New Media Mindfulness

Trend Report: Teens, Cellphones and Digital Signage Convergence

2008-07-05T00:10:00.003-05:00

Sponsored by:

Overview | Free Download

Today’s teenagers are accustomed to an interactive experience. They have grown up with TiVo®, the internet, and the cellphone. Nearly everything they use has been customizable and community-based. Traditional, image-based advertising just doesn’t cut it for this group.

So why haven’t more retailers taken advantage of digital signage to market to this attractive consumer population? Digital signage can easily provide an opportunity to implement interactive that appeals to cellphone-savvy consumers (such as teens). Moreover, there would be little media-based cost in implementation, as consumers already have cellphones, and you possess the digital signage! To see more on cellphone and digital signage convergence, see the article generously provided by Enqii.

Download "Trend Report: Teens, Cellphones and Digital Signage Convergence"

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Mike DiFranza assures that the OVAB will not miss a beat.

2008-05-23T16:37:00.002-05:00

You can take that statement to the bank.....the OVAB seems to be growing quickly and it is great that the board members and members....well to see the heavy hitters involved....I truly admire Captivate-even with the proper funding they have done a wonderful job-and I assure you it was/is not easy-rewarding-I bet ya!

Norris Steps down as OVAB president/CEO after nine months on the job.

Norris is leaving to become senior vp-strategy and business development/digital marketing and commerce at Cablevision, writes MediaPost.

The association will not miss a beat as far as execution of plans, Mike DiFranza, president-general manager of Captivate Network and chairman of OVAB says.

Suzanne Alecia, president, advertising sales at The Hotel Networks - a founding member of OVAB - will be the new president/CEO.

OVAB recently announced that Arbitron has become a member, and DiFranza says another announcement on new members will be coming soon.
Full Article

Wallspace Effect-the New Billboard Channel

2008-05-03T10:07:00.010-05:00

Marketers Turn Vacant Storefronts In Mall Into Ad Venues

Full article composed by Sarah Mahoney at Media Post's Marketing Daily.

The economy has been especially punishing for retailers, with such chains as The Sharper Image and Levitz filing for bankruptcy, others like Linens 'n' Things teetering on the edge, and dozens more -- including Zales, Ann Taylor, and Talbots...

In the first quarter of this year, the International Council of Shopping Centers says that of the 28 retail chains it tracks, there have been 2,122 store closings, with 38% in apparel, followed by 30% in home entertainment.

So WindowGain, a start-up based in Newton, Mass., has pounced on store vacancies as a new ad medium, with five displays currently running in Boston and eight in the UK. "We have our in-house staff securing high-traffic and high-demographic locations," says COO Prem Hira and then selling the ads to marketers, typically in four-week flights. But given the softness in retailing, "we also offer incentives for longer-term contracts. To date, our longest campaign is 16 months."
The business model is like any other out-of-home advertising company, he says. "We sell advertising time on our digital displays, and we compensate the real estate owners with a fixed monthly fee or a revenue share."
"We all know that traditional advertising is shrinking, and that alternative - including digital and out-of-home-advertising is growing," says Marc Feldman, VP/new business development at Developers Diversified Realty (DDR), a Beachwood, Ohio-based commercial real-estate company that has just entered an agreement to bring window displays to about 75 properties in the next 15 months. "Companies need to reach people where they are. People are spending more and more time at the mall, and our traffic numbers show that," he says. "So this is an innovative way to reach them. When people look in windows, they expect to see things."
Feldman says the technology is especially appealing for marketers with creative that has plenty of movement. "It looks really great when you see fish swimming or balls bouncing," he says. Boston sites have featured sea monsters (from the New England Aquarium), twirling cell phones (Verizon) and even windows (the Museum of Fine Arts Boston recently had an Edward Hopper exhibit, and its display used a moving version of what may be the most famous storefront art ever-the artist's 1942 "Nighthawks.") Right now, DDR, with about 740 properties throughout the U.S. and internationally, is rolling new ads out in its Atlanta properties.

"Ground-floor digital displays are ideal for just about any brand that wants to reach people on the go," adds Hira. Benefits specific to digital displays include real-time information. For example, the Boston.com spots actually pull news, weather, etc. from the boston.com web site.
The economy's loss may well be a boon for companies like WindowGain. The International Council of Shopping Centers predicts that store closings may total 6,500 for 2008, or about 1% of existing stores, which would be the highest since 2001.

Windowgain has a solid foundation and I expect that they will continue to do very well. Reaching the consumer on the move-window shopping-driving by-that is the goal and a smart target to focus on for advertisers.........I do want to mention that I first heard of this company at Digital Signage News Blog

Visit Windowgain to view the entire story.

2008-04-11T22:50:00.003-05:00

This post is borrowed from the The Digital Signage Forum Wordpress Blog which has great content and continues to educate me on the latest in the industry.......I have not posted in sometime-well I suppose that happens........in life. So for the few that read my blog, I truly appreciate it and look forward to posting more often....Dave

Is this on your Digital Signage Mind?

March 26, 2008 by digitalsignageforum

This is about Confronting Economic Challenges and the value of what customers are facing in Technology.

JD Events is tackling the real meat and potatoes of what everyone is discussing regarding how to improve revenue, customer experiences and analytics. This particular Keynote Session is Open to All Event Attendees and is available to you from the KioskCom & The Digital Signage Show - April 16-17, 2008 - Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

The economic challenges we face are now forcing companies to rethink their
budgets, and how they spend their advertising and technology dollars. A
more thorough analysis is being done on every opportunity, weighing the
benefits and ROI of each. Customer & Employee Facing Technologies - kiosks
and digital signage - are programs organizations can deploy that show
measurable results. Increased revenues, a better customer experience,
improved operational efficiencies and reduced costs have all been
demonstrated possible through proper planning and implementation.

Attend this presentation and understand:

How to plan for economic challenges that may lie ahead
How you can weather economic slowdowns
KioskCom & The Digital Signage Show Highlights: “A-ha!” moments of the week

Hear from C-level executives who are in the midst of navigating these
challenges:
Robert Fort, CIO, VP of Information Technology, Virgin Entertainment Group
Rob Garf, Vice President, Retail Strategies, AMR Research
Bradley Walker, CEO & Founder, Nanonation

ATTN: Digital Signage Forum Members: You can also save 20% on a full
conference pass! Use Source Code 8KL58D when registering! Visit
www.selfserviceexpo.com and www.thedigitalsignageshow.com for complete event
details and to register. Register for one event and attend both!

Contact JD Events directly at 203-371-6322 or info@jdevents.com with any
questions.

We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!

For more info visit thedigitalsignageforum.com

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Digital OOH Forum-4/23/2008 NYC

2008-04-11T00:33:00.004-05:00

Out-of-home digital advertising networks – which can deliver advertising in stores, movies theatres, office buildings, doctor's offices and malls – are powerful new marketing and advertising communications channels that are quickly being added to the media mix.

MediaPost's Digital Out-of-Home Forum is designed to help marketing executives understand the rapidly changing market dynamics and potential of out-of-home digital advertising. The program will focus on strategies and tactics marketers and agencies can use to deploy these channels in their upcoming plans, and identify the best sources of assistance so they can take action.

The Conference will examine and explore:

Out-of-Home Digital Advertising Networks

Consumer Exposure to Out-of-Home Venues

Acceptance of Out-of-Home Advertising

What to Consider When Planning, Buying, Measuring and Advertising On Out-of-Home Channels

Audience Metrics for Translating Out-of-Home Traffic and Viewer Impressions

And much more...

April 23, 2008
New York City

For details visit Mediapost.com

Cisco-Movers and Shakers

2008-04-09T00:06:00.005-05:00

Cisco is taking digital signage to another level of exposure-their brand as well...... (The quote below is from an article Bill Yackey wrote on Digital Signage Today.Com and hits the nail on the head.) I would like to see more of this by other companies-advertising in video games on TV, etc.....just would be interesting to see the results as well....

While industry members know the list of “big hitters” in digital signage, Cisco’s product placement strategy and advertising plan is positioning them as one of the top dogs for digital signage in the eyes of the public.

"Cisco is illustrating that they 'get it' in terms of the advancement of digital signage and its place in ad display spending,” said Lyle Bunn, strategy architect with Bunn Co. “Digital signage allows for better message targeting, which will increasingly be based on dynamic ad provisioning. This is the domain of enabling technologies. Internet cookies, cable TV viewing history and cognitive recognition for digital signage all have the same objectives, and each is based on technology supporting target marketing. Message targeting is becoming a back-office technology where ads are pulled from storage and displayed based on pre-set 'if-then' display rules. This is a domain of practice that Cisco understands well and will help advance aggressively."

Cisco Homepage
Digital Signage Today.Com

QuickPlay/Amobee Mobile Video Ad Platform Goes Mainstream

2008-04-08T11:43:00.003-05:00

QuickPlay/Amobee Mobile Video Ad Platform Goes Mainstream
Vodafone mobile TV in Europe

Mobile TV and video firm QuickPlay has partnered with Amobee, which provides mobile advertising, to launch a mobile ad platform for video.
Similar in some ways to MoPhap and Vantrix's Ad Booster, the service provides:
Ad serving capabilities
Dynamic ad selection based on consumer profiles and contextual data
Rich media buys and ad-sourcing options
Dynamic video ad insertion in real-time
Metrics, including ads watched and for how long
The service was first implemented on Vodafone Italy's FreeVideo service. Amobee says Vodafone Italy's 3G users were able to freely access a plethora of "high-quality, local and branded video content" as a result.
Come 2010, the mobile video subscriber market is expected to total 59 million worldwide. As of November '07, about 77 percent of subscribers are in the EMEA and Asia/Pacific regions.
A recent study found consumers are willing to tolerate ads if they get free content, such as online video, in exchange.

Full Story via VOX

GO HEELS!

2008-04-05T12:01:00.001-05:00

Run, Baby, Run
SAN ANTONIO – There are plenty of national programs that want to employ an up-tempo transition offense. There are just not many that want to try to run with North Carolina. Nobody does it better, faster or more efficiently than the boys in Carolina blue, and the Tar Heels plan to prove that fact on Saturday.
Full Story Discuss

AirMedia: Boarding All Investors

2007-11-08T06:09:00.000-05:00

Interesting: I found a great link/tool in which you can type-in any URL, including blogs, and then find where or what search engine sites (google, digg, sphere, technorati, etc) the URL is connected too, listed, tagged or related. Not being a webmaster and still learning I thought that was pretty cool and is where I found this article and link to www.dealprofiles.com blog. (somehow was related to mine)

AirMedia: Boarding all investors
Posted on November 8, 2007 by ttaulli

In China, the advertising market is booming. And, so is the airline industry.
As a result, the combo is supercharging the growth of AirMedia. You see, this company is the largest digital advertising network focused on the travel sector in China.
On Tuesday, the company came to America – for an IPO (the ticker is AMCN). The stock spiked 39% despite the plunge in the US markets.
AirMedia operates more than 2,000 digital TV screens in airports as well as over 16,000 screens on airplanes. And, yes, advertisers have come on board, such as China Mobile (NYSE: CHL), Hitachi, Lenovo, and Nokia (NYSE: NOK).
Revenues for the first nine months were $15.9 million, up from $6.7 million in the same period a year ago. There was also net income of $4 million.
To get more background, you can check out DealProfiles.com.

Full Story

Billboards Are Sticking Around-With or Without Glue

2007-11-08T06:05:00.000-05:00

Billboards are sticking around - with or without glue

Simon Marquis (an advertising industry consultant and a former chairman of Zenith Optimedia)
The Guardian
Monday October 29 2007

One of the curiosities of advertising in our souped-up, interactive, digital age is the enduring popularity of poster advertising.

Even the glue is new. I enjoy hearing broadcasters, media buyers and planners and other advertising professionals gripe about the cost and rates attached to Outdoor. Sold out in many markets (so they claim), well then just sell by Q or even a few weeks for a whisper campaign or product launch....or you know something of that nature. OOH has worked hard and I'll let the professional tell the rest, as he has the knowledge, wisdom, insight, and character that I look up too-even if they are

As the internet devours ever greater chunks of the advertising cake each year, you might have thought that dear old-fashioned billboards would be the first to suffer. Not a bit. Outdoor (or Out of Home, as it has become more properly known to reflect the multiplicity of advertising opportunities) is positively bouncing with health, while other established media are fighting hard just to stand still. A medium characterised by such hi-tech wizardry as blokes on ladders with pots of glue and very large sheets of printed paper still cuts a dash in today's online world.
There are many reasons for this. For one thing, the medium is less and less about blokes on ladders. Many of the media that now qualify for the category Out of Home are themselves digital (escalator panels in some London underground stations for example). Others (taxis, toilets, health centres, trains, boats and planes, supermarkets, the backs of buses, airports - you name it) are modern media operations that don't require an overalled labour force armed with gluey brushes.
And there are brand new techniques of installing advertising images on to poster sites: leading outdoor company JC Decaux has recently launched its "dry-posting" technology in which new ads are posted without glue and in one piece - a palpable efficiency and one that the company believes is the most significant advance in the medium for decades.
Then there are the sites themselves. Long gone are the days when posters were just 10ft by 20ft panels with a simple wooden surround. Travel out of London towards Heathrow airport and you'll see a variety of shapes and sizes of poster site, housed in elaborate architectural constructions that draw the eye. Even St Paul's church in Hammersmith has become a massive poster site thanks to the inventiveness of Ocean Outdoor, one of the smaller, newer outdoor companies.

This investment in quality presentation has kept the medium fresh and attractive to advertisers - and has proved highly effective in justifying the premium rates that can be charged for access to the huge audiences that these sorts of high-traffic locations generate. Innovation in any advertising medium is essential to its continuing popularity with advertisers and agencies.

After calls for outdoor to get its act together, the medium has responded with vigour, creativity - and money - and has reaped the rewards.

I really enjoyed the story that Simon wrote! I am posting this along with a few others sometime after they were released-due to not blogging for a bit. I am going to complain this one time-my computer has been fried-from my own doing (I will take blame, until I know otherwise from the IT folks). Okay, a bit less than three weeks ago, I left my laptop in the car all weekend-the weekend I went to the zoo (for those of you who want to know)....after being warned that heat can damage the HD so that it has to be reformated or worse if things melt....anyways it is in the shop.....for 8 days now, and I am excited to be looking for a new laptop. The simple things in life create an atmosphere for my happiness. (Not that a computer is simple, it has just become part of my daily life. Leaving that perception of a laptop being simple, to me it is, but 10 years ago, the perception was not even including a calculator). All of this to say that the media world is changing, being part of Y and even X (as a witness of sorts) a rapid transformation is taking place-and I lead it all back to advertising-yes the "great" media shift is due to "great" (and I mean that) advertising and marketing ideas, campaigns, giants, thinkers and the like.

"The trusted desktop-which I rarely turn on-gets the job done-and I am enjoying not being pluged-in everywhere I go, although I need to be in some cases...I speak of those 2 days a week, even three or four some weeks" DE

Full Story and More

Very Worthy News in Raleigh-Durham

2007-09-16T23:49:00.000-05:00

Motricity raising $175M, angling for InfoSpace unit in prepping for IPO.

In the RTP we are blessed to have such wonderful thinkers, movers and shakers whom are not scared or perhaps very; thus causing the actual momentum.....I really like Motricity-I have heard nothing but great words, the articles I read on and off the blogs tend to be positive and thier business is exciting...similar to what I know...it is begining to blend-"New Technoplogy" is somehow going to always be linked to advertising or a brand......

Check out both of these companies....you may enjoy thier sites.

Take a Break.....

2007-09-16T22:55:00.000-05:00

I wish it were a break.....just wanted to let you'll know that I will be having time to blog again-yippie! I missed it.....so lets roll. I found this site when searching for my blog.....I have not read everything posted on the blog titled MediaShift, Your Guide to the Digital Media Revolution.....so far so good though.

Here's what the site/blog says:

Host: Mark Glaser: Journalist, Critic, Facilitator, New Media Expert
Continued...
MediaShift is a weblog that will track how new media—from weblogs to podcasts to citizen journalism—are changing society and culture. Continued...

MediaShift

DisplaySearch a NPD Group Company..

2007-08-20T22:34:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to give this company a short plug. DisplaySearch conducts market research for the digital signage hardware/technology/TV industry.....here they can tell you better.

Ross Young started DisplaySearch because the only reports available to the industry lacked sufficient depth and analysis, because those analysts lacked industry experience, global perspective and a complete food chain approach. Thus, Young assembled an elite team of analysts with extensive industry and market research experience, providing extensive contacts and innovative methodologies.

DisplaySearch's analysts have held key display-related positions at ABN AMRO Asset Management, Applied Komatsu Technology (AKT), AMD, Apple Computer, AUO, Booz Allen and Hamilton, Brooks Automation, Compaq/Hewlett Packard, DaiNippon Printing, Fuh Hwa Securities, Fusion Semiconductor, GCA, General Instrument, HannStar Display, Hitachi, Intevac, ITRI, Konka, LG Electronics, LG.Philips LCD, Maxtor, MIC, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Electronics America, NEC Corporation, NEC-Mitsubishi, Nikkei Market Access, Oak Technology, Optrex America, OWL Displays, Panasonic AVC Networks, Photon Dynamics, Photonics Systems, Rambus, Rendition, SAMCO International, Samsung Electronics, Samsung Semiconductor, Samsung Semiconductor, Seiko Epson, Sony, Techno Systems Research, Tokyo Electron Limited, Wintek Corporation, Yamaha, Zenith Data Systems, 3Dfx, 3Dlabs and others. All of DisplaySearch's analysts have at least five years of display industry experience.

DisplaySearch Homepage
DisplaySearch Blog

SpotXchange On Course, Booyah!!

2007-08-20T21:33:00.000-05:00

Quick Overview and Opinion, If You Will.....

The rash of adaptation from the demanding clients and press to reach the consumer in a "new" manner, or fashion...while they are working or on the go, are two good choices I suppose. The new websites, ideas, terms, players, money, talent, sales tactics, PR; and it all relates back to marketing, advertising and PR; or does it? Sure does, that one piece of information could be what makes or breaks a start-up digital signage network, or a start-up interactive mobile billboard provider... Technology is the key to the kingdom, as some would say. I beg to differ and beleive that technology is a large part of the key to the "new consumer" and "future consumers", but lets not go 100% tech and forget to hire advertising talent, wisdom, reps-whatever their title maybe.....the part that understands and can lead the horse to water and with a big enough ego carefully groomed, can even make some of them drink the water.....you better beleive it..plus PR and marketing, remember 80% of executives buy what they have seen or read about in print (print is still and always will be a player-at least in my lifetime)....I have witnesseds networks using prime talent and their sales staff for marketing, PR, hiring, scouting talent, partner relations, and selling....yes a company must run lean, and some reps always go the extra mile and shall take on some of these extra duties to hit above and beyond the desired income....but the organization shall run clean and pay attention to it's signals and fires. Not all sales reps are going to produce PR for a company-it is not their style....I see in some of the start-up digital signage networks that often the tech side (staff) over-power or out number the advertising wisdom (or talent) by a long shot, leading the network to a crash course in advertising sales-of a new media-tricky, maybe?....I have seen this happen with two networks that are only two hours from each other. This is not an everyday event, just a reminder.

I love reading and learning about what is working, what's new, what's hot, who's buying, what brand has the latest and greatest creative, etc...Booyah Networks the parent I assume of SpotXchange are providing new mediums or better put....ways to use current media channels in which the advertiser and consumer are both better served......SpotXchange appears to have made the correct hires from day one (Booyah) and it appears that they leaned on experts from online advertising, spent some money and now the litmus test, shows that they will make it; just fine, according to my quick but alert introduction to all of the companies of Booyah Networks.

SpotXchange Appoints Larry Goodman to Advisory Board
From NewswireToday - Westminster, CO, United States, 08/20/2007

SpotXchange, the Internet’s first online video advertising exchange, announced today that former CNN President of Sales and Marketing Larry Goodman has been appointed to SpotXchange's advisory board as a director.

Goodman will apply his more than 30 years of media and advertising industry experience to help SpotXchange expand its online video advertising marketplace.

Media buyers, advertisers and agencies use SpotXchange’s self-service tools to distribute online video ads across SpotXchange’s network of online publishers, targeting audiences by region, time of day, publisher and content category. Clients and partners include ClipSyndicate, blip.tv, Gaiam, NeoEdge and Visible World.

Full Story SpotXchange

Google’s nine points of innovation

2007-08-20T13:14:00.000-05:00

Google’s nine points of innovation

In May Google's Jim Lecinski, managing director spoke of Google's nine points of innovation. Short and sweet this seems like something the digital signage industry can benefit and learn from, so here they are:

Innovation, not instant perfection. Google believes in launching new products and ideas early and often, rather than trying to perfect those ideas behind closed doors before releasing them to the public. Then, customer feedback and popularity prove which projects are most successful.

Share everything you can. Small teams that communicate openly have proved the best results for Google. They believe in transparency in the workplace so that everyone knows what everyone else is working on. (Scary, right?) They have a computer program where employees can look up names and see what others are working on, so if they have an idea to contribute they know who to talk to.

You’re brilliant, we’re hiring. When Google interviews employees, Lecinski said they set the bar very high. They focus more on hiring generalists rather than specialists, as they have found generalists are more valuable and can contribute ideas to different parts of the company.

Allow employees to pursue their dreams. Lecinski said Google allows its employees’ time in a 70/20/10 model. Seventy percent of the time they work on Google’s search and ad flagships; they develop new programs like Images, Desktop and Finance 20 percent of the time; and 10 percent of the time employees are allowed to pursue their own high risk/high reward projects. Lecinski said Google Earth is a result of one of those projects.

Ideas come from everywhere. Sometimes Google turns to the public for new ideas. The Google mastheads, which are customized for holidays and events, are taken from non-employee submissions. One of the mastheads was designed by a 12-year-old girl.

Don’t politic – use data. With all the ideas floating around Google, the best way to determine which may work is to use supportive data. As Lecinski said, “Data beats opinion.”

Creativity loves restraint. Again, Google has to have some way to keep all of the employee-generated ideas streamlined towards the company’s goals. “Let people explore, but set clear boundaries for that exploration,” Lecinski said.

Get users and usage – the money will follow. This goes back to one of Lecinski’s larger points, “respect for end users,” but is a principle to follow in any form of business. He says to focus on creating things that are innovative and useful for people, not something you can sell.

Don’t kill projects, morph them. Google doesn’t waste ideas. Instead, they try to change and transform them into something the company finds useful.

Just thought some may enjoy this and the full article can be found at
Self Service & Kiosk Association

Pivot, Not a Waste!

2007-08-14T12:27:00.000-05:00

So far-I have seen some great tradional advertising of this product-this appears (only my young prediction) to be an offering simply put in place in order to capture a few very loyal or very new customers; but mainly to compete with all the different sub markets under communications. AT & T is hoping to be known as the one stop for any and communication needs...this is going to be bumpy, fun and daring for many!

ITECH Unveils LCD Marine Monitors-Sunlight Readable

2007-08-13T06:45:00.000-05:00

Good story and interesting company-to me....I am interested by the wide range of reach, they have product wise......ITECH is one to research...more soon.

ITECH UNVEILS SUNLIGHT READABLE, HIGH BRIGHTNESS RUGGED MARINE LCD MONITORS
ITECH STORY

Pivot, From Time Warner and Sprint, a Waste of Time?

2007-08-13T06:22:00.000-05:00

I am not so sure what demographic group, would be willing to purchase such a display of struggle shown by Time Warner Cable, in developing an appealing wireless addition to a solid buddle of communication services. Sure AT & T will be gaining massive market share-at least in the eyes of an industry, in which the mobility arm has had ZERO share.....the iPhone, even if they have paid to sell it, brings marketing power to an already powerful advertising force. The consumer will recieve benefits as found in the ads; such as mobile TV, mobile email, mobile everything a normal Blackberry offers-except TWC and Sprint are using phones with normal size screens that are not really built for constant use for services other than voice or SMS....I could be wrong; I see this as a waste of money for both TWC and Sprint (Sprint already has a new sketchy ad campaign-still based on creative and not media consumption!). Pivot is not competition to any new services from the wireless community-perhaps other cable operators, yes!

Pulled From Time Warner Website 8-13-2007

"Wouldn't it be great if you could take the Time Warner Cable services you use at home - like Digital Cable programming, Road Runner High Speed Online, and Digital Phone - with you on your wireless phone? Now you can. Pivot is a new service that combines the best of Sprint wireless with the Time Warner Cable services you enjoy at home.........Wherever you go, Pivot lets you take Mobile TV, Mobile Email, Mobile Web, and even unlimited wireless-to-home calling with you - all on your Sprint wireless phone. Watch ABC News Now®, E! News Update®, Fox News®, Comedy Time® and additional entertainment, news and music channels with Mobile TV. Enjoy unlimited calling between your home Digital Phone and Sprint wireless phone. Access the Web and check your Road Runner email on the go."

(Some More Copy From Time Warners Website) "Take advantage of all this and more - like unlimited night and weekend calling that starts at 7pm, and unlimited mobile to mobile calling.
And, enjoy it all on one bill, from one company - Time Warner Cable."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
News Release On Sprint Website from several months ago....

Innovative Wireless Service Gives Customers The Power To Feel At Home Anywhere
Available in 40 metropolitan areas this year, "Pivot" delivers value, convenience and access to comforts of home everywhere customers turn

Media Contact:
Melinda Tiemeyer, Sprint, 913-794-1089
melinda.g.tiemeyer@sprint.com

ORLANDO, Fla. — 03/26/2007

Sprint Nextel Corporation (NYSE:S), Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC), Cox Communications and Advance/Newhouse Communications today launched the branding of "Pivot," the integrated service that gives consumers the ability to link their mobile phone service with their home digital phone, and certain high-speed internet services and digital cable services. Pivot combines powerful wireline and wireless networks to bring more useful capabilities to customers, such as one-button access to the Internet, home and wireless email and mobile TV.

"Pivot was designed to help customers connect to home with an easier, more convenient and more affordable way to keep in touch, stay informed and be entertained. We want to make technology work better and faster for the customer—and with our unique partnership, we can do things our competitors can't," said John Garcia, president Sprint/MSO Joint Venture. "Pivot links your wireless phone with the comforts of home. Our common vision is to give customers anywhere easy access to the entertainment, communications and information services that are already important to them."

Full Story

Pivot Product/Service Info

New Sprint Advertising Campaign

Apple and the "i" Generation of Marketing

2007-08-12T06:48:00.000-05:00

With the iPod, iPhone, and now the "new look" and updates to the iMac; I could place a strong to very strong winning bet on Apple having a record year, in more than one category. Just think the iPod and iPhone have at the least, drawn out a valuable group of consumers whom are now looking and visiting the Apple stores, lurking on the (Apple) websites, reading the press, buying these "i" products and in general helping Apple gain market share in a disguse....it is perfect timing as several have said for the new school year and the holidays...in addition the new iMac cost less than the first one did.....how about that! Still a great company-however I feel something in the future (5-10 years) will have to change in the most unexpected manner...perhaps a market shift into a new technology or product line for Apple, a major purchase or sell....or thats it right now.....

Apple Unveils New iMac

CUPERTINO, California-Apple® has recently unveiled an all new all-in-one iMac® line featuring gorgeous 20- and 24-inch widescreen displays encased in elegant and professional aluminum and glass enclosures. The entire new iMac line features the latest Intel Core 2 Duo processors and a new, ultra-thin aluminum Apple Keyboard, built-in iSight® video camera for video conferencing and iLife® ’08, making it the ultimate digital lifestyle desktop computer for both consumers and professionals. The 20-inch iMac now starts at just $1,199, $300 less than the previous 20-inch model, and the 24-inch iMac starts at just $1,799, $200 less than the previous 24-inch model.

Man, I really like this brand and would like to speak with the entire team of maketing and advertising personalities-sharp folks over there, if I could ever get the chance, even just one would be an educate. I agree, that yes Apple has the technology to make this market jump or push take place; however someone still has to package and market to the consumer; carefully.

“This new iMac is the most incredible desktop computer we’ve ever made,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Our new design features the innovative use of materials, including professional-grade aluminum and glass, that are highly recyclable."

Jobs, is no joke!

Press Contacts: (please contact for questions about Apple)

Teresa Brewer
Apple

(408) 974-6851

Lynn Fox
Apple
lfox@apple.com
(408) 974-4300

Full iMac Story

Apple Hot News

I Like Gannett's Style....

2007-07-24T16:37:00.000-05:00

I like their style, go big or go home. Every digital signage network I see has Verizon (Wireless) as a client-easy pickin's?....nah, they just want to keep their market share and take over one day, thats all. Captivate is ready to launch and battle with the Wall Street Journal Office Network I suppose...or one of these other groups that has signage in office complexes...there is plently of real estate and logically Captivate or Gannett I should say will win this battle. That is my guess, 1/2 way educated, although Wall made the first move with the move from offices to elevators, or at least public move; perhaps they will merge or sell out to the other.....at least it will be interesting to watch and at this point these networks can really help the industry as a whole, if they choose too. Enjoy the articles, and Miller got to this first, I just checked....at least I know I am picking good headliners....

Captivate to Launch Suburban Network
Katy Bachman
JULY 24, 2007 -

Captivate Network, the company that pioneered a network of digital screens in office elevators, announced Tuesday it will create a second network. The Captivate Suburban Network will complement Captivate’s current Office Tower Network, yet allow advertisers to target a more suburban marketplace.

The Suburban Network will include a pedestal display for office lobbies in a 40 inch size and wall mount screens available in 26- and 40-inch displays.

“A few years ago, we began to experiment with lobby displays in the suburban office market,” said Mike DiFranza, president and general manager of Captivate, which is owned by Gannett. “This opens up a whole new space for us.”

Founded a decade ago, Captivate’s Office Tower Network now reaches more than 2.3 million viewers daily in 21 markets. It’s also doing a brisk advertising business, up 12.3 percent in second quarter, Gannett reported. Advertisers that have used Captivate to reach its upscale, business consumer, include some of the nation’s largest including Lexus, AT&T, Toyota, BMW, FedEX, Discovery Channel, Verizon, Blackberry and American Airlines.
Full Story

Nike News

2007-07-12T07:32:00.000-05:00

Nike would not give small networks the time of day....correct me if I'm wrong but they do not advertise at a regional and local level-it is all national (for the most part). I imagine that stores like Foot Locker or Dick's Sporting Goods spends a lot of co-op dollars, thus Nike can stay away from all this regional advertising which is critical from other industries and organizations....it is always fun to watch and monitor a company when staffing changes have been made.

Nike Picks New Marketing Chief
July 11, 2007
By Joan Voight and Andew McMains

SAN FRANCISCO Nike has hired Ken Dice as U.S. vp of marketing, a post that has been vacant for six months, according to sources.

A Nike representative confirmed that Dice was joining the company but declined to disclose his title. Dice will oversee advertising, retail marketing, public relations and overall brand positioning, sources said. He had been evp of marketing at Discovery Networks since 2003, and before that he served as svp of consumer marketing at Sony Electronics. Dice will move from Maryland to take the new position in Nike's Portland, Ore., headquarters, per sources.

Full Story from Adweek

Nokia, DIY mobile TV startup...

2007-07-11T09:24:00.000-05:00

Nokia invests in DIY mobile TV startup kyte.tv
Jul 3, 2007 8:00 AM

Nokia Growth Partners, Nokia’s private equity and venture capital management arm, recently invested in kyte.tv, a startup company that enables users to create and broadcast interactive TV channels on their mobile phones, as well as the Internet.

Full Story

Ripple: Rolling Strong!

2007-07-11T07:51:00.000-05:00

Ripple has got the right idea and I like the hyper local aspect that can be applied to selling spots on their network.

Ripple TV Gets Funding, Jack-in-the-Box Venues
by Erik Sass
Ripple TV, A NEW PLACE-BASED video advertising network targeting local advertisers, is rapidly expanding its footprint. Today, the company announced a new round of funding as well as a major new retail partnership with Jack-in-the-Box, the popular fast-food chain. The company is also planning to provide free Wi-Fi access to all venues that install its video displays.

The second round of funding, to the tune of $10 million, was led by Draper Fisher Jurvetson and included first-round investor Trinity Ventures. Concurrent with the new funding, John Fisher--co-founder of DFJ--is also joining the Ripple board.

The Jack-in-the-Box deal stands to increase Ripple's distribution network with up to 2,000 new retail locations around the country. Ripple plans to install its video displays in the majority of JIB locations over the next few months. The company has already established video displays at 500 locations throughout Southern California, Arizona, Nevada and Hawaii; company reps say the number is growing by double digits every week.

Full Story

Are Cable Operators a Fair Match for Verizon's FiOS TV?

2007-07-10T22:50:00.000-05:00

Verizon is becoming more and more aggressive from every angle. Just today I spoke with a bluetooth marketing firm and my IT Director mentions Verizon, Bluetooth and Spam all in 1/2 of a sentence. Okay-so adding or attempting to add 77k TV households is legal and for heavens sake they are providing a service that will soon either be adapted to or become the next wave of TV....here's the article...

Verizon Files Application to Add 77,000 TV Households In Competition with Local Cable
New State Franchise Law's Five-Day Provision Simplifies Expansion of Service to Hundreds of Thousands of Households in 2008

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -Verizon today applied to offer a real choice for TV services soon to 77,000 more households in the Tampa area. The application was filed under Florida's new cable TV franchise law and strengthens Verizon's coverage for its FiOS services to nearly 2 million households in the Tampa Bay region.

This initial application will add the cities of Tarpon Springs and Sarasota as well as portions of Pinellas County to Verizon's franchised municipalities and counties in Florida, which now numbers 16 communities. The law also features a unique provision for expanding into other calling areas, referred to as wire centers, in the future. As Verizon expands its fiber network and begins to provide service to customers, it can add these new areas to its franchise application simply by filing an amendment within five days of providing initial service in the area.

Full Story

Brandless Ads from Suncom

2007-07-04T22:05:00.000-05:00

A follow up on my last few post about carriers.....Suncom managed to get press from the billboards mentioned in this article from last year. Not the best PR though...

SunCom pitches new call plan

Mystery ads after loss of customers

John Murawski, Staff Writer

March 6th, 2006

The wireless company that lost 60,000 customers in North Carolina last year introduced the new plan Tuesday with advertising that deliberately omitted the company's name. SunCom has been running 14 billboards in Raleigh and Durham since last week that pose the question: "Who will your 10 be?" Six area television stations have run similar ads.

"The rationale behind the brandless ads is to build curiosity and suspense. It's form of interactive advertising, to get the public engaged in a guessing game. But it's anyone's guess whether such ads succeed or get tuned out, said Bob Lauterborn, a professor of advertising at UNC-Chapel Hill. Lauterborn hasn't seen the SunCom ads, but he says their effectiveness is dubious.

"There's this dopey assumption that people are watching your campaign and eagerly awaiting your next ad in the series," Lauterborn said. "C'mon, people are too busy. In today's world, people are not breathlessly waiting for your bloody ad."

Full Story

LG Electronics and YouTube

2007-07-04T13:39:00.000-05:00

LG Electronics announced that they will increase production of plasma displays which is great news and shows a strong organization as they are in the mist of a legal battle over a patent infringement by Hitachi, who will clearly have to explain themselves in the next year or so...

Youtube, SKorea's LG Electronics sign deal to develop mobile phone
07.03.07

SEOUL (Thomson Financial) - South Korea's LG Electronics said Tuesday it has signed an agreement with YouTube, the world's biggest video-sharing website, to develop a mobile phone that can operate the YouTube service.

LG Electronics said the proposed model will enable users to upload, view and share video clips or user-created content (UCC) online freely without using computers.

'LG Electronics will unveil a mobile handset that fully supports the YouTube service for the first time in Europe in the second half of this year,' the South Korean firm said in a statement.

YouTube, owned by Google (nasdaq: GOOG - news - people ), is the world's most popular online video-sharing website (www.youtube.com) where computer users can upload, view and share video clips.
Full Story

Wireless Carriers, Market Share and Media Buys?

2007-07-01T23:46:00.000-05:00

Is the advertising of wireless carriers based strictly on what carrier spends the most (on media placement) rather than a spiffy new creative campaign?

No, not fully is the market share of a carrier based only on media buys....call failure, attractive customer service, coverage and rates have an impact-but what about when they are all offering the same or are experiencing similar growth patterns...it may come down to media and how much can you buy...

Speaking to a colleague earlier this week brought this question to the forefront of my thoughts for a few minutes. Sprint has the third place ranking in market share, just over 20% I believe. Ad spending; well thats third place as well.......per Ad Age. Case and point with AT & T and Verizon too; Verizon respectively spends 1 billion more than Sprint in advertising and AT&T, more than 2 billion more exact figures found at Ad Age ...then the runner up I believe is T-Mobile or Alltel Corp with Suncom standing strong near the bottom. Let's not pick on Suncom as they are operate in only several states....and in proportion to the national players their budget is rather heavy. If the ads are consistent and entertaining and they are for the most part-I have come to the conclusion that market share is strongly based on spending more in media than the others.....granted a special offers are in the creative mix and the carrier continues to improve upon their connections and coverage-most of these items are taking place with the top three, even the top 5 which means when high frequency and a large amount of media is purchased by an experienced buyer, a carrier can gain the needed market share overtime. Just a though I wanted to expound on. AT & T needed to capture many different markets with the merger, and purchase of Cingular....the spending was very high and it is a very basic model with the main factor being buying as much media as they can, again high volume and for a long period of time.......even with Sprint's billboards being too long and unreadable they were able to maintain and protect market share while they flip flopped around about what's next....

Sprint Forward, Ahead, Everywhere

quotes from 9/6/2006 and 6/27/2007 appear similar

"The new Sprint advertising campaign will involve both television and print and is a part of a larger strategic move by the company to bring together a positioning that empowers customers to do more. The campaign also reveals the new company tagline: "Sprint. Power Up." The full story can be found at PhoneDog.com and this except from CBS News: "Using the tag line "Sprint Ahead," the eye-catching ads, which will be unveiled in movie theaters Friday and begin airing on television Sunday, are another attempt by the company to........In addition to the TV spots, the company also plans a range of billboards in 26 cities and print advertising, which will appear throughout July and beyond. Advertising does tend to follow a lot of the same ole, same ole in terms of media.... over the years and of course newspaper, TV and billboards are the primary methods still working at some level to reach the masses. Changes in these buys will need to happen and they are slowly, as interested as the carriers are in having the advertising industry go balls to the wall with mobile marketing-I would expect them to be a little more willing to spend on new media channels to promote their own brand-not really happening-yet. They are careful where the precious broadcast dollars move-this is a statement, not right or wrong. We should see some movement in the next 6 months from a few companies that will help to move the needle on specific industries such as digital signage...

"Nationally, Sprint expects to invest more than seven billion dollars in 2007 to enhance its networks, and to meet growing demand for extensive mobile broadband coverage. Sprint is completing an upgrade of its Sprint Mobile Broadband Network to Evolution - Data Optimized Revision A (EV-DO Rev. A) technology. Sprint will also be first to market with a next generation broadband wireless network based on WiMAX technology while continuing to enhance the Nextel National and Sprint National networks." Full Story

The above info is what consumers want to hear and the spending of additional money is going to give Sprint more media share thus creating greater overall market share...here are some links of recent stories about Sprint:

Sprint Full Story-Monster & Critics
Sprint-Washington Psot
Sprint-News and Observer
Sprint-CBS News
Ad Age
PhoneDog.com

Wireless Carriers and My Experience - The Media Landscape

2007-06-28T21:01:00.000-05:00

Driven by the dynamic dance between consumer media consumption and new media technologies, virually every medium in America is in constant flux-digital signage included. A generation ago, you could reach all of America with three television commercials. Today, due to the incredible fragmentation in the broadcast market, it takes a mimimum, 125 commercials to have the same impact. In print-same song and dance my friend-you could reach virually every american a generation ago with an ad in the two daily newspapers. Gone is that day, as time-starved consumers tune in- or tune out-the explosion of media alternatives swirls around them. Bottom line is that Sprint shareholders should be scared they will need to require new knowledge, tools, innovation and creativity of thier agencies! Here I write of a recent experiance which will lead into my next post about the greatest and latest Sprint campaign.

Insanity:
Repeating the same behavior over and over but expecting different results....Sprint. Referring to the recent Sprint advertising campaign and some insider views, judgements and predictions that will be discussed in the very next posting on New Media Mindfulness .

The Meeting:
In a meeting with Verizon Wireless's south area advertising team my company's digital signage network was well recieved, ending at a point ready for my next step upon returing to the office. The next day I had a scheduled appointment with the agency for Verizon as well-as requested per Verizon. The lunch meeting with the Verizon media director was not my favorite but it was needed. First off she was not one bit impressed with the fact that I met with Verizon Wireless directly, and she centered on on one picture of one screen location, the budget and lastly, the fact that the agency's job duty for sometime now, has been to reach mass numbers and my network did not reach them (just a very targeted quailfied consumer). Oh, the subtle mention, on more than one occasion that "we do have money for each market, for things like this-so that may be an option." Upon returing from my trip Verizon Wireless responded to my follow up phone call and contacted me via email about a week later and was prepared to move forward with the buy...I worked with Verizon as well as thier agency (the one I met with) whom provided creative. I know this agency is interested in new media outlets, per my conversations with the VP of Media and the clients they work with, but rightly or (understaffed) they appear reserved-plus no school yet teaches the young media account executive about all the new media channels and how to include them in the overall mix. I learned a lot that day of what needs to be provided during an introductory agency meeting, lunch and/or presentation by a digital signage network or other alternative media. Fast forward: the next meeting/presentation to this particular agency was to pitch for the Firehouse Subs account. It appears that they are begining to grasp this idea, especially when the boss is in the room asking the questions; until! It just so happens that the Media Director invited not only the Firehouse team but the Verizon team as well, whom I knew already. Turns out the agency's media department had no actual knowledge of the Verizon campign or buy-no reason for Verizon to tell them or is there; and it appears a lack of communication is taking place between creative and media with-in the agency....this is another topic in which I feel brands can really lose out on-when the creative and media is 100% separate...It appears there was a conferance call about 20 minutes after I left the building, I do not work in an agency, but from what I know, it is important to be in the know with your client and their actions, for the sake of the brand and the account!
Moving on to Suncom; a very traditional organzation recently decided that Bernstein Rein out of Kansas City would be its agency of record begining in Janurary 2007. My talks, many of them with BR, revealed how tough of a job they had in front of them. In terms of saving the brand from a "traditional death" slow and steady......the account team suggests the shaving of TV or print money in order to plan for new media outlets; keeping in mind the Suncom executives have given their past agency clear cut direction-tradional only. What I have heard about and seen to date from the new agency and media in the Raleigh market was a four week buy from a mobile billboard company, in which you could hardly see the creative due to the design-the billbaord company always explains what works best and prefers to work closely with clients for exactly this reason; not sure if BR had miscommunication or this was just the wrong campaign. I think it cost some where between 2k-7k, not really sure. This could have been a soft transistion for the client, who knows, I think it was a waste of time and money. The agency did recommend to Suncom that more non-traditional media be used. After speaking with the Charlotte office of Suncom, you can really see where the politics are and what a big truck (for a small company) you have to turn. I somehow got to the point of BR calling from nowhere to get details on our network-not suprising after further thought. The demogrpahic is one of high demand by most savvy advertisers.

The Wireless Budget and More:
At a panel discussion, titled, New Media, Now What? on April 19th, 2007 hosted by the Raleigh-Durham chapter of the American Advertising Federation the question of budget for new media channels was asked to Verizon Wirless. The answer is about 7% of the south area's budget is put towards new media channels. AT&T now listed 2nd in the Top 100 National Advertisers Ad Age Report, up from 5th last year has spent 3.3 billion in 2006 a 26% increase from last year.s 5th place mark. Sprint comes in at 15, up one place with a 3.5% total increase in speanding. Sprint's new campaign the subject of my next post, was the juice for this post....money is at play with carriers and the co-op manufacturers; if communication between agencies, clients and consumers continues to not exist, then your stock dollar is being wasted. I think it is also important to mention the forefront of this industry and the mobile advertising sub-industry; how strongly the carriers are pushing the industry. John Stratton of Verizon proclaimed that 25% - 30% of the 100 billion spent on brand advertising will soon be spent on the mobile screen. Full Story on Mobile; very interesting when the entire picture is being examined and to notice the making of a market...

<>

Coca-Cola Continues to Make Moves

2007-06-25T12:01:00.000-05:00

Coca-Cola continues to make moves, I write about Coke because they think with a creative edge and have a lot of money to think with. It seems like thier hand is in every cookie jar it can fit into. It is not even a dirty lil hand, either. The internal testing that I just read about with-in Coca-Cola NA is very impressive; and I am not surprised. Digital Signage focused on POP of course, would be a great way for Coke NA to establish and retain for keeps the strongest brand awarness in the industry....if Coke is Coke then I can assume that we will see digital POP displays deployed on a national level by Coke or one of thier agencies will push it through after the agency world gets a little more warmed up to signage....

Can Coke and Godiva Cook Up a Hot Chocolate Winner?
June 25, 2007
By Kenneth Hein

NEW YORK -- Coca-Cola is considering mixing up some hot cocoa with Godiva.

As part of its newly expanded partnership with Campbell Soup Co., the cola giant is mulling a ready-to-drink version of Godiva hot chocolate, per a source close to the plans.

Godiva, which is owned by Campbell, is looking at packaging the hot chocolate in Campbell's Soup at Hand microwaveable packaging.

"We've seen with the launch of [Godiva's proprietary beverage] Chocolixir in 2005 there is potential for growth in new categories," said Godiva rep Erica Lapidus. "It helped expand Godiva into the beverage category and let us appeal to a broader audience." She would not comment on future plans with Coke. Coke declined comment.

Brandweek Full Story

OAAA Report On Out-of-Home and Part One of Selling In the Digital Signage Industry

2007-06-22T01:08:00.000-05:00

Outdoor Advertising Expenditures and Selling Digital Signage Advertising Space
January-March 2007

Communications up 20 points per the OAAA, while Insurance and Real Estate realized a 14.7% spike and Local Services relaxed at 11.5%. Communications, I would have never guessed 20%, although with AT&T and thier FCC happenings could explain a few points...then with the overall competition between all carriers and product marketers about 20% of OOH is communications at least in the markets I travel too. Great news for out-of-home and it will continue; as placed based TV, digital signage, mobile marketing, digital billboards, rfid, Bluetooth, and more continue to become available to all advertisers, regardless of budget. For the Full Story visit Media Life Magazine OOH provides the local real estate agent exposure in a local health club or on a mobile billboard, while AT&T can purchase 1/2 of the out-of-home market in the Raleigh-Durham. Oh and by the way AT&T had to agree to offering broadband at $10/month as part of the Bellsouth deal, says the FCC-a win-win for all parties. The most interesting industry to me is "Local" and "Amusements" and now would be a good time to discuss selling spots on digital signage networks. As Josh put it, there will be a group of digital signage reps soon (besides the PRN's and Captivate's), as there are cable, broadcast, print and interactive. These out-of-home outlets continue to exhibit a tech savvyness that other media except the internet and maybe cable (in the early years) do not always display or the growth of tech has stopped or shifted to a new platform-and as we know the internet is the mover and shaker for digital signage-the "transporter" I once thought that broadcast and cable reps would take over the selling over digital signage and they may be forced to....; now I am looking to the interactive teams and of course for now and always a great deal of signage will sit with OOH buyers and it will continue to draw on the 1% OOH budgets-after all it is an OOH media. Creative shops may want to let the clients know that it only cost about $100-$1000 (max) to design an award winning 12-15 second spot on a digital signage network.....Creative shops I think are in a world of trouble and they do not even realize it-it is like having blinders on!

Here proclaims the confusion of media planners and buyers trying to compare digital signage to billboards and the short college degree that could be earned if they had time to read up on this platform. First off the ability to help a national brand in a retail location to boost sales and awarness is the cut and dry of it-that my friends would be a great starting place, POP Digital Signage, there is just more data on the subject and it is so clearly a benefit for most any brand that would consider it-if done well. Once a grasp on POP is gathered lets move to other venues such as taxi cabs, airports, retail venues, malls, the mexican border etc. Grasping the POP concept and understanding the effectivness can help move a planner or buyer into other venues with minimal research-create a smooth progression.

First Lesson: Educate yourself! In my time it appears that many of the smaller and even medium Digital Signage Networks tend to be run by executives with a technology background. This can be a plus for the advertising community as well as a minus; and we hope that it would mean the content is going to be delivered-with no bumbs (well not exactly) The downside, reps selling the networks do not have much media and advertising wisdom to draw from (unless they are from the industry) leaving themselves open for a lot of closed doors when approaching the larger advertisers and even advertisers that buy single markets or smaller. I am stressing education and I need to add networking in there-from these two a good rep (even if new) will be able to place the proper authority in thier sight-unlike broadcast, it is sometimes hard to find the buyer for digital signage..as it is still gaining ground in the industry. With-in the industry groups such as WOW (Mindshare) and Kinetic have been formed to buy OOH; digital signage is \\\\\apparently an outlet they handle and buy-NOT THE CASE! I will give them the benefit of the doubt that the industry is still in the education phase at some level....and it is up to reps to continue and wind down the education phase, gaining ground and dollars-the trick: to educate yourself over and above the prospect in a positive way that allows for ongoing dialouge. This means read news about upfronts, EBay and radio ads, newspapers downsizing and shifting dollars to online etc. Get your hands on research, quality research that supports your venue or the industry as a whole, do case studies for select clients or at least offer in your presentation, learn what demographic your network reaches inside and out! This may seem basic, but not for me, I still sell and I still educate. I have to spill the beans, I spoke with WOW yesterday and the contact was clueless about digital signage and then in another conversation with Mindshare (the emerging side) they are more on top of the game tha+
n I have witnessed in months. It was a higher level executive and perhaps the poor woman has another job that does not involve OOH or she specializes in a particular facet of the industry?? Doubt it!

We will take a look at local selling vs. regional and national and how to decide and/or structure your salesforce to be in the best position 9 months from now-and how do you decide between local and regional or national.......to be continued. So educate, educate and even go back to basic selling techniques that Zig Ziglar teaches to be coupled with your new wealth of knowledge which will turn into wisdom over time.

REMINDER: this is only one aspect of the entire sales process and in no way is to be considered complete. This will be part one of my multi section article on selling in the digital signage/narrowcast industry from young and fresh reps to senior executives and VP's.......keep to basics if coupled with Education and Networkin/p

Trojan No Go On Fox and CBS

2007-06-19T19:47:00.000-05:00

CBS and FOX confuse me a bit. They are telling me that they do not support safe sex-that is exactly what they just said to me in not so many words. "When pigs fly" I can hear that coming out of one of the senior executives. Everyone has a say so in what is aired on thier network and who they take money from. Perhaps they have good reason and I am just blind to it-after all I am not a broadcaster nor have the expertise found at these networks. Considering that Gen X and Y are going to be the money makers and shakers in the not to distant future and are considered one of the hottest demo's to reach in the current market-why would you shoot yourself in the foot? I asked Steven Miller a well known media executive and friend his thoughts on this, he says; "Money talks. You know that right now inside the CBS & Fox corporate walls there is a huge debate about, as they see the money windfall, going to the other networks. In typical fashion....PR will spin it, creative will change it up a bit and in the next flight or campaign it will fly". Could not have said it better myself. Perhaps, the rejection from Fox and CBS is better for Trojan; because the controversy will get much greater coverage ("for sure," suggests Trish, as I read out loud) than the spot ever will.

Lastly, be sure to visit Miller's story in similar fashion at Steve Miller Musings: GoDaddy Super Bowl Ad a "No Go" with ABC I guess every now and again it is important to flex your muscle and remind advertisers who's boss eh?

Pigs With Cellphones, but No Condoms
NY Times

In its rejection, CBS wrote, “while we understand and appreciate the humor of this creative, we do not find it appropriate for our network even with late-night-only restrictions.”

“It’s so hypocritical for any network in this culture to go all puritanical on the subject of condom use when their programming is so salacious,” said Mark Crispin Miller, a media critic who teaches at New York University. “I mean, let’s get real here. Fox and CBS and all of them are in the business of nonstop soft porn, but God forbid we should use a condom in the pursuit of sexual pleasure.”

Networks accept ads of a not-so-subtle sexual nature for erectile dysfunction drugs like Viagra, often restricting them to the wee hours.
NY Times Full Story

Trone & First Citizens

2007-06-07T22:47:00.000-05:00

Duh! Not to interesting, good match here!

First Citizens Bank Turns to Trone June 05, 2007 By Adweek Staff

BOSTON Trone said it has been hired by First Citizens Bank of South Carolina to develop a new creative platform that includes TV, radio, outdoor and online advertising, as well as in-branch materials."Our strategic partnership with Trone will allow us to provide a creative platform that will propel the First Citizens brand forward in the marketplace," said Christie Hill, CMO at the bank.The agency is handling the business out of its office in Greenville, S.C. The client spent $2.5 million last year in measured media, per TNS Media Intelligence.

Users join the Sprite community by texting a code that returns a link to the mobile site.

2007-06-07T20:10:00.000-05:00

Users join the Sprite community by texting a code that returns a link to the mobile site.

SMS, Bluetooth, WAP, connecting the consumer in an engaging fashion to the brand that has allowed marketers to take a calculated and measured risk in emerging media. The next major growth area will be mobile internet such as Coke has done with Sprite. Bringing me to my point; most all digital signage will benefit from the application of mobile communication and allow for solid metrics on an added bonus feature....and can even help to push the industy forward as a whole if done with caution and education to the general public consumer.

Sprite Launches Mobile Social Net
June 06, 2007
By Brian Morrissey

NEW YORK Coca-Cola continued its aggressive forays into digital media with the launch of a mobile social network aimed at teens and young adults.

Called The Sprite Yard, the mobile community application allows users to set up a profile, send messages and photos to friends, and download content like visual ring tones and animated mobisodes. The Sprite Yard launched in China earlier this month and will go live in the U.S. on June 22. Those two markets represent over half of Sprite's sales, a Coke executive said.

Users join the community by texting a code ("YARD" in the U.S. market) that returns a link to the mobile site.

In a press conference at the Mobile Marketing Forum, Coke executives painted The Sprite Yard as a long-term commitment from the company and a sign of its shift from one-way messaging in traditional media to community-based bonding in digital channels.

"We're looking at an opportunity to move from impressions to consumer connections," said Mark Greatrex, svp, marketing communications and insights at Coke. "We think we're on the cusp of transforming the marketing model."

Coke last July remade Coke.com as a YouTube-like community. After initially disavowing the Diet Coke-Mentos viral video sensation, the company has fully embraced it, running subsequent contests on Coke.com and YouTube, and even bringing its creators, Fritz Grobe and Stephen Voltz, to its headquarters. Greatrex called it a "wonderful viral marketing phenomenon."

Full Story from Ad Week

Iron Moutnain Executive Joins Starpoint Digital Media Network

2007-06-04T21:06:00.001-05:00

Group President of Iron Mountain to Join Board of Directors
at Triangle Narrowcasting Company

RTP, North Carolina, June 3, 2007 – Robert G. Miller has recently announced that he will join the Board of Directors for Starpoint Digital Media Network (www.starpointdigital.com) , a narrowcasting company based out of the Research Triangle Park in central North Carolina, with satellite locations in Wilmington, North Carolina and Dallas, Texas.

Miller says about this venture, “I am excited to join Chris Verwoerdt, Mats Bruin and their team in an advisory capacity. The business model is unique, the technology is proven and, most importantly, digital media narrowcasting delivers real branding value to clients at a reasonable cost.”

Throughout the past two decades, Bob Miller has been a part of the executive management team at Iron Mountain Records Management, Inc. (NYSE:IRM), serving as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President. Most recently, Miller was appointed Group President, Asia Pacific and is responsible for developing Iron Mountain's aggressive expansion within the Asia Pacific region.

Miller attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with a degree in Business Administration. He also completed the INSEAD Asia Internal Executive Program. He joined Iron Mountain in 1988 when the company acquired Bell & Howell Records Management Company.

For additional information about Bob Miller joining the board at Starpoint Digital Media Network or for questions in regard to advertising, please contact Hillary Davis at 919.928.8443 or via email at hillary@starpointdigital.com .

ABOUT STARPOINT DIGITAL MEDIA NETWORK: Starpoint is an innovative advertising media company and narrowcasting concept. It is a targeted system of fully managed; high definition display screens placed in the nation’s finest fitness clubs. With clients such as Verizon Wireless and Dick’s Sporting Goods, they are setting new standards for the narrowcasting industry throughout the Southeast. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.starpointdigital.com .

TV Moves To Three Screens

2007-06-04T09:18:00.000-05:00

TV marketers have seen the light; once your ratings fall or decline no choice is left, I suppose. Reaching the third screen and the second screen can add great value to a broadcaster. Few broadcast stations have allowed thier network to stay ahead of "new channels"; Capitol Broadcasting Company has really lead the way in using new media channels to reach thier viewers and protect and even gain greater market share. Take a look at News Over Wireless over 90 broadcast groups are now signed up to use Capitol's News Over Wireless service. This article goes to show others are catching on, and heads will bump but that is the learning curve and this is very exciting news for the advertising and media industry as a whole!

Hearst-Argyle TV Inks YouTube Deal
Katy Bachman
JUNE 04, 2007 -

In a precedent-setting deal for the local TV business, Hearst-Argyle Television announced Monday an agreement with Google's YouTube. Effective today, five local Hearst-Argyle stations in Boston (WCVB-TV); Manchester, N.H. (WMUR-TV); Sacramento (KCRA-TV); Pittsburgh (WTAE-TV); and Baltimore (WBAL-TV), will begin posting video content to dedicated channels on YouTube. Plans are for all 29 Hearst-Argyle stations to have channels on YouTube.Although TV networks have done deals with YouTube, the agreement with Hearst-Argyle is a first for local TV.The deal is a natural extension of Hearst-Argyle’s strategy to aggressively distribute its local TV content on all three screens, the TV, the PC and mobile devices.“We have invested significant resources in our growing digital media efforts,” said Terry Mackin, executive vp of Hearst-Argyle Television, who in January, turned his attention to digital media full time. “With Google and YouTube, we can now better engage users and advertisers with our award-winning local video content and with new user-generated content while further broadening our reach beyond the boundaries of our media markets.”

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Changes for New Media and Interactive

2007-06-02T00:16:00.000-05:00

For digital signage reps to become successful with-in the industry several groups need to be contacted with-in an agency or direct client. As always a good first start is the president; but reality is that out-of-home buyers or "new media" Directors are conntacted first at agencies. Certainly a good starting point, just keep in mind that OOH budgets are still tiny. What I have personaly witnessed are reps knocking on the doors of interactive groups and conntecting with titles like media connector, director of multimedia strategy and so on; although many doors have to be knocked on I know of two reps that have entered into large deals by going through these backdoors. Once more digital signage networks become interactive with SMS, Bluetooth and the like we are going to see a diverse mix of descion makers approving these deals and more and more interactive folks working with these digital networks. There are going to be some as there are now that are able to tap into TV budgets and work with TV buyers but run a risk of being measured like TV. Maybe none of this makes sense and this is why the industry is a lot of fun; some standards will be released in the near future as a few companies continue to gain footing in the true digital sigange arena; and I continue to see national advertisers that are not educated on the content side of these networks which is a key factor that they can control. This article just was released about some changes and hires at Arnold in relation to interactive and new media.

Arnold Makes Key Hires
By David Gianatasio

BOSTON Havas' Arnold has added a quartet of senior staffers in its New York office in an effort to improve its digital offering and provide clients with sharper strategic insights across all brand channels.The agency hired Troy Kelly as svp, director of interactive marketing and Nate Swenberg as vp, director of multi-channel strategy.
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Outdoor Advertising

2007-06-01T16:01:00.000-05:00

Ring-a-ding:Timely upfront messageTelephone kiosk signage greeted media buyers By Diego Vasquez May 31, 2007

As media people well know, there were hordes of media buyers in New York over the last couple weeks for the networks' upfront presentations for the coming season, leading into the upfront market where ad time will be sold for those shows.
So it seemed a good time to remind buyers that there were yet other ways to reach consumers, ways beyond television, such as outdoor advertising.The logical venue for such a message? The telephone kiosks buyers were likely to pass on their way to the presentations.“This message can’t be fast forwarded,” read a sign on a kiosk at 49th Street and 5th Avenue, not far from where NBC held its upfront presentation.

Virgin Mobile Changes Branding Tactics via Billboards

2007-06-01T07:37:00.000-05:00

Virgin Mobile Changes Branding Tactics via Billboards
May 29, 2007By Kamau High
Adweek NEW YORK --

Virgin Mobile's first work from Havas' McKinney, now rolling out in New York, proclaims, simply, yet boldly, "You rule."The effort praises famed neighborhoods including Bed-Stuy, Chinatown and Hell's Kitchen with copy such as, "Presenting an idea as awesome as you: plans without annual contracts." There are also more generic iterations ("Car-service drivers, you rule") designed for posting in any area."We've attempted to change the conversation about wireless," said client CMO Howard Handler. "We like to say that our customers are in control."By the time the last sign goes up, within the next two weeks, there will be a total of 350 ads on bus shelters, phone kiosks, billboards and walls in New York.The campaign's print component is slated to run in Cosmopolitan, Vibe and the New York Post.In addition, the "You rule" concept will be featured on product packaging and the company's Web site, virginmobileusa.com.Other U.S. cities, as yet undisclosed, will get the "You rule" sign treatment later this year."This is a campaign that transcends localization. In the other cities, we'll maintain the notion of speaking directly to people," said Handler. "We're trying to celebrate the power of the individual and their ability to control their phones."McKinney, based in Durham, N.C., won the $15 million creative account earlier this year after a review. New York's Mother, the incumbent, declined to participate."This work was inspired by the truth that most cell phone providers want customers to make a commitment to them, and Virgin Mobile is all about making a commitment to its customers," said Jeff Jones, McKinney president.Virgin Mobile spent $16 million on advertising in 2006, per TNS.

Nielsen-Goes Live!

2007-06-01T06:12:00.000-05:00

This should be interesting.

Agencies and Networks Ponder Nielsen Ad Ratings

By LOUISE STORY
Published: June 1, 2007
THE NIELSEN COMPANY, long the arbiter of television viewership, released standardized ratings of commercials yesterday, giving advertisers more information about how often viewers stay tuned during commercial breaks.
The ratings will trickle into computer systems at television networks and advertising agencies today while ad executives are negotiating billions of dollars of television sales for next year, and it is unclear how the new ratings will affect those deals. The commercial viewership data is not new — Nielsen has included it in one of its main data systems since the end of January — but now the data will be released every week in a standard, easy-to-read format.
“This is going to give everyone the ability, all parties involved, to start speaking the same language,” said Sam Armando, senior vice president and video research director at Starcom USA, an agency in the Publicis Groupe that purchases ads.
Consumer brand companies have traditionally decided how much to pay for television time based on Nielsen’s estimates of how many people watch certain programs. But as more people watch programs on digital video recorders through TiVo and other services, advertisers have become concerned that people might be zipping past their messages. The new ratings estimate the number of people, on average, watching ads over the course of a program.
•
Advertisers have been most concerned about whether people who own DVRs watch their ads, because those viewers can fast-forward through ads with the click of a remote.
But to the relief of networks, Nielsen data has shown that on average, people with DVRs still see about two-thirds of ads in their television viewing. That’s because about half of television viewing in households with DVRs is played back after the original broadcast of the program, and about 40 percent of the commercials in that time-shifted viewing are not fast-forwarded.
“The notion a year ago was that any commercial that was viewed on a time-shifted DVR had no value,” said Alan Wurtzel, president for research at NBC Universal. “All of that was wrong.”
Yesterday, Nielsen released similar data about viewing patterns. The data was based on viewership from the first week of May and showed that most DVR playback takes place within a day of the program’s broadcast. Broadcast television programs tend to be played back through DVRs more frequently than cable programs, and news and sports events are most often watched live.
•
In DVR households, viewers of broadcast television programs like “The Office” on NBC and “The Family Guy” on Fox are most likely to watch commercials. Thus, television networks with lots of time-delayed viewing on DVRs stand to gain the most from commercial ratings, if they can keep their fans from fast-forwarding through ads.

An Introduction to Digital Signage

2007-05-31T13:22:00.000-05:00

As I shift to include more news on digital signage from the advertising perspective, I thought it would be nice to share some insight and basics from Impart Media who has over 20 years of experience in the dynamic media industry and recently partnered with Seesaw Networks to Accelerate Market Penetration for Digital Signage. Under my blogroll and links are several resources that have much more knowledge available on Digital Signage-I find blogs to be one of the best sources for unreleased information and for networking with-in the industry. Enjoy!

An Introduction to Digital Signage
Purpose
Impart Media Group, Inc. (www.impartmedia.com) has developed a powerful platform called IQ that
enables the building and managing digital signage (and information kiosk) systems. However, digital
signage is a fairly new concept, and requires an understanding of several key concepts to help ensure
success. The purpose of this white paper is to introduce the concept of digital signage, explain who can
benefit from a signage installation, and outline the steps needed to get started with a digital signage
project.
What is Digital Signage?
Digital signage is a name given to any number of methods used to display multimedia content in public
spaces. Alternatively known as dynamic signage, electronic signage or narrowcasting, networks of digital
signs have been deployed across numerous retail chains, banks, airports, and corporate headquarters to
deliver informative and entertaining content to captive audiences and passers by. In its most basic
implementation, a digital sign consists of a playback device (such as a computer, VCR, flash or DVD
player) connected to a display.
Depending on the application, the display might be a small LCD screen, a large plasma display panel, a
rear projection display, or even a video wall composed of a number of connected screens. With a
number of affordable options available, anybody with a message to send to their out-of-home audience
can benefit from a digital signage installation.
s
The concept of out-of-home messages is not new. Billboards, window treatments and point-of-purchase
displays are widely used for out-of-home advertising, while bulletin boards (both traditional and
electronic), flyers, faxes, memos, and email have been used to send corporate communications and
educate employees for decades. However, true dynamic signs first came into popular use with the
advent of in-store closed circuit television networks in the 1980s. With the widespread availability of
affordable VCRs, retail stores and corporate headquarters were able to play back pre-recorded content
to their patrons and employees, providing timely information and entertaining content.
Soon, closed circuit networks would be augmented (and in some cases, supplanted) with affordable
TV/VCR combination units for smaller displays, and projection screens and video walls for eye catching,
large format presentations. With satellite distribution, it even became (relatively) affordable to syndicate
the same content to thousands of sites at once.
In recent years, several factors have combined to make digital signage a more powerful, eye-catching,
and affordable display medium than ever before and contributing to its widespread adoption. Key factors
include the nearly ubiquitous availability of high-speed Internet access, new large format displays like
plasma screens and LCD panels, and new compression formats that can compress large amounts of
content into small file sizes.
A modern digital sign adds several additional components to the traditional setup described above. The
controller, typically a powerful computer or media playback appliance (IQ Box), uses a digital connection
to deliver a crisp output signal to a digital display, like a plasma screen or LCD panel. The playback
device uses a digital storage medium (such as a hard drive or solid-state flash disk) to store digital
content locally, ensuring smooth playback. In many cases, the device can be remotely managed over the
Internet to allow for content updates, schedule changes, and compliance or uptime audit reporting.
An Introduction to Digital Signage page 2 of 4 rev: September 1, 2006
In its simplest implementation, a digital signage installation includes:
1. Internet Protocol (IP), Broadband Data Connectivity (via ethernet LAN, WLAN/Wi-Fi, Satellite
Datacast, xDSL, Cable Modem, WiMAX, 3G Cellular,).
2. A Media Playback Device or PC with removable media (DVD or Compact Flash card)
and/or local, hard disk drive read/write storage.
3. A Display (e.g. a television, plasma display, LCD panel, LED, DLP projector,…).
Even the smallest digital signage networks can benefit from remote management. Aside from offsetting
the costs of producing, replicating and distributing VHS tapes or DVDs, Internet connected signage
devices provide network administrators with the ability to closely monitor playback, ensuring that the
desired content is being displayed, and system uptime. Delivering content over the Internet ensures that
the content arrives and is displayed according to the proper schedule, eliminates errors in shipping and
handling, and removes reliance upon on-site personnel to change tapes or DVDs (since these individuals
are typically not very motivated to perform such tasks).
Additionally, compliance-reporting gives network owners a complete record of what every screen has
displayed. Finally, user-friendly management tools (e.g. IQ Producer) mean that people throughout the
organization – from advertising and creative services to operations and general management - are
empowered to change content and generate reporting metrics. Other remote management functions give
network operators the ability to status monitor and perform near real-time adjustments to every display’s
playback schedule, enabling real-time marketing experiments, emergency announcements, and even live
content feeds.
What Kind of Digital Signage Should You Use?
Choosing the right digital signage technology depends on the intended application. For example, a digital
signage application for internal corporate communications would probably benefit from large, eye
catching plasma displays placed in common areas such as cafeterias and break rooms. Depending on
the size of the deployment, the network owner might opt for either local or remote management. On the
other end of the spectrum, a manufacturer looking to improve their point-of-purchase advertising displays
might choose to employ small, lightweight LCD panels in conjunction with traditional product displays in
an aisle or endcap fixture, managing the content centrally via a web-based interface. Of course, budget
constraints must also be taken into consideration.
Digital signage applications that require large displays have a number of options to choose from,
including rear projection TVs, LCDs, plasmas, DLPs, LEDs, wall projectors, and traditional CRTs.
Smaller signs are typically either small LCD or CRT displays.
Touchscreens are available for virtually any sized display, and can add an interactive component
(e.g. IQ Interactive) to an otherwise non-interactive display medium. Finally, though many digital sign
networks start modestly, it is important to plan for the future. A network of a few screens may be easy to
manage by shipping and swapping DVDs or Compact Flash cards. However, if that network grows to 25,
50 or 100 screens, this type of content management becomes much more cumbersome.
Additionally, features that may not seem relevant during the early stages of a deployment might prove to
be essential later on. For example, the ability to add or delete a piece of content on short notice might not
seem important to a small sign network owner until the necessity arises, often at the insistence of a large
advertiser. Similarly, other business opportunities may rely on advanced features like real-time
scheduling or live content insertions.
An Introduction to Digital Signage page 3 of 4 rev: September 1, 2006
What’s more, the availability of turnkey, hosted digital signage software can actually make it cheaper to
deploy the initial systems with full remote management capability - providing a solution that is affordable
for today and scalable for tomorrow.
Remote management tools like the IQ Producer and IQ Link allow signage administrators to control
media players located in remote networks via the Internet, even when the players are behind firewalls
and other perimeter security devices.
Achieving Success with the Right Partnership
When embarking on a digital signage project, you may wish to consult with Impart for services in various
areas. For instance, financing companies can help spread the up-front expense of the display hardware
and infrastructure over a multi-year period, so your company only pays an affordable monthly fee.
Similarly, skilled partners (e.g. Impartners) are available to assist in ad sales, IQ Ads, system design &
deployment, installation, content authoring, IQ Streams, and onsite service support.

Engage Your Consumer

2007-05-31T11:45:00.000-05:00

Engage your consumer! Bluetooth, SMS, touch screens, interactive billboards, RFID tags....there are many different options to engage with a consumer for a brand using a digital signage network. Most OOH digital networks are perfect for Bluetooth marketing or SMS marketing and add value-keep in mind that the actual traffic or hits will be lower than expected with mobile or Bluetooth and digital signage. The Europe maket can be ahead of the states at times-the London Tube a good example-a million dollar real estate venue for digital signage placment, with some of the latest innovations in the industry. Nokia is prepared and is engaging consumers while they wait for the Tube-I am ready to see another Ford or LandRover Bluetooth campaign, but in the states this time!

Nokia engages London Tube riders with interactive sign/game

James Bickers, editor at http://www.digitalsignagetoday.com/article.php?id=17832&na=1

Commuters waiting for their train are nothing if not a captive audience, and marketers are beginning to understand this. A great example of reaching this audience was recently spotted outside the Tottenham Court Rd. station of the London Underground, where Nokia has deployed an interactive "matching game" on a giant touchscreen.

In addition to giving idle travelers something to occupy their minds and hands, the game doubles as an advertisement for the Nokia N95 cellular phone.

Watch the game in action www.digitalsignagetoday.com

CTIA Conferance; Apple iPhone

2007-05-30T01:34:00.000-05:00

In the Economist's wrap-up coverage of CTIA conference of Florida, the publication came out swinging against the much hyped Apple iPhone:

But though not available until June, the $500 iPhone is as mouth-watering today as yesterday’s cold pizza. The phone that stole the show at CTIA Wireless 2007 was the “Ocean” from Helio, a youth-oriented newcomer to the cellular business.

In addition to giving high praise for the Ocean's interface and design, as well as noting the disparity in price ($295 for the Helio vs. $500 for the iPhone) the article continued,

But it is the Helio Ocean’s EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimised) wireless technology that renders Apple’s iPhone an also-ran. Mobile experts have been mystified by Apple’s decision to use Cingular’s EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) network when far better wireless communications methods abound...Cingular’s version of it provides data speeds of between 75 kilobits per second (kbps) and 135 kbps—not that much better than a dial-up internet connection, and often much worse...

By contrast, the EV-DO networks used by Helio (as well as Verizon and Sprint in America and KDDI in Japan) offer 450 kbps to 800 kbps, rates similar to those of DSL broadband connections. EDGE’s slower data speeds mean that iPhone users must rely on Wi-Fi to do anything more than make phone calls or send the odd e-mail...

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The Digital Signage Forum Reports Back From Chicago!

2007-05-27T00:02:00.000-05:00

This is a nice write up from The Digital Signage Forum and thier recent trip to Chicago for the 2007 Digital Signage Expo. A very impressive event......

A Report From Our Friends At:

Digital Signage Expo takes a slice of Chicago Style on May 16th and 17th 2007

05-19-2007
By Lisa Jachimowicz

It could have been the sparkling turquoise water, the gorgeous boats or the awesome sunshine, but no matter what, it couldn’t have been a more exquisite backdrop for the Digital Signage Expo this year. The exhibitors consisted of new digital signage businesses entering the market, established companies, great sales people, tech people and industry leaders who all had one thing in common and that was passion and a distinct product or service targeted to end-users in need of comprehensive answers from our great industry.

Life’s Good isn’t just the LG commercial slogan; it was very good at the very classy booth design that had good foot traffic and some great looking screens pushing some hardcore digital signage content. LG commercial came in showcasing its new IP (Internet Protocol) Solution technology, which enables the digital signage industry to deliver video content to multiple locations with centralized video content and display control capability. LG’s has a new M4210 series of flat-panel HDTV LCD’s – M4210C-BA and M4210N-BA – that utilizes the company’s IP Solution for integrated networking designed specifically for LG displays. The really cool thing about the people over at LG is a new and refreshing open attitude that projects will ship and everything is possible regarding working every deal no matter how large or small. LG has a fresh perspective to customer service and is reaching out to every reseller, integrator and end-user to offer assistance and to further enhance their commitment to the digital signage industry they have become a new premier sponsor of the digital signage forum. For more information visit LG at there website http://www.lgcommercial.com/

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Digital Signage Forum

Phone: 360-662-9965 Pacific Standard Time

Email: sales@digitalsignageforum.com

http://www.digitalsignageforum.com/

Copyright 2004-2007, Digital Signage Forum

Coca-Cola Goes...

2007-05-26T22:46:00.001-05:00

The beverage industry has seen vast changes recently. With bottlers and distributors hooking up with one another in different markets and selling products other than thiers---there is no telling what is next.

The Story
Coca-Cola (KO) shares popped higher May 25 after the beverage giant announced it will acquire Energy Brands Inc., known as Glaceau, and its full range of enhanced water brands for $4.1 billion in cash. The company said the deal gives it "a strong platform to grow its active lifestyle beverages."

The deal is Coke's largest acquisition, and the company expects it to shave 1 or 2 cents from earnings per share this year. But it expects the deal will add to its earnings in the first full year following the completion of the deal.

The deal will also curb Atlanta-based Coke’s share-buyback plan. Coke said it now expects to buy back $1.75 billion to $2 billion worth of shares this year, down from its previous plan of $2.5 billion to $3 billion.

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Out of Home is Smart-The OVAB!

2007-05-21T07:28:00.000-05:00

Ah, I have a special place in my heart for out-of-home media. In many markets out-of-home has become highly demanded, thus climbing up the food chain. After years of hard work and technology advances the industry is gaining footing and rates are going up as inventory becomes more demanded and available at the same time. Digital billboards, D-EPs, wallscapes, digital signage networks, placed based TV (video), street teams, mobile billboards, posters, movie theater advertising, and sampling are some of the valuable and must have outlets for a brand that wants a well rounded and diverse campaign on a national, regional and local level. As TV ratings decline; newspapers get sold, move online, and lose overall readership, the demand for OOH in some markets is sky rocketing. Companies such as Fairway, Adams Outdoor and Lamar have rasied thier rates to fit the demand, and extra resources they are using (including the purchase of digital billboards and the staff to operate these systems). The article below is about the OVAB tapping into the cable industry and the leveraging of cable's not so long ago past of being a "new channel" and successfully moving through the phases of entering the market. Educating the buying community, while still selling the "media" is a common challenge that was faced by both cable and the internet and now narrowcast out-of-home networks (dgital or video). Narrowcast networks are very similar to cable in terms of targeting, but not in creative (at least not digital signage)-it makes sense that a cable veteran would be an ideal hire for any of these networks, if coupled with other professionals that can work as a team using strengths of each executive to build out the network from deployment to content to sales and operation. It just makes sense. I am a little confused about why the OVAB is not both video and digital (I may be uneducated here?)-I hear very different opinions about engagement and the content on these networks. It may be that measurement of these networks can be weighted based on the content matching the demographic.

MediaBuyerPlanner: The newly formed Out-of-Home Video Advertising Bureau has tapped a top executive from Comcast's TV ad sales organization as its first president.

Kim Norris, formerly division vice president at Comcast Spotlight, worked closely with the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau during the early years of cable when the new medium was struggling to get on base with Madison Ave, writes MediaPost. Norris plans to follow a similar game plan - which would call for setting standards and developing research that would make disparate out-of-home networks comparable and easy to understand and buy - to establish the OVAB.

Norris's appointment comes a day after Reactrix, a digital out-of-home media company, also named a well-know cable TV sales vet as president. Sue Danaher, most recently one of the top sales executives at MTV Networks, is a veteran of cable's pioneering days at Turner Broadcasting.
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Media Planners, Media Reps, and New Media Outlets

2007-04-25T23:09:00.000-05:00

Clients are confused? Not Proctor, Coca-Cola or AT&T. I am confused, and confusion is good for me and helps to get the creative juices and out of the box thinking flowing strong. Critical thinking about the best media channel or outlet for a client, mixing it up, sell your media and present another to your client can equal customer service these days. I am speaking of media reps that are working with national or regional clients on larger buys that have clients whom are interested in the market and whats new-well the media reps are some of the best resources to these clients (or agencies) and when done with savvy and in a professional manner in which the client will appriciate the insight or broker of a deal; a rep can strengthen the relationship and become to source or go to for that client and thier network. This can be tricky and has to be done with awarness and full understanding of the clients needs and resources. So the article below was a "nice" read about media professional on the buying and planning side and for the most parts at agencies. Media is truly a hot topic, even if you are a spot or broadcast buyer. I sometimes wonder about the "handcuffs" or stuggles some of the younger planners may have with corporate policy and having thier ideas approved-this is some of the reason emerging or new channels of media are not catching on as fast as expected......like any other industry there is always the corporate culture and much appreciated, based on years of research and strong relationships. There are also the agencies and direct clients that are full force and have entire departments checking into this Gen X and Y media.

They Have Lasting Relationships
Remember when media planners and buyers were the low-paid, under-appreciated members of the agency team? Well, that was then. Now media is the place to be. With the splintering of advertising media, clients are confused about how to reach their customers in cost-effective ways. Hell, they're confused about how to reach them, period.
Marc Brownstein So enter the media folks. They're placing advertising everywhere -- on all three screens and in places that were never considered advertising vehicles. And they are leading the way with guerilla marketing. I'm jealous that they have the client's trust to handle all of the non-traditional parts of the buy as well.

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Idol Fundraiser Drops in Ratings

2007-04-25T12:15:00.000-05:00

As if this is a surprise.

'Idol' fundraiser hits a new season low Averages 9.6 in 18-49s, off 6 percent from last weekBy Toni FitzgeraldApril 25, 2007
“American Idol’s” first-ever “Idol Gives Back” fundraiser is a noble idea and may well raise millions for charity. But it apparently did not hold as much interest as the usual singing competition for “Idol” fans.
The reality singing show fell to its lowest Tuesday rating of the season last night, a 9.6 Nielsen overnight among adults 18-49, as the contestants and a huge array of celebrity guests appealed to viewers to pledge money for numerous American and African charities.
Of course, a season low for “Idol” is still way ahead of every other show on television, and even though it was off 6 percent from last week’s then-season-low 10.2, “Idol” still crushed the competition on a very slow night.

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Kraft Shifts From JWT......and more..

2007-04-23T22:38:00.002-05:00

JWT and Kraft. Kraft very well may have invented the grilled cheese sandwich, I am sure they did from the archives I have researched. I had a discussion recently with a retired agency executive, followed by an hour talk about his career and work for JWT. I learned a lot about the history of Kraft advertising and media use, no secrets though-maybe next time.

Being Shifted From JWT
Kraft Foods is again demonstrating its unhappiness with its largest agency partner, JWT, by shifting the creative duties for six brands to other agencies. Kraft spent more than $160 million to advertise the brands in major media last year, according to TNS Media Intelligence, a division of Taylor Nelson Sofres that tracks ad spending.
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Out-of-Home Digital is Real, Folks!

2007-04-20T21:45:00.000-05:00

Brands have to adapt to the the shift in media consumption or "lose millions in brand equity!" Those are not my words but it is the truth! Newspaper is moving online and the bigger players have already witnessed the purchase of a leading ooh digital network (Captivate). Even smaller broadcasters such as Capital Broadcast (who has always focused on new media channels other than broadcast) see the value in interactive, new media channels, digital out-of-home, and mobile. Billions are in broadcast and maybe at some point some more of those dollars will be pulled to new channels that reach the right consumers. The slow and somewhat silent move to test the waters is happening under our noses. In house testing by some of the worlds leading brands has been happening for years and you would be amazed at exactly what data they have complied. With the predicted expansion and growth of the OOH industry I suggest that one of the top 25 advertisers purchase all of the spots on narrowcast networks across the US-that would be a headline itself! I think it could be done; ad spending in the industry is very small at this time compared to TV dollars, print spending and spending on the remaining media outlets.

Out-of-Home Digital Media Is Now Interactive
by
Monte Zweben, Co-founder & Chairman of SeeSaw Networks
Out-of-home digital media is growing explosivelyThe Outdoor Advertising Association of America forecasts that up to 25% of all billboards will be digital in five years and a 2006 Veronis, Suhler, and Stevenson Communications Industry Report forecasts that out-of-home digital media will grow at a rate of over 20% a year. Additionally, Profitable Channels reports that digital out-of-home networks are growing at a rate of about 10 new networks per month. Their report estimates that about 700 digital out-of-home networks have been launched since 2002 and says that the out-of-home digital media industry segment accounted for $1.2 billion in national ad spending in 2006.

Full Story

Bluetooth Nokia Marketing

2007-04-11T16:32:00.000-05:00

Bluetooth Marketing Faces Privacy Concerns

Nokia is launching a Bluetooth marketing campaign in the UK to promote its 6680 handset - joining the growing list of big brands like Volvo and EMI that have experimented with Bluetooth marketing - but some lawyers, trade bodies and agencies have expressed concerns that brands running these campaigns are in breach of privacy regulations, New Media Age reports(via Adverblog

Full Story
Media Planner Buyer

MINI-Cooper Uses Daktronics Galaxy® and More on Daktronics

2007-04-07T00:16:00.000-05:00

MINI Cooper seems to adore outdoor advertising. Who pitched whom here? I am hoping for the sake of my profession that Daktronics pitched MINI with this idea. An opt-in interactive digital billboard which may have received more press than the actual campaign on purpose. A hot idea in a sense, although if I was the driver of a MINI I would would not be so entertained rather want to show it off-I am a big deal to MINI. MINI has a creative manner of how to spend co-op dollars and I was asked did I think this was co-op money; no it is not, unless specific dealerships are involved and it is clearly corporate that has pulled the trigger on this one.......certainly the dealership in the markets may receive less from OOH Pitch who currently does thier co-op advertising-I beleive.

BROOKINGS, S.D. – Apr. 6, 2007-

Daktronics Inc. recently sold four 89-millimeter Galaxy® LED displays for MINI USA’s latest ground-breaking billboard advertising promotion aimed at American MINI Cooper owners. The new campaign, innovatively named, “MINI Motorby,” engages in a new wave of interactive billboard advertising. The unique billboards are visible in Chicago, New York, Miami and San Francisco.

The approximately 5-feet-high by 33-feet-wide interactive digital billboards feature personalized messages directed toward MINI Cooper owners as they drive near the billboard. MINI Cooper owners must go online to the MINI USA website and register for the personalized messages. Prospective participants register in the “MINI Owners Lounge” where they are asked to participate in answering some entertaining questions about themselves.

Full Story

Typically I do not include the about section of a press release however this is a company that has a large footprint and I feel that they are a resource for creatives, techies, and other network folks. Take a look at all of thier other projects; a great archive of pictures on thier site can be found here Daktronics Projects .

About MINI Cooper
The MINI Cooper is a small car that was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) and its successors from 1959 to 2000. When production of the classic Mini ceased in 2000, BMW (the new owner of the brand) announced the successor to the Mini – the New MINI Cooper.” The MINI is the most popular British-made car. There are currently 82 U.S. MINI dealers, which are located primarily in major metros and other selected cities. For more information, visit the company’s U.S. World Wide Web site at: http://www.miniusa.com/.

About Daktronics
Daktronics has strong leadership positions in, and is one of the world’s largest suppliers of, computer-programmable displays, digital billboards, large screen video displays, control systems and electronic scoreboards. The company excels in the control of large display systems, including those that require integration of multiple complex displays showing real-time information, graphics, animation and video. Daktronics designs, manufactures, markets and services display systems for customers around the world, in sport, business and transportation applications. For more information, visit the company’s World Wide Web site at: http://www.daktronics.com/, e-mail the company at sales@daktronics.com, call (605) 697-4300 or toll-free (800) 325-8766 in the United States or write to the company at 331 32nd Ave. P.O. Box 5128 Brookings, S.D. 57006-5128.

For more information contact:

MEDIA RELATIONS:
Julia Angerhofer
Video Marketing
tel (605) 697-4699
e-mail jangerh@daktronics.com
Daktronics Homepage

Google Salary

2007-04-06T15:29:00.000-05:00

Pure Motivation.

Google
Though Google's top executive, CEO Eric E. Schmidt, received a $1 salary last year, his personal security cost shareholders $532,755, writes the New York Times, citing a regulatory filing submitted Wednesday.

Full Story

Great Study on Top Exec's

2007-04-02T23:49:00.000-05:00

By far one of the most relavant reseach studies I have come across in the last few months-really enjoyed this one- undistorted and precise!

Mediaedge:cia: BlackBerry a Top-Exec Must
John Consoli
MARCH 26, 2007 -

"The BlackBerry has become an “umbilical cord” for many chief executive officers, who check it constantly throughout the day, even when all other devices are turned off, according to a study by Mediaedge:cia of senior business executives. "

But the study also found that BlackBerry communication “is regarded as business, not advertising, because business e-mail is for the CEO a means of control and situation monitoring.” That study added, “Irrelevant or non-urgent messages are passed over and unsolicited commercial communication is treated as an unwarranted interruption.”
Full Story

McDonald's; Hip, Slick and Cool

2007-03-31T12:37:00.000-05:00

McDonald's Marketing Chief
McDonald's next generationMarketing chief Mary Dillon has introduced the once-conventional fast-food giant to YouTube, podcastsJOHN SCHMELTZERPublished March 25, 2007
In a little more than 18 months, Mary Dillon, athlete, marathoner and the mother of four children, has taken the world's largest hamburger chain to venues its founder Ray Kroc could not have imagined.While Dillon, 45, who was named executive vice president and global chief marketing officer of McDonald's Corp. in September 2005, hasn't yet run a guerrilla marketing campaign, she has introduced the button-down company to YouTube, Webisodes (short Web-based episodes), cell-phone text messaging in Japan and podcasts, all places where its young adult and "forever young" customers now are found.
Full Story

Bally's Bye, Bye?

2007-03-31T12:28:00.001-05:00

As with many of the gym's; they will recover or be purchased. What happened here-poor management? No telling...Churn perhaps, and it is a great gym just not so good managment.

Bally warns of bankruptcy; stock plungesBy James P. MillerTribune staff reporterPublished March 16 2007, 11:32 AM CDT

"Bally Total Fitness Holding Corp. shares lost more than half their value Friday morning, in the wake of the Chicago health club operator's Thursday evening warning that it may be obliged to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection unless it can restructure its debt.In late-morning New York Stock Exchange trading, Bally shares were down $1.12, or 56 percent, to 87 cents. "
Full Story Bally's

Is Google Too Powerful? (Go Big or Go Home!)

2007-03-31T11:16:00.000-05:00

Go big or go home; Business Week reaches into the stomachs of Yahoo, and the little guy-at least compared to Google. Google is smart, elastic, cohesive and not scared. Is Google too powerful? Is there not a better question to ask-How did they do it? Why are they so big? Google provides a platform other corporations can learn from. How to be big!

Is Google Too Powerful?
As the Web giant tears through media, software, and telecom, rivals fear its growing influence. Now they're fighting back

"It's the year 2014, and Googlezon, a fearsomely powerful combination of search engine Google Inc. (GOOG ) and online store Amazon.com Inc. (AMZN ), has crushed traditional media to bits. Taking its place is the computer-generated Evolving Personalized Information Construct—an online package of news, entertainment, blogs, and services drawn from all the world's up-to-the-minute knowledge and customized to match your preferences. And it's all collected, packaged, and controlled by Googlezon."
Google

Verizon FiOS

2007-03-29T23:53:00.001-05:00

Time Warner get ready!

Verizon FiOS to Launch D.C. Local TV News Channel
Katy Bachman
MARCH 29, 2007 -

"In a nod to local cable news channels, Verizon FiOS' will launch Friday its first local TV news channel in the suburban Washington, D.C. area. Called FiOS1, the channel will serve up local weather, traffic, news, sports and community features. "

Full Story

Burt's Bees: Smart

2007-03-29T23:42:00.000-05:00

A company that is smart in its use of media, sampling and POP advertising. Burt's places thier products in exactly the right places in every store I visit-it is amazing, maybe I just like the products and the niche they have captured. The product is steller and so are thier profits. This is a brand that I am proud of!

Burt's Bees Kicks Off Tour
March 26, 2007
By Kathleen Sampey

In January, Durham, N.C.-based Burt's Bees hired Interpublic Group's The Martin Agency after a review.
"NEW YORK It hasn't been a big media spender since its 1989 inception, but Burt's Bees has found an effective way to engage customers the old-fashioned way: face to face.
Last Friday, the maker of natural skin-care products kicked off the "Burt's Bees Bee-utify Your World Tour," the second such undertaking in two years. Working with the AMP Agency, a unit of Alloy Media + Marketing, the company constructed a giant mobile "hive" that is traveling to different events in 15 U.S. cities, where prospective consumers can sample the client's products through on-site hand massages and skin-care consultations. "

Full Story

Can Dell Hang in There?

2007-03-27T19:33:00.000-05:00

From the News & Observer
By Jonathan B. Cox, Staff Writer
DURHAM — Michael Dell is preparing his workforce for change as the computer company he founded struggles to sharpen its competitive edge.
He told Duke University students today that the company is developing new products, tuning its organization and finding new ways to sell PCs and other gadgets. Dell spoke at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business.

“We’re in the midst of a transformation of our company,” Dell said. “There’s a sense of urgency that’s very high. ... We’re really taking a fresh look at the whole business. A lot of things are going right, but this is a chance to reinvent” parts of the business.

Full Story

Delray Beach, Good Times

2007-03-27T19:07:00.000-05:00

South Florida is not for everyone, so try Delray Beach; a wonderful place to live and visit, if I say so myself. Of course; I lived in Delray for over 7 years and enjoyed the ruthless business practices of the shady 19 year old commodities broker. The food and atmosphere remind me of a carefree 6 year old, and maybe thats why Delray was voted an All American City! The sun shines and brings love to your heart and an overall feeling of wellbeing. The food, lots of places to go; one of my favorites is Gatsby's in Boca.

Delray's Atlantic Avenue nightlife is giving Clematis and Las Olas a run for their money

"If South Florida has a Restaurant Row, it's in downtown Delray Beach. By car, it's near impossible to count the restaurants on Atlantic Avenue between Swinton and the ocean, but one morning a few weeks ago, I walked east from Swinton. I counted 32 restaurants.
And that doesn't count the restaurants I spied up and down the avenues or the half-dozen restaurants in the Pineapple Grove section of downtown or the restaurants situated far away from the city center. Burgers or foie gras? Sushi or fondue? Thai or pub food? French or Florida seafood? "

Full Story
Gatsby's

GSK Faces Court Case for False Advertising

2007-03-26T19:16:00.000-05:00

Stay alert for FDA restrictions or bills on pharma advertising.

March 27 2007 at 12:48AM

"Wellington - Global drugs giant GlaxoSmithKline faces a court case on Tuesday for misleading advertising after two 14-year-olds found its popular blackcurrant drink Ribena contained almost no vitamin C. High school students Anna Devathasan and Jenny Suo tested the children's drink against advertising claims that "the blackcurrants in Ribena have four times the vitamin C of oranges" in 2004.

Instead, the two found the syrup-based drink contained almost no trace of vitamin C, and one commercial orange juice brand contained almost four times more than Ribena. "

Full Story

St Barth Rocking

2007-03-25T11:39:00.000-05:00

Here is a post from St Barth News, an all inclusive and dynamite blog on St Barth and surrounding areas. This is direct first hand information.....from the SOURCE.

"The Evan Goodrow Band is playing at Bêtes de L’Azailes, a bar and restaurant on the harbor in Gustavia, from March 5 through March 31. The music starts at 9:00 pm and there is no cover charge. The band features Evan Goodrow, whose formal training was as a jazz guitarist; Rick Oneal, on bass guitar, vocals and cowbell, who has opened for such bands as Kansas, Jefferson Starship, B.B. King, Etta James, George Thorogood, Little Feat and Bonnie Raitt; Carl Benevides on saxophone, vocals and percussion, who directs jazz ensembles, concert and marching bands and serves as a Director on the Executive Board of the New Hampshire Music Educator’s Association when not touring with the band; and Phil Antoniades on drums and percussion. They describe their music as “funked-up street jazz and blues-tinged soul.” Listen to some sound clips on their web site at Evan Goodrow Band.

Sell Out, Smart NBC

2007-03-25T11:24:00.000-05:00

More on this later......

A Division of NBC Buys Out One of Its Harshest Online Critics

By MARIA ASPAN
Published: March 19, 2007
"In a review of “Top Design,” the reality show on Bravo Networks, a staff writer for the Web site Televisionwithoutpity.com mused that in the future, the show would be “just another filthy memory whose outcome I’ve long since forgotten.”

He can thank his new employers for the memories. Bravo, a division of NBC Universal, announced its acquisition of Television Without Pity on Tuesday. The television review Web site joins the network’s other online outlets, including the broadband channels BrilliantButCancelled.com, OUTzoneTV.com and getTRIO.com.

Television Without Pity, which provides reviews and commentary on television shows ranging from “American Idol” to “Ugly Betty,” has become well known in the television industry and the online community for its sharp, witty reviews. "

Full story:
Link

Third Screen and Others....

2007-03-25T10:48:00.000-05:00

"OLD media lagged behind in the race to go online, in part because the prospects for advertising — traditionally the major revenue source for newspapers, magazines and television — seemed unclear on the Internet. Then, online advertising took off, and the old media are still playing catch-up."

Ah, Europe and Asia are always ahead of the states in advertising technology; , just look at digital sigange. So why is america so conservative? The bomb scare in Boston, that was wonderful! Turner Brothers and Interference (thier agency for this project) pieced together a fantastic guerrilla marketing campaign in one city, that obtained national coverage. Did it pay of? Here is an article published in the NY Times this morning about a survey conducted by TNS Media Intelligence on mobile internet use and mobile advertising. I tend to agree that some of these published survey's or research papers are plain ole marketing materials. They do prepare us, educate us, read well, continue to be interesting, and of course market brands, ideas, and the future.

"Now, with the next iteration of the Internet, the mobile Web, spreading around the world, publishers and other content providers are trying to avoid coming in late on another advertising bonanza. Last week in London, the Online Publishers Association released a study showing that mobile Internet use was on the rise, as was acceptance of mobile advertising...."

Full story:
Link

Measurement of Digital Signage Networks

2007-03-24T02:03:00.000-05:00

Hats off to Arbitron! Arbiton continues to bring needed solutions to the table. Everyday it becomes clearer and clearer that TV is just not providing the needed results, not thier fault. Advertisers are in a frenzy; wait a second! The OVAB and others such as Arbitron are helping put these nerves to rest. Think about a poster or billboard with lots of options for creative and placement. Digital signage networks are super billboards to keep it simple, they are just more targeted, have better graphics, no print cost, and can be used to reach a niche demo. Creating brand awareness and driving revenue being the ultimate result. I must remind advertisers that time is one of if not the KEY ingredient when using these networks. How effective will these measurments be? Look at TV and Radio and even billboards, we know the traffic count or ratings, but we know people see and lots of people see it and we know people change the channel; it is not an exact sicence...yet! Do you really fill out that little book next to your couch everytime you change the channel? Is the GPS tracker in your car watching your eye movement?

Arbitron, Scarborough Release '7-Day' Mall Audience Metric
"Buyers who purchase media in malls and shopping centers have a new way to understand the value of their ads and promotions with the launch of a new audience metric, according to Scarborough Research and Arbitron. The two companies have announced The Scarborough Mall Shopper Audience data metric, which they say provides more precise measurements of the American mall shopper, writes Radio Ink. When incorporated into a reach and frequency model, it can provide better evaluation of shopping venues as part of the overall communications mix. "

Full Story

Are you going to shape or be shaped?

2007-03-24T01:32:00.000-05:00

I see advertising directly and indirectly relating to all most every single aspect of our lives; yes it does. Infact we advertising professionals have the wonderful oppurtunity to help people. Read this and think what the revenue of the Los Angeles Galaxy was prior Herbalife and the revenue stream brands could bring to these teams. Already taking place for years has been the sponsorship of sports and maybe the Nike symbol on a few jersey's; the Galaxy is paving the way to the next level. Is it too intrusive? Brands shape our lives; are you going shape or be shaped?

"Since Major League Soccer decided to allow teams to sell space to advertisers on players' jersey fronts, only two teams have taken the league up on the offer. Today, Herbalife signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy team for jersey sponsorship, writes the Los Angeles Business Journal. Real Salt Lake was the first, which signed with XanGo. Herbalife will begin appearing on the Galaxy's jerseys this season, which begins April 8. The deal is estimated to be worth $4 million to $5 million per year. MLS is the first American sports team to sell advertising space on the front of its jerseys."

Link

Apple TV Commentary from www.tvpredictions.com

2007-03-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

Commentary
Why Apple TV Will Bomb
The device, which supports HDTV video, has begun shipping to pre-orders
By Phillip Swann

Washington (March 21, 2007) -- Apple has finally begun shipping pre-orders of its Apple TV wireless set-top, according to news reports. The device can stream media stored on your PC to your TV including music, pictures and 720p High-Definition video.

The company has set the price at $299, but I'm here to tell you that it will ultimately have trouble giving them away.

Yes, Apple TV will bomb -- and here's why:

Link

Please calm down, Google has a very long way to go.

2007-03-22T16:44:00.000-05:00

Google Planning a TV Ad Takeover?
By Nicholas Carlson

"Google is currently running a trial of test ads on cable as part of its larger plan to move into television advertising. Google didn't offer many details about the trial but in an e-mail sent to internetnews.com, a company spokesperson said the company is running a small, early-phase trial working closely with a small number of partners and advertisers. Google's plan is to "add value to TV advertising by making this important medium more relevant for users, measurable and more accountable for existing and new advertisers," the spokesperson continued.
Google's cable ad test is similar to its beta test of Google Audio Ads in December. The company invited a small group of AdWords advertisers to place 30-second radio ads on hundreds of radio stations across the U.S. The test allowed advertisers to target their ads by location, station type, day of week and time of day. Reports showed when and where the ads ran after they hit the airwaves.

These recent moves to radio and TV are not Google's first departure from online search marketing. Its November print ads test allowed advertisers to bid through an online marketplace for space in more than 50 major newspapers across the U.S. At the time, Google said participating newspapers included the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the Chicago Tribune, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Denver Post. And in 2005, Google brought its AdSense contextual advertising service to RSS content in a beta test. The test followed Google's AdSense model for Web sites and blogs. "

For the complete story:

Link

SeeSaw Network

2007-03-21T23:06:00.002-05:00

SeeSaw Networks Launches First Online Service to Plan, Buy and Measure Out-of-Home Digital Media
SeeSaw unveils the easiest way to reach people where they are

"American Association of Advertising Agencies Tradeshow, LAS VEGAS – March 1, 2007 – SeeSaw Networks, the leading out-of-home digital media company, today launched SeeSawAds.com, the online service that allows media buyers and advertisers to plan, buy and measure out-of-home digital media across the U.S. For the first time, advertisers and media buyers can reach people where they are with customized out-of-home national advertising campaigns across different geographies, demographic groups and markets, all from a Web-based solution.

Until now, media buyers and advertisers have been challenged to include out-of-home digital media as part of their media plans due to the time, expense and complexity of creating a national media campaign with an ever-increasing number of out-of-home digital media networks.

“Given the fragmentation in the market, planning a national or regional out-of-home digital advertising campaign used to be a very complex process with no common set of standards and metrics,” said Peter Bowen, chief executive officer of SeeSaw Networks. “With SeeSawAds.com, advertisers and agencies can focus on reaching people where they are by planning and buying out-of-home digital media campaigns across an extensive national network with a single set of metrics. We are now providing a one-stop-shop marketplace for out-of-home digital campaigns.”

Press Contact:
Victoria Brown
A&R Edelman
650-762-2966
vbrown@ar-edelman.com

For the complete story:

Link

Destination Television to Acquire Charter Digital Media

2007-03-21T22:50:00.001-05:00

The wild west seems to be having a reunion in the digital out of home industry much like the cable industry in the begining.

"Destination Television, Inc. (OTCBB:DSTV) has entered into a letter of intent to acquire New York based, Charter Digital Media Inc.

Charter Digital Media ("CDM") is a national representative firm for digital signage, selling and distributing national advertising across multiple networks. CDM delivers millions of audience impressions by consolidating out-of-home networks. It grew in 2006 by creating alliances with such companies as Movie Gallery Networks with 2,310 stores, and Hollywood Video TV with over 2,000 stores; Port Authority Terminal (32' x 38' giant screen in Times Square); PATHVision (270 screens in 13 train stations); South Street Seaport; and MJM SportsTV with locations in the top 50 markets. Monthly gross impressions across CDM's managed networks exceed 75 million viewers covering a wide range of consumers at point-of-sale. Revenue streams include management fees and shared advertising revenue. Advertisers include: Coca-Cola, Hershey, Twentieth Century Fox, Disney Studios, Universal Studios, Toyota, Anheuser Busch, CBS, HBO Sports and Wall Street Journal. "

For the complete story: (Business Wire Post)

Link

Wet and Wild

2007-03-03T02:20:00.000-05:00

Getting creative-very wise, and effective from multiple angles-just look at the buzz for one!

Quotes from Tricia Despres, January 2007 issue

"Taking a shower is usually a rather mundane task. Day after day, same old thing. So imagine the surprise of health club members across the New York metropolitan area when they looked down to see their shower mats transformed before their soapy eyes."
....... "Head & Shoulders unveiled the shower mats at nearly 300 health clubs in the New York market in the spring. The mats initially looked typical, albeit with the message "Start at the Scalp" printed at the top. But when hot water hit the shower mat, the full ad was revealed, encouraging showerers to try Head & Shoulders shampoo for "healthy, beautiful, 100 percent dandruff-free hair."

*Tricia Despres is a freelance writer, who has worked at Starcom Mediavest and Discovery Communications.

Media New Not Anymore

2007-02-20T00:02:00.003-05:00

Media Emerges As Hottest Area Of Agency Search, Starcom Most Searched Media Shop »
Media planning and buying services emerged as the fastest growing area of the agency search business, and Publicis' Starcom MediaVest unit was the most searched shop within that sector. Those are the findings drawn from the past year's worth of data from Adforum.com, a service that provides agency credentials and capabilities presentations to marketers and search consultants online.

feb 13 2007
Adrants

Welcome

2007-01-24T20:49:00.000-05:00

Welcome to my blog and thank you for taking the time to read or post or click on the ads-whatever you'd like.

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