Article

Music kiosks 'Get 'em to the Greek'

Concert goers at L.A.'s Greek Theatre take home live performances via kiosks.

September 11, 2011

Kiosks with digital signage components not only welcome attendees at the Greek Theatre in L.A., they also make it possible for them to purchase the live performances they just watched.

Ten minutes after each performance, the live album is available for purchase via kiosks called Ovation Towers. Consumers may download the performances directly into their phones, iPods, ipads, thumb drives or cameras. The other option is to have the content sent to their email addresses.

Seepoint Technologyworked with Migratory Music's Ian Murray, the man behind the idea of Ovation Tower, which is the first live digital music kiosk and HD advertising platform for major music and sport venues, according to Jonathan Arfin, president of SeePoint.

"Ovation heightens the concert experience for the fan while introducing the selling power of impulse, convenience, and brand to a rapidly expanding digital consumer base," he said.

How it works

The towers' digital touchscreen console provides step-by-step instructions to help consumers complete the download process, which they pay for via credit or debit card. It also provides the ability to customize the user transaction to target consumers based on the specific genre/sport of the event.

Features include:

• Credit card swipe.
• Backlit keypad MP3 player rubber resting pad that allows consumers to rest their MP3 devices or any other personal items on the console without slippage.
• Universal iPod Dock that enables consumers with iPods to directly connect to the Ovation.
• Console and download music files through MP3-integrated playlist software.
• USB Connectivity - Console includes universal Apple cable, female USB, micro USB and data USB.

Although the Towers are just now being tested in a second location (City National Grove of Anaheim in Californina), Murray is already in talks to hopefully land AEG and comedy club installs.

To date, the kiosks have processed about 1,200 free and paid transactions.

The cost

"There's no cost to the talent or venues and everyone benefits," said Murray. "We're increasing revenue for all participating facets of the entertainment industry. The Towers are a service that better the artist-fan relationship by providing the ultimate souvenir, which any performer can and should take advantage as they route through our installed venues."

The artists/labels and the venues both receive a percentage of the gross sales from the Towers, and the venues get the digital signage at no cost for allowing use their real estate.

"The HD billboards have been a big hit with attendees thus far, narrowcasting advertisements and event schedules," Murray said. "There's also an email capture for all users that we share with the talent and venues to better their marketing lists."

Watch below for a demo and learn from Murray how he came up with the idea.