In an article in the Wall Street Journal titled “A High Tech Edge On Black Friday”, there is much said about consumers using smartphone apps to get offers and hunt for the best deals available.

A mobile app called ShopKick has signed up some of the largest American retailers, including Target, Best Buy, and Macy’s, for its loyalty program, which gives users points just for walking into stores. Those points can be converted into rewards such as gift cards

From ShopKick and other “check-in” style apps to specific retailer or brand apps, there are tons of ways shoppers can get connected and get a deal.

Problem is, how do they learn about these tools?

Retailers and brands will have to do more to leverage in-store messaging (whether static or digital signage – digital please). The ideal place for loyal brand shoppers to gain awareness of mobile tools and offers is in the store. Not only will this help in promoting repeat store visits, but it can also direct shoppers to the “featured” apps that provide value not only to the consumer, but also to the retailers and brands trying to forge a deeper brand affinity.

Full article from WSJ here.

Interesting article at Brandweek about the Best Buy On network and doing upfront media sales for the in-store digital network. The writer (and the analyst quoted) point out the Best Buy seems to be blazing their own path with a unique approach and goals for their media efforts, not just in-store but also across channels from online to mobile. Best Buy is focusing on a connected experience and taking advantage of the fact that their customers are all about leveraging digital technologies and media to stay informed and aware.

Launched in January to coincide with the CES trade show, Best Buy’s TV network is now in all its 1,100 or so stores and is preparing for an “upfront” of sorts in December, when Best Buy will approach advertisers for long-term placements. The network, which reaches some of the 50 million people who visit the stores each month, features original programming from the retailer’s ownYellow Tag Productions. Content ranges from an interview with movie legend Martin Scorcese to tutorials on digital photography.

Read the full article here.

Today there was an announcement regarding the partnership between Reflect and TXT4CRM to bring together the power of digital signage and mobile messaging.  What does this mean?  There are many successful marketing campaigns leveraging mobile messaging solutions.  While there are many new mobile apps for smart phones and an array of experiments taking place with personalized shopper engagement, there are still some very fundamental ways that mobile messaging can be leveraged today to a very broad base of users.  TXT4CRM is helping brands and agencies to maximize their efforts with proven techniques that deliver results.

One of the issues with mobile messaging campaigns is that, even though they can reach most consumers with low barriers to entry like SMS-based engagement, the method for initiating awareness and promotion of these campaigns is most often relegated to printing, shipping and displaying static point-of-promotion materials in retail environments and public venues.  This is where digital signage can help.  The messaging campaigns can be conceived and delivered to the point of display very rapidly, but the awareness of digital displays versus static signage is proven to be dramatically better.  And accentuating the mobile messaging and offers with rich media content provides more tools for effective engagement and value proposition to brands, retailers and shoppers.

Reflect will continue to leverage partnerships and provide offerings that we believe empower retailers and brands with the tools they need to effectively engage their customers with digital technologies across channels.

Below is the announcement that was released:

Reflect Announces Partnership with TXT4CRM

Adds Mobile Engagement Solutions to Arsenal of Full-Service In-Store Digital Media Offerings

 

DALLAS, August 31, 2010 – Reflect Systems, a leading, national full-service provider of in-store digital media solutions including digital signage, today announced a strategic partnership with TXT4CRM, a technology platform and service provider of comprehensive mobile marketing engagement solutions. The alliance enables both companies to equip their clients for the future of retailing, by offering multi-channel customer engagement solutions that change customer behavior through optimized merchandising and produce sales results.

“We partnered with Reflect because they have the technology, the experience and the trust of some of the largest U.S. retailers,” said Carrie Chitsey, chief executive officer of TXT4CRM. “By developing more cohesive mobile and in-store media platforms with Reflect, we’ll provide enhanced results for clients and help them achieve stronger connections with the shopper at the point of sale and beyond.”

Using Reflect’s market-leading ReflectView platform in conjunction with TXT4CRM’s mobile solutions, retailers and brands can now easily present and manage mobile engagement programs through in-store digital displays and interactive kiosks, in addition to delivering messages via text. The cohesion of in-store digital media (point of sale) solutions with mobile marketing (anytime, anywhere) solutions, allows companies to more effectively provide timely and targeted engagement with shoppers on their in-store and post-store shopping journeys.

“We’re excited to join forces with TXT4CRM and look forward to advancing cutting edge solutions together,” said Matt Schmitt, co-founder and chief executive officer of Reflect. “Our respective solutions are unique and proven game-changers, and combining the two strategies will be pivotal for our clients.”

About Reflect

Founded in 2001, Reflect is a leading, national full-service provider of in-store digital media solutions including digital signage, interactivity applications and assisted shopping features; and ReflectView, the most flexible, scalable and proven digital media merchandising solution on the market. Headquartered in Dallas, Reflect has nearly a decade of industry experience gained from developing some of the largest digital media networks in North America, including Best Buy, GameStop, Target and Verizon Wireless. Reflect serves mid- to large-size companies, specializing in retail, banking/finance, hospitality, entertainment and quick service restaurants (QSR).  For more information about Reflect, please visit www.reflectsystems.com.

 

About TXT4CRM

TXT4CRM is a mobile engagement company that provides a proven mobile engagement software platform and consulting services to enable companies to rapidly design, deploy and analyze a variety of innovative mobile marketing engagement solutions that drive revenue, build relationships and capture operational efficiencies.  Used by leading brands, retailers, advertising agencies and other software providers, TXT4CRM processes millions of mobile interactions a month.  Our software and services span the entire mobile marketing spectrum form SMS/MMS to mobile web and mobile application development. For more information about TXT4CRM, please visit www.txt4crm.com.

Partnership Offers Retailers One-Stop Shopping for In-Store Digital Signage, Music and Video Experiences

Reflect Systems, a leader in in-store digital media solutions, announced today a strategic partnership with DMX, an international leader of experiential in-store and new media services, including music, messaging, video and scent experiences. Effective immediately, this partnership offers retailers and other businesses a more dynamic suite of services to create brand differentiation and shape their customer’s in-store experience.

“This partnership brings together Reflect’s proven in-store digital media technology with DMX’ extensive content capabilities and established field support network, allowing us to provide retailers with a robust offering to really address the need for creating an in-store experience that’s compelling to shoppers and profitable for retailers,” said Matt Schmitt, co-founder and chief executive officer of Reflect.

DMX and Reflect will enable organizations to easily manage video and promotional messaging using Reflect’s market-leading digital media software, ReflectView, as the underlying technology. The ability to integrate in-store solutions provides retailers with better management control, increased compliance and a more efficient use of resources. Under the moniker “CenterStage powered by Reflect”, DMX will bring to market a proven, robust, flexible solution for large-scale digital signage deployments. Reflect will expand its offerings to include services from DMX, including commercially licensed music, video content, and other retail sensory offerings.

“Reflect understands the value of an in-store strategy, in addition to having the technology to power it,” said Brian McKinley, vice president of marketing for DMX. “They have a successful track record with some of the largest retailers in the U.S., who rely on Reflect’s solutions to manage their in-store media networks.  This track record made them a very attractive partner to DMX.”

About DMX, Inc.

Recognized as an international leader of experiential marketing services, DMX creates cohesive brand experiences across physical and digital environments. From mobile enhanced in-store activation, to branded digital music microstores, from branded streaming music players embeddable across social networking sites, to turnkey music promotions, DMX’s interactive strategies leverage a brand’s physical and digital properties to create unique customer experiences. DMX’s in-store services include music, video/digital signage, scent marketing and audio/video systems. For more information please visit www.dmx.com or download the DMX iPhone application at iTunes.

Download the full press release here.

Great news for the GameStop TV network.  4,100 stores have been installed and are actively running the in-store digital media network.  The Reflect team worked closely with CBS and GameStop on what has been a smooth deployment for one of the largest in-store media networks in the world.

From the CBS press release:

Intercept studies conducted on behalf CBS and GameStop show that 91 percent of shoppers find GameStop TV “entertaining” and 88 percent also find it “informative.” Furthermore, 85 percent of GameStop shoppers say they are more likely to purchase consumer products or services promoted on GameStop TV.  In addition, intercept studies confirm that advertisers experience significant increases in awareness and brand recall during advertising campaigns on GameStop TV.

Read the full press release here.

While there has been much written about “Augmented Reality” as it relates to use in mobile phone technologies (see some examples here), it’s clear that there will be some significant applications in digital signage as well, with many possibilities at retail.

In the video below, we can see an augmented reality at retail application implemented by Lego Stores. In a word – Wow!

New hires expand business development for growth in enterprise software and service solutions.

Dallas, Texas – March 10, 2010 – Reflect Systems, a premier provider of digital signage and networked media solutions, today announced the addition of team members in the roles of business development, sales, and solutions management.

Bill Warren joins Reflect as President and will focus on business development and driving further growth and adoption of Reflect solutions in the market. Mr. Warren brings over thirty years of experience in executive leadership in solutions delivery in the technology and service sectors. Mr. Warren held senior-level leadership positions at Accenture, where he was an early contributor in developing the services business into the global organization it is today. He has also been instrumental in developing several media and communications and consumer fulfillment companies. Mr. Warren sits on the board of several business, academic and community organizations.

Arturo Florcruz has joined the team as Director of Sales. Mr. Florcruz has over twenty years of experience in technology sales and sales management. Mr. Florcruz has held senior level positions at Fortune 100 companies such as Ameritech and SunGuard, in addition to being instrumental in the foundation of technology companies including Ovation Communications and Raindance Communications.

Christian Jennings joins Reflect as Senior Sales Engineer and Solutions Specialist. His responsibilities will include pre-sales support for software and services, in addition to working with Reflect’s internal teams and industry partners to develop and implement a solutions-based approach to managing customer relationships. Mr. Jennings has over fifteen years of experience developing and implementing enterprise solutions with organizations, including BEA Systems and Fuego, a business procedure management provider.

“We’re excited to welcome our new team members. We believe our customers and partners will benefit greatly from these additions, and that Reflect will continue to build a reputation as a leader in our market,” said Matt Schmitt, Founder & CEO of Reflect Systems. “Bill’s successes in growing businesses and serving enterprise customers are great assets for Reflect. We look forward to leveraging his experience and his passion to position Reflect as a forerunner in the digital signage industry. Arturo and Christian bring deep experience and expertise in delivering enterprise solutions to customers and managing relationships for long term success, which will benefit our partners and clients.”

We met a great guy named Mike Cearley at the Digital Signage Expo last week and wanted to pass along info on his blog, called the eleventh screen.  Enjoyed reading his insights and perceptions that he took away from the show.  He made some great posts, including one about cutting through the clutter of solutions and focusing on telling the story about how to connect with the audience and drive results.

Great to meet you Mike.  We look forward to seeing more.