April 19, 2009
LAS VEGAS — Harris Corporation, an international communications and information technology company, is beginning a pilot program with McDonald's in May that will launch the fast-food chain's unique, branded TV channel — powered by Harris Digital Signage solutions — into 20 restaurants around the country. The announcement follows on the heels of two successful trials at the technology-inspired Viva McDonald's location on the Las Vegas Strip, and an additional McDonald's restaurant in Norwalk, Calif.
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"The McDonald's-Harris relationship has been essential to getting this project to the pilot stage," said Brad Hunter, West Division marketing officer for McDonald's. "It is comforting to know that Harris can manage this end-to-end platform, allowing McDonald's to focus on the day-to-day operation of its restaurants."
"As the technology enabler for the McDonald's Channel, Harris InfoCaster delivers a wonderful viewing experience for McDonald's customers," said Lee Edmonson of ChannelPort Communications. "The InfoCaster-driven channel surpasses typical digital signage networks in quality and capabilities to produce a true broadcast experience, similar to what consumers see at home."
"We are pleased to announce the expansion of the McDonald's Channel technical trials featuring Harris Digital Signage based on the early success of the Las Vegas and Norwalk installations," said Tim Thorsteinson, president of Harris Broadcast Communications. "Harris Digital Signage solutions will provide broadcast-quality entertainment and information to McDonald's patrons for the duration of this pilot, with opportunities to extend the capabilities of the network into cross-promotional advertising and other revenue-generating opportunities."
The three parties anticipate a pilot of several months and will then evaluate the potential for a wider rollout.