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The top digital signage stories of 2008, Part 1
We highlight the movers and shakers, new technology and projects that made headlines in the past year.
December 28, 2008
Although 2008 will probably go down as the year of the economic downturn, the digital signage industry saw its strongest year to date. We began to see some of the long-awaited consolidation by industry leaders. Major companies like Wal-Mart and the "Big 3" TV networks began taking digital signage seriously and improving upon their existing networks. And digital signage is becoming a more accountable advertising medium through new measurement techniques.
Here are the top developments and headlines from the past year.
Hughes acquires HeliusIn this networking deal which took place in February, Helius became a subsidiary of Hughes. The deal was worth $30.5 million.
Hughes specializes in broadband satellite networking solutions and operates HughesNet, a network that combines broadband and terrestrial connection technology with the company's managed services. Helius also has a stake in the IP-over-satellite market, offering a content distribution network suite for broadcasting data for digital signage, distance training and e-learning. Since the acquisition was completed, Helius' IP video has been distributed over the HughesNet digital media network.
Hughes and Helius were already familiar with each other, having collaborated in the past on projects for Safeway grocery stores. The companies also had an OEM relationship for about two years, said Mike Tippets, president and CEO of Helius.
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Tom Harrison explains Scala's ad management software at DSE 2008. |
During Digital Signage Expo 2008 in Las Vegas, Scala made the announcement that it would acqire Market Information Services of Canada Inc. and rename the company as Scala Canada. MISC was well-known in the digital advertising industry for its Charting Pro software, which Scala has re-branded as Ad Manager. For Scala, this acquisition also marked the beginning of the company's "Connected Signage" initiative, where the company is working to bring ad management for digital and static ads into the same software platform.
OP, Samsung deliver Las Vegas outdoor digital ad network
Installation began in October on one of the most advanced outdoor digital signage networks to date, as Samsung partnered with Outdoor Promotions for digital ad network at bus shelters along the Las Vegas Strip.
Samsung provided 18 70-inch high-brightness screens at bus shelters spanning the Vegas strip from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on the south side of the Strip to the Riviera Hotel and Casino at the north end.
The companies estimated that each LCD sign, which will deploy localized audio as well as full video, will be seen by an estimated 1.5 million pedestrians and 1.8 million cars per month. Twenty more shelters along the Strip are also planned for 2009.
Planet Hollywood casino becomes Panasonic flagship site
Also in Vegas, Panasonic announced the completion of its screen installation at Planet Hollywood Casino. The installation began with 50 plasmas in the Planet Dailies' coffee shop, ranging from 32 to 60 inches.The casino floor features 200 plasma screens as well as ceiling-mounted digital projectors. In the Heart Bar, there are 32 65-inch screens set up into two video walls. There are also ceiling-mounted plasmas in the elevators.
On the outside of the building, Panasonic installed a 57-ft high LED screen flanked with a 180-ft pylon with back to back 40x30 square foot LED boards. Wrapping around the entire building is a 600-ft LED ribbon display.
Wal-Mart launches new Smart Network
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The Wal-Mart SMART Network will emphasize customer interaction. |
PRN, Wal-Mart's current TV network operator, will operate the second-gen network, and the company has tapped DS-IQ for reporting and analytics of the network.
Check this site tomorrow for Part 2.
AdvertisingLarge-Scale DeploymentState of the Art Digital SignageExponation, LLCHughesIngram Micro ProAV/Digital Signage Business UnitScala
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