NEOTI IS HAVIN' A PARTY!

The fine print of a Digital Signage Company

I've talked about this with others before, and an article came out today in Digital Signage Today about Wireless Ronin taking over the Meijer Network. Eric over at RedPost had a good commentary on it...and it spawned this post.

"When NewSight failed to obtain such financing, we engaged in discussions resulting in Wireless Ronin taking control of the hardware and software constituting the Meijer in-store network." - DST

There is a clause that has been coming about in several digital signage solution providers that basically states that at any time we can have access to your clients...OR we can "engage in discussions resulting in _____ taking control of the hardware and software of _______"

It's a fishy clause, sure it makes sense from a business perspective...and if NewSight (the company they 'obtained' the network from) is in financial peril...this was a calling in of debt. BUT my issue lies with the fact that due to this clause at ANY time the company can walk in and take ownership. Honestly, I can see these companies waiting for a bunch of smaller networks to get larger then swallow them up. We started discussion with one such firm...and quickly ended it...partly because their stuff sucked...and partly because we didn't want them to try to take the stuff back.

If you're getting into this industry...be careful. Read the fine print. This is a young industry...and 'big companies' are always looking to 'help' the little guy before swallowing him hole...

Ironically...here's an article about Wireless Ronin's financials.

A new Blog...

In an effort to explore my passion for food...I've started a second blog...It's tips and recipes from my kitchen...about living on your own and cooking for one (or two ;) )

Feel free to stop by.

RFID and Advertising...a match made in marketing heaven

The Wall Street Journal ran an article today about the institution of RFID (radio-frequency IDs) into products at a store in Germany. The RFID tag in the product can be sensed by a screen at eye level and the screen will be triggered to play an ad based on that product -- either leading to a competitor or a product that goes with (razor to shaving cream).

As economy's crumble and ad dollars get tighter - marketers are realizing that while broadcasting your message worldwide is neat, paying a little more (or less depending on the company) for an ad that can drive a direct and immediate sale is a little more cost effective.

I firmly believe that digital signage is simply a base to this mountain of new advertising. Every day we're working on new and innovative ways to bring extremely targeted audiences to ads...resulting in more buys.

RFID has been in the works for quite some time now, and I'm glad to see that people are finally seeing how it can truly maximize the ds and ad industry.

Lamar gets the boot from Indianapolis...

Indy star ran an interesting article today that a Digital Billboard conversion by Lamar Advertising was denied by the Metropolitan Development Commission. The company was wanting to put up the board near 86th and keystone in Indianapolis.

It's believed that the board denied it due to a civil uprising of folks not wanting to see the board. Lawrence, IN citizens, however, have approved the conversion of two boards on I-465 with the stipulations that there are to be no "animated displays or more than one advertising message every 10 seconds. Lawrence also will require the companies to run Amber Alerts and other public service ads."

It's interesting that so many people actually fought against this. Reading the comments after the article are rather amusing...

"Replying to AvoidClearChanel:

Maybe the city council should vote on turning all street lights off at dark also. I hope our city council never has to visit Las Vegas or NYC. They won't be able to go outside.

I don't see you living in NYC or Vegas, so I guess you aren't a big fan of the light either."

"Billboards are no longer 'necessary' (as if they EVER were). These days, there are advertising opportunities everywhere - radio, TV, print, web, phone. Enough! Burma Shave figured it out decades ago. It's time all the billboards came down."


You know what...if they don't want em...they don't want em...

wonder how they'll feel about having Digital Signage in their restaurants?

Digital Signage...the logo

Since when did this image come to represent the digital signage industry? I see this image EVERYWHERE. Sadly...Neoti had it on the old site...

I was checking out a digital signage conference that we've been asked to speak at and low and behold...this image! I've seen other companies using this image too...it's everywhere!

The sad thing is, I don't think it represents our industry as well as it could. Digital signage is about information, its about entertainment, not cheap images you find for Vista backgrounds...

Is the creator getting his due for making this? I'm guessing not.

DVR...the slow painful death of Commercial TV

I've been getting a free subscription to AdAge for the last month or so...and I'm really hoping my boss will continue it.

Anyway...

This past week had an article (that I'm just now getting to read...because people stole it and I was busy) about advertising on TV and a DVRs impact. The article is based around a US Court of Appeals decision to overturn a ruling that blocked Cablevision from hosting a 'Network DVR' that would allow customers to DVR without the use of a DVR - everything would be done through their cable system.

Later in the article...a study recently found that commercials are being skipped...a lot...more than a media buyer would like.

AdAge reports that "23.4% of all TV households had DVR at the end of the first quarter." Further, a study found that "85% of DVR owners are currently skipping at least three quarters of ads."

DVRs are expected to infiltrate more than 37% of American homes by 2012 and that means a lot more skipping!

Thankfully...I can think of another type of TV advertising that doesn't allow for DVR skips...cough...Digital Signage...cough.

blogINDIANA day 2

After a rocky start this morning (pulled over and got stopped 3 times for a bike race)...I made it to blogINDIANA.

Session 1 this morning was with Scott Abel -- who did a PHENOMENAL job. Brought out a bunch of tools that are available for people to 'ease' their lifestyle...we all know life doesn't get easier...we just shift things around. I'll be going through the full list later in the week/month as I try to play with them and I'll give you my feedback.

Session 2 is going well. Pat East is discussing web analytics...which is what everyone really needs to know about. I've tried to learn as much as I can on my own, but it's really nice to have him walking through and correcting me. "Don't look at one week or one month's worth of stats, but look at everything and watch for trends".

I really don't like to take notes...thankfully a friend is taking them for me...and I'll copy them...so I'll have even more info later. :)

Blog Indiana...end of Day 1

It's the end of Day 1 at blogINDIANA and I've joined twitter. Because of the environments and the people I interact with most of the time I never found much use for it. Today, I found I was wrong. It's fun to see the conversations that can happen in the twitter world. You can find me at justinclupper.

On to my thoughts of the day.

Session 2 was good, It was advanced Corp Blogging with Chris Baggott. He had some differing thoughts than the first session. He liked more of the idea that regular employees do the corp blogging and less from the CEO -- that people like to build relationships with people they can see. He gave some good numbers, backed up his comments with fact and I appreciated that. And it was great until we got into plugs for his company. Which, honestly, I've heard them so much, I just tune them out. If I want to hear about your product, I'll come talk to you...or hold a session that is ONLY about your product.

Lunch gave way to new friends and lots of good conversation.

Political Panel was good...but really not long enough. It seemed like they spent half the time just introducing the panel (there were 6 and bloggers like the sound of their own voice...I know I do). It could have lasted another hour...especially if they would have opened it up to the audience.

Session three was really good! Sarah 'Intellagirl' Robbins was hilarious and had a lot of great things to say about the conversations happening online. I look forward to reading her tweets and blog.

Session four was an accident. We meant to go to the community session and thought it was is in the same room and we were wrong. BUT it was still good because we heard good information about making the money on our blogs. The bad part was when he spent the last 15 minutes trying to sell us his beta.


STOP SELLING...AND EDUCATE...IF I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR PRODUCT...I'LL ASK.

Tamara and I left early. But it was still better explained than last week when I heard from one of google's managers of AdSense...who couldn't answer a question to save his life.

More tomorrow...i'm glad I'm here.

You're the brand

You are your own brand. You are your company's brand. You must be consistent...consistency brings comfort...comfort brings loyalty.


Brands need loyalty.

Tips to starting a Corp. Blog

The Blog Indiana conference is having three different tracks this weekend - General, Business & Basics.

I'm, largely, attending the business track.

This morning we're hearing from Krista Neher from photrade.com. Basically it is a company that allows people to post photos and then other bloggers can go in find those images and use them - the owner can then set licensing and actually charge.

She's had some good points thus far, and as a guy who is trying to figure out if there is a need - yet - for a Neoti Corp blog...this is good.

SO here's a few things she's said:

"Blogging is a relationship, not a one-night stand"

Having the CEO blog – makes people feel like he cares, like he wants to connect with them and they ultimately become very loyal to him.

Don't write for other people, (this is a duh) but never EVER ghostwrite...if the CEO is too busy to write...then he shouldn't be posting.

Write to find your voice...once you've found that...keep it and RUN.

Great content is: short, to the point, has blog style, ask questions, has numbers.

More to come...

Blog Indiana!

I've made it to Indy, where I'll be attending the Blog Indiana conference tomorrow and Sunday. I hope you're able to make it. It should be a lot of fun! I am taking a friend of mine, Tamara, who is a recent college grad from my alma mater and will be coordinating the PR stuff over at Crescent Project.

I am looking forward to the corporate track, especially, as I daily toss back and forth on the role of this blog. If it's meant for personal or if it's meant more for Neoti. Then I think, maybe I could manage two...but do I really want to. Hopefully the session leaders at the conference can shed some light on this.

I do want to mention that I am going as a member of Smaller Indiana - a growing social network for Hoosiers - It's got a huge following in Indy, but it appears the organizers are trying to branch it out into gatherings in the other big towns (like FW).

I'll be writing tomorrow and the next day from the conference. If you're going to be at the conference, be sure to leave a comment and let me know.

Restoring Humanity to Film

In October of my senior year in college I experienced the Heartland Film Festival. This year they celebrate 17 years of honoring films that demonstrate the hope and value of human life.

Tonight, I watched 'The Bucket List'.

I wanted to see it when it came to theatres because of Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson - two men that rock. I wanted to see it tonight, because I hadn't yet and wanted to stay in and watch something new. I'm buying it tomorrow because it is a demonstration of what humanity means.

The basic synopsis of the film is that the two men are diagnosed with cancer and are given only 6 months to live. Jack plays a millionaire who has money, but no joy; and Morgan plays a mechanic who never had the chance to accomplish his dreams. The story follows the two guys as they take approx 3 months and fulfill this 'bucket list' - a list of things to do before they kick the bucket.

I won't share any spoilers - but you need to see it. More films need to be created that express true humanity.

I give it a 9/10.

It's not all about you.

Just a reminder...life is not all about you.

Ambiguous data pulled from different places is not always just about you.

You are not the greatest thing since sliced bread...people have turned away from you.

You're not the only rooster in the hen house.

Get off your high horse.

Just stop.

Obama's oxy-moron oil ad on Gas Station TV

Tell me how this makes sense...

A political candidate develops an ad telling people how the oil companies are bad and how we need to get to better forms of fuel...THEN..he tries to run that ad...on GAS STATION TV.

The New York Daily News had this to say...

Team Obama Wednesday announced to great fanfare it would stream ads ripping John McCain on screens at dozens of filling stations around the Sunshine State - only to have Gas Station TV pull the plug at the last minute.

His campaign blamed Big Oil.

"Once again, the oil companies and their friends are standing with Sen. McCain, the candidate for President who is proposing to offer them a $4 billion tax cut," said Obama Florida spokesman Mark Bubriski.

Read the full article here.

Ad-Tech 08

Well I strolled into Chicago last night about 8:30 - I'm staying with friends from school while I attend Ad-Tech and am having a lot of fun in the Windy City. I am quickly realizing that I could have dressed better...I guess DSE was a little more casual...then again...these are the 'trendy' types that are attending. NOT me at all. Ask my co-workers.

Had some good press about Neoti yesterday - we and BroadSign announced our partnership making them our software provider for the network. I will say that the process of choosing who to go with was very tough. We had two very difficult decisions to make and I think we could have done well with either. But in the end, I think the company we didn't choose is going to have a great life with one of their products that isn't the DS Software...but an integrated tool.

Our press with Broadsign has brought mentions from DigitalSignageToday.com, DigitalSignageUniverse.com and DailyDOOH.com...three great blogs/sites that are making movement in the industry. I'm excited to see who else picks it up.

I'll be writing to you from Ad-Tech for the next day and a half...I'll keep you posted on the happenings here.

If you're here...tell me.

If you want to go to the Blog Indiana Conference at IUPUI Aug 15 & 16...let me know...there are coupons.