The morning press - digital signage news for July 18

Here are some of today's interesting clips from the web:

• Nielsen Nearly Ready to Launch OOH Measurement - The measurement company has already issued its first report, for Ideacast’s health club network, MediaPost writes, pointing out that while other companies have conducted proprietary research for place-based networks, and while Nielsen has conducted custom studies for video networks for some 20 years, a standardized metric could help attract more advertisers to the medium.

• Elevator News steps into malls - Elevator News Network (ENN), a company providing multi-media entertainment and digital advertising on digital screens fitted in office elevators, is stepping out of lifts into more lucrative corridors.

• 65-inch Digital Posters Tested at Tokyo Station - A total of ten LCDs are in use. The LCD panels are Sharp Corp's "PN655R," a 65-inch business-use LCD information display with 1920 x 1080 resolution. In this digital signage experiment, the companies will evaluate the advertising effects of still image ad posters using large LCD panels displayed in a relatively busy gateway. Advertisers during the test period include six firms and the screen images will be switched every minute (they were switched every 15 seconds at the press conference on July 14).

• Nielsen To Measure In-Stadium Ads - Arena Media Networks, which places screens with programming and ads in some 30 stadiums, has a deal with Nielsen to track reach for its high-definition screens.

• VideoMining’s New Online Tool to Enable Real-Time Access to Shopper Metrics - The new product will enable real-time access to a rich set of shopper metrics generated by VideoMining’s industry-leading measurement platform. The online tool will provide a means for retailers and consumer product manufacturers to analyze and monitor how shoppers respond to various marketing and merchandising strategies.

• Focus Media Announces US$100 Million Share Repurchase Program - Its board of directors has approved a share repurchase program. Under the terms of the approved program, Focus Media may repurchase up to US$100 million worth of its issued and outstanding American depositary shares (“ADSs”). The repurchases will be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices or in block trades.

• Start-up Empowers Advertisers with Free Out-Of-Home Media Planning and Buying Tools - An advertiser (or agency) creates and submits a public e-RFA (electronic Request For Availability) using UnSoldSpace's Lead Generation System, which ensures all proposal details are viewable except the buyer's contact information. Suppliers can use UnSoldSpace's search engines to locate the e-RFA, or suppliers will receive a buyer's electronic proposal via E-mail if it matches their customized e-RFA alert profile.

• Avanti Screenmedia says Neo Media subscribes to 300,000 pounds of convertible notes - Avanti Screenmedia Group Plc. said it has secured further funding through the issue of 400,000 pounds of convertible loans, and added that digital out of home group Neo Media Group SA has subscribed for 300,000 pounds of the new convertible loans. Neo Media's subscription, upon conversion, will represent up to 42.1 per cent of the total voting rights of the company.

Tags: digital signage, digital signage news

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