Wednesday, June 17, 2009

LG Electronics, Ecast Team Up to Install Interactive Digital Signage Network for Chicago White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field

Innovative LCD HDTVs Display Game Highlights while Touchscreen Displays Direct Fans to Concessions, Baseball Stats, MLB News, Text and Twitter.

ORLANDO, Fla., -- LG Electronics and Ecast announced their collaboration on a state-of-the art, multi-screen, interactive and live media display network installed throughout the White Sox Baseball Stadium at U.S. Cellular Field's Club Level, now dubbed the "LG Skyline Club," this week at InfoComm 2009.

Highlighting the growing role of place-based media and experiential marketing, the alliance brings together the latest video distribution platforms with Internet technology protocols and Web applications to deliver the ultimate visual and interactive media experience for White Sox Club Level patrons from the moment they enter the turnstiles.

The installation combines more than 50 LG "Full HD" 1080p LCD HDTVs and digital signage monitors for use in video walls and concessions with ten of the Ecast IQ(TM) 40-inch vertically oriented, interactive media touchscreen displays. The installation centralizes video content and display control capability and leverages LG's unique IP solution to enable video content delivery to multiple monitors. Simultaneously, Ecast's interactive media platform distributes custom applications to its ten IQ touchscreens.

"Extending the Ecast platform onto LG's new IP-based HDTVs and monitors opens the door to a variety of new solutions for the hospitality and entertainment markets," said John Taylor, Ecast CEO and president. "Using a combination of cutting-edge hardware and custom software to deliver broadcast quality video and custom advertising over the stadium's existing Ethernet network, we've enhanced the fan game day experience like never before."

"As a technology innovator in the digital signage industry, LG Electronics is committed to providing an interactive, high-definition experience for patrons in the stadium environment," said Jeff Dowell, vice president of Digital Signage, Commercial products, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions.

Ron Snaidauf, vice president, Commercial products, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions, added: "Our IP solution, and our collaboration with Ecast, provided U.S. Cellular Field the opportunity to offer high-definition, premium content and interactive social media options to their ticket holders, so that they can not only watch the game as it happens, but get the latest game/player stats and view updates from the team's Twitter or Facebook accounts all through the touch of a screen."

LG's LCD HDTVs (models LG50DC and LG30DC) and LCD monitors (model M4224C) can been seen throughout the club level with two distinct video walls, HDTVs in the bar and lounge areas and monitors at the carving and concession stands. The LG displays will "multicast" a "welcome" video attract loop, a live HD broadcast of the game integrated with informational signage and advertising messages, digital menus for the restaurants, snack concessions and bars, and guest services signage for wayfinding, texting and tweeting.

The Ecast IQ interactive media touchscreen displays feature an innovative, branded White Sox user interface (UI) featuring custom applications such as:
•An interactive stadium map to locate food concessions, seating sections, special attractions and restrooms;
•White Sox news showing real-time White Sox stories, MLB live scores and other sports news and photos, automatically updated via RSS feeds;
•White Sox trivia game where players compete for the highest scores and prizes;
•Player bios and stats: allows users to browse players' bios;
•Team schedule allowing users to browse upcoming games and special events and promotions like fireworks night;
•Interactive advertising and mini-sites allow users to engage with marketing messages from White Sox marketing partners;
•Later in the season, fans will be able to post on-screen text messages and link to Twitter feeds, Facebook and other social media sites.

"Our collaboration with LG for this installation only begins to scratch the surface of what is possible for ballparks like U.S. Cellular Field and other sports arenas using the Ecast media platform with HDTVs and monitors," said Bob Cooney, Ecast VP of business development.

Ecast

Ecast is a leader in place-based interactive media. Its hospitality network delivers digital music, games, entertainment, information and interactive advertising to more than 10,000 bars, restaurants and nightclubs across the United States. Leveraging the personal impact of touch combined with the interactivity and targeting of the Internet, Ecast brings unsurpassed consumer engagement to out-of-home markets. The Ecast EQ(TM) product for the bar and nightclub market dramatically changes how consumers interact with in-venue entertainment. With the launch of Ecast IQ(TM), Ecast is expanding its placed-based interactive media into a broad range of markets including retail, hotel, medical and sports arenas. For more information, please visit www.ecastnetwork.com.

LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 84,000 people working in 115 operations including 84 subsidiaries around the world. With 2008 global sales of $44.7 billion, LG is comprised of five business units - Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning and Business Solutions.

LG Electronics Business Solutions

The LG Electronics Business Solutions Company is a leading business-to-business (B2B) infotainment company, developing a broad range of top-class digital devices and solutions including LCD monitors, commercial displays, automotive infotainment and security systems. LG anticipates future business trends and provides unique devices and services that offer smart and reliable solutions to meet the needs of business partners and customers. With 2008 global sales of $4.3 billion, LG Electronics Business Solutions is poised for continuing rapid growth.

LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the $13 billion North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in home appliances, consumer electronics and mobile communications. The LG Electronics Business Solutions division of LG Electronics USA, serves customers in the digital signage, systems integration, lodging and hospitality, healthcare, education, government and industrial markets. Based in Lincolnshire, Ill., with its dedicated engineering and customer support team, LG Electronics USA Business Solutions delivers B2B technology solutions tailored to the particular needs of business environments. For more information, please visit www.LGcommercial.com.

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