CHARTER DIGITAL MEDIA EXPANDS RELATIONSHIP WITH RMS NETWORKS
Upgrades Digital Networks with rVue, RMS’ Ad and Content Serving Technology

New York, NY (July 1, 2008) – Charter Digital Media (CDM) the national sales management, marketing and consulting firm to digital media and out-of-home networks, has expanded its relationship with RMS Networks, Inc. by selecting rVue, RMS’ ad and content serving technology for its out-of-home networks.

Currently, CDM represents national, regional and local digital media and private television networks for mass audiences, automotive retail, healthcare, sports entertainment facilities, shopping mall and in-store advertising. Prior to adopting rVue, CDM delivered and managed their client’s advertising content via the Internet, satellite and DVDs. With approximately 50,000 screens in over 4,700 venues in locations like the NY Port Authority/Times Square, South Street Seaport, Casino Channel Network, OnTrack Network and thousands of retail outlets, CDM was searching for a technology that made managing their expanding network simple while bringing in revenue.

“We are fortunate to manage some of the most desirable digital signage networks in the country. Our clients deserve the finest options available, so our technology partners must be effective, reliable and offer us only best-in-class solutions,” notes Terence J. Kollman, President & CEO of Charter Digital Media. “RMS has been a leader in this space for years. rVue is the first solution that truly enabled us to easily manage networks while bringing in revenue. It was a natural decision to bring the most powerful innovation we could find to our clients.”

RMS Networks, Inc. has been the leading digital media and marketing agency for over 12 years. Earlier this year, the company launched its proprietary rVue application – a revolutionary solution that allows retailers or content managers to control in-store video programming with drag-and-drop ease. Selecting from thousands of product segments, advertisements, instructional videos and other content, programming then downloads via the Internet.

“Charter Digital Media manages some of the most visible outlets in the industry and needed a solution that was reliable, powerful, yet easy to manage,” said Jason Kates, Founder and CEO of RMS Networks, Inc. “CDM’s outlets are high-traffic and very attractive to advertisers. With rVue, CDM now has the option of pulling in additional advertising revenue for its clients as well as driving sales through content messaging. It is a win-win for all.”

About Charter Digital Media:
Charter Digital Media is a national sales and consulting organization serving the national, regional and local digital media and out-of-home networks for mass audiences, automotive retail, healthcare, sports entertainment facilities, shopping mall and other in-store advertising with representatives in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. CDM represents these networks to advertisers and their advertising agencies, major buying groups, out-of-home buying services and promotional marketing agencies.

About RMS:
RMS is the leading internet based, digital media and marketing agency that develops, manages and delivers the most relevant video advertising segments to millions of consumers daily. Through rVue, RMS’ proprietary ad and content serving technology, high-traffic venues and consumers can access HD video content, create play lists and dramatically enhance the shopping experience. From its headquarters in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., RMS has served the nation’s most respected and recognizable brands including AutoNation, Blockbuster, Subway, Accenture and Advance Auto Parts – all with a simple proposition: Where ROI meets awareness. That’s RMS. Learn more at www.rmsnetworks.com and www.rvue.com.

Had to post this article Douglas Quenqua over at The ClickZ Network wrote.

As New Car Sales Slide, Audience for Automotive Video Online Booms

Despite an overall slowdown in automotive sales in the U.S., consumers are increasingly using online video to shop for new vehicles, according to a new study from Google.

According to the study, searches for specific vehicle brand names coupled with the term “video” have risen 237 percent over the past year. In March 2008, 240,000 such searches occurred on major search engines.

“Consumers are clearly accessing video content at an accelerating rate across the board in terms of the automotive sector,” said Bonita Stewart, director of automotive at Google. As to why new vehicle shoppers may be more inclined to view videos than other types of shoppers, she said the category “has always been more inclined to site, sound and motion, and now you have portable video content available to consumers.”

The Google study is a small bit of good news for the struggling automotive sector. According to an April 2008 forecast by Standard & Poor’s Rating Service, U.S. auto sales will likely drop by more than a million units this year to fewer than 15 million new vehicles, the lowest level in more than a decade. This comes on the heels of a 16 percent drop in new vehicle sales over the past year.

Luckily for the auto manufacturers, consumers who shop online for cars show signs of entering the process with an open mind. Forty-nine percent were exposed to new vehicle options for the first time when shopping online, and a large percentage went beyond manufacturer Web sites to view automotive video, the study said. For example, 41 percent of shoppers in the market for a new vehicle viewed video on YouTube prior to purchase, according to the study.

The study also found that consumers are performing their research for new vehicles in an increasingly compact time frame. “We found that 59 percent of new vehicle buyers actually research their vehicles in one month or less. The process is condensing,” said Stewart. The study also identified the top-three reasons consumers sought out automotive video online. They are, in descending order, to see the vehicle, to learn more about the vehicle’s specifications and to get an overall review.

The study, which was commissioned by Google, was conducted by research firm Compete. The data was compiled through observation of major search engine activity coupled with a survey of 780 in-market automotive shoppers. The survey applies only to those in the market for a new vehicle, and does not include those shopping for previously owned cars.

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W.Elmore

What a busy week. So many things are happening at the same time it’s incredible. I’d need to be a full time blogger or at least part time to tell you about all of it.

Digital signage / Digital Out-of-home advertising is growing so fast it’s amazing. In fact, it’s so close to video on the web and online advertising, if you’re not in the industry you’d probably read and article and think it was talking about one of those “better known” terms. Some people are even calling it out-of-home TV just because the ad moves or some of the content is traditional looking. Fast Company’s July/August issue has an article titled “Can’t Escape TV”.

Whatever. Call it what you want to call it, the real issue is the marketers that have long focused on segmenting consumers to approach them via the media channels and destinations they use most are finding that in many markets, media fragmentation has made reaching a large enough audience increasingly difficult.

This is where the digital signage agencies that don’t offer or support “true” digital signage solutions are getting tossed aside and the real ones (RMS Networks) are cleaning up.

Like I said busy week.

W. Elmore

Ahhh bed. After a week long rush of awards, workshops and parties-parties-parties this is all I can mustard up. My brain’s been overloaded with some of the most stimulating conversations by what I would call some of the world’s most interesting minds and all I can think of right now is how everyone questions what’s next. Successful-Unsuccessful, Rich-Poor, Worldwide-Local, everyone wants to know how to take advantage, sorry, capitalize on what’s next. For the growth of the industry of course.

Pretty cool to be apart of an industry or maybe its just an era that constantly wants to push the envelope.

W. Elmore

Arriving a few days early for the Cannes Lions 2008 and loving it.
Yeah my flight over was long and seemed to have more delays than a print campaign but it was worth it. The hot topic again is digital, especially when it comes to integrating media into the digital out-of home segment. It’s amazing to see everyone so interested in learning about the latest innovations and technologies from one another. And the real “scheduled” workshops and seminars haven’t even begun!

Of course I’ve signed up for quite a few of the workshops and I’m planning on making it to as many seminars as I can throughout the week but if today is any indication of what the rest of the week is going to be like, The 55^th International Advertising Festival is going to be great.

Off to meet up for pre-pre-dinner cocktails.

W. Elmore

Ad Agency Owners, Executives and all other Industry Service Providers are invited to an informal discussion and light lunch with AAF’s Lobbyist Jack Hebert to learn how Amendment 5 will hit your bottom line. View Event Summary

WHEN: Friday, June 13, 2008 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
WHERE: RMS Networks - 900 SE 3rd Avenue, Third Floor - Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316
FEE: AdFed Members $5.00 Non-Member $10.00
Payment will be accepted at the door only.

Email your RSVP to info@advertisingfederation.org

More headline news hot off the digital press here at rmsnetworks.com

RMS NETWORKS PROMOTES JAY WILSON TO CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
Industry Leader to Head Digital Media & Marketing Agency’s Technology Advances

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (June 11, 2008) – Leading digital media and marketing agency, RMS Networks, announces Jay Wilson’s promotion to Chief Technology Officer, highlighting Wilson’s outstanding success and complex knowledge of the digital arena.

“Jay is much more than an experienced professional in the digital media and marketing industry. His forward-thinking and thorough understanding of technology has helped push RMS to stay at the forefront of this digital revolution,” said Jason Kates, CEO and founder of RMS Networks. “For almost a decade, Jay has proven himself invaluable to the agency. As RMS continues to pioneer new digital marketing advancements, I can think of no one more qualified to assume such a critical role.”

Wilson joined RMS in 1999 as an assistant software technician and has risen through the company, directing technology developments and new initiatives. Formerly Director of Engineering, Wilson’s key projects have included designing an automated digital workflow system that reduced labor requirements by streamlining operations between creative and technical departments, implementing linux-based solutions throughout the company to improve efficiencies and lower costs, as well as supervising the re-engineering of RMS’ digital playback application. As CTO, Wilson will continue to lead RMS’ product development projects, including overseeing the proprietary free-to-download video content delivery and ad management software, rVue. With it’s user-friendly features that integrate digital signage, mobile, and internet experiences for advertisers, retailers and consumers alike, rVue is revolutionizing the digital marketing arena.

Responsible for all technological applications and key relationships, Wilson and his dedicated team of engineers successfully manage RMS’ computer operations, application solutions, systems and networks, as well as direct relationships with numerous technology vendors, including Dell, Panasonic and Minicom.

“This is the culmination of a decade-long climb through a dynamic and innovative company,” Wilson said. “I’m proud to lead the RMS technology initiatives and I welcome the challenges that the future of digital media and marketing will continue to put before us.

No picture for me today. It’s all about the big guy.
W. Elmore

Greetings from RMS Networks at the AAF’s Annual National Conference themed “Breaking Through - Making the Connection” in HotLanta, GA!

Whew! Today is the last day of the conference and the hottest thing going - aside from the temperatures outside - is the buzz about the digital revolution, emergence and convergence of technologies, social networking, breaking through the clutter to reach customers, budgets shifting away from the most traditional advertising and more…

The race is on. The conversation is more of the same - but this time it is from the biggest advertising dogs around. The common message resounding again and again? That more traditional agencies must partner with or purchase digital agencies, or quickly become more educated to survive and offer their clients the solutions they need. To thrive, agencies must start partnering with shops offering complimentary skills. As an industry, we are asked to shift to a co-mentoring mentality between levels so that we are listening closer to those who have their fingers firmly on the pulse on what’s next as well as those with the skills to develop our leaders of tomorrow.

The call is for advertisers to be authentic and transparent in our messaging. When we use advertising vehicles with response mechanisms, listen closely to our target audience. We may not like everything they have to say, but we are provided with invaluable feedback from our clients that, when responded to, allows us to quickly improve our products, services and messages. The best news? We have more tools than ever to do so.

This is just the beginning of the shift. No one seems to know where it will all land, but we do know advertisers are going more digital than ever before and audiences are ready for it. I’m feeling very fortunate to be part of the RMS team where these are discussions we have every day. These are practices we use every day. But, technology changes at breakneck speed. While times have changed already, from the sounds of it, we all need buckle up ’cause we haven’t seen anything yet!

Seriously ! Using the Google TV Ads program is so fun it’s like playing a game.

Remember back when arcades switched from using tokens to giving you credits on a game card?

You had no clue what you had or what you were spending because you couldn’t actually see the money leave your pocket. That’s what people have been doing for years when they buy internet and tv ads. To most it’s just POOF the money is just gone. Now I’m not talking about the big boys with the 7 figure ad budgets and the team of analysts to tell them what worked and what didn’t, I’m referring to the everyday people with actual budgets that work hard and feel that advertising is somewhat like playing darts in the dark. You just have to be lucky.

But now with Google adding the TV Ads program to the mix you can actually feel like you’re in control. Sure you still need to get professionally created spots developed and produced so that they deliver the right message with the right visuals, something RMS Networks can handle without a problem. And No, Google TV Ads isn’t going to make you’re computer an ATM and put physical money back in your hand (ha I finished the game token analogy) but it is going to consolidated another one of those annoying pieces of a marketing campaign into one place. Nice.

Giving everyone the ability to do something without as many middlemen and computing the data for you, no complains here.

W. Elmore

I know I know it’s here and more is on the way, advertising inside your car.
It’s even got great potential with how well internet connectivity and GPS technology is exploding.
Can we all sing along?
The wheels on the captive audience are trapped inside – trapped inside – trapped inside.
Fun isn’t it ?! But how much does the price of gas affect this mediums future?

Inspired by… Get Set To Have Advertising Along For The Ride In Your Car

W. Elmore