Now digital signs at educational institutions
US-based Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) is deploying an internet-based digital signage system hosted by StrandVision LLC. The college activated digital signs at two locations on its main campus and at its Gateway campus over the spring break.
The installation replaces networked personal computers that displayed a homegrown system that was similar to a repeating Microsoft PowerPoint presentation. The digital signage system uses 42-inch LCD and plasma screens that are strategically placed on the campuses based on student traffic patterns. The rollout follows a three-month pilot installation at the Eau Claire campus.
The digital signs provide a way to communicate with student government and activities announcements. Each site has a campus coordinator and an authorized administrator manages the content. Besides, this can also be used to inform students about the college’s weekend degree programmes and to communicate with remote learning students and the community-at-large via a web digital signage service. It can provide students and faculty with real-time notices, such as weather-related school closings or delays and disaster preparedness information. It can even give instructions at the beginning of the semester on how to link to the college computer network.
StrandVision’s innovative approach to digital signage is ideal for colleges and any organisation that requires timely information distribution. It is an internet-based service that connects to televisions, LCD or plasma screens via cable television or computer networks.
For more details, visit:
www.strandvision.com
SPH MBO expands its outdoor advertising network in Singapore
Busy shoppers can now look forward to more shopping tips, promotions and special offers to make their shopping experience more fulfilling with the introduction of new interactive digital screens at shopping malls across the island. Singapore Press Holdings MediaBoxOffice (SPH MBO) and CapitaLand Retail Limited (CapitaLand Retail) have entered into an agreement, which would lead to the installation of about 100 screens in 10 CapitaLand Retail malls.
The screns, which began operating in phases from April, are strategically located at lift lobbies, escalator landings, customer service counters, pillars, atriums and near point-of-sales of major retailers to capture shoppers’ attention.
The 42-inch screens are installed in a split-screen portrait format to give advertisers the flexibility and space to showcase their products and services. This arrangement allows an advertiser to use half of the screen for a video commercial and the other half for a still picture, or the full screen for a single commercial. The screens in the 10 malls will be linked as a network, enabling an advertiser to reach many shoppers at the same time with the same message.
In time to come when the interactive capabilities of the screens are activated, shoppers may even be able to download useful information such as shop location, discount coupons and gift vouchers onto their mobile phones. With this feature, advertisers will be able to come up with more creative ideas to serve their customers.
In addition to retail information, shoppers can also keep abreast of the latest news and infotainment from SPH newsrooms sent directly to the screens and updated regularly throughout the day.
According to Janet Wee, general manager of SPH MBO, “SPH MBO is a major player in outdoor media while CapitaLand Retail is the leading retail mall owner/manager in Singapore, and in Asia. Together, we hope to raise the level of innovative marketing and serve our respective customers better.”
Shoppers will be able to view the screens at seven CapitaLand Retail malls: Plaza Singapura, Funan DigitaLife Mall, Junction 8, Tampines Mall, Lot One, Bukit Panjang Plaza and Clarke Quay. Three others - Rivervale Mall, Bugis Junction and IMM - will be added to the network later.
Stadium TV advertising network on the anvil
With Chyron Corporation’s ChyTV product line providing the infrastructure, software, and backbone technology for managing the network, Sports Media will have the opportunity to setup one of the largest private in-stadium sports TV networks in the world. And they have announced the partnership with ChyTV unit as its preferred partner and exclusive provider of digital video equipment and control center operations for the new Stadiums and Arenas TV Network. Advertisers will have one place to go to get their message out to numerous stadiums and arenas, allowing advertisers to target loyal sports fans where they live, play, and spend.
According to Dan Kosth, Sports Media’s CEO, “Sports Media is well positioned to get the network established in a short period of time and we expect advertisers to start placing media buys immediately. Because Sports Media is installing and maintaining the equipment to venues free of charge, it will give teams the opportunity to increase their revenue without capitalization or additional staff.”
Sports Media Stadium TV Network will offer advertisers on-screen graphic, animation, audio, and video, utilizing existing television screens in stadiums and arenas. Built into the technology will be an emergency system, with the capability to give live updated severe weather information, homeland security information, and Amber alerts. The team will have the ability to use the alert for missing children, emergency exit information in the stadium, and any other emergency needs. Along with ChyTV technology is the capability to add in services like live news feeds, sports scores, and news.
Digital signage at the pump
PumpMedia has been selected by Chevron Products Company as an approved vendor for its ‘Video at the Pump Programme,’ aimed at entertaining motorists while they refuel and drive traffic into the convenience store.
PumpMedia’s ‘Pump Top Media’ system combines proven and reliable components including Real Digital Media’s NEOCAST digital signage platform, and Avocent’s Emerge MPX1000 HD multipoint extender solution. The system’s robust hardware includes an energy-efficient and low-maintenance LED-backlit LCD display, delivering pristine audio and video messages in all lighting conditions. This pragmatic architecture provides refueling motorists with targeted, high-impact and meaningful audio and video content. PumpMedia also manages the installation and implementation of its ‘Pump Top Video’ systems, advertising sales, and network management.
Peter Tawil, president of PumpMedia, said, “Our Video at the Pump Programme provides a cost-efficient advertising solution for fuel retailers and marketers, promoting convenience-store sales while delivering the latest news, entertainment segments, and weather updates to refueling motorists.”
PumpMedia has participated in test sites at Chevron corporate stores in Southern California over the past twelve months, and has recently been selected by one of Chevron’s largest independent service station operators, G&M Oil, to implement the Videos at the Pump programme.
Unique digital signage solution from 3M, PDM and Telstra
3M Digital Signage, Australian digital content specialist Prime Digital Media (PDM) and telecommunication company Telstra Corp have announced the launch of a subscription-based digital retail media solution that marks one of the largest rollouts of digital signage ever deployed in Australia and New Zealand.
Electronic goods retailer Retravision, recently concluded a successful four-store trial of Telstra’s new digital retail media solution, which allows distribution of content, such as advertising and product information, as well as staff training and corporate communications to any number of select store locations simultaneously. The content is transmitted over Telstra’s IP network from a central management location using 3M Digital Signage content management and monitoring software.
Retravision has entered into a long-term agreement with PDM to expand the service to 105 stores and 5,000 screens by March, with a planned rollout for over 400 stores across Australia and New Zealand in 2007-2008. Telstra’s service provides easy entry for businesses eager to take advantage of the benefits digital signage has to offer.
“One of the great strengths of digital signage is that it ensures marketers a very receptive audience at the final moment of retail truth,” said Michael Harms, CEO, Prime Digital Media.
Effective advertising platform for shop tenants and advertisers
Digital signage system based on IPTV has been deployed in Marina Square shopping mall, one of Singapore’s most popular malls, by 1-2-1VIEW. The network of 10 displays with screen sizes ranging from 42" to 50" were installed in the busiest parts of the shopping mall, youth oriented shopping area Groove Nation and the mall’s popular food court Food Loft, which attracts up to 250,000 people a month to ensure content has maximum impact close to the point of purchase.
1-2-1VIEW’s IPTV-based system enables remote scheduling of content by date, time and individual screen. With dynamic distribution and accurate tracking of digital media across an infinite number of screens, the digital signage system provides an effective advertising platform for shop tenants and 3rd party advertisers alike. It is a mixture of both dynamic and static ads from mall advertisers as well as general entertainment content.
IPTV based and built on a proven consumer electronics platform, I-2-1VIEW’s turnkey hardware/software solution is network controlled and scalable to an infinite number of screens. With award winning, ultra lightweight media players and web based management, 1-2-1VIEW combines the most advanced technology with lowest cost of ownership in a dedicated digital signage system is affordable for any budget.
For more details, visit:
www.121view.com
IMG distributes StrandVision Electronic noticeboard services in Australia
USA-based StrandVision LLC and Mount Waverley-based Independent Management Group Pty Ltd (IMG) jointly announced that IMG will be distributing StrandVision’s hosted digital signage (electronic noticeboard) service in the Australian market. IMG’s first sale was to Premier Villages for the new Tarneit Skies Retirement Village. The noticeboard system provides community club and activity notices, weather and news, and village bylaw and management notices. It also features resident photos from social events, as well as local advertising. The electronic noticeboard is distributed over the village MATV (Master Antenna Television) system and will also be distributed over two 42" LCD TVs in public areas once the village community centre is completed.
StrandVision takes an innovative approach by offering an internet-based service that distributes real-time information to televisions, LCD or plasma screens over the organization’s existing television or computer network. The system at Tarneit Skies consists of an internet-connected personal computer that feeds into the MATV network. Residents select the noticeboard channel on their televisions to review announcements on their personal TVs or any television on the property. In addition to the information channels, a news ticker display is available for emergency announcements.
According to Mark Harrington, IMG technology director, “The StrandVision digital signage system is a great tool for easily promoting the day, time and place of all of the scheduled village community activities to residents. The village staff will have no trouble updating the information or broadcasting important announcements throughout the village within minutes.”
