Kara Ullmann Joins Seedtag

April 12th, 2024

Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief

Kara Ullmann has joined Seedtag as Head of Political in the US. In this role, she will be responsible for establishing Seedtag’s go-to-market strategy, building key relationships, and leveraging the company’s contextual AI capabilities to support political agencies and organizations in achieving their goals.

Based in the D.C. region, Kara brings more than 15 years of experience in digital media, having worked with agencies and brands across various industries and markets, including the political category. She has been an active member of the American Association for Political Consultants (AAPC) and was recently honored to serve as a judge for the prestigious Pollie Awards.

“Strengthening our leadership team with top industry talent has been a key part of our strategy. Kara brings a powerful combination of political and digital media expertise that will be crucial as we strive to deliver privacy-compliant targeting for political agencies, candidates, and causes through our contextual AI capabilities,” said Brian Danzis, President of North America at Seedtag. “Kara’s demonstrated track record, coupled with her expertise and recognition in the political sphere, arrives at a critical time. As we spearhead innovation, we aim to provide campaigns with unrivaled capabilities for meaningful voter engagement. I am convinced that her contributions will be pivotal in our ongoing success.”

Kara’s appointment comes as Seedtag continues to innovate within the contextual advertising space, providing new ways for political campaigns to foster connections with voters. By leveraging Seedtag’s AI platform, Liz, political advertisers can identify topics and keywords that resonate with key audiences, enabling them to craft compelling narratives and reach specific voters with greater relevance.

Seedtag is the leading Contextual Advertising Company that creates highly impactful and engaging digital ads within relevant premium content, powering targeting and returns for top publishers and the finest brands. The company’s contextual AI, Liz, allows brands to engage with consumers within their universe of interest on a cookie-free basis.

Seedtag was founded in Madrid in 2014 by two ex-googlers who wanted to get the most out of editorial images. Today, it is a global company with more than 500 employees and a significant international presence, with offices in Spain, France, Italy, the U.K., Benelux, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, UAE, Peru, Canada, the U.S., and India.

JCDecaux Australia Launches JC3D Nationwide

April 11th, 2024

Tristan Cotterill

JCDecaux Australia has launched broadcast-scale 3D (JC3D) across its Airport and Rail network. JC3D is now available on over 450 screens and multiple formats nationally, providing brands with an innovative platform to create memorable marketing experiences that resonate with audiences.

Max Eburne, Chief Commercial Officer, JCDecaux, told us “For a long time our clients have been wanting a 3D solution that offers more than a one-off stunt. With the activation of our broadcast-scale 3D across more than 450 screens spanning our national Rail network and Sydney and Perth Airports, JCDecaux is establishing a new era of immersive advertising experiences.”

With the highly anticipated survival series Alone Australia which launched on SBS at the end of March, the network embraced the opportunity to engage audiences through JC3D as part of its marketing campaign. Using 3D as part of the broader campaign meant SBS could bring the drama of the new season to life, drawing audiences to the series.

Jane Palfreyman, Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, SBS, was quoted as saying “Alone Australia is one of our biggest and most valuable TV franchises and we were pleased to partner with JCDecaux and Hearts & Science on this innovative campaign. Using JCDecaux’s 3D solution allowed us to go beyond being a mere advert; it’s an experience that captures the audiences leaving a lasting impression – just as Alone Australia does. The JCDecaux team developed the final 3D creative for us, conveying the thrill of Alone Australia in a visually compelling and narrative-driven way, which connects audiences to the raw experience of the Alone contestants braving the elements on their own in their bid to survive the longest.”

This outdoor campaign was booked by SBS’s media agency Hearts & Science. Georgia Leathart, Hearts & Science Head of Strategy said “The choice to use outdoor 3D creative to showcase New Zealand’s wildlife was intentional. This allowed us to communicate effectively to audiences the change of location and scenery for this year’s season.”

Airports and rail stations are ideal locations for 3D, where higher dwell times allow for extended engagement.

Alone Australia Season 2 successfully launched on March 28 with episode one seen by more than 812,000 Australians with numbers continuing to climb through SBS On Demand viewing. SBS’s 3D Out-of-Home campaign is complemented by Transit, Small Format, and Large Format across the eastern seaboard.

*New* MMA’s #AI Leadership Coalition (ALC)

April 11th, 2024

Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief

In advance of MMA’s POSSIBLE event which kickstarts next Monday, Ee note that the MMA has announced the launch of its AI Leadership Coalition (ALC).

It is described as a pioneering initiative to drive responsible and effective applications of AI to marketing. The ALC is claimed to be the largest coalition of its kind, bringing together over 300 marketers from more than 160 companies.

At the POSSIBLE event the ALC will feature:

  • An update on Think Tank research for a year now by MMA into AI-driven Personalization and its performance boost (+149% on average)
  • An approach to consumer insights research that cuts time from months to hours.
  • A CMO-only session on responsible AI and the six to seven documents MMA is releasing this year.

The MMA has 40+ experiments/research or guides that they are seeking to complete this year and nearly a dozen other opportunities for education.

KrowdSense, A New Retail Analytics Platform

April 11th, 2024

Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief

KrowdSense is a new wireless occupancy scanner developed to measure storefront customer flow, peel rate and dwell times.

We understand that it was created as a partnership between Dallas-based Glass-Media and Toronto-based Kaidu, and are told that the device offers data on traffic and overall engagement necessary to maximize a retailer’s exterior displays.

It’s described as a a cost-effective and privacy-compliant alternative to traditional camera systems that is battery-powered and user-friendly.

The #MiamiTech #OOHMiami Event Schedule

April 10th, 2024

Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief

Next week’s #OOHMiami is the part of #MiamiTech Month that includes all of the big Advertising, AdTECH, OOH and DOOH events.

The DPAA’s LATAM DOOH/Global DOOH event kicks off the week at 16:30 on Monday April 15 at the Fontainebleau Hotel. More details can be found here.

Beyond Ordinary Events, Inc.’s POSSIBLE Event takes place April 15-17 where it was last year at the Fontainebleau Hotel.

GSTV have a cabana #701 at POSSIBLE Event and are also also holding an invite only Mission Possible Happy Hour event that same evening (Monday April 15th) 17:00 – 20:00 at Soho House Miami where a liucky few can join them for cocktails and lite bites on the Soho House Rooftop.

On the evening of Tuesday April 16 from 22:00 – 23:05 in the Fontainebleau’s Expo Garden, Pixis, the Premier Drone Show Company have partnered with LG Ad Solutions and are inviting conference attendees for ‘Drinks & Drones’.

There are quite a few OOH, DOOH and AdTECH folks taking part in POSSIBLE, we note that on Wednesday 17 April 2024, The Neuron’s Founder & CEO Hussein Khader will be on the Innovation Village Stage between 11:02am – 11:12am presenting ‘DOOH for All – The Neuron’s SMB Revolution’.

Registration is now open for our AdAi Miami Conference which is aimed at those in AI interested in Advertising and those in advertising interested in AI. This half day conference will take place Wednesday April 17 at our usual haunt in Miami, namely Ampersand Studios, (located centrally) 31 NE 17th Street Miami, FL 33132.

The eMerge Americas Global Conference which is celebrating 10 years of transformational work this year takes place April 18-19, 2024 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

You can check out all the exciting #MiamiTech events happening in South Florida during April 2024 here

Jolt First Party Data Providing Consumer Insights For Brands

April 10th, 2024

Tristan Cotterill

JOLT, the third-party verified sustainable digital out-of-home and electric vehicle charging network tells us that it recently leveraged its first-party data to provide ‘unparalleled’ consumer insights for brand partners at scale for the first time.

They have delved into their active, opt-in EV charging community to gauge consumer trends, behaviours and opinions, providing a comprehensive bank of audience insights relevant to brand partners. Topics include lifestyle, category trends, spending habits, and sentiment on trending societal themes, along with quantitative information, all of which is unmatched by any other out-of-home operator nationwide.

JOLT’s customer data has revealed the continued rise of the “profoundly conscious” consumer, demonstrating their steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability.

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The Power of Hyperlocal: A Retail Media Owner’s Guide

April 9th, 2024

Adrian J Cotterill, Editor-in-Chief

In today’s competitive environment, capturing attention and driving engagement – whether in stores, pubs, restaurants, or other customer-facing spaces – requires a smarter approach.

Hyperlocal targeting, fueled by data and real-time insights, is the key to delivering relevant, in-the-moment experiences that resonate with modern consumers.

The folks over at LDSK have put together this guide which explores the core concepts of hyperlocal targeting, along with the benefits it offers across industries and real-world examples of its success.

Sharp/NEC Sustainability, Security & Safety @PTExpo

April 9th, 2024

Andrew Neale

Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe will be showcasing the latest innovations in sustainable display and signage solutions at Passenger Terminal Expo April 16-18 in Frankfurt, Germany.

Highlights on stand C70 will pave the way towards a more sustainable future in aviation, demonstrating new energy efficient products such as the dvLED FE Series and the Sharp ePaper displays which significantly reduce power consumption.

“As the aviation sector looks for efficiencies in ground operations, long-life digital display solutions can offer a reliable easy win, with new technologies significantly reducing operating costs whilst improving the passenger experience”, declares Simon Hayes, Business Segment Lead Transportation at Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe. “We understand the challenges that airport operators are facing, where sustainability, security and safety are of critical concern, and we offer our aviation customers a trusted long-term partnership on the route to net zero”.

Consuming 60% less power than standard SMD technology at the same brightness, the third-generation FE Series with Flip-Chip SMD technology significantly improves energy efficiency whilst also enhancing heat dissipation and durability to further extend the lifecycle for an overall more sustainable solution. To captivate, engage, and inform passengers, the new LED FE Series delivers an uninterrupted visual experience while keeping operating costs at a minimum. Crucially important for large-scale visualisation in airports, the improved design also ensures low electromagnetic emissions allowing for full EMC Class-B certification at module level for safe operation without negative interference with other electronic devices.

Another innovative development towards the carbon-neutral era is ePaper technology. Consuming a remarkable zero-watts during content playback and drawing only minimal power when content changes, ePaper is ideal for static information display – for simple wayfinding, and check-in or gate signage. The low-reflection paper-like surface presents content that appears brighter in high ambient light conditions, with excellent contrast, wide viewing angles, and fine resolution. In addition, the ePaper displays feature an integrated System on a Chip (SoC) for a seamlessly intelligent, secure, and future-proof operation.

Powerful SDM or RPi slot-in computing is seamlessly embedded into Sharp/NEC’s customisable Large Format Displays bringing flexibility and secure protection against cyber-attacks, whilst high quality components and all metal chassis design prioritise fire safety, robust longevity, and the circular economy.

The @OMA_Australia Awards’ Finalists

April 9th, 2024

Tristan Cotterill

The Outdoor Media Association (OMA) presents its highly anticipated annual Industry Awards ceremony that will be held on the 2nd of May at the Pearl Ballroom, Crown Sydney.

The OMA Awards shine a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of industry professionals who have tirelessly pushed the boundaries of Out of Home (OOH) advertising.

They serve as a testament to the dedication and talent of individuals who continuously elevate the industry with their innovative ideas and contributions.

This year the OMA introduced two new award categories, ‘Excellence in Design and Construction’ and ‘Excellence in Field Work and Work Health and Safety’. Overall, the awards received a record 96 nominations, underscoring the abundance of talent within the industry and the OMA’s expanding membership base, which represents nearly 100 percent of OOH companies in Australia.

The judging panel included Independent Chairman Charles Parry-Okeden, Steve O’Connor from JCDecaux, Adam Cadwallader from Motio, Laura Hall from Helio, Sara Lappage from QMS, and Dee Madigan from Campaign Edge.

Elizabeth McIntyre, CEO of OMA, told us “The OMA Conference and OMA Industry Awards offer an outstanding opportunity to highlight the collaborative endeavours of the OMA and its members. Since stepping into my role, I am continually impressed by the industry’s cohesion and dedication to propelling the OOH channel forward as a unified entity.”

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Beyond Digital Acquired By @Zeta_Display

April 9th, 2024

Andrew Neale

ZetaDisplay AB (publ) announced the acquisition of Beyond Digital Solutions Ltd, a UK company.

No money seems to have changed hands as the (very brief) announcement said that the acquisition was fully funded by equity from ZetaDisplay’s owner, Hanover Investors.