Twitter... is it next big thing? Or, is it already the big thing? Like any popular service on the Internet, once it starts getting hacked and spammed, you know that it has hit the big time. I tend to think a confusing aspect of Twitter is how it has been branded... a "microblog". The general public was just getting used to the term blog, but then you add a "micro" to the front and people check out immediately. However, I feel it is a very useful service for a variety of things. As someone who likes to hit the little white ball around (I hesitate to call myself a real golfer), I believe that every single golf course should have a twitter account. Using Twitter, the course can announce specials, create tournaments and leagues, inform players of current course conditions, etc. As another example of Twitter's granular power, check out your local government and city Tweets. During Memorial Day weekend, I was the only one on my street that knew that garbage pickup would occur Wednesday morning instead of the usual Tuesday morning time. I felt "in the know" and I remind my wife of my info prowess on a regular basis when she makes fun of my "Twittering". I don't think of it as a blog or microblog at all, more of an immediate news feed at each and every user's fingertips.
Which brings me to the point of this post. Twitter is an extremely powerful content management system for digital signage. It delivers targeted messages more specific to the viewers needs than any RSS feed available. So, here at MediaVision Solutions, we are dedicated to providing signage that integrates this emerging service. How much easier could it be? For example, a restaurant wants to put their lunch special on the digital sign. Simply tweet your special and it updates the digital signage accordingly. And, don't forget, not only does it update the signage, you have now just let everyone who is following you know what your special is. The same could be said with the above mentioned golf course scenario, or real estate, or public events, or... well, you get the idea. Now that is what I call DYNAMIC digital signage. This type of up to the second, targeted info combined with attractive video, graphics, interactivity, etc... that is what will drive digital signage into the future. Fortunately, our SMP-Web and SMP-Web Plus line of digital signage players easily allow for this type of integration. All with no license or monthly fees. Let us know if you are interested in learning more. Thanks for reading my "macroblog". Feel free to follow us twitter.com/mediavisonsolu
Is the end of the recession going to be the tipping point to drive Digital Signage into a must have application? I've recently begun reading Malcom Gladwell's book and it seems the answer is a resounding YES! As the economic news gets better, it seems there is no better time than right now to increase our push into the digital signage market, both in the internal/marketing communications segments and advertising networks. Even if it is only projected, its seems the recession is near it's end. One of the signs a recession is nearing end is when small businesses start recovering, the restaraunts are staying open, companies will have weathered the storm. We will all see it in our local communities and as most of our digital signage industry consists of what are considered small businesses, we will also start to flurish.
With this being said, MediaVision Solutions is planning on resuscitating our MediaVision Digital Signage Advertising Network to begin in the Tampa/Bradenton/Sarasota area here in Florida. I say resuscitate because we did a small roll out 2 years ago as wallets began to tighten and all news was bad news. Fortunately, being a small and agile company we were able to shift focus into hardware sales, consulting, and web design. But, the bad news continued and we hunkered down. Some of that recent bad news brought to light the fact that newspapers are struggling. This was a key selling point of digital signage advertising two years ago. However, it was MediaVision telling the potential advertisers not to throw money away advertising in newspapers. Now, it's mainstream news and everyone reads about it (on the Internet). It is time for small businesses to start looking into new ways to market businesses locally and that is where digital signage will grow. We will tie our new Ad Network to mobile devices. But, unlike last time, we will skip SMS and go right to integrating web enabled devices to deliver additional information, coupons, contact information, and potentially use the GPS systems to deliver targeted messages. LCD displays have continued to go down in price with new technologies coming out all the time.
What do you think? Have we reached the tipping point bringing a new way of advertising and communication to the forefront? Don't be shy..chime in.. I need at least one comment so I know I didn't waste my time on this blog!