EWI Worldwide, a global, live communications company, has announced the addition of Andrew Austin to its Interior Works service group. As Vice President of Retail Innovation, Austin will lead the development of retail technology for client programs and drive the company’s continued commitment to deliver market-leading technology solutions.
“Andy’s extensive knowledge of technology and passion for retail brings innovative thinking to EWI Worldwide and extended value to client programs,” says Alan LaFreniere, president of Interior Works, EWI Worldwide. “He is a next-generation thinker who will expand digital boundaries for our live communications industry.”
Austin is an authority in blending retail technology and customer experience. During his most recent tenure at AT&T as Director of Customer Experience and Product Realization, Austin spearheaded the first worldwide launch of the award-winning Microsoft Surface within AT&T stores. A major milestone in technology solutions, Microsoft Surface is an interactive, table-like display that gives salespeople the opportunity to engage consumers with products and content using touch, gestures, and object recognition.
“Too many businesses make the mistake of treating technology as a replacement for salespeople and human interaction. That’s a dangerous path,” says Austin. “AT&T’s application of Microsoft Surface is just one example of how technology can be used as a sales tool to engage customers, raise quotas and ultimately improve bottom line. This is the kind of smart technology and innovation I am excited to bring to EWI Worldwide and its clients.”
With a decade of brand-side sales, marketing and operations experience in the wireless and consumer electronics industries, Austin has also held marketing and sales positions for MCI/Worldcom, Verus Technology Solutions and Caesars Tahoe (a subsidiary of Harrah’s Entertainment).
An active industry speaker, Austin is scheduled to present a seminar on Emerging Media Technology at the Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas next month. He holds a bachelor of arts in Sociology-Organizational Studies with a focus on Technology from the University of California.
EWI Worldwide is a global, live communications company that connects people to brands at every face-to-face touch point. EWI Worldwide supports a diverse group of clients across multiple industries. The company has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Shanghai and Winston-Salem and resource partners worldwide. For more information, visit www.ewiworldwide.com.
