I have been reading up quite a bit lately on the digital signage industry–as if you couldn’t tell by the amount of blog posts I have written lately on the subject. The digital signage blog is one of my favorites. Nate Nead offers some witty, but often accurate views into the industry. His topics range from industry content to hardware to best practices and often to critique of other writers and companies in the realm of out-of-home.

In a review of the digital signage expo, he wrote the following about some of the drama going on lately:

Many of the industry’s organizations—under the guise of industry promulgation and professionalism—seem to be exhibiting just the opposite in their spirit of competition. The activity here is not in the least bit surprising, given the simply cutthroat nature of things in digital signage. Treating things like a zero-sum game exhibits a self-fulfilling prophecy-like result—wherein you receive exactly what you expect.

He tells it like it is. From what he saw at the expo, it sounds as though the industry is on a bit of a rebound for those who were able to make it through the tough times over the last couple years. While I was not at the expo, it certainly sounds like the industry is still ripe for growth going forward.

Keep up the good work Nate, there are many out there who are reading, following, and taking note.

The digital signage market is growing. The digital signage blog just released an interesting piece outlining where things are moving for digital signage in 2010 and beyond. It is very interesting. In the post Nate Nead gives 14 predictions for digital signage in the coming months ahead. I have listed his predictions below.

Companies: barriers to entry will be more formidable.

Customers: barriers to entry will continue to erode.

Technology marriages will become more widespread.

The dust from the hardware/software price war will settle.

Some large “industry leading” companies will fold.

Company consolidation will continue to occur.

Stick around, you may be able to get some software for a song in the months ahead.

Searches for terms relating to “digital signage” will somewhat plateau.

Re-engagement with dead/cold leads will increase.

Seekers of the technology will be more educated and more qualified.

Funding and VC Pocketbooks will open.

Content creation will become more of a industry necessity.

Digital menu boards will begin to see an explosion.

Digital signage will become more of a household name.

I personally believe in almost everything Nate had to say, with the exception of the fact that VC pockets opening. I think the luxury of digital media will not make it as safe an investment as other outlets for VC firms going forward. Other than that, the post had some great points. Certainly with all the hype of the digital signage industry, we will continue to see more expansion in that sector.

It is plainly obvious to us that you are pulling information from the Digital Signage Universe Directory (You would not have gotten this email address any other way) in order to build your own Directory. While we can’t prevent you from doing this, we would strongly recommend that you make your directory “significantly” different from ours, otherwise we will shove a lawyer so far up you’re a**, you wont s*** for a year!  Don’t say you weren’t warned, we are keeping a close eye on you!

Best Regards,

Digital Signage Universe

[edited for content]

I’m in my mid twenties and have only been in business for a couple years.  However, there is one thing that I’ve already learned about the grand scheme of business – competition.

Competition is healthy for consumers.  Through competition they receive higher product quality, lower Continue Reading »

If you have a business with any public space are you using it to your fullest benefit?

I walk past the same businesses every day I take the train downtown. What continues to surprise me is that these businesses have great advertising real estate (front windows and doors, exterior walls, signage placards) that they are not utilizing. If you have a retail or office location that has ANY public traffic you should be utilizing it.

Digital signage displays are the easiest to maintain (no need to manually change out signs every day, week, etc) and offer a lot more attention grab for your buck. Digital signage options are varied, and include kiosks, point of sale, ambient, or informational.

Digital signage is affordable too. Considering that the images, advertisements and information can be Continue Reading »