TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Month’s SBI Trivia Question Stumper:
Based on 2007 year-end expenditures, what American company spent the most money on outdoor advertising?
For the answer, scroll to the bottom of the newsletter.
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Industry News
[[HOT TOPIC]] SGIA '08 Has Lots to Offer
The SGIA Show, to be held in Atlanta, Georgia on October 15-18, offers limitless options for sign makers and industry insiders. SBI Update suggests up a few highlights that you should be aware of this year, to get the most out of this annual event.
SGIA '08 Interior Design Display Creates Indoor Buzz
To fully grasp the near limitless possibilities digital imaging for interior decoration, see the capabilities in-person at the Interior Design Display in the front lobby of Hall C at SGIA '08 (October 15-18, 2008).
The panel display features four distinct interior environments with unique items, such as ceramic textiles, tablecloths, wallpaper and upholstery fabric--all of which have all been digitally imaged. The display showcases the latest materials and processes available to digital imagers.
The following SGIA '08 exhibitors helped support the newly updated display:
* Gandinnovations (Platinum Sponsor; Booth 1403)
* 3P Inkjet Textiles Corp. (Booth 3437)
* Fisher Textiles (Booth 2631)
* Fujifilm Sericol USA Inc. (Booths 641, 741 & 941)
* Kornit Digital Ltd. (Booth 3321)
* Mimaki USA Inc. (Booth 405)
* Roysons Corp. (Dreamscape Booth 2753)
SGIA member company Hollanders Printing Systems also contributed to the display.
"Many imagers aren't aware of all the lucrative avenues associated with the interior design market," said SGIA President/CEO Michael Robertson. "This is another way SGIA '08 attendees will access innovative ideas and gain an edge over the competition."
Last year's SGIA Expo attendees said the display generated "tons of ideas." "The display caught my eye when I entered, and I had to come over and find out how these chair fabrics and tablecloths were produced," said Mary Stewart, Graphic Waves (Clearwater, Florida), at SGIA '07 in Orlando, Florida.
SGIA '08 Networking Vital for Great Expo Experience
Attendees will come to Georgia World Congress Center next month for more than cutting-edge technologies and profit-generating business ideas: They'll come to make and renew important business connections.
"Our industry runs on relationships," said SGIA Chairman Kent Yunker with Yunker Industries Inc. (Lake Geneva, Wisconsin). "The relationships you build at SGIA '08 can make all the difference to your business."
"The Expo allows you to do this in a more powerful and meaningful way -- better than over the telephone or e-mail. It gives a whole new meaning to 'in your face.' Now, it's personal," he added.
In addition to the Expo's expansive trade-show floor and stimulating seminars, attendees will have plenty of opportunities to build and maintain these relationships at:
* John M. Crawford Golf Tournament (October 14) -- Demonstrate your business values, strategies, aspirations and killer backswing to peers. SGIA's tournament at the Heritage Golf Club in Georgia offers a relaxed atmosphere to play for overall tournament bragging rights as well as prizes at each hole. http://www.sgia.org/events/current_expo/sgia08/events/golf.cfm
* Keynote Luncheon (October 15; 12:00 pm-1:45 pm) -- Find out how your company can succeed beyond year-over-year growth from Keynote Luncheon speakers Doug Tatum and Bo Burlingham. They'll draw heavily from research and knowledge in their business-growth books (available at discounted prices at www.800ceoread.com/sgia).
* Friday Night Dinner Party (October 17; 6:30 pm-10:00 pm) -- It's the premier networking event of the Expo. Come mingle with the industry's movers and shakers. Plus, you'll find out which industry professionals achieved SGIA's top honors and awards.
Register for the SGIA '08 networking events and Expo at SGIA.org, Keyword: SGIA08.
New SGIA Survey Shows Imagers Providing Total Solutions
The majority of the specialty imaging industry (78 percent) have plans to offer new products in new or existing markets within the next 12 months, according to the newly released Product Specialties Survey from SGIA Surveys & Statistics.
While customer demand is the major drive behind these new products (75.5 percent of respondents), many imaging companies said they are expanding to become a "one-stop shop" for their customers (60.9 percent).
"This will likely continue because increasingly customers have limited time and place a higher value on service," said Katy Sauer Lellelid, SGIA's Business and Marketplace Analyst. "Imaging companies view themselves as the 'solution providers' instead of printers."
Additionally, imagers said new product offerings would help them explore new lucrative opportunities (58.2 percent), differentiate themselves from the competition (51.5 percent), meet sales force demands (33.5 percent), enter new markets (29.9 percent), address pressure from the competition (22.9 percent) and start a new business or unit (13.3 percent).
Other notable highlights from the SGIA survey report:
* Most imaging companies (68 percent) say they offer finishing services.
* To serve as a "one-stop shop" for their customers, 55 percent of survey respondents buy print services, including finishing and production, from other printing companies.
* Lamination was the top finishing service offered by the industry at 73.5 percent.
* The top five products for graphic producers are banners, signage, displays, point-of-purchase and point-of-sale graphics and labels.
* The top five products for garment decorators are T-shirts, caps and headwear, athletic wear, uniforms and bags.
Access the full report and more market intelligence at SGIA.org, Keyword: Surveys.
Many companies have designated SGIA '08 as the venue to introduce new products or upgrades. Find more information at SGIA.org, Keyword: SGIA08.
Advance Repositions for Strength and Alignment
Advance Transformer, manufacturer of ballasts and drivers for fluorescent, HID, and LED lamps, recently announced its launch of an exciting repositioning campaign that will serve to both acknowledge its long-standing position and history as a leader in the ballast industry while firmly reflecting its affiliation to global technology leader and corporate parent Philips. As part of the initiative, Advance will officially become known as Philips Lighting Electronics North America (N.A.) and will adopt Philips Advance as its product brand on all existing electronic and magnetic fluorescent and HID ballasts.
Founded in 1945 and acquired by Philips in 1959, Advance has prided itself on helping to both lead and define the ballast and lighting industries for over 60 years. The move towards more consistent Philips branding is designed to facilitate a broader range of market opportunities and a simplification of its corporate affiliation in the marketplace.
Beginning in mid-2008 and continuing throughout 2009, Advance's repositioning activities will manifest themselves in the form of updated product packaging, collateral, and commercial documentation reflecting the new organization and product brand names.
"As a proud member of the Philips family, we are very excited to drive these measures as a means of acknowledging the critical role we play as a leading components supplier within Philips and as a way to promote the strength we can deliver through the combination of our two recognized brands," said CEO of Philips Lighting Electronics N.A. Pieter de Haan. "But while our organization and brand name may change slightly, the market can rest assured that our values and dedication to the customer experience will remain the same."
STRATACACHE Announces $25 Million Acquisition Fund
STRATACACHE, a provider of advanced digital media software for highly distributed enterprises, media networks and leading telecommunications providers worldwide, recently announced a $25M acquisition fund targeting technology and media companies in the digital signage/digital out-of-home (OOH) media marketplace.
"Although the out-of-home advertising segment is one of the fastest growing segments in the industry, tightening advertising budgets worldwide are putting increased pressure on many early-stage companies in the marketplace," said STRATACACHE CEO Chris Riegel. "Many venture-backed or privately held companies with considerable potential were expecting unrealistic growth in the short term and are now running into significant financial difficulty."
With its award-winning digital signage solution, ActiVia for Media, STRATACACHE is poised to grow its offerings and bolster its emphasis on technology by adding complimentary solutions and acquiring appropriately aligned enterprises. The ActiVia for Media digital signage solution manages the entire digital signage lifecycle for multi-layered playlist creation, content distribution, monitoring and reporting of digital signage networks containing up to 250,000 concurrent devices
STRATACACHE's merger and acquisition team has demonstrated success through multiple acquisitions within the past five years, and feels that opportunity exists for further growth in this sector for companies with strong management and healthy balance sheets.
Marketing spend remains strong and is still expected to increase in 2008, but an easing of growth in the economy has thwarted an immediate boon in the OOH marketplace. Overall, dollars are undeniably shifting within most major media budgets, moving out of traditional media and into interactive and digital point-of-sale mediums, yet that shift is being stymied by current economic conditions.
STRATACACHE, bases in Dayton, Ohio, is a leader in efficient, scalable and cost effective content distribution, digital signage/digital cinema and application acceleration solutions for highly distributed, network connected organizations. Serving Global 2,000 customers in the retail, finance, service, manufacturing, and government markets worldwide, STRATACACHE's products transparently solve large-scale content distribution, digital media, and application performance challenges while immediately providing tangible return-on-investment and dramatically improved user satisfaction.
SEGD Workshop To Explore "Dynamic Environments"
Advances in display technologies and computing are making it possible for new media to be integrated--literally--into the fabric of built environments. These media-saturated environments can dramatically reinforce brand messaging, create new revenue streams, energize public spaces, and engage shoppers in compelling new ways.
Dynamic environments create special design challenges and opportunities. Both are the focus of SEGD Dynamic Environments II, an educational event scheduled for November 13-14 in Los Angeles. Dynamic Environments II is intended for designers, architects, exhibition designers, art directors, advertising agencies, real estate developers, fabricators, manufacturers, and technology consultants involved in the planning, design, construction, or implementation of dynamic environments. This second annual event will offer a dynamic program mix of high-profile speakers, workshops, case studies, expert panels, a tech showcase, and tours of projects in Los Angeles, from public art installations to shopping destinations and a hospital campus.
After a day of site tours, the event will kick off on Thursday, November 13, with a cocktail reception and opening remarks by Michael Roth, vice president of corporate communications for downtown Los Angeles' new L.A. Live retail/entertainment district and "content campus."
On Friday, November 14, attendees will hear from speakers who have directed some of the world's highest-profile dynamic environments projects. Expert panels, tours, case studies, and speakers will cover topics ranging from regulatory approvals to content development and from business models to display technologies. A tech showcase will feature state-of-the-art display technologies and software.
"We believe this is an important new frontier for designers, and our goal is to lead the way toward best practices in the planning, design, and implementation of dynamic environments," says Leslie Gallery Dilworth, CEO of SEGD.
Speakers will include Lee Skolnick, whose architecture and design practice has created the new Sony Wonder Technology Lab museum, opening in New York in October 2008; architect Simone Giostra, creator of Beijing's GreenPix Zero Energy Media Wall; Beijing designer Zhu Pei of Studio Pei-Zhu; David Niles, whose design and production firm conceived and produced the Comcast Experience in Philadelphia; Phil Lenger of Show & Tell Productions; and Craig Hanna of Thinkwell Design & Production.
The event will be headquartered at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel & Spa, the cornerstone of LA's Hollywood & Highland shopping and entertainment district. Event sponsors include Daktronics, Mark IV IDS, Barco, Lighthouse Technologies Limited, Akzo Nobel, D3 LED, Edwards Technologies, Omnivex, The Retail Media Company, Show & Tell Productions, and Split Rock HD. For the full agenda and information, visit www.segd.org.
The DOT Printer Acquires Page One Digital
With 35% of printed materials being thrown away, advertisers seeking more intimate ways of connecting with customers, and people ever more sensitive to their environment, it's unsurprising that the printing industry is embracing digital technology in new exciting ways. At the forefront of that trend is a 28-year-old, Irvine, California printing company, The DOT Printer.
The "DOT" stands for "digital offset technology," and that differentiation was underscored recently when Bruce Carson, President/CEO, announced the acquisition of Costa Mesa, California-based Page One Digital.
This acquisition, its first in ten years, operationally focuses The DOT Printer on the fast response, smaller runs enabled by digital technology--the heart of Page One Digital's customer list. Page One Digital enjoys an outstanding reputation for quality digital printing and expertise in variable data marketing.
The DOT Printer will offer Page One Digital clients the one-stop, comprehensive services previously unavailable to them from a single resource, such as fulfillment, information technology, and Web site development, plus enhanced variable data, print-on-demand with Hewlett Packard Indigo digital presses, and sheet fed litho and web press options.
Mark Hutchins, Page One Digital founder, will stay on to service his clients as Vice President, Sales & Business Development, of The DOT Printer.
The DOT Printer has grown steadily since its founding in 1980, utilizing digital offset technology to provide broad graphics services for clients seeking quality printing, finishing, fulfillment, and digitally-enabled one-to-one marketing capabilities.
New Appointments
Oracal USA
announced that Craig Campbell has been promoted to the newly created position of Business Manager, responsible for management of the company's team of Customer Sales & Support Representatives while remaining actively involved in the development of new products, markets and partnership opportunities.
Meetings and Events
OCTOBER
Oct 2 - 3: ISA's "On the Road Series: Hands-on Electrical Troubleshooting and Preventative Maintenance" will be conducted at the Four Points by Sheraton Portland East in Portland, Oregon. To register, call 703/836-6088 or browse www.signs.org.
Oct 15 - 18: SGIA '08, the Specialty Printing and Imaging Expo, will be held at the Georgia World Congress in Atlanta, Georgia. This year, SGIA is also teaming up with the PDAA to present the hands-on WrapQuest '08 at this Expo. For additional information about attending this event, visit www.sgia.org or www.pdaa.com.
Sponsored Links
DPSBanners.com --
DPSBanners.com offers large format digital printing on vinyl banners, mesh banners, magnetic car sign and flatbed printing on foam board, Gator Board, Coroplast and more! Wholesale to the trade, best prices! Order Online! 1-888-790-2665. www.dpsbanners.com
This Month's Trivia Answer:
AT&T Long Distance*
*According to statistics compiled by the Outdoor Advertising Association of America, Inc.
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For in-depth coverage of these topics and other
sign industry topics, check out
www.signshop.com
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the October SGIA 2008 issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Vinyl Adhesives
Architectural Wayfinding
Digital Printing Growth Management
Dimensional ADA
LED Channel Letters
P-O-P Installation
Design Software
Vehicle Graphic Vinyl
ATTENTION ADVERTISERS and SUBSCRIBERS:
Coming up in the November issue of
Sign Builder Illustrated,
feature articles on:
Digital Printing on Banners
Gold Leaf Marketing
LED Video Displays
Neon Lighting
Vehicle Graphics Software
Large Format Vinyl
Contact your ad sales representative to reserve your space today.
As the premier e-newsletter for the sign industry, SBI Update encourages readers to send feedback on what you like, what you'd like to see, and any other comments you might have. To do so, send an e-mail to Managing Editor Chris Ytuarte at cytuarte@sbpub.com.
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© 2008 Simmons-Boardman Publishing
345 Hudson St., 12th Floor • New York, NY 10014
212-620-7200
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Steel Art Company
"Exclusively to the Sign Trade"
Letters and Logos Waterjet cut or Channel Style. All metals. Standard and Custom Finishing. LEDs, Raster Braille in Metal, Etching.
Most solid cut ship in 8 - 10 days.
....at the start..consider the finish...STEEL ART COMPANY www.steelartco.com
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Tetra Power White
LED Lighting System GE Lumination introduces the new Tetra Power White LED System for channel letters that is now 89% brighter at less than half the cost per lumen. Tetra Power White delivers an impressive 66 lumens of brilliant white light. Perfect for large backlit and reverse-halo applications. To learn more, call 1-888-MY-GE-LED or visit: www.lumination.com
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The MBX Vinyl Zapper from Montipower quickly strips vinyl lettering, graphics, and reflective tape with minimal adhesive residue.
* No damage to paint or substrate
* Use on metal, glass & fiberglass
* Cuts labor by more than 70%
For more information, click on: www.mbxit.com
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Ultraflex Eco-Friendly Options Ultraflex Systems, Inc., shows innovative spirit and environmental responsibility with BIOflex biodegradable PVC front-lit sign media, BIOmesh biodegradable mesh, and PolyeLite recyclable lightweight (4.5oz) durable polyethylene (UV printing) for billboard/banner applications. These eco-friendly products are amongst over 30 offerings including Frontlit, Backlit, Blockout, Mesh, Wallscapes, Carpet and Rigid medias. For more information, call 973/627-8608 or click: www.ultrafleXX.com
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ViewStation Array:
Your Digital Signage
Hardware Solution ViewStation Array features a full protection enclosure, thermal management, and post-mounted billboard-sized display. Each ViewStation Array comes complete with six LCD displays, providing options for message diversity in high-traffic applications. With ViewStation Array all you have to do is add your content and go! www.ITSenclosures.com
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Mimaki's next generation CJV30 Series is an integrated print/cut system that automatically contour cuts without any in-between steps. The CJV30 is fully loaded with features and bundled software that deliver unmatched productivity and flawless print quality. Available in four sizes for a wide variety of applications. For information, click here: Mimaki USA
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An Affordable Cold Laminator Laminate or mount your prints quickly and easily with the Quikmount 4 cold laminator. It has all the features found on more expensive laminators, but costs thousands of dollars less. Ruggedly built from steel and aluminum, features include a heavy-duty motor, automatic take up shaft, and silicone rollers. For more information, click here: www.Daige.com
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The Fletcher-Terry Company designs, manufactures, and sells the highest quality substrate cutters in the industry. With over 90 patents, including the very first hand cutter back in 1868, our ingenuity and our history have become our trademark. For more information, click here: www.fletcher-terry.com
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EconoChannel's Rapid Service offers Next Day turnaround on cabinets and formed faces, 2-Day turnaround on painted cabinets, 3 & 5-Day turnaround on channel letters, and 10-Day turnaround on decorated pan & embossed faces. Save yourself the headaches and give EconoChannel a call at 800-991-2669.Restrictions apply, please call for details. www.EconoChannel.com
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Discover New Products and Markets SGIA'08 (Atlanta, October 15-18) is where you'll find the tools and resources to create innovative, total solutions for your customers. From exhibitors showcasing the newest technologies and applications to educational sessions and
networking events, SGIA'08 is "where the Innovation Nation unites," and where you're sure to step up your business strategy. Register now and reserve your " target="_new">hotel room.
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Sign Builder Illustrated
Buyer's Guide 2007
Published twice per year in March and September, the Buyer's Guide lists manufacturers, distributors, and sign companies that comprise the industry in the U.S. and Canada. SBI Buyer's Guide
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Sign Builder Illustrated:
The How-To Book Vol. 1 Learn secrets to fabricating neon, illuminating with LED, sandblasting signs, applying paints, cutting and printing vinyl, and more in this 288-page, full-color reprinting of Sign Builder Illustrated's trademark How-To articles. To visit the How-to Book Web site, click on: SBI How-To Book
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Sign Builder Illustrated presents:
Vehicle Graphics 101 Check out this special SBI supplement for all the information you need to get started, get good, and get profitable in the world of vehicle graphics. From wrap schools and required tools, to marketing your skills and paying the bills, this How-to supplement has it all. Check out the digital version here:
Vehicle Graphics 101
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Sign Builder Illustrated
Goes Digital With live hyperlinks to video clips, advertiser information, and other features, SBI Digital offers the newest online technology with the familiar layout of a hardcopy issue. To view an example, click on:
SBI Digital Magazine
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Advance Repositions for Strength and Alignment
