Issue Spring 2010

A Letter from our CEO: Noam Levavi

“..The question is not whether a [retailer] will engage with digital signage during 2010, but ‘how’”. – Lyle Bunn, Principal, Bunn Company and highly regarded independent industry consultant

I couldn’t agree with Lyle more. Here at YCD we have witnessed great momentum in the industry so far in 2010. As in-store digital media has earned its place among traditional marketing mediums as a proven tool to impact sales and generate a real and measurable ROI more and more retailers recognize that going digital is no longer a risky decision. Rather, NOT adopting the medium will result in a real loss of revenues and patrons to their competitors that have. We are witnessing not only increased interest from retailers for our solutions but also larger marketing budgets earmarked specifically for in-store digital media. At the same time many of our existing customers are expanding their programs based on the results they have experienced first-hand. Perhaps most indicative that the medium has reached critical mass is the announcement by Intel and Microsoft at the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) show in January that they have formed a strategic relationship to develop a standards-based open platform for digital signage applications. YCD is working closely with Intel and Microsoft and has joined Intel in their booths at NRF, the Digital Signage Expo and the upcoming Screen Media Expo Europe to be held in London on May 5th.

Of course, as anyone in the industry will tell you, it is not enough to simply invest in technology. Any effective digital marketing program must complement the technology with a winning combination of content strategy, system design, measurement, analytics and perhaps most important, the ability to react in real time to consumers’ behavior. This is where YCD stands apart from the many other players crowding the digital signage space. At YCD, we have one reason for being: to make our customers more successful. This sentiment is realized in our commitment to understanding the needs of our retail customers and providing solutions that address their challenges. A prime example is our recently launched YCD|RAMP™ (Retail Advertising and Merchandising Platform). YCD|RAMP was conceived as a direct response to the real needs of our customers. Our success can only be measured by the success of our customers.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Muzak as our newest partner and reseller. Muzak’s position as an industry leader in retail sensory branding and YCD’s leading technology bring to market a first-in-class digital media solution for retailers and marketers.

Finally, on a personal note, while at DSE last month in Las Vegas I took some time away from the excitement of the show to get engaged, and married a few days later in NYC, to my beautiful wife, Maya. In addition to this exciting news I hope you enjoy reading our newsletter about some of YCD’s other reasons to celebrate.

Noam Levavi