The Digital Signage Expert » digital out-of-home

AEON National Rollout in Japan

Ronni Guggenheim — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:33:11 +0000

I just returned from a trip to Japan where I have seen parts of a national rollout of AEON, the leading supermarket and shopping malls operator. We believe the rollout was done with Scala software and all screens are connected with Minicom Digital Signage’s DS Vision 3000 systems, allowing for full screen control over CAT5.

Have a look at a local TV footage:

User generated content in digital signage. No one ever fully convinced me.

Piet Hein Goosens — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:36:06 +0000

It is an often heard phenomenon these days to integrate UGC into the content programming of DS screens. I know, technical aspects aren’t an obstacle anymore. And I also know, some target groups are more than ready for it. But it still makes me shiver to open your bandwidth for everyone who wants to upload their own mobile-phone-shot-clips or pictures. What about viruses, what about abusive content and how to control it, and most important what about your advertisers who bought expensive airtime during the same loop of content? Do they like to be exposed to possible abusive content next to theirs?

I know, there are more possibilities. Let people edit their own clips or impressions at home on their own laptop. After an editor censored it the content always can be broadcasted in a safe way. But this is expensive and a time raising effort.

But what are the benefits of UGC? During a concert, a soccer game or on a large screens as just have been placed in London UGC may work. It even might be fun. But, always involve your advertisers if you decide to do it.
In my opinion UGC gives you, as a network owner, more headache than profit. I am not convinced at all. And please let’s be careful. At last companies are learning and accepting to book more money for content. So why should we take a risk to integrate UGC if the benefits are not clear at the moment. Perhaps I am wrong. Would be nice if someone could convince me…

Okay, one last note; I wrote about it before, lately a UGC concept was given birth at bus.top. Think this kind of UGC could make sense. But then again, I hope they can control the guys who wants to upload abusive content.

FIFA, Cape Town and Digital Signage – All-in-one

Elizabeta — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:42:16 +0000

Yes, we are talking about the draw for football World Cup, that will for the first time take place on the African continent. The ceremony was held yesterday, in Cape Town, and we were once again impressed by the way that FIFA uses contemporary technology at their high-profile events.

This time, on the 4.600 square meters stage, they managed to install huge screens, which showed live the draw results, run different content (artist videos, Nelson Mandela’s speech etc)

It wasn’t only the stage that was digitilized for the occasion. The hall was as well…

…just like a space in front of the Cape Town congress centre, where all the fans without VIP tickets had a chance to take a look of the draw festival live (the pictures are taken from fifa.com).

Digital Signage at Entertainment Venues – Julian Marley Example

Elizabeta — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:14:28 +0000

Yet another example of not even analog, but non-digital stage. At Friday night, here in Switzerland, just before the snow, we had a pleasure of listening to one of the Royalties – Julian Marley.

Music was great, atmosphere as well, but the stage was so disappointing. It was completely display-free zone. The only sign/scenography was the big designed drape with the name of the artist, his band, and their latest published CD.Is it the way to go in 21. century?

The space, KiFF in Aarau, where the event took place was definitely prepared for digitalizing. See some of the examples of previous events at the same place (pictures taken from kiff.ch).

Digital Signage Expert Tour in India – Twitter summary

Elizabeta — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:43:00 +0000

As we said couple days ago – the Tour’s next stop was in India. And, according to the pictures, many people managed to “light the candles on the knowledge” that was shared that evening.

Next to the event’s review from yesterday, we can also share the tweets from Ronni Guggenheim, which can outline the agenda of the event. Enjoy the reading!

· at “Expert Tour” event in Bangalore organized by Emarson, Scala, LG and Minicom Digital Signage.Education & networking, no sales&marketing!

· digital signage in india: still in honeymoon phase. many non-networked displays.

· presentation by Scala at “Expert Tour India”. Scala working soon on digital photo frames

· over 80 persons attending Digital Signage “Expert Tour” in Bangalore!

· Scala setting up Indian office in Bangalore. 35 projects so far.

· next presentation: Satheesh, President of Tag Media, India’s first DooH network reaching 20′000′000 consumers every day!

· Tag media: honeymoon is over! Call DooH InstoreTV. Compare it to sales of TV advertising…

· Tag Media: seeking close cooperation with main players such as 3M, Minicom Digital Signage, Samsung, etc. to create total solution

· Tag Media: 2010 will be THE year for DooH in India!Major challenge in India: connectivity to location. 3G will change a lot.

· Tag Media: metrics and standards projects by OVAB very important!

· wow, what an event (Expert Tour in Bangalore, India)! >100participants networking till late night.

On the Road to London 2012 – 360 Degree LED

Elizabeta — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 19:22:00 +0000

On November 1st, we broke the 1000 days until the Olympic games in London. For this occasion, a “giant electronic information band at the top of the iconic BT Tower in London. The 360 degree LED array was switched on for the first time this evening (31st October) with a pyrotechnic display and a message to celebrate 1000 days to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games”.

Above is the video of the fireworks on that day, with the LED in front plan.

The VIRTUAL Digital Signage Expert Tour goes LIVE

Elizabeta — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:12:00 +0000

And now – to take the Digital Signage Expert Tour – you don’t have to invest money into visiting the shows, or even move from your comfortable chair! Why is that? Simple reason – we brought the virtual version of The Digital Signage Expert Tour™ to you.

The Tour provides an explanation of the role of the different puzzle pieces involved in a digital signage installation as well as looking at some of the leading players in the industry and the roles they play. – says Dave Haar.

By simply clicking on the pieces of puzzle, one can get information about the particular part of the industry. Or, in the case one wants to get a complete overview of the full digital signage food chain – lean back and take the entire tour. One can even make a break as one pleases, and continue on some other occasion.

Since it is just launched, we would be happy to get your feedback! And, due to the fact that the number of featured technologies and vendors will expand – it would be a good idea to visit the Tour periodically.

OVAB Europe attractive for OOH Companies

Elizabeta — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:14:00 +0000

German magazine Horizont published today very interesting interview with Dirk Hülsermann, Director of Business Development at Neo Advertising and president of OVAB Europe. Title of the article is “Gold-digger mood is dominating the market” is more than indication of what is the interview about.

Among other things, we learn from this interview that the OVAB Europe is opening the doors for the OOH companies, which is an important move in the development of the association. Out-of-home media are today around 5-6 % digitalized. Mr. Hülsermann sees no danger in the customers getting bored with digital signage, since the information displayed is in the interest of the passengers. It can come to satiety only if the screens are running advertisement exclusively. And, last but not least, the next level of the digital signage development is in interactivity.

Good reading, I would recommend it to all our German speaking readers.

Siel-Satis-Radio – Showing the French Market Trends

Elizabeta — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:29:00 +0000

Siel-Satis-Radio is one of the two big digital signage events in France. L’Affichage Dynamique had a significant place at this years show, which took place October 20-22 in Paris, although the ultimate themes were broadcast tv and audio. Nevertheless, almost full digital signage food chain was presented – in the puzzle, only content creation and integrator representatives were missing.

Two main trends are spotted, or better say, confirmed over there:

3D digital signage
Touch screen installations

About the show itself… next to the very fancy VIP club (see the photo above), Apple Village was, as usual, eye catching, this time with open training area for software products (of course, software compatible with their products).

Très bien!

Wisdom of Video and Italian Digital Signage Market

Elizabeta — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:35:00 +0000

When I think about digital signage in Italy, my first thought is: so many museums with an urgent need for some signage, preferably digital! Imagine Uffizi in Florence with running presentations about Botticelli, Birth of Venus and La Primavera! One wouldn’t even have to carry those heavy exhibition guides – the info would be in each room…

Yes, the market in Italy is still developing, and there is finally a company that might be a real answer to all its needs – Videosophia – wisdom of video, in free translation (greek. sophia = wisdom). Since they offer full support on end-to-end digital signage solutions – we can freely say: segnaletica digitale era in Italy has begun!