PlayNetwork And C-nario Partner But We Ask Why?

Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief

As you know we like to question, analyse and dissect Press Releases rather than just re-publish them as much of the press and as many sites do. The latest press release to hit our email in-box is from C-nario and we have to say it is much improved from previous ones, though C-nario never did / have stuck to the deal we had with them where we would review / preview their Press Releases before publication.

At least this one doesn’t have too much of the ‘superlatives’ – market leader this and global champion that, for example.

Effectively PlayNetwork and C-nario have partnered (we assume in the US) to, as they say, address the ‘Growing Demand for Multi-Screen, Multi-Channel Digital Signage Deployments’

This looks like a good deal for C-nario but we wonder why PlayNetwork have partnered with them when surely a better fit would have been someone with a music heritage like YCD.

Play Networks already claim a UK / European relationship with Imagesound

“Our affiliate partners in Europe and Asia, Imagesound Music, and Nippon Rediffusion Ltd.”

And of course, Imagesound are a claimed YCD partner / reseller / customer!!

PlayNetwork and C-nario Partner to Address Growing Demand for Multi-Screen, Multi-Channel Digital Signage Deployments

Partnership combines PlayNetwork’s Video Media Services expertise and C-nario’s state-of-the-art digital signage solutions for digital signage networks of any scale

Redmond, WA and Dallas, TX— March 11, 2008 — PlayNetwork, the leading provider of integrated media experiences for business, and C-nario, an established market leader in state-of-the-art digital signage solutions, today announced a strategic partnership to address the growing market for synchronized multi-channel digital signage solutions. Specifically, the partnership aims to put the combined power of PlayNetwork’s Video Media Services expertise and C-nario’s state-of-the-art digital signage solutions directly in the hands of companies looking to deploy synchronized, multi-screen, multi-channel digital signage networks.

Already deployed in 26 countries, C-nario’s technology enables and empowers digital signage networks by providing unparalleled playback and management capabilities of complex, better-than-broadcast-quality video displays in an extensive range of high-traffic environments. The highly scalable software can run 10,000 concurrent content “channels” across single- or multi-screen deployments, creating standard sized displays with the properties of a much larger canvas at a fraction of the cost. The C-nario software manages the entire process of content scheduling and distribution for a seamless digital signage experience.

PlayNetwork has been at the forefront of providing Video Media Services to the retail and hospitality industry, creating custom video programming that drives brand recognition and supports overall marketing efforts for some of today’s hottest brands. The combined PlayNetwork – C-nario solution provides a complete end-to-end synchronized, multi-screen, multi-channel digital signage solution, from creative direction and content creation to systems installation and infrastructure management.

“As more companies rely on PlayNetwork to provide end-to-end digital media experiences, our partnership with C-nario helps us deliver on increasingly complex digital signage application demands from our customers, and allows us to employ the most creative use of video content to compliment our audio, systems and messaging solutions,” said James Condon, Senior Vice President, Video Media Services for PlayNetwork, Inc. “With C-nario’s technology, we can now offer even more robust and differentiated digital signage solutions to our customers.”

“The agreement underscores the growing demand for the very powerful and dynamic digital signage software solutions that C-nario engineers,” said Neil McGowan, President and COO of C-nario, Inc. “We are enabling PlayNetwork to easily produce digital signs with the stopping power that their customers in various sectors, such as retail and hospitality, are demanding. The alliance represents an important milestone in our mission to produce software solutions that enable and empower the next generation of digital signage networks.”

About PlayNetwork

PlayNetwork, Inc. is an integrated media services leader for worldwide business. PlayNetwork provides branded video (digital signage), audio (music and messaging), promotional media, quality audio/video systems, and professional services that deliver compelling experiences for retail, hospitality, health and fitness, retail banking and other businesses. Established in 1996, Redmond, Washington-based PlayNetwork services leading national brands such as: Abercrombie & Fitch, Brinker International, Chico’s, Diesel, Hot Topic, Houlihan’s, Petco Animal Supplies, Starbucks Coffee Company, TGI Friday’s, The Finish Line and Under Armour. The XM for Business service is now managed by PlayNetwork through a new strategic relationship with XM Satellite Radio. More information is available at www.playnetwork.com or www.xm4biz.com.


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