Not long ago, Times Square was the epicenter of digital signage in the U.S. It may still represent the highest concentration, but digital signage is exploding and you see it just about everywhere now. In fact, digital signage is officially “the next big thing” for a lot of marketers.
In a recent Razorfish survey it was ranked second to mobile as the most important emerging media channel in the coming year. Roughly 51 percent of respondents ranked mobile as the most important, followed by Digital Signage with nearly 32 percent. Other channels trailed by a wide margin.
Interestingly enough in a recent article in Wired Magazine they featured a company called MegaPhone that combined both of these emerging areas.
MegaPhone is a mobile gaming company whose latest project is to connect cell phones with games embedded in big-screen billboards in places like you guessed it – Times Square!
People can interact with these billboards via a special phone number which will show them as special avatars identified by the last four digits of the caller’s phone number.
When I first read the article I thought it was just another super geek application but the more I thought about it …. the more you can think up new applications for this.
For example, Jumbotrons at sporting events where they can pick attendees to play an engaging mini game of basketball, baseball, football, hockey, or whatever sport you are watching. Rock Concert goers could dial into the Jumbotron to participate in a live chat with the band backstage. Tradeshow events could use this to allow real time Twittering and live Q&A via mobile. Anywhere you are waiting in line …. airports, hotels, on airplanes, amusement parks (read Disney) could not only pre-engage their audience with the ride …. perhaps they could let us sign up for tickets once we enter the park and call us when we are due to blast off!
This one article opens up the wide world of mobile marketing, digital signage and more importantly a glimpse at the future of social media marketing (SMM).
Related posts:
- Study: Digital Signage More Attention-Catching, Less Hated Than Other Media
- Digital View Streamlines Secondary Signage Implementation
- ‘Prodokol’ Lets Advertisers Create Digital Signage Content Dynamically
- Digital Signage Solution Helps Retailers Maximize Message
- Strong Growth Ahead for Digital Signage
Tags: Advertising, Buzz Marketing, Digial Signage, Innovation, interactive marketing, Mobile, Social Media
Interesting thoughts Paul.
They caught my eye because we have a client here in Australia who brings brands to life in the installation process. Your article makes me wonder what he’ll be into next!
Interesting article on how digital signage and mobile will converge. I’ve been bullish on digital signage for awhile – I gotta think gas stations are a prime market given how often their price point changes! Hadn’t really thought about the potential when you add mobile into the mix – interesting.
I completely agree. The integration of mobile marketing with digital signage is going to be the next “big” thing. I’ve been writing about mobile marketing integration with digital signage on my personal blog for a while. It’s simply the best way measurably engage.
@ Andee – Thanks andee
@ Kathryn – gas stations yes but also think Golf Courses – ProLink is gaining some momentum in this space
@ Nate – agreed
Good thoughts. The applications of digital signage are almost limitless. Scala focuses on over 10 market segments including those that may be obvious, like hospitality and retail, to the less obvious, such as Corporate and Healthcare.
The company is obviously very bullish on digital signage and we see a bright future.
We recently covered Strategy Institute’s 2nd Annual Brand Activation Summit Using Digital Out-of-Home Media where digital signage and mobile interactivity was a big part of the conference. You can read more about it at the link below:
http://www.digitalsignageuniverse.com/events_strategyinstitute_bas.html
I think the “marriage” of digital signage and mobile phones sounds nice, but I can’t help but think about the limitations.
It seems there would be a point where it would be too crowded! The goal of digital signage advertising is to attract ass many eye balls as possible; now, if all these eye balls get in the game, there will certainly be a distraction effect.