New @signageOS Universal Remote Desktop Feature

June 11th, 2024

Andrew Neale

signageOS has just launched a Universal Remote Desktop feature.

We are told that this advanced capability, developed in-house, integrates seamlessly with the signageOS CloudControl platform and existing ecosystem, offering a superior device management experience for the digital signage industry.

Lukas Danek, Chief Product Officer of signageOS told us “At signageOS, we are thrilled to introduce the Universal Remote Desktop feature, a groundbreaking addition to our CloudControl platform. Developed entirely in-house, this innovation empowers users to troubleshoot and configure a single device and then seamlessly deploy these changes to thousands of devices programmatically. We are setting a new standard for efficiency and scalability in a single digital signage management product. This feature underscores our dedication to delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance operational efficiency and drive significant cost savings for our users”.

The Universal Remote Desktop solution by signageOS demonstrates our commitment to creating innovative solutions that meet our users’ needs and ensure their satisfaction. This new functionality allows users to open remote desktop sessions on a diverse range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Android, BrightSign, and Tizen, with more platforms on the horizon.

With the feature, signageOS users gain remote control and configuration capabilities, vastly improving the management of diverse displays. Integrated seamlessly into their platform, it offers a programmatic approach to Remote Desktop, empowering users to script sessions and execute actions at scale via a REST API. Whether it’s setting up a new device or troubleshooting an existing one, Universal Remote Desktop provides an intuitive interface for real-time interaction without physical access. This reduces reliance on on-site technical support, resulting in significant time and cost savings.

Ashton Bentley Acquired By @KramerAV

June 11th, 2024

Tristan Cotterill

Kramer, the leading company in audio-visual experiences, has acquired Ashton Bentley, a UK-based provider of collaboration spaces. This acquisition is a pivotal step in Kramer’s three-year strategy, elevating its capabilities and offerings in the Unified Communication and Collaboration (UCC) domain.

Ashton Bentley’s solutions enhance Kramer’s current offerings, providing the most integrated and seamless solution in the market. This strategic move will allow Kramer to deliver a comprehensive audio-visual experience, encompassing a coherent, end to end approach to hybrid conferencing From Audio Visual enabled meeting room furniture to display mounts, alongside high-quality Audio-Visual Technology products.

The acquisition of Ashton Bentley enables Kramer to offer complete meeting room solutions for enterprises in all markets. Providing fully integrated “out of the box” meeting room solutions, ensuring consistent, top-notch hybrid meeting spaces globally.

Ashton Bentley’s solutions are designed for simplicity, efficiency and scalability. Their intuitive installation process reduces the time and cost of setup from days to just a few hours. This ease of use is a testament to the deep integration knowledge and firsthand experience of Ashton Bentley’s leadership. The unique blend of diverse perspectives from their team, combined with a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by system integrators and the needs of global enterprises, has resulted in the most user-friendly and easy-to-install AV solutions available.

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UK Advertising at #CannesLions

June 11th, 2024

Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief

Cannes Lions, the world’s largest Festival celebrating creativity and innovation in advertising, is rapidly approaching.

If you’re heading to Cannes next week, make sure you’ve signed up for the UK
Advertising Association’s events, centred around the Business of Creativity and featuring an incredible line up of talent across sports, advertising and entertainment. Highlights include:

  • In Conversation with Mary Earps

    Hear from Mary Earps, goalkeeper for Manchester United and England and trailblazer, entrepreneur and advocate for the growth and recognition of women’s sport. In partnership with Relo Metrics.

    Note that due to popular demand, this event has moved to a larger venue*

  • Happy Hour: Celebrating the Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport

    Meet Gemma Bonner, Defender, Liverpool FC and Carly Telford, Commercial Manager, Chelsea FC during a special Happy Hour event dedicated to celebrating the incredible rise of women’s sport.

  • Championing Hope: The Refugee Olympic Team and the “1 in 100 Million” Initiative

    Join UK Advertising on the day the Olympic Torch lights up the Croisette to see how the IOC champions the Refugee Olympic Team for Paris 2024. Discover the “1 in 100 Million” initiative and an inspiring short film by Gravity Road, highlighting 36 athletes overcoming immense challenges. Special guest to be announced.

  • A Glass of Marketing with Gio

    Join Giovanni Pupo, Head of Ecommerce, Europe at Lipton, where he uncorks big ideas, shares work and life hacks with special guests including

    Milka Privodanova, VP, Head of EMEA, Pinterest

  • Beyond the Title: Understanding the Modern CMO

    What makes a CMO tick? Find out in this conversation with Rightmove CMO Matt Bushby and Cathay Pacific’s Head of Marketing & Lifestyle, Europe, Lisa Delaney

  • The Taylor Swift Effect

    Fandoms are a powerful economic force that can significantly impact sales and business performance Join us as we delve into “Fandom – Taylor’s Version,” where we’ll explore the impressive off-field impact of the Swift Effect.

  • Female Leaders Meet Up

    Join UK Advertising as we celebrate the resilience, innovation, and leadership prowess of women from around the world who are shaping the future of advertising. With McCann London, Chelsea FC and Mail Metro Media.

  • Harnessing Creativity to Build Deeper Connections with Audiences

    Join expert speakers from Pinterest, Publicis London, Mail Metro Media and MullenLowe to learn how creativity enables us to influence action and connect with audiences in more innovative ways than ever before.

  • From Followers to Founders

    Join us as we explore the powerful role of e-commerce-enabled platforms and learn how they are democratising entrepreneurship and reshaping the global business landscape. Featuring Casper Lee, CVO and Co-Founder, Influencer and Vanessa Craft, Global Head of Partnerships, TikTok

You can check out all their events here. Spaces are limited so book now to avoid disappointment.

Do You Have Questions About Election Advertising?

June 11th, 2024

Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief

Media Smart and the Advertising Association are renewing their awareness campaign ‘What’s the deal with political advertising?’ to help voters understand the ads by political parties they may see in the run up to the UK General Election. The campaign highlights a 10-point guide, freely available to download, which aims to improve political literacy, particularly among young people preparing to vote for the first time.

A 30” video creative, designed by Pearl & Dean Productions, part of CREATE at Pearl & Dean, will appear in Pearl & Dean cinemas and on BVOD on Channel 4, following clearance, subtitling, and delivery through Clearcast. Thought-provoking static executions of the campaign will feature on OOH with Open Media’s sites and from Next Gen Media in university accommodation and sixth form colleges. The industry has been urged to support with media inventory, where possible, to help maximise the awareness campaign and increase circulation of the guide.

Political parties will use advertising as part of their campaigning in the run up to the General Election on July 4, with national election spending limits recently increasing 80% to around £35M. Data released by UK advertising thinktank, Credos, shows 44% of people are concerned about political advertising, with people significantly less likely to trust political advertising (29%) than all/commercial advertising (39%). The research also highlighted that almost three quarters of people (73%) believe that political advertising should be subject to the same rules and regulations as other forms of advertising.

Rachel Barber-Mack, Executive Director, Media Smart, told us “Encouraging young voters to vote, and vote with confidence, is a key part of Media Smart’s mission in the run up to this General Election. Voters should be equipped to understand the messages they will see via advertising and this awareness campaign will help empower political literacy at this vital time.”

Media Smart, the advertising and media industry’s education programme, worked with youth focused creative agency, Livity, to produce the guide which answers questions on electoral advertising rules; digital and AI-generated content; misinformation and fact-checking; and how people can improve their political literacy. It also highlights how regulation around commercial advertising, subject to rules enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), differs to advertising by political parties.

Stephen Woodford, CEO, Advertising Association, said “The countdown to the ballot box is now on and while advertising by political parties is not subject to regulation by the ASA, I believe the advertising industry has a responsibility to educate voters about how the tools of our industry will be used during this time. This is only possible thanks to the generosity of industry partners providing media inventory to help share these resources and I encourage any media owners wishing to donate ad space to get in touch.”

Media Smart is the advertising and media industry’s award-winning education non-profit with a mission to ensure that every 7–21-year-old in the UK can confidently navigate the media they consume including being able to identify, interpret and critically evaluate all forms of advertising. The programme provides free educational resources for teachers, schools, parents/guardians and digital campaigns direct to its youth audience. Subjects include social media, digital advertising, political advertising, scam ads, greenwashing, body image, influencer marketing, creative careers and piracy which are delivered in the classroom, assembly, youth club or at home.

Media Smart also inspires – and provide pathways for – all young people to enter the working world of advertising and media, driven by their increased knowledge, understanding and curiosity about this industry landscape.

The supporter base brings together advertisers, agencies, media and trade bodies to support Media Smart’s mission.

Media Smart was incorporated into the Advertising Association in 2023.  

LUMOS and @dooh_ly Partnership

June 10th, 2024

Tristan Cotterill

Media buyers and suppliers will be the winners from a new partnership between LUMOS, an omni-channel audience intelligence platform and Doohly, Australia’s first independent OOH-focused content management system.

Advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence will be used to analyse near real-time data from LUMOS, to identify consumer patterns and trends. It’ll empower industry professionals with campaign, audience, and locational intelligence, enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) ad campaigns.

LUMOS Chief Executive Officer, Eric Fan told us “we’re using AI-driven methodology to set a new standard for DOOH advertising, to create a contextual and personalised advertising experience for consumers in the OOH environment. AI and machine learning also powers predictive analytics, helping advertisers anticipate future trends and adjust their strategies proactively””

Previously, managing and delivering DOOH campaigns based on audience behaviours was fragmented and required more manual intervention. Advertisers and media owners had to rely on multiple systems and platforms to manage their campaigns, which led to inefficiencies, errors and delays.

With the joint offering from LUMOS and Doohly, marketers and media owners will be able to:

  • Target ads: Easily schedule DOOH creatives to display at specific times and locations based on real-time audience data
  • Optimise in real-time: Adjust campaigns on the fly based on contextual insights, such as increasing ad frequency during peak times or changing content to match audience trends and demographics
  • Analyse performance: Access detailed insights on incremental campaign performance, audience engagement, and location effectiveness, enabling continuous improvement
“This partnership between LUMOS and Doohly marks a significant leap forward in the DOOH landscape. This collaboration enables highly targeted, efficient, and impactful advertising, allowing for real-time adjustments and improved outcomes for campaigns,” says Sean Law of Doohly.

LUMOS also has new product releases set for late July, including the LUMOS Audience Discovery Solution and LUMOS Omni-Planning 2.0.

Over the past six months, we are told that they’ve made some big improvements to how they understand and group people who might be interested in ads. These updates include a more robust predictive engine that can predict more accurately how effective an ad campaign will be. This will help advertisers figure out the best time, place, and content for their ads to reach the most people and get them engaged.

“The Audience Discovery Solution helps businesses to enrich their first-party data and discover prospective customers. We pinpoint specific environments for brands to identify potential customers or gain deeper insights into their existing customer base. This tool is set to transform how CMOs approach growth and customer acquisition strategies”, added Eric Fan.

LUMOS is a Sydney based company and proud member of the OMA and MOVE2.0. At the forefront of MarTech innovation, LUMOS has launched and revolutionised the OOH industry with numerous products and services. Eric Fan is the founder of LUMOS and has been recognised as a Forbes 30 under 30. LUMOS Intelligence is an Audience-Centric media planning and attribution platform, built with the region’s largest audience data lake to enrich OOH campaign insights and media value.

#InfoComm24 @SpinetiX iBX Family On Display

June 10th, 2024

Andrew Neale

SpinetiX is set to present the full range of its all-new iBX family of digital signage players at #InfoComm24 this week.

Building on a legacy of excellence, the iBX line of players offers cutting-edge technology and versatile performance (the players are shipping to distribution partners and available to customers).

The award-winning iBX440 has already made a significant impact on the industry by making high-resolution 4x4K video walls accessible to everyone. With four perfectly synchronized HDMI outputs and powered by the latest Intel® Core™ processor, the iBX440 delivers a seamless 4x4K video wall experience at 60 FPS. This player reflects the SpinetiX commitment to making robust technology both powerful and accessible to anyone.

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#AI Assisted Mobile Wayfinding From @22miles

June 10th, 2024

Andrew Neale

22Miles, a global leader in digital signage software and interactive digital solutions, has unveiled three #AI tools – AI 3D Map Generation, AI Widget, and Offline AI which they say will help accelerate deployments, enhance user experiences, and contain costs for 22Miles wayfinding customers.

The debut of these tools marks a milestone in the company’s commitment to innovating cost-effective, impactful AI features for its core business applications.

“At 22Miles, we recognize the challenges of adopting AI tools, yet we firmly believe these advancements are too valuable for companies to forego,” said Joey Zhao, co-CEO and founder of 22Miles. “We’ve designed our newest AI features with practicality in mind, and we’re proud to empower our customers with easy-to-deploy, cost-effective, and highly impactful experiences for their wayfinding solutions.”

Customers can now enjoy simple, fast and affordable deployment of AI-powered wayfinding and conversational AI solutions, which promise to enhance user experiences while addressing cost and deployment pain points.

  • AI 3D Map Generation
    Interactive mapping has long been a cornerstone in guest experiences, empowering users to navigate and explore venues, events and campuses with confidence. AI 3D Map Generation sets a new standard for efficiency and precision with faster-than-ever design and deployment of interactive wayfinding maps.

    Compared to manual mapping, the AI-driven approach slashes mapping time by 50 to 80 percent, optimizing efficiency while upholding exceptional precision. Operating on the hardware-agnostic 22Miles content management system (CMS), the maps bring advanced wayfinding capabilities to kiosks, signage and mobile devices alike. The maps adhere to ADA compliance standards and support users in navigating even the most complex spaces with ease.

  • AI Widget for CMS
    AI Widget for CMS brings the 22Miles AI Assistant to mobile wayfinding customers seamlessly through the 22Miles CMS platform. With a simple drag, drop, and publish action, the AI widget simplifies the process of adding conversational AI to wayfinding deployments.

    22Miles customers can configure the tool with their preferred greetings, error messages, and ChatGPT accounts. Then, they can deploy and offer customers an AI chatbot, which uses a proprietary training process with live data integration for accurate, context-aware, multilingual outputs to user questions. No additional configuration is required, streamlining the setup process for optimal user engagement and functionality.

  • Offline AI
    22Miles also introduces a new Offline AI system to make instant responses accessible from anywhere, even without Wi-Fi or cellular connection. Offline AI enables customers to offer a conversational AI chatbot within a downloadable AI app that occupies as little as 77MB of storage.

    Because it leverages a proprietary AI model, Offline AI is notably faster than online GPT responses – nearly instantaneous – while keeping customer data secure with local storage. Offline AI also offers predictable pricing regardless of query volume since it does not rely on tokens or pay-per-query like popular online AI models.

The rollout of these features complements the latest AI releases from 22Miles, which aim to improve customer interactions. 22Miles remains committed to advancing AI-powered wayfinding and content management solutions. In Q2 2024, 22Miles plans to release additional updates to its proprietary model and token security improvements for its highly secure online application.

You can learn more about these new features at #Infocomm24 booth W2370.

22Miles is headquartered in Peachtree Corners, Georgia, and is privately held.

Veridooh Partners w/ @Hivestack by Perion

June 10th, 2024

Tristan Cotterill

Veridooh today announced a global partnership with Hivestack by Perion.

We are told that through this partnership, Veridooh’s independent verification technology will become available to all buyers leveraging the Hivestack demand-side platform (DSP) globally.

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The @DSFederation Launch The Digiscape

June 9th, 2024

Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief

The Digital Signage Federation has launched the Digiscape which provides a one-stop shop for buyers and sellers navigating the digital signage landscape. It offers a searchable directory of all DSF member companies categorized by their role in the ecosystem, including content, hardware, software, installation services, and more – to represent and reflect all aspects of a digital-signage based connected deployment

The Digiscape is an interactive chart that categorizes companies in the digital signage industry into four user-friendly sections: Hardware, Software, Services, and Other. With the help of Jim Nista of DSF member company Nista Digital Content, the DSF created this visual representation of its membership in each category to provide viewers with a simple, at-a-glance view of the industry’s landscape. This clear categorization allows users to quickly find the specific solutions they require.

The Digiscape list only current DSF member companies in the Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Advisory Council levels. The number of categories for each company is based on membership level.

Members may update their listings here.

If you are interested in being listed you may learn more from their membership page here.

Miracle Mile Shops @SNAdisplay Upgrade

June 7th, 2024

Andrew Neale

Destination shopping and entertainment center Miracle Mile Shops, adjacent to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, recently underwent a major digital signage renovation.

For the extensive project, SNA Displays built and installed LED spectaculars, direct-view LED throughout the Shops’ interior, and more than a dozen interactive and advertising kiosks.

Miracle Mile Shops is a 1.2-mile, mixed-use venue featuring a circular floor plan and 150 storefronts for retail, dining, and live entertainment.

Design consultant Sensory Interactive partnered with Miller Capital Advisory and the Miracle Mile Shops team to design, monetize, install, launch, and operate the digital Dynamic Real Estate® platform.

Highlights of the modernization project include a massive 229-foot-long exterior façade display and another 130-foot-long LED spectacular, both of which face the busy Las Vegas Strip. The larger of the two includes a tight 19-foot-radius curve and a 90-degree corner wrap to follow the contours of the shopping center’s exterior.

“Spectacular is an understatement,” said Doug Fundator, SNA Displays’ director of sales for casinos and gaming. “The new digital signage network at Miracle Mile Shops is a testament to SNA Displays’ capabilities not just as a display manufacturer but as a services provider who manages the intricate details of complex, multifaceted projects, start to finish. This property has a little of everything – the flashy spectaculars, functional indoor LED, LCD integration, high-end processing, content management, and obviously the expertise to tie it all together for cohesive activations.”

Both LED spectaculars as well as a 38-foot-tall double-sided blade sign at the Harmon Avenue entrance are built with 10 mm EMPIRE™ Exterior LED display technology. Other digital assets installed by SNA Displays include nine BOLD™ Interior LED displays and 17 LCD kiosks.

The nine interior screens are wall-mounted throughout the mall, some above entryways leading to various areas within the shopping center. They employ 4- and 6-mm pixel pitches and range in size, the two largest at 7’8″ x 34’8″ (585 x 2,640 pixels).

The interior aspect of Miracle Mile Shops’ digital network showcases a digital narrative dubbed “the Story of the Elements,” traditional sold media, and brand collaborations. The variety of content is designed to create a unified story that elevates the retail experience and encourages patrons to view the Miracle Mile Shops experience as a premier entertainment destination, staying longer to dine and enjoy the space.

Six of the new walk-up kiosks throughout the property are dedicated to out-of-home advertising and 11 provide interactive directory assistance. BOLDSITE Media is the exclusive media sales partner for the Shops platform.

SNA Displays ran 35,000 linear feet of fiber as part of the extensive digital signage network.

“Massive projects like the digital display network at Miracle Mile Shops require intricate planning, custom engineering and fabrication of the display technology, and coordination with a multitude of partners and trades,” said Rasool Sayed, senior project manager at SNA Displays. Sayed began managing the project in 2022. “With the updated exterior signage, the face of The Strip has definitely been enhanced, and I’m quite proud of the team’s work on this massive project.”

Miracle Mile Shops, adjacent to Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, features more than a mile of premier shops, tempting restaurants and live entertainment venues at the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip. The leading mixed-use project has recently undergone extensive transformations, complete with elevated finishes, upgraded technology and digital design elements. The center is home to lululemon athletica; Sephora; Quay Australia; H&M; the West Coast’s first Rosa Mexicano restaurant featuring authentic Mexican cuisine in an bold atmosphere; Tipsy Robot, the first land-based cocktail bar operated by robots; Chicago popcorn legend Garrett Popcorn Shops’ only Las Vegas location; Nacho Daddy, home of the world-famous Scorpion Shot; 15,000-square-foot bar and restaurant Cabo Wabo® Cantina; Club Tattoo, featuring some of the best tattoo artists and body piercers in the nation. Miracle Mile Shops guests enjoy adjoining access to Planet Hollywood, with 2,500 beautifully redesigned rooms and suites and Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations featuring 1,290 units and four penthouse floors. Miracle Mile Shops is owned by an affiliate of Institutional Mall Investors LLC, a joint venture between Miller Capital Advisory and CalPERS.