When I was invited to be a Judge, on another Awards contest for digital signage, I looked closely at the program (and eventually had a role in crafting its roll-out). This one is not just another awards program. The BlueMaxx Award promotes development around technologies and applications that enable interactivity between digital signs and mobile, handheld devices. This is at the heart of recent developments in digital signage, and I'm excited about being involved.
It is widely accepted that consumer interactivity is one of, if not the top driver of future success in the digital out-of-home industry (DOOH). Not only is it measurable, but it is engaging and stimulating. Consumers are becoming prolific in their use of handheld, often touch screen-enabled smart devices. As consumers become accustomed to receiving applications, coupons, and marketing information via their phones and gadgets with short-range communications, in-store marketers will seek new ways to leverage mobile devices in concert with digital signage.
Even better news: due to industries focus on the big spring trade shows, and now InfoComm, the BlueMaxx judges and organizers have decided to extend the deadline for entry until the conclusion of summer.
This is the new release:
STRATACACHE Extends Call for Entries
Deadline for Inaugural BlueMaxx Award
Industry Recognition for Excellence in
Digital Out-of-Home Interactive Development
Dayton, OH, June 1, 2010—STRATACACHE announced today its plans to extend the submission deadline for the inaugural BlueMaxx Award until September 14, 2010. The BlueMaxx Award, sponsored by STRATACACHE, honors the most successful development around technologies and applications that enable interactivity between digital signage and mobile, handheld devices.
Key criteria for the BlueMaxx Award:
• A deserving candidate is an organization with a digital signage project and mobile handset application that is positively affecting the customer experience, sales, human resources, training and development, and/or providing a service to consumers and constituents.
• A deserving candidate may also be using the technology to measure the effectiveness of the interaction with the consumer or end user.
• Interactivity must directly relate to a digital signage application or media interface and leverage short-range or other forms of communication for interaction with mobile handsets.
Judges include David Keene (Digital Signage magazine, and DigitalSignageWeekly.com), Adrian Cotterill (DailyDOOH) and Dave Haynes (The Preset Group).
The winner will be announced during a ceremony at Customer Engagement Technology World (CETW), November 10-11, 2010 at the Javits Center in New York City. The winner will be highlighted at CETW, promoted and recognized via industry-wide media outlets, and presented with a lexan award for display.
