extra... the 21st century billboard
Digital signage breakthrough delivers new way of transmitting headlines and generating additional advertising revenues for newspaper groups
PRESS RELEASE - 5th November , 2007
A pioneering breakthrough in Wireless Digital Signage that delivers headlines and creates important new advertising revenue opportunities for newspaper publishing groups has been developed by the UK’s leading machine-to-machine technology company.
The extra ... digital signage system from Comtech M2M is the latest product to be developed as a result of the firm’s intensive, £5 million, five year, research and development programme which has already seen it introduce systems to major organisations including Camelot/National Lottery, BT Redcare, Nintendo, Kraft and Bombardier Transportation.
Heralded as the 21st Century answer to the traditional newspaper billboard, extra… is the only digital signage system to combine LED and LCD displays with wireless mobile technology, meaning both dynamic advertising and ‘ticker’ headlines can be sent instantly to one or many units located in any number of stores nationwide.
Units can be updated at any time from advertising sales and news rooms using the sytem’s ‘Extralive’ management service, without relying on the retailers’ own IT network infrastructure.
The 15", 19", 32" or 42" displays can be hung in-store or integrated into news stands to maximise on queue dwell times and reach new captive audiences.
The screen media market has experienced huge growth over recent years, with advertising income generated in the UK set to reach £170m by 2010 and £860m across Europe.
One of the leading regional newspaper publishers Newsquest has just completed a successful four month trial of the system within its Lancashire Telegraph distribution area. Based on the success of the trial a contract has now been signed giving Newsquest the opportunity to increase its network of extra… units across the group.
Ben Leach, Sales Manager for Lancashire Telegraph, commented:
“The units provide a fantastic opportunity for a new advertising revenue platform as well as an up to date method of visually marketing our brand to consumers at the point of purchase."
Sean Keenan, Managing Director of Comtech M2M, said today:
“ We have used our expertise in machine-to-machine technology to develop systems of interest to a wide range of industries that need to transmit data in real time. The extra... system was designed specifically to take the advantages of wireless digital signage to the newspaper and magazine publishing industry and open up important new revenue streams in an industry facing ever changing commercial challenges.”
Mr. Keenan added:
“ We believe that machine-to-machine technology will be one of the growth markets of the 21st century and we are determined that Comtech M2M will be at its forefront.”
Steve Whitehead, Marketing Director at Comtech M2M, added:
“ At a time when newspaper groups are experiencing a shift in advertising spend from print to online, our system offers a valuable new revenue stream. It complements both print and online, allowing newspaper groups to reach new captive audiences at news stands, in newsagents and at convenience stores at the simple click of a button.”
“The fact that we have been able to develop wireless and even battery powered systems also means that our solutions are not geographically limited or dependant on in-store IT networks. By locating screens in busy retail sites, advertisements, news and promotional messages can be put directly in front of large numbers of consumers. The extra… digital signage system increases advertising revenue and circulation and thereby offers tremendous opportunities for growth.
Related Links
Products
Solutions
- Wireless Digital Signage
- Newspaper Advertising
- Outdoor Advertising
- In-store marketing
- Lottery Jackpot Communicator
- Remote Asset Monitoring
- Beer Dispense Monitoring
Press Release Further Information
- extra ... Newspaper Solution
- extra ... Products
- extra ... Benefits
- Lancashire Telegraph Case Study
- extra ... Newsquest (PDF)
About Comtech M2M
Comtech have created an innovative solution for Newspaper Groups that offers an additional advertising revenue stream. extra is a wireless digital display system that extends advertising reach to new captive audiences at the point of purchase.
Pictured:
Left - Sean Keenan Comtech M2M
Right - Ben Leach Lancashire Telegraph
