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Tenterden-based Digital Marketing Agency, Argent Ram Media, is trialling new digital signage displays for one of their major clients - Hire Station.
Hire Station Virtual Hire provide tool hire facilities for a number of national DIY retailers across the UK. The new digital signage system is being trialled in the recently rebuilt branch of Homebase, in Aylesford near Maidstone.
A 32" LCD screen is set into a purpose-made, branded totem display stand that can be situated anywhere within the Homebase store. The aim behind the display is to increase enquiries for tool hire either by phone, in-store or through the Homebase website. The marketing message on the stand itself is clear - "Pick up a Tool Hire Leaflet". Bespoke video content has been created to be displayed on the screen showing the range of tools and equipment available to hire.
Digital Signage is one of the fastest growing forms of marketing in the UK, with statistics now demonstrating that dynamic and compelling content displayed on visually arresting screens increases customer engagement and, as a result, brand awareness and revenue.
“Digital signage presents a unique and effective way for us to communicate to potential customers. With the correct call to action we hope these trials present new opportunities and increased revenues for us. Working with Argent Ram has been good for our team as they are a modern thinking and flexible team led with a vision, for which this trial is testament to. We hope the trials are effective and look forward to working more closely with Argent Ram.” Mark Moody, Director Climate Hire, Virtual Hire, Lifting Point and Ecommerce at Hire Station.
If the Homebase trial is successful, Hire Station will be looking at adopting Argent Ram Media's digital signage totem displays as one of their main marketing tools for all their virtual hire partners through the UK. The ongoing business relationship would result in significant growth for Argent Ram Media, with commensurate employment opportunities for designers and sales consultants.
To view a very short video of the digital signage system in situ, visit:
http://youtu.be/tvWRIbw6lmg
This week, the London Stock Exchange became host to the World's largest installation of Microtiles:
http://www.dailydooh.com/archives/46872
That may mean absolutely nothing to the small business owner, but with an impressive 503 individual screen modules, this installation comes with a heafty price tag.
That said, the client is so impressed with the finished result that it is believed that more Microtiles may be added in time.
Again, what relevance does this have to the small business owner?
Digital Signage and Marketing Screens make up one of the fastest-growing marketing sectors both here and in the US.
Marketing is changing. Although the basic principles remain the same, the way in which businesses market themselves has evolved dramatically over the past couple of years. Traditional forms of marketing - telephone, direct mail, email - are increasingly seen as interruptive and intrusive.
Now, the marketing approach is about providing real customer service, engaging with potential clients, being visible when customers search for your products and services, and making the consumer feel valued.
If your business is customer-facing, then it is now statistically proven that screens can work for you:
"On the first day of playing our content in our waiting room we had four or five new enquiries into private treatments. It is a significant marketing tool for us."
"Our waiting room screen increased our private sales by 20% in just the first six months."
"9 of our branches have sold over £27,000 of the product in the past month, and because this tool needs to be demonstrated, the screens have been a perfect ‘tool’ for promoting and selling this product."
This is a small selection of genuine testimonials from small and medium sized businesses who use screens to sell products and market their companies.
With single-screen systems costing from as little as £18.95 + VAT per week, you don't need to go as overboard as the London Stock Exchange, but you can have the same impressive results, not least in terms of Return on Investment in these straitened times.
If you would be interested in knowing more about Digital Signage and Marketing Screens, please call Argent Ram Media on 01580 761000.
Further to my last post about Mary Portas and FoneHouse, the following passage can be found on the FoneHouse website:
"At Fonehouse we are always looking to improve ourselves as a business, as a result we recently have been looking into redeveloping our in store customer experience and brand as a whole. That's why when leading consultant and television personality Mary Portas asked if she could work with us on this, we jumped at the opportunity.
Thanks to our combined efforts we have created a superior customer experience that culminates in our newly refurbished store in Angel, London (IsIington). The design incorporates the new brand, the Fonehouse values of a relaxed 'homely' atmosphere with impeccable customer service and even includes TV screens with live interactive content. With the concept due to be rolled out across the Fonehouse retail estate of 50 stores there has never been a better time to join the Partner Programme. If you want to become a Fonehouse Franchise Partner then complete the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible."
http://www.fonehouse.co.uk/MaryPortasSecretShopper/
It is now becoming increasingly acknowledged that digital signage can and does enhance the retail shopping experience.
Approximately 60% of buying decisions are made in-store. Carefully placed, compelling and engaging sales and marketing messages, delivered in a dynamic way, can have a very strong influence on what shoppers place in their baskets.
An accepted rule of thumb indicates that a minimum 15% boost can be achieved by placing promoted items on a marketing screen.
These statistics show convincingly that the use of strategically positioned screens should be ignored at the retailers' peril. The returns generated by a well-conceived network of sales and marketing screens cancel out the costs and increases revenue.
For further details on the screen systems available through Argent Ram Media, please contact Lorraine Baker on 01580 761000 or email lorraine@argentrammedia.com.
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