News
HMV appoints Amscreen to digital signage contract
10th August 2009
Digital signage company announces client win
Digital signage company Amscreen has been appointed by music and entertainment specialist HMV as its digital signage partner for its hmvtickets ticketing operation.
The deal will see Amscreen's close-proximity signage units installed in an initial 27 stores across the UK, including the retailer's London flagship at 150 Oxford Street, with a future nationwide roll-out across the chain to follow.
The screens will carry information on upcoming concerts, gigs, festivals and events and will advertise ticket availability. In addition, the units will publicise up-to-date news on availability of tickets and also listings for Mean Fiddler Group venues.
HMV will own and run the new network, with Amscreen creating and managing the software platform for the system, as well as providing full customer support. The units, which have been easily integrated into HMV's existing POS (Point Of Sale), will utilise Amscreen's bespoke 'plug and play' technology, which enables screen content to be remotely updated without the need for any extra cabling or IT input, on site.
HMV's entry into music and entertainment ticketing follows the announcement earlier this year of its joint venture with the MAMA group, forming the Mean Fiddler Group, to own and operate eleven music venues around the UK, including the renamed HMV Hammersmith Apollo and HMV Forum in London and the HMV Picturehouse In Edinburgh.
The HMV announcement comes after Amscreen's announcement in April that it is has secured an exclusive digital signage contract with the 335-strong BP petrol station network.
Simon Sugar, CEO at Amscreen commented: "We're delighted to announce this deal with HMV and believe our close-proximity signage is the perfect vehicle for hmvtickets as it utilises the very best in scalable and practical solutions. We look forward to working with HMV on rolling out the network UK-wide."
Dominic Myers, Group Strategic Director of HMV said: "We are very pleased to be working with Amscreen on the formation of a digital screen network in our stores. Amscreen's 'plug and play' technology will enable us communicate our ticketing and live music offer to our customers whilst also meeting our operational requirements."
For more information on Amscreen, go to www.amscreen.co.uk or see video
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David Fraser/Sarah Henderson (Amscreen press office) at Frank PR - 020 7693 6999 / amscreen@frankpr.it
Notes to editors
Amscreen is a digital signage company, run by CEO Simon Sugar www.amscreen.co.uk
HMV is the UK & Ireland's leading music, film and games specialist - offering the widest selection of titles and products across all genres, formats and channels through 270 shops nationwide and online and as downloadable mp3 content via hmv.com.
HMV also caters to a growing demand for personal and home technology products, such as iPods and other portable digital devices, and popular culture products ranging from books and licensed products to artist merchandising and other 'cool stuff'.
HMV has, in recent years, implemented a number of key initiatives as part of an ongoing strategic plan. These include a 'next generation' store concept, which brings together 'physical' and 'digital' content in an engaging retail environment; the review of the HMV brand and introduction of the 'get closer' identity - a distillation of the company's vision that 'no-one gets you closer to the music, films and games you love'; significant investment in HMV's online and mp3 downloads offer via hmv.com; the ongoing development of a social network site 'getcloser.co'í; and the launch of purehmv - a unique scheme offering HMV customers access to moneyman rewards.
In January 2009 made a significant entry into 'live' music by partnering with MAMA Group through a joint venture to acquire eleven concert venues, including the renamed HMV Hammersmith Apollo. In April 2009 HMV announced that it was partnering with independent film distributors Curzon Artificial Eye to bring a new cinema experience to the high street - hmvcurzon will be trailed at its London, Wimbledon store from Autumn 2009. Most recently, in May 2009, HMV has signed a deal with Orange to open up to 100 of the mobile operator's concession outlets in HMV stores.
HMV is part of HMV Group plc, which also operates the Fopp music and entertainment chain in the UK, Waterstone's bookstores in the UK and Ireland and HMV stores in Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore.