Management Changes:
Portland Color (Portland, Maine, provider of digital imaging services) has hired Paul Maddrell in the new position of creative director. Maddrell was previously responsible for developing the retail brand image for LL Bean in the U.S. and Japan.
BHDP Architecture (Cincinnati) has hired the following for its workplace team: Ken Muth, business development manager; Kathryn Theobald, interior designer; and Sean Easter, project manager.
Katherine's Collection (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio retail giftware firm) has hired Todd Hurst as its director, sales and marketing.
The Coastal Group (New York marketing agency) has named Ed Hershey head of its new retail division.
Business Briefs:
Gemini Inc. (Cannon Falls, Minn., manufacturer of dimensional letters and plaques) has added 10,000 square feet to its plaque-production plant.
Laticrete Intl. (Bethany, Conn., manufacturer of tile and stone installation systems) donated $14,500 to one of its newest employees, Ron Munnerlyn, as a sponsorship fee for his Spec Miata race car and the 2006 Spec Miata season sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). Munnerlyn, who was recently hired by Laticrete as plant manager of its newest facility in Hamlet, N.C. won the Carolina Cup Pro Series Race on February 26 at Carolina Motorsports Park in South Carolina.
Awards and Competitions:
The Digital Signage Group (Seattle digital signage consulting and project management company) has announced winners of the second annual DIGI Awards, which recognize outstanding resellers, dealers and integrators of digital signage. Excellence in Technology awards went to: Creative Realities Inc. for RadioShack Corp.'s interactive in-store model home of the future utilizing RFID technology; Multimedia LED for JP Morgan Chase's large-scale LED displays in Times Square; and POPMedia for York Region Transit's wi-fi-equipped news and information system on VIVA buses. Excellence in Creativity awards went to: Multimedia LED, for Craig Realty Group's large-format LED displays at the Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles; smart point media AG for AVA AG's network of shopper-tracking screens in a German department store; and Stone Mountain Productions Inc. for Enoshima Spa and Resort's spiral LED tower that serves as a multimedia sculpture. Excellence in Innovation awards went to GFX Dynamics for Nygard Intl. Ltd.'s installation using the GFX Dynamics SmartTableT, which uses RFID technology to trigger specific product information when products are lifted from the table; ONESTOP Media Group for its subway media network in Toronto; and Reactrix Systems Inc. for Horizon Media Inc.'s temporary installation in New York's Grand Central Terminal that created a “hall of illusions” to promote the launch of the “Criss Angel: Mindfreak” TV series. Finally, a Judges' Choice award was given to Macy's Florida, in partnership with Digital Signage Services LLC, for a network of rear-projection screens used to promote brands.