Vol. 4, No. 3 | October 5, 2009 @
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Industry News [[HOT TOPIC]] The 2009 SGIA Expo The 2009 Specialty Graphic Imaging Association Expo will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans from October 7-9. The expo is the premier marketplace for the most innovative technology, applications, and specialty imaging solutions. In addition to the hundreds of exhibitors on the expo floor, there will be three Expert Advice Zones and over 50 educational sessions and hands-on workshops to keep you informed about the latest developments in the industry. What else can you expect to see at SGIA? Sign Builder Illustrated talked with Sondra Fry Benoudiz, Vice President of Membership & Business Development for SGIA, to find out. SBI: What are your expectations for this year's show? Sondra: “The 2009 SGIA Expo is going to be a very important event. It might be the most important event we've ever held. The specialty imaging community, like most other business communities, is being redefined. There is an exciting future ahead for those willing to step up to the challenge. Business has improved the last few months and it's expected that business will continue to improve through 2010. Those graphics imagers who maximize their competitive position today will be very successful tomorrow.” SBI: What are some of the exciting events, seminars, etc. that attendees should check out? Sondra: “We've developed a series of sales-free Expert Advice Zones on the Expo floor. The Professional Decal Application Alliance (PDAA) Graphics Application Zone will be staffed by PDAA-certified installers. Here attendees will see and experience a wide range of product applications that can add value for their customers. The Digital Textile Finishing Zone will showcase soft media solutions. In addition, we'll have more than 50 educational programs to support attendee education needs. Best of all, seminars are only $35 each.” SBI: Is there anything new at this year's show that people should look out for? Sondra: “Yes. There will be an impressive number of new products on the Expo floor this year, as well as many new applications to help attendees expand their markets. The SGIA Expo is the only place to see the full range of wide-format digital imaging technologies — including high-production digital imaging solutions. Much of today's R&D is focused on the high-production equipment. Attendees from large and small companies will gain a much better understanding of their technology and what to expect in the future by experiencing this full range of technologies.” If you still haven't registered for this year's expo, hurry over to http://www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia09/index.cfm. We'll see you at the show! Advertisers Have A New Chance to Dominate Times Square In Times Square, it's always been about who has the biggest and brightest display. These spectacular “spectaculars” draw the most attention and the most advertising revenue. With the recent introduction of the Times Square Domination, however, things are set to change. Advertisers will no longer compete for ad space on the largest displays; they'll compete for ad space on all of them— all at once. Thanks to an effort by the Times Square Domination, an association that brings together five companies that operate the biggest displays in Times Square, advertisers will now have the chance to display ads across multiple screens at once. The venture brings together displays operated by ABC, News Corporation, NASDAQ, Reuters, and Clear Channel Spectacolor. This unique opportunity allows advertisers to truly dominate Times Square and take advantage of the 1.7 million people that pass through the area each day, according to statistics on the Times Square Domination's Web site. The multitude of screens coupled with their large size, results in an advertising campaign that cannot be easily duplicated anywhere else. Packages range from $65,000 to over $1.6 million. Advertisers can combine ad time on multiple displays with additional events and promotions. They also have the option to buy ad space on the screens during holidays and special events such as New Year's Eve and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade— gaining even more exposure for their brand, products, and services. Companies interested in taking part in this new advertising venture, can log on to www.timessquaredomination.com for more information. Reviving Vinyl: Ads Live on After the Campaign is Over Target Target is making its mark on New York City in an ad campaign featuring the artwork of four local artists on its billboards at 7 Times Square. The artwork will be displayed through the end of October, but its time in the spotlight won't end there. In fact, look for the art hanging from a shoulder near you because Target is recycling the printed vinyl and restyling it into tote bags designed by Anna Sui. The bags may not have been produced yet, but already all four varieties of the 1,600 limited-edition accessories have sold out on the store's Web site. The four artists— Charles Wilkin, Josh Goldstein, Laurie Rosenwald, and Michael Anderson— created their own homage to various aspects of New York City. Wilkin created a collage of quintessential New York items such as taxis, street signs, and subway entrances with the Target bulls-eyes floating in the background. Goldstein's design brings together pictures of New York signs to form a larger picture of the Target bulls-eye. Rosenwald created designs out of words describing New York, which surrounded a Target bulls-eye. Anderson builds the Statue of Liberty and a “Big Apple” out of Target bulls-eyes in his design. While this unique ad campaign provided publicity for Target, it gave even more exposure to the artists involved. “As a supporter of the arts, Target is thrilled to give emerging artists the most visible canvas in the world to display their work,” says Michael Francis, executive vice president and chief marketing officer, Target. “We look forward to extending the artworks' reach as the billboards take on second lives as tote bags.” To learn more about these unique billboards-turned-accessories, visit www.target.com/billboardbag. Dunkin' Donuts Dunkin' Donuts is also reusing ads and adding some “green” to its pink and orange logo. The coffee and baked goods shop plans to begin repurposing its advertising banners into tote bags, as well. Dunkin' Donuts is encouraging its franchisees to take part in the campaign by recycling their store banners to help reduce excess waste in their communities. The first round of bags will be produced from banners currently in the New York Tri-State area stores. The banners announce the launch of a “Six for Three” bagel promotion. “We are excited that the New York market is the first to launch this recycled bag initiative,” said Missy Maio, Manager of Field Marketing for Dunkin' Donuts in the Central Atlantic Region. “This two-tiered program offers our customers a great value option and marks a small, symbolic step in increasing our commitment to the environment.” Dunkin' Donuts plans on distributing the recycled totes to loyal customers and hard-working employees. LED Saving Solutions Gives the Sign Industry It's Own “Cash for Clunkers” “Cash for Clunkers” isn't just for cars anymore. Now the sign industry will get a taste of the savings initiative through a new effort by the LED Saving Solutions. According to GreenandSave.com, the “Cash for Clunkers” lighting savings program is offering $10 per light bulb for companies that want to retrofit to high efficiency LED bulbs. The program will run through the end of 2010. The “Cash for Clunkers” lighting program will be capped at $10 million per month over the next year and a half. The switch to LEDs is expected to save consumers 80 percent on lighting electricity costs. “We see this initiative as a way to take the momentum created by the federal government to a new level and make a dramatic impact in our collective goal to make America more energy independent,” Charlie Szoradi, President of LED Saving Solutions told GreenandSave.com. Companies who want to participate in this program just need to submit a list of the type and quantity of bulbs or electronic files of ceiling plans. Over 200 LED bulbs qualify for the program. Each company is then put onto a list of first come, first serve candidates, who receive a free, no obligation Lighting Energy Audit. To learn more about this program, email clunkers@LEDSavingSolutions.com. SGIA Launches Sign Code Partnership In a time of increasing signage restrictions, SGIA has entered into a new Sign Code Partnership with the Visual Information Group (VIG) LLC. The member-benefit program will provide resources about sign code regulations as well as tactical solutions for zoning code obstacles affecting the specialty imaging industry. “Sign and promotional graphics are facing increased limitations from various government agencies that have restrictive sign policies built into their respective zoning codes,” said Michael Robertson, SGIA's President and CEO, in a press release. “Through our new partnership with VIG, we're better able to offer SGIA members the means to effectively work with local districts on these issues.” Under this agreement, each SGIA member will receive an annual consultation with David Williamson, the principal of VIG. Williamson has a private practice focusing on sign law and is licensed in Ohio. In addition, SGIA members will also receive a 20 percent discount off regular VIG fees for services concerning additional or continuing sign code issues. “I look forward to working with SGIA members to help resolve local sign code issues and educate communities across the nation to the value and utility of SGIA-produced exterior graphics,” said Williamson. Williamson will be at the 2009 SGIA Expo in the SGIA Membership Booth (Booth #1701). He will be available to answer any questions and provide additional information about this new partnership. For those SGIA members unable to attend the Expo, appointments can be made with VIG by contacting the SGIA Government and Business Information Department at govt@sgia.org. First SIGNARAMA in Angola SIGNARAMA (www.signarama.com), the world's largest, full-service sign franchise, is now expanding to Angola. The franchise has granted Heitor Miguel a Master License to develop franchises in Angola, with the flagship store set to open in Luanda this October. Miguel, an IT Manager, became interested in establishing SIGNARAMA in Angola as a source of quality signage for the African Cup, which Angola will host in January 2010. “We are extremely pleased to establish this relationship with Heitor and believe he will be successful in extending the SIGNARAMA brand in Angola,” said Tony Foley, president of World Franchisors. “SIGNARAMA is a well-established brand with a great record of success throughout the world, and we believe it meets a growing need in Angola.” The Angola location will feature a large showroom offering a full range of sign and graphic services. With the help of World Franchisors (a division of United Franchise Group), SIGNARAMA will further expand in Angola with an additional five stores over five years.
New Appointments
Pitman Company has appointed Steve Raboin to Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Raboin previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Marketing and New Business Development. In his new position, he will be in charge of all sales activity, and will continue to be responsible for leading the company's division initiatives, Pitman professional services, and developing marketing plans for the organization. Raboin has 10 years of experience with Pitman Company, and previously worked for Agfa Corporation for 22 years.
Meetings and Events
OCTOBER Oct 7-9: The 2009 SGIA Expo will be held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. For additional information and to register, log on to www.SGIA.org. Oct 13-15: Everyone associated with the signage industry is invited to participate in the National Signage Research and Education Conference (NSREC) at the University of Cincinnati, which is sponsored by the Signage Foundation, Inc. in collaboration with the UC Colleges of Business and Design, Architecture, Art and Planning. For more information, visit www.thesignagefoundation.org. Oct 19-22: The Hayward School of Dimensional Sign Making will be hosted by Mike Bloomquist at his resort property on Callahan Lake in Hayward, Wisconsin. To reserve a spot, call 800/689-0363 or visit www.haywardsignschool.com. Oct 26-27: United Application Standards Group testing will be held at 3M in St. Paul, Minnesota. For further details, call 612/209-9703 or visit www.uasg.org.
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Times Square Domination
