DailyDOOH

It seems that QR codes are catching on in Canada but not always on digital screens. This interesting guerilla campaign involves QR codes on traditional 12” x 18” posters that have been put up by teams in seven cities across Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Ottawa. As usual, when a smart phone camera is held up towards the poster, the QR code directs users to sign petitions to help protect Canada’s wilderness.

The Big Wild, a three-year-old wildernesss conservation group based in Vancover, launched the campaign with the aim of using mobile technology to help protect wilderness regions at both ends of the country.

Darren Barefoot, program manager for The Big Wild, says, “We’re always looking for new strategies and approaches to get people’s attention. We wanted to try out a campaign with these QR codes and add an element of mystery. The idea was that we would entice and intrigue people. The people who might scan the codes are technologically minded, so they would know about the code and know what to do with it.”

QR codes can store text information, SMS messages or a web addresses. In western cities, The Big Wild poster’s QR code directs people to a campaign to protect the Flathead River Valley; in eastern cities, it refers to the Restigouche Watershed.

Founded by Mountain Equipment Co-op, a retail chain cooperative, and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, The Big Wild is a not-for-profit organization that connects Canadians to conservation campaigns across the country. It calls upon Canada’s political representatives to protect its public land and water.

The campaign posters “will stay up as long as they last,” says Barefoot. “We know the ones outside may only last a few days, but we’re getting some up in movie theatres and cafés, so those could stay up for a couple of months.”

New York-based TouchTunes Interactive Networks, one of the leading out-of-home interactive entertainment networks in North America, has launched myTouchTunes program, a new nightlife music experience with an integrated platform that combines location-based, social networking with digital jukebox music innovations.

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Wait times at the deli at Big Y Foods Inc., Sringfield, Massachusetts, has been shortened now that it has deployed automated deli ordering kiosks powered by NCR’s self-service technology.

Now located in 18 Big Y stores throughout New England, each Big Y deli kiosk uses the NCR Netkey deli ordering application, and several run on NCR EasyPoint Advantage kiosk hardware. In addition, all future Big Y stores will feature the combined NCR kiosk software and hardware solution.

To use the kiosks, Big Y customers simply swipe their Big Y Express Savings card. The simple and intuitive touch screen enables shoppers to place and customize their meat or cheese order from the in-store deli. The NCR software determines the appropriate time for the customer to return to the deli counter to pick up their order, which is then printed at the bottom of the customer’s receipt. An in-store announcement also alerts customers when their order is ready. Customers have the added convenience of being able to check the price of all in-store merchandise at the kiosks.

“The self-service kiosks extend even more choices to our shoppers as part of our commitment to deliver the best possible shopping experience,” says Bill Classen, deli sales manager, Big Y Foods Inc. “Our customers appreciate the option to place their deli orders without waiting in line and the extra convenience the kiosks provide.”

The NCR Netkey management software brings together in-store digital advertising and self-service kiosks under a single platform, enabling retailers to leverage rich multimedia content across digital signs and kiosks. For example, retailers could opt to use digital advertising to promote their frequent shopper program and then make it easy for shoppers to enroll at self-service kiosks.

“The deli is often one of the highest profit centers for grocers, but it can also be the most frustrating and delay-filled part of the customer’s shopping experience,” says Dusty Lutz, general manager, NCR Netkey kiosk and digital signage solutions. “Grocers can use the NCR Netkey deli ordering application as part of an integrated loyalty program, in a converged retailing – or ‘c-tailing’ – manner, to deliver targeted offers to consumers and simplify ordering for loyalty card members based on their previous purchases, saving valuable time and improving the shopping experience.”

NCR Netkey is one of NCR’s c-tailing solutions, a set of software and services that enable retailers to offer consumers greater personalization and consistency across channels, such as the Internet, mobile devices, social media and in the store.

Christie DIgital has announced it will showcase its 4K DLP Cinema projectors at #ibc2010 next week but there’s a strong rumour that they have something else new up their sleeve.

Back in March we wrote a piece ‘New Outdoor Network For Digicom‘ based on a tease that Digicom Executive Chairman Tom Goddard threw out a #ISE2010′s #DOOHBizConf.

We hear that the network, most likely to be called Citinet is probably a joint venture with Philips. We believe that parts of the network are set to go live during mid October and more so, we understand that C-nario has been chosen as the software vendor.

A screen in Liverpool is likely to be the first up. This could be a great network for the UK especially with the London 2012 Olympics getting closer.

Chris Fulton of FUTURE Software is to Deliver one of the Keynote Speeches at IBC 2010

The title of his presentation will be ‘Digital Signage, Then, Now, and Tomorrow?’ Giving an insight into his views around the digital out-of-home market. The opportunities and challenges in the context of the wider outdoor advertising and communications industry and technology/media development.

Chris will be making this address in the IBC Digital Signage Zone business briefings at 11:00am on Friday 10 September.

About Future Software

Future Software Ltd is a UK-based company with a proven track record of software development for the satellite, broadcast, corporate and retail markets. For over 20 years, the company has provided high levels of expertise, creativity, and focus enabling its clients to realise their technical and business aspirations. The company’s digital signage product range, DigiSHOW, is deployed in installations ranging from small, single player applications through to sophisticated multi-national networks

Times Innovative Media Limited (TIML) has selected the C-nario Digital Signage Platform for a rollout at Mumbai international airport’s recently inaugurated and state-of-the-art Terminal 1C, catering to domestic traffic.

Times Innovative Media Limited (TIML) is the largest Out of Home media solutions company in India with exclusive advertising rights for Mumbai International Airport and Delhi International Airport, apart from many other prestigious media properties across India. TIML is part of the Times of India group, India’s largest and most influential media house.

C-nario was selected by TIML as the technological platform provider, and Apseco Systems & Software, a Mumbai-based company specializing in audio-visual solutions, services and installations, was selected as the integrator.

Yael Elstein, VP Marketing, C-nario told us “Airports are a strategic market for us. Today, an increasing number of airports understand the advantages and benefits of digital signage, including high-resolution pixel-perfect content in a multi-display, multi-channel environment, capturing the attention of passengers and delivering useful information.”

The digital signage network at Mumbai airport comprises ten 47-inch LCD screens. The content plan is to have RSS-based news headlines, RSS- based astrology forecasts, and weather reports for selected cities, apart from Live TV and advertisements – all in the highest pixel resolution. C-nario’s platform enables advertisers to upload and approve ads via the Web.

“C-nario’s software enables us to serve passengers with news, useful information and advertisements in key areas of the airports including check-in, arrivals, departures, security hold area and others,” said Aman Nanda, Sr. Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Strategic Acquisitions, TIML. “We were highly impressed with C-nario’s experience in leading airports worldwide and the performance of its platform.”

Nice mention for Gas Station TV in this month’s edition of our favourite magazine MONOCLE (page 098, issue 36, volume 04, September 2010).

Whilst only a short piece it’s great to see our industry networks hit the mainstream press (as regular readers will know – it’s our belief that industry associations should be helping here and are doing a damn poor job in getting any traction in this area), it reads…

News from the pumps

US road trips are becoming even more American – now there’s no need ever to leave our beloved television. Gas Station TV (GSTV) is a fast-growing network of screens built into the tops of petrol pumps to “enhance the fuellng experience”. The TV’s play a continuous four-and-a-half-minute loop of NBC News, weather and ESPN Sport.

GSTV has expanded to more than 8,000 screens at 1,100 petrol stations and delivers more tahn 27 million “pump views” per month. In the last year, GSTV has doubled sales, increased staff by 30 per cent and tripled its office space at its headquarters in Birmingham, Michiga. PepsiCo has just signed a multi-year, multi-brand deal with GSTV.

Perhaps with no place else to label it (or a lack of understanding what it was) the journalist filed it under, or the editor tagged the story as | USA Television |

Word reaches us that as part of its new store concept, Carrefour has started equipping it’s stores with, wait for it, kiosks and digital signage! Two pilot stores in the suburbs of Lyon – Venissieux and Ecully have three touch screens per store, centrally controlled, installed at the head of gondolas for white goods (washing machines, cookers, Le fridge etc)

The systems in place describe the range of products available in stores and also serve as a tool for decision support for the client. 


Specifically, these terminals allow customers to browse the entire catalog offered by Carrefour Major Appliances, thus supplementing the present demonstration products in stores.

The interactive screens are a joint venture between Bluefox and Cisco VAR Axians and the point of sale and the wall screens are a joint venture between Bluefox and Mediaperformance (a French agency).

There are 80 media players per Carrefour store are currently provided by Cisco.

Two Toronto companies: Dorsey Digital Media Inc., a digital out-of-home media services provider to business and Vertigo Digital Displays Inc., designers and manufacturers of digital display solutions in North America, have collaborated to co-develop an innovative fully integrated Digital Mall Directory solution for malls.

The system, believed to be the first of its kind, features Vertigo’s new ‘Galleria’ digital display, consisting of two commercial grade 70” LCD screens, networkable media players, patent-pending DACS cooling system, protective safety and anti glare glass, and additional features that make servicing the unit simple and efficient.

The Digital Mall Directory system also includes custom branding of each unit to integrate with unique mall branding requirements. With a double-sided unit, one side is dedicated to showcasing a multizone
mall map and directory information while the other side is dedicated to mall communication and third party advertising messaging.

“This is a game changer for mall operators,” says Stephen Dorsey, CEO and chief creative officer at Dorsey Digital Media. “Moving from static directories to a 21st century digital media platform will offer mall operators greater flexibility on how they communicate with shoppers in a more timely and targeted manner. This solution will make it easier for malls to go digital with a fully integrated system that can help them enhance the customer experience and shopping environment.”

The Digital Mall Directory system comes ready as a plug-and-play solution with an advance media player and XP-based software platform. Design, installation, network management, and technical service support are provided as a one-source, end-to-end solution. Dorsey Digital Media has designed a content production program specifically for the digital mall directory that enables quick updates to mall map and directory information, and the ability to target timely messaging to each individual directory throughout a mall. Third-party driven advertising programs can also be seamlessly ‘plugged-in’ within the fully integrated system.

“We’re proud that Vertigo’s innovative digital display design capabilities and products contributed to bringing the Digital Mall Directory to life,” says Ralph Idems, COO, Vertigo Digital Displays, adding that Vertigo is looking forward to working with the Dorsey team to bring the digital mall directory system to malls across North America.”

The first Digital Mall Directory system has already been deployed in a major mall in Toronto, with additional units scheduled for installation this fall.