Media Release 9/7/08

A Norwood based company has announced the launch of a national digital signage network that is set to change the way businesses market their products and services. Managing Director of atads, Greg Lawrie, said the company has already placed digital screens in a number of high traffic areas across Adelaide. This is set to accelerate rapidly over coming weeks together with the commencement of key installations interstate.

While free-to-air television has been the dominant mass communication medium for many decades, this is rapidly changing. Marketing and media savvy businesses, looking for an edge in the market, are turning to alternative media, specifically internet and mobile channels.

“Digital signage networks are just one form of ‘Out Of Home’ advertising - billboards, bus shelters and cinema advertising are others. However, from an advertiser’s perspective, digital signage allows customers to view advertising content at the very point and time at which they make their purchasing decisions. Consequently we create the opportunity to significantly influence those decisions”, Lawrie said.

The distribution network developed by atads allows content to be scheduled to play on any one or more of an unlimited number of screens at any location around the world at any given time. The content can be controlled down to a single screen in a supermarket having its own advert appear at a pre-determined time right through to having a public service announcement appear on every screen in every shopping mall around the world all at exactly the same time.

“Like anything new, people are still unsure of how to maximize the opportunities digital signage offers. However, atads has developed a model that generates a positive outcome for venues and advertisers alike” Lawrie said.

It’s very simple; atads will supply, install and maintain all equipment (the digital screens, players, cabling etc) at no cost to venues accepted as part of the network. They manage the content (advertising and general information) displayed on the screens from their central management centre. All content can be modified in real time as it is managed over the internet.

“Businesses that already have screens in place can also join the network. We manage the screen for them, making sure they get maximum return for their existing investment”, Lawrie added.
atads provides some space on the screens for the venues to promote their own products and services, again at no cost. The rest of the space is sold to other businesses who wish to advertise on that screen. The venue is also able to generate a passive income as it shares in the advertising revenue generated from the screen. Alternatively, it can convert some or all of this income into free advertising of its own on other screens across the network.

Greg Lawrie said “screens have already been installed in Joggers World in the city, Aces Bar and Bistro in the Central Markets, Designer Direct at Thebarton and in the Fuji Centre in Norwood Place. Curves are also evaluating the system in Adelaide. We even have a screen on the Sea SA ferry running between Wallaroo and Lucky Bay, promoting businesses on the Yorke and Eyre Peninsulas.”

“In the next few weeks we’ll be installing screens into Fasta Pasta stores across Adelaide, and these attract many thousands of diners every week. We’ve also secured the contract to supply digital signage to ETSA Park, including the digital scoreboard which will provide huge exposure to businesses that wish to be seen across the City”.

Businesses interested in learning more about this cutting edge technology can call David Floyd on
0410 402 003 or Tom Roubos on 0417 818 021. Alternatively you can visit the atads website (atads.com.au), their showroom on Magill Road or you’ll find them at the Adam Internet Technology Show this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Ridley Pavilion, Adelaide Showgrounds.