New Zealand Cinema Chains Deploy First Digital Signage Network

Exton, PA September 26, 2005: Scala Inc. (www.scala.com), the worlds leading software platform for digital signage announces SignActive Limited, a Scala Certified Partner in Auckland New Zealand, rolls out New Zealand’s first cinema digital signage installation within Berkeley Cinemas and their joint venture partner Reading Cinemas.

SignActive initially began discussing the concept of a digital signage network with Berkeley Cinemas almost three years ago. While talks were underway Berkeley Cinemas formulated plans for a flagship cinema that was due to open in December 2004. One of the key drivers for the project was to use plasma screens to display movie times, trailers, cinema information and advertising. Berkeley Cinemas also wanted a cutting edge cinema environment that enhanced the movie-going experience.

Both impressive and informative this new technology has already improved the movie-going experience and enhanced ticket & candy sales. The combination of 42” and 50” plasma screens as well as a suspended “floating” screen driven by a projector provides relevant up to date content such as movie session times and prices, entertainment with movie trailers and previews plus internal and external advertising.

Using a custom written software interface developed by SignActive that collaborates between Scala InfoChannel®, the world’s leading digital software platform and the existing Vista cinema software platform, live, real-time content, including movie names, movie times and movie ratings, is dynamically generated directly from the cinema database for viewing on the displays. All the creative content including movie title images and third party advertising is sent via a private network to multiple cinema locations from SignActive’s head office in Auckland, New Zealand. In addition, each cinema manager also has the capability to change a scrolling message ticker on the displays for any on-site management updates. While people are waiting they are entertained with movie trailers and a “cinema status” screen that is constantly refreshed to show the status of each theatre in the complex.

“Because of the extensibility of the Scala InfoChannel® platform we were able to integrate database information and the Vista software system into a custom cinema experience unique in New Zealand”, says Glenn Anderson, principal at SignActive Limited.

“Our new digital signage system is much more functional and definitely more in line with the look and feel of the cinema. People just love the new technology and the customer feedback has been all positive”, said Andy Fordham, cinema complex manager for Berkeley Cinemas Botany Downs.

The next stage of the project will include an ongoing roll out to other Berkeley Cinemas and Reading Cinemas locations and further enhancements to the information shown on the displays. As the number of sites increases it is expected that more third-party advertisers will be interested in taking advantage of this new medium to communicate with prospective customers in the cinema foyers.

About Scala, Inc.
Scala, Inc. (www.scala.com) pioneered the industry of digital signage in1987, and is today headquartered near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with operations in California, the UK, Norway, The Netherlands, China and Japan. As flat panel and networking technologies catch up with Scala's vision, Scala finds itself with over a 15-year head start, helping it to win some of the largest digital signage engagements and most respectable partners in the industry. Companies that are implementing their digital signage equipment on the Scala InfoChannel® 3 platform include Tesco, Best Buy, T-Mobile, ShopRite, Virgin MegaStore, Bloomberg, Kiwi, Azizia-Panda Supermarket, McKee Foods, Burger King, Muvico, Warner Brothers Movie World, RaboBank, Nedbank, Santiago Airport, Dubai Airport. A network of over 250 Value Added Resellers across the globe offer Scala InfoChannel® solutions, and constitute our sales and support force that extends to every continent but Antarctica.

Scala, InfoChannel, and the Exclamation Point Logo are registered trademarks of Scala, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective organizations.


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