems such as ordering systems for digital menu boards, wayfinding, ePOS and queuing systems on an as needed basis.
Finally, the technology needs to be easy to use, but complex enough to perform all the key tasks needed. This is no mean feat, as the software has to be used by marketing professionals as well as systems administrators. The wrong design fill frustrates both types of users, whereas the right design will ensure neither of them notice the complexity.
The content has also matured. Initially networks often put up TV or stills that they had available. However, current networks such as Footlocker, Care Media, Harley Davidson, and the WHEN network are realizing that ultimately what matters is that what is seen on the screen and a deep understanding of customer behavior will allow the networks to get the best results.
c) ‘Serious’ companies beginning to invest in signage networks
As is typical for companies “crossing the chasm”, network operators have gone from an entrepreneur with a dream and some family funding to large multinational companies beginning to invest as well as financial companies putting serious investment behind networks.
This is important because a lot of early failures in the industry’s experimental years have been from entrepreneurs who secured a good estate and some financing, but they made the mistake of assuming that they could build advertising revenues as they rolled their network out. Typically ad revenues come in on a stepped basis over time. Ideally, networks need a certain critical mass which is dependent on the advertising strategy (national, regional, local) and the desirability of the demographic before receiving any revenues. Hence, there is a need for adequate funding to bridge the gap to that critical mass as opposed to assuming ad revenues will flow as soon as just a few locations are installed.
In the last six months we have seen companies like McDonald’s and well-financed companies like Care Media and Zoom all invest in the space. These rollouts bode well for the industry, especially in recessionary times. The food services sector, healthcare, hair salons and a few others continue to do well in a soft economy as the network operators realize the importance of staying close to the consumer and influencing their purchases when dollars are tight.
Finally, the ad agencies have also started to set up dedicated divisions for digital out of home with Kinetic and Posterscope taking the lead in this area.
d) ‘Serious’ suppliers providing a full service
The flip side of serious network owners is that of serious suppliers. Historically the digital signage industry was a bit of a cottage industry. Over recent years this has changed and EnQii was set up specifically to create a leadership position in the space. The focus moved from hardware to communications – having a deep understanding of what signage works and what does not and how to get the best return. Operating as a global player and being well funded became the focus in order to be able to invest in the best technology for the customers. It became about creating the best partnerships and offering a full service solution to large networks. The idea is to let the networks do what they do best – monetizing their customer by offering the best service and content while allowing the service provider to do the rest and minimize the risk of the venture.
e) The view from China
Finally, the growth of DOOH in the Chinese market has proved that there is a real business there. Focus Media is generating close to $400m a year in revenues and has bypassed many of the agencies to go directly to advertisers for a large portion of this money. AirMedia had revenues of $119m and Vision had revenues of over $100m. While some dynamics in China are different – for instance, there is a higher propensity for out of home consumption – it proves that there is real money to be made in these businesses.
In summary, optimism remains about the growth of the DOOH sector and the belief that it will continue to accelerate as all involved learn more about the medium and how the consumer interacts with it.
Digital Signage, EnQii, FrameMedia, Interactive marketing, Wireless Digital Signage
Ajay chowdhury, Digital Signage, EnQii, FrameMedia, mainstream digital signage, SelfService, Wireless Digital Signage
Posted on Aug 26, 2009 by Jane Goodwin at 12:05 am
Digital Signage Today has listed EnQii’s major new accounts for 2009:
NEW YORK — EnQii has announced that it will be rolling out significant digital signage networks with the following new clients in the food services, health, retail and leisure sectors.
1. McDonald’s has completed its trial and is expanding the digital signage network in their restaurants in the U.K. to enhance the in-store experience and raise sales through digital merchandising. Initial results have shown a positive uplift for their sales and impressive ROI.
2. Care Media is one of the largest healthcare operators in the U.S. with screens in pediatric and women’s health centers. They are following an advertising model as pharmaceutical companies are finding DOOH an effective way to reach their customers.
3. EWI Worldwide, one of the leading U.S. designers and manufacturers of in-store merchandising and retail environments, has selected EnQii as their digital signage solution partner. EWI Worldwide’s Digital Media Solution is being deployed in major retailers, financial services and other shopping venues.
4. AMF Bowling is a leisure operator in the U.K. and chose EnQii to develop their digital merchandising strategy and provide screens in their bowling alleys to promote merchandise products available for their clientele.
5. DC Lottery is a major lottery operator in Washington DC and selected EnQii to deliver digital signage to promote their lottery products.
6. Sports Display is a company that runs activity and information centers in sports and retail locations in the U.S. They chose EnQii to launch advertising based screen products.
7. Health Media Network has screens in hospitals in the US and is using EnQii to deliver an advertising based network.
8. Prime Digital Media is Australia’s number one digital out–of–home media company and has joined forces in a comprehensive partnership with EnQii designed to employ EnQii’s EnGage technology across its DOOH media networks.
9. Village Roadshow is Australia’s largest operator of cinemas and theme parks and chose EnQii for advertising and merchandising screens in their cinemas.
10. Gloss Media has appointed EnQii to roll out their digital signage network in beauty salons, initially across the New York area.
Digital Signage, EnQii, Interactive marketing, Wireless Digital Signage, digital signage news
digital merchandising, Digital Signage, digital signage clients, digital signage networks, Digital Signage Today, EnQii, FrameMedia, major new signage accounts, Wireless Digital Signage