Messaging and Q&As
Key Messages
- Video Unlimited 4K service is the world’s first and only 4K Ultra HD video download service, with access to an expanding library of native 4K Ultra HD feature films and TV shows.
- At launch in Sept. 2013, the service has more than 70-full length native 4K Ultra HD feature films and TV shows from Sony Pictures Entertainment and other notable production houses, with a library of more than 100 expected to become available in 4K Ultra HD before the end of the year.
- Video Unlimited 4K will offer customers the option to rent and purchase content for download on Sony’s 4K Ultra HD Media Player (FMP-X1) for playback on Sony 4K Ultra HD televisions.
- The cost for TV episodes is $3.99; feature films start at $7.99 for a 24-hour rental, or $29.99 for a purchase.
- Select purchased titles include an UltraViolet™ digital version of the movie or TV show, enabling consumers to further enjoy their content on the go (in high definition or standard definition).
Q&A:
1. Q: What is the network video service Sony unveiled today?
A: Sony’s Video Unlimited 4K network video service will offer feature films, movies, short-form videos and TV shows in 4K Ultra HD to consumers who have purchased the XBR-X900A 4K Ultra HD TV and FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player.
2. Q: How many titles (films, shorts and TV episodes) does the service include at launch?
A: At launch in Sept. 2013, the service has more than 70-full length native 4K Ultra HD feature films and TV shows from Sony Pictures Entertainment and other notable production houses, with a library of more than 100 expected to become available in 4K Ultra HD before the end of the year.
Total count at launch: 111
Feature films: 51 SPE / 2 Indie
TV episodes: 20 Breaking Bad (Seasons 1 and 2)
Shorts, Music Videos, Gallery Features: 38
Feature films: 51 SPE / 2 Indie
TV episodes: 20 Breaking Bad (Seasons 1 and 2)
Shorts, Music Videos, Gallery Features: 38
3. Q: What does Video Unlimited 4K cost?
A: The 4K Ultra HD Media Player is sold separately, and includes 10 4K feature films and a variety of pre-loaded 4K Ultra HD content (an est. $300 value). Additional films and TV shows are available through the Video Unlimited 4K download service. The cost for TV episodes is $3.99; feature films start at $7.99 for a 24-hour rental, or $29.99 for a purchase.
A: The 4K Ultra HD Media Player is sold separately, and includes 10 4K feature films and a variety of pre-loaded 4K Ultra HD content (an est. $300 value). Additional films and TV shows are available through the Video Unlimited 4K download service. The cost for TV episodes is $3.99; feature films start at $7.99 for a 24-hour rental, or $29.99 for a purchase.
4. Q: I already have a Sony Entertainment Network account. Is this service part of Sony Entertainment Network under the Video Unlimited brand?
A: Yes, Video Unlimited 4K is part of the Sony Entertainment Network. Users of Video Unlimited 4K will enjoy the same single sign-on account and wallet access that they currently use for other services from the PlayStation Store.
5. Q: Are all films available to rent?
A: No, rental windows for 4K Ultra HD films follow the same timeframes as other theatrical releases. Usually, new releases can be rented during the window from home video release until about 6 months later.
6. Q: Can TV episodes be rented?
A: No. Like other services (Amazon, Vudu, itunes etc.) TV episodes are only available to purchase.
7. Q: What is the file size of a typical feature film?
A: It depends on the movie, but an average two-hour 4K feature film requires approximately 40GB of memory. The FMP-X1 can store approximately 45 full-length feature films.
8. Q: What happens when the hard disk gets full?
A: In the unlikely event that consumers purchase enough content to fill the 2-terabyte hard drive, they can connect to an external HDD via USB. This option will be available for sale separately soon.
9. Q: Do I need an internet connection to use this service?
A: Yes, the FMP-X1 must be connected to the internet to receive content updates and to authenticate purchases/rentals.
10. Q: What is the minimum broadband speed required by the consumer?
A: The service works in any broadband speed because the movies are downloaded to the HDD, not streamed. A faster broadband speed is recommended for timely content updates.
11. Q: How can customers get faster broadband connections?
A: Sony will provide information about extreme broadband services available in the dealer’s area.
12. Q: How long will it take to download the full length feature film?
A: It depends on the movie and customer's web environment, but it will often take about 4-times the movie length for it to download – As an example a two-hour movie will take around nine hours to complete the download if actual internet speed averages 10Mbps.
13. Q: Is nine hours download time practical for the customer? Does Sony plan to have any other alternative solution to provide content on demand?
A: The FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player offers users the option to auto-download new titles upon release. If they chose this option, customers will be able to access those files from the local storage.
14. Q: How can these huge files be available to watch immediately?
A: The FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player offers users the option to auto-download new titles upon release. If they chose this option, customers will be able to access those files from the local storage.
15. Q: What kind of security is used to this 4K Download service?
A: We won’t say more than that we are using the security technology that has been accepted by all stakeholders.
16. Q: Is the 4K content available through FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player compatible with expanded color such as xvYCC - used in the Mastered in 4K Blu-ray Disc Series?
A: Yes, 4K media player and the video content from Sony Pictures contains xvYCC color format which is optimized for viewing on Sony’s 4K TVs with TRILUMINOS Display. The 4K media player and the Video Unlimited 4K store also support content created in conventional Rec 709 color space.
17. Q: What is the plan for release of future titles?
A: We will be working to release new 4K Ultra HD titles as they become available for home entertainment and will be expanding catalog titles soon.
18. Q: Will Sony expand the 4K movie catalog to include content from other movie studios?
A: Sony will welcome other movie studios to distribute their feature films on Video Unlimited 4K store.
19. Q: How can an older movie (e.g. Taxi Driver) be “4K Ultra HD”?
A: Sony Pictures has scanned and cleaned up the original 70mm film master and carefully digitized it in native 4K resolution, while preserving the color and grading intended by the film-maker.
20. Q: Will I be able to share content I have purchased with friends and family that also have the required 4K home theater devices?
A: The initial 10 feature films which come bundled with the 4K media player will also include an UltraViolet digital version. This means users can access these files from any compatible device on services like sonypicturesstore.com, Vudu, CinemaNow, Flixster, if you have an UltraViolet account. Need one? You can register at www.sonypicturesstore.com.
A1: As UltraViolet evolves, we are reviewing how the format will best complement the Video Unlimited service. While we have no news at this time, we are always looking to build on our digital video service that already provides our users with convenient and easy access to the biggest hit movies and latest commercial-free TV episodes.
21. Q: Why is the Ultraviolet copy not 4K Ultra HD?
A: The Ultraviolet format does not yet support 4K Ultra HD.
22. Q: How many users are you expecting to use this service?
A: We would like all of our 4K Ultra HD TV customers in the U.S. to enjoy our 4K Ultra HD Media Player and 4K network video service.
23. Q: “World’s first native 4k service,” what about Redray/Odemax?
A: The Odemax service on the Redray player will include upconverted content, per their announcement last week; it is not all native 4K.
24. Q: Can anyone submit content for this service?
25. Q: Will Sony support “Netflix 4K”?
A: Netflix remains a valued partner but we do not comment on the business of other companies.
26. Q: How is the Video Unlimited 4K download service different from what ODEMAX has announced?
A: O = Odemax; VU4K = Video Unlimited 4K
1. O has a mixture of 2K upscaled and 4K content; VU4K is all native 4K.
2. O is in closed beta, available “by Christmas;” VU4K is live, available to everyone (as of 9/1).
3. O talks about Hollywood with no proof; VU4K has Hollywood feature films & TV episodes now.
4. O says “everyone” will get Hollywood content, but that’s not true unless O can support the anti-piracy measures that Hollywood demands; VU4K already supports them.
5. O is concentrating its efforts on a batch of independent films shot that can be downloaded to Red Digital Cinema’s 4K-friendly, high-capacity Redray Player; VU4K has indies and hit TV shows as well as Hollywood movies. The Sony Media Player only works with Sony 4K Ultra HD TVs for several reasons, one of which is the anti-piracy measures are not in other TVs.
6. O has 50 titles on day 1 (but still in closed beta); VU4K has over 70 titles on day 1 (and is live).
7. O hardware costs $1750; VU4K hardware costs $499 with a TV, $699 without.
8. O says “We are a store and forward service,” (playback the title as the download continues in the background, but not enabled yet); VU4K hardware has a much larger HDD and pre-delivers new releases etc. so they are already downloaded when you rent/buy.
9. O has no rentals; VU4K has rentals (which consumers like).
10. O is a proprietary system; VU4K is not. VU4K content is 100% based on industry standards.
11. O claims they are squeezing movies into the smallest file size; VU4K is all about the best picture and sound quality.
4K Q&A
1. Q: What is the difference between XBR-X850A and XBR-X900A?
A: The XBR-X850A series screens are designed without the integrated magnetic fluid speaker system in the X900A series (models XBR-55X900A and XBR-65X900A) now on the market. The new X850A series screens incorporate a slim bezel which highlights an elegant design, and offer customers the flexibility of connecting to an existing or separate home theater system.
A: The XBR-X850A series screens are designed without the integrated magnetic fluid speaker system in the X900A series (models XBR-55X900A and XBR-65X900A) now on the market. The new X850A series screens incorporate a slim bezel which highlights an elegant design, and offer customers the flexibility of connecting to an existing or separate home theater system.
2. Q: Will PS4 support Video Unlimited 4K? At E3, a Sony exec confirmed that it is 4K capable.
A: Details about PS4 are still being revealed, we are not yet able to comment on its video capabilities. Contact Dan Race for additional questions.
3. Q: The MHL consortium, of which Sony is a member, has announced support for 4K and HDCP2.2 in the latest version of the MHL interface. What happens when you connect a 4K phone to a Sony TV via MHL?
A: Sony’s current line-up of 4K Ultra HD TVs does not support MHL 3.0 (and cannot be upgraded). We are exploring the possibilities for future modes (FY14).
4. Q: Do I still need to have a tech visit my house to upgrade my TV?
A: Select units of Sony’s XBR-55/65/X900A 4K Ultra HD TVs require the in-home evaluation and activation visit from an authorized technician. A small percentage of early units qualify for the Premium Service Activation. Owners are encouraged to visit www.4kactivation.com to check if they have one of the qualifying TVs.
A: Select units of Sony’s XBR-55/65/X900A 4K Ultra HD TVs require the in-home evaluation and activation visit from an authorized technician. A small percentage of early units qualify for the Premium Service Activation. Owners are encouraged to visit www.4kactivation.com to check if they have one of the qualifying TVs.
5. Q: When will owners of the XBR-84X900 receive the upgrade and be able to use VU4K? VPL-VW1000ES?
A: A program is now available for owners of the Sony 84-inch 4K Ultra HD TV (XBR-84X900) to gain access to the Video Unlimited 4K download service. Sony is contacting customers to arrange a free in-home service appointment. Or, they can contact Sony at 866-924-7669, M-F 7:00AM to 4:00PM PT.
Details on a program for Sony 4K projector (VPL-VW1000ES) owners will be announced at CEDIA later this month.
A: A program is now available for owners of the Sony 84-inch 4K Ultra HD TV (XBR-84X900) to gain access to the Video Unlimited 4K download service. Sony is contacting customers to arrange a free in-home service appointment. Or, they can contact Sony at 866-924-7669, M-F 7:00AM to 4:00PM PT.
Details on a program for Sony 4K projector (VPL-VW1000ES) owners will be announced at CEDIA later this month.
6. Q: Why is Sony lowering its prices on 4K Ultra HD TVs?
A: As with most new products and technologies, retail prices drop from the time of introduction and as the model year progresses. These new prices have not only been applied to the XBR series of 4K TVs but you’ll see new prices on most of our BRAVIA TVs.
A: As with most new products and technologies, retail prices drop from the time of introduction and as the model year progresses. These new prices have not only been applied to the XBR series of 4K TVs but you’ll see new prices on most of our BRAVIA TVs.
We continue to receive positive consumer feedback about the Sony 65 and 55-inch XBR 4K Ultra HD TV models with our exclusive Triluminos Display color performance. With 4K Ultra HD TV, Sony has taken the leadership position in creating new entertainment solutions from the start. We are the only company capable of providing full 4K ‘scene to screen’ solutions that deliver incredible viewer experiences exactly as the creative professional intended.
We also launched our Video Unlimited 4K download service giving consumers access to a library of native 4K Ultra HD feature films and TV shows in the living room. Our goal is to continue to expand our line of 4K Ultra HD products and bring the most immersive entertainment experiences to more audiences.
Ecast Fact Sheet - 2009
What is Ecast?
Ecast operates the
largest broadband touchscreen media network in the United States, providing
digital music to over 10,000 bars and nightclubs across the country. Utilizing
the speed and scalability of broadband, Ecast delivers music, advertising and
other forms of entertainment to the young-adults most responsible for affecting
purchasing decisions and consumer trends. The company is helping to change the
way people listen to music in public places while revolutionizing out-of-home
advertising.
Ecast’s next-generation entertainment platform reaches millions of
patrons on a monthly basis through a unique touchscreen interface that features
advanced interactive selection, video and promotional capabilities. The unique
touchscreen music service allows locations to put the power of choice where it
should be – with the consumer. Ecast-powered jukeboxes run on a secure
broadband network that provides access to an ever-growing catalog of music from
both independent and major record labels.
The Ecast network
represents a powerful, emerging promotional channel for brands and labels to
reach the valuable 21-34–year-old demographic. With the network’s reach, broadband
connectivity and interactive capabilities, Ecast delivers an unrivaled
on-premise brand experience.
Ecast was founded
in 1999, is privately held and headquartered in San Francisco. Investment partners include Crosslink Capital,
DCM, El Dorado Ventures, Focus Ventures and Mobius Venture Capital.
Who uses the Ecast
network?
Ecast started with a handful of jukes in a few venues, and
now the network footprint spans 10,000, runs throughout all 50 states and is
expanding at a rate of some 300 new units per month. Of the locations currently
on the network, the overwhelming majority are located in bars, nightclubs, restaurants
and franchise chains. The patrons at these locations, primarily 21-34-year
olds, spend an average of five minutes per paid session and play an average of
four songs per session. The Ecast network serves more than 16 million
paid-plays per month to millions of consumers across the country.
How is Ecast structured?
Ecast is comprised
of three business groups – network, music and advertising.
Network - The network group is responsible for
managing and growing the service footprint as well as spearheading new product
development. The Ecast network division
works hand-in-hand with operators across the country to install new touchscreen
units or convert an operator’s existing CD jukeboxes into digital jukeboxes
powered by the Ecast music service. This
group works closely with a broad array of manufacturing partners to develop new
form factors and bring next generation innovations to market.
Music - Ecast’s music group is made up of
intellectual property and music industry veterans who work closely with the
major record labels, independent labels, music publishers and artists to
negotiate and secure licensing contracts.
The group is dedicated to working with the promotional department of
labels to help develop high-impact promotions that benefit their artists and
promote new music and back catalogs. As music professionals, Ecast’s music team
is dedicated to the integrity and protection of copyright and
intellectual property and strives to provide 100 percent licensed-only music.
In fact, all Ecast content is piracy-free since sales are single-use public
performances that never leave the proprietary network.
Advertising – The most recent division added to the Ecast
family, the advertising division allows marketers access to a captive audience in an atmosphere of young, active and affluent social
influencers. Via this dynamic network,
which covers 98 percent of the U.S. DMAs, brands can achieve maximum and
measurable engagement through the combined benefits of an interactive
out-of-homeTM medium.
What is the Ecast experience about?
Patrons at
commercial locations such as bars, nightclubs and restaurants use Ecast much
like a traditional jukebox – but with several significant differences. The
Ecast network allows patrons to become further immersed in the out-of-home
music experience through its interactive, touchscreen displays. By inserting either cash or a credit card,
consumers can search through Ecast’s music library, which consists of nearly a quarter of a million songs.
Locations customize their service by storing specific albums or songs
locally while patrons can pay a premium to download additional from the Ecast
network. At any given time, an Ecast hard drive can store up to 300 albums –
that amount is three times more than that of a CD jukebox. When not being used to browse music, the
Ecast interface runs a series of 30-second video loops featuring assorted label
promotions, paid advertisements and Ecast network information.
To keep
patrons fully engaged, the Ecast interface offers a range of features that
include:
Search More Music – If customers want to make a selection that is not available at the
location, they can pay extra to download tracks from the Ecast library
consisting of hundreds of thousands of songs and some 20,000 albums.
Make Mine First – For additional credits, patrons eliminate
the wait by moving their song selection(s) to the front of the line to be
played first.
Credit Card Acceptance – Ecast’s broadband network powers the only digital jukeboxes that allow
consumers to pay using bills, coin or credit cards.
Spanish User Interface – Spanish music play accounts for approximately 30 percent of all
jukebox revenue and Spanish-only locations comprise 20 percent of jukebox
locations in the U.S. Ecast allows Spanish-speaking patrons to search for and
select music in their own language.
What key trends are impacting the out-of-home
media, environment?
The out-of-home
media environment is one of today’s hottest marketplace success stories.
Changes in this space are dramatic; key trends include:
- A
changing marketplace – Location-based
music delivery services have evolved slowly from the commercial
phonograph players and jukeboxes to CDs to today’s network-enabled,
digital systems. As media consumption habits change among young adults,
the pressure has increased on the entire place-based channel to find new
and efficient ways to entertain consumers. Ecast combines the impact of
on-demand music selection with interactive features to deliver an on-site
interactive entertainment solution that will continuously drive revenue,
engage a captive audience and create a dynamic environment.
- Efficiency
of digital media – Until now, there has been limited opportunity to
deliver a system, with high-level impact, to consumers at commercial locations.
With its place-based, 100 percent
broadband network, Ecast delivers a more immersive and engaging
entertainment experience while allowing channel partners to generate
greater revenue.
- The music industry in flux – In an
environment of slowing CD sales and uncertainty about the future of paid
music consumption, music labels and publishers are constantly seeking new
ways to generate revenue, deliver their content and most importantly,
engage music lovers. Ecast provides an additional revenue source, but also
creates a highly engaging, promotional channel and dialogue between the
labels, their artists and a desirable demographic.
- Emerging
marketing needs – With the fragmentation of the media marketplace and the
rise of commercial clutter, brand marketers are seeking alternative ways
to reach consumers in an impactful way. Marketers are now being charged
with executing campaigns across multiple platforms and are demanding more
ROI and proof of engagement from their media partner. With Ecast’s reach, intimate interaction
with consumers and available screen ‘real estate,’ marketers are finding
the touchscreen media network to be a highly efficient new channel.
How does Ecast
build its music library?
Ecast actively negotiates catalog licenses with major and
independent music labels and publishers, and is constantly acquiring new rights
to expand its library. Ecast licenses every album in its entire music
catalog. Label partners include all Big
Four record companies (Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, EMI
Group, and Warner Music Group) and many independents including Sanctuary Group, Curb, Freddie, Razor and Tie
and Saddle Creek. In addition to
working with independent aggregators such as Ioda, Ecast also has hundreds of
direct licenses with publishers and administrators – big and small.
Additionally, Ecast has licenses with all three performing rights
organizations—ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC – for public performance in the United
States.
Ecast also serves the rapidly expanding Latin market delivering
a large selection of Latin music from labels including Fonovisa, Univision,
Disa and Sony Discos. In fact, use of Latin content is up by over 80 percent in
2006.
What advantages
does Ecast offer music labels and publishers?
Ecast offers music labels and publishers a revolutionary
platform to instantly reach music fans, primarily 21-34–year-old
music enthusiasts, at 10,000-plus locations across the country. With more than
16 million paid song plays per month, the Ecast platform offers greater reach
and exposure than most of the leading digital-download companies. Now, music
labels can promote their songs, albums and artists to everyone at a location,
enhancing their viral marketing, encouraging new usage and increasing audience
exposure.
Ecast also enables music labels and publishers to:
- Track
every paid-play – Ecast prepares album performance and delivers detailed
reports to music labels on what the Ecast audience is selecting;
- Collect
royalties for every play – Ecast reports quarterly on a composition-by-composition
basis listing the split and the royalty calculation;
- Prevent
music piracy—Ecast’s songs never leave the network, ensuring that the
content is safe and still reaching millions of targeted new listeners;
- Geographically customized play reports– Ecast prepares performance reports by region so that music labels can tailor their marketing strategy to match an artist’s touring schedule or album debut.
How is Ecast different than its competitors?
Ecast
is the only 100 percent broadband touchscreen media network and has worked hard
to build a reputation in the industry as offering the best connectivity
programs to clients. Ecast has leveraged unique national service pacts with
AT&T, Sprint and Verizon Wireless to ensure efficient broadband
connectivity that provides customers with instant access to the latest and
greatest content. Ecast’s broadband network provides a dynamic interactive
experience for the consumer and enables marketers to execute turn-key
advertising campaigns in 10,000 locations with the flip of a switch.
How are Ecast
devices manufactured and sold?
Ecast is not a
hardware manufacturer. The company works closely with three of the world’s
leading jukebox manufacturers – NSM Music, Rock-Ola and View Interactive – to
support the enhanced capabilities of its broadband platform. Together with its
manufacturing partners, Ecast offers more than 19 branded models to fit
specific commercial location environments.
Ecast’s manufacturing partners rely on commercial vending
distributors to sell their hardware to vending operators throughout the
country. Vending operators provide the
equipment and service to bars and nightclubs throughout the country. Ecast provides
the software interface, music service and other digital content. Currently, Ecast accounts for
approximately 92 percent of the broadband jukebox marketplace.
What are Ecast’s
primary and secondary markets?
Ecast’s primary market is made up of commercial locations
such as bars and restaurants. These locations still have CD-based jukeboxes
on-premises. Working with its distribution and vending operator partners, Ecast
estimates 250,000 to 300,000 locations as immediate sales opportunities,
representing millions in potential revenue.
Ecast’s secondary market includes new locations that have
not traditionally had jukeboxes or digital music service. The company’s
expansion over the coming years will be driven by sales of its products into
new venues including lounge bars, coffee shops, health and fitness clubs,
university student unions and specialty stores. Ecast estimates that this new
market includes over 80,000 locations nationwide.
What are the
benefits to Ecast’s vending operator partners?
The Ecast platform allows distributors and vending
operators to remain current with the demand for more advanced entertainment
offerings, as well as significantly drive revenue. In fact, in informal surveys of the company’s
operators, many report an increase of two to three times in revenue per machine
compared to CD jukeboxes.
Additional benefits to vending operators include:
- Ecast
Central – a comprehensive route management tool that allows operators to
track machine usage, move and customize music, and monitor revenue in real
time;
- Retrofit
packages to seamlessly convert existing CD jukeboxes into Ecast boxes – a
cost-effective alternative for vendors with existing hardware; and
- Lower-cost
jukeboxes.
What future
enhancements is Ecast working on?
Ecast maintains an active research and development program
designed to improve the performance of its network, help create new hardware
form factors and develop the most compelling interactive promotions and
delivery systems on the market.
What is Ecast’s advertising network?
As Americans have
changed their media consumption habits, advertisers are migrating away from
traditional advertising platforms such as broadcast, radio, print and film.
Last year alone, advertisers spent $12 billion on online media and $6 billion
on outdoor media. With its interactive, out-of-home platform, Ecast sits
squarely in the middle of the two fastest growing sectors in the advertising
space.
Nielsen Entertainment has profiled the Ecast audience as
youthful entertainment seekers with a solid educational background and healthy
income. With such a valuable audience,
Ecast will continue to seek advertising dollars from online and outdoor media
based on its unique interactive advertising capability and impressive
performance metrics. Additionally, Ecast enables advertisers to capture email
addresses, conduct online surveys and participate in the Ecast music discovery
program to generate additional ad impressions and engage consumers.
Given its reach, measured
interactivity and strategic placement, Ecast offers direct and intimate
interactions with a coveted demographic. No other medium can serve interactive
ads to thousands of Out-Of-Home (OOH) locations targeting adults with the flip
of a switch. Ecast allows advertisers to re-purpose existing creative from
online, print and video campaigns. Advertising rates are based upon the number
of locations, ad inventory and share of voice. Audience can be targeted by
demographics, DMA and content-consumption patterns.
Ecast has also recently
licensed DoubleClick’s DART Enterprise advertising management technology to
better manage its inventory. DART Enterprise provides sophisticated, flexible
and easy-to-use planning, serving and reporting capabilities and enables Ecast
to serve advertising that is IAB-compliant.
The DART Enterprise software will enable advertisers to set their own
targeting and impression goals; “hyper-target” their ads by venue, geography,
type of music browsed/played, etc.; run overlapping, simultaneous, interactive
advertising campaigns; and easily manage and report on complex campaigns in a
wide array of online and offline environments.
Ecast enables advertisers to
capture email addresses, conduct online surveys and participate in the Ecast
music discovery program to generate additional ad impressions and engage
consumers.
Ecast has already attracted an
impressive roster of advertiser partners including Chrysler, Verizon Wireless,
McDonald’s, Heineken, Absolut Vodka, Allied Domecq, Brown Forman and Scottish
& Newcastle.
Is there any research that supports the importance of Ecast’s market?
In March, 2007, an Arbitron
custom study commissioned by Ecast found that the company’s touchscreen music
service was noticed by more than three quarters (78 percent) of bar patrons and
also found that over 37 percent of patrons had used or watched someone else use
the Ecast service.
In
addition, the Arbitron study found Ecast to be an effective tool in reaching
key, affluent demographics - specifically young men under the age of 34, who
often present challenges to marketers. While heavy users of on-demand media and
video games, they are often difficult to reach via traditional ads, however,
these same consumers seek out time with the Ecast music service. Over half of
Ecast consumers estimate they visited the touchscreen twice, spending four
minutes or more with the service; the average time spent was five minutes.
Sixty-five percent of Ecast consumers (those who used or watched someone use
Ecast) are male and more than half (56 percent) of Ecast consumers are between
the ages of 21-34.
Other key findings include:
- Ecast
attracts a select group of early adopters and influencers. Seventy-nine
percent of Ecast consumers found using the music service enjoyable and 60
percent said they would be willing to try products from companies
sponsoring the service.
- Compared
to 23 percent of Americans age 21+, 46 percent of Ecast consumers buy or
try new products before most people they know. Thirty-eight percent of
Ecast consumers feel they are very influential over what their family and
friends purchase and 70 percent feel that Ecast was a good way to
introduce friends and family to music that they like.
- The
average brand recall for an advertisement was 43 percent among those who
interacted with the display and had an opportunity to see the ad.
How does Ecast ensure network security?
The Ecast broadband media network is protected by the
highest-level security measures. All music content is protected during
transmission using SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption and encrypted again
separately using a secure Windows file system stored on the Ecast hard drive.
The music is only performed on-demand; it is not sold or distributed. Ecast
does not accept incoming messages or connections and has no features that
otherwise would be used to distribute or administer music.
The Ecast data center is located in a commercial facility
operated by Qwest. Physical access to the premises is restricted. Electronic
access is firewall protected, with security clearance limited to specific
employees who maintain the database.
Who are the key
members of the Ecast management team?*
John Taylor
President and Chief
Executive Officer
Mark Phillips
Chief Financial
Officer
Howie Spielman
Chief Technology
Officer
George Giatzis
Senior Vice
President, Advertising Sales
Lisa Tiver
Senior Vice
President, Business Affairs
Bob Cooney
Vice President,
Manufacturing Business Development
*Editor’s note: Full
bios and photos are available upon request
Interactive out-of-home is a trademark of Ecast, Inc. All other trade names are the property of
their respective owners.
This release is available on
the KCSA Worldwide Web site at www.kcsa.com.
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