Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (Bentonville, Ark.) is reportedly about to launch its second generation of an in-store digital TV network.
According to Advertising Age, the retailer is preparing to unveil more details of its next-generation network, dubbed the Wal-Mart Smart Network, to marketers and advertising and media agencies on Sept. 3, 2008. Ad Age quoted a sales executive for one of its partners in the project, the analytics and technology firm DS-IQ (Bellevue, Wash.). The source said he said he was otherwise sworn to secrecy on the plans.
But another executive, who had been briefed on plans for the network, said the concept involves moving TV screens and digital signage closer to eye level, incorporating them into product displays and creating interactive “virtual assistants” from which shoppers can get product information or refine choices in key categories such as health and beauty aids.
Besides the September 3 presentations, said Ad Age, a session on the new network, open only to agency and marketer executives at a price of $275 a head, is set for the In-Store Marketing Institute's expo in Las Vegas in November.