(KODAK)(EK) New Kodak Image Magic Sticker Prints Kiosk Fully Networked to Tally
Profits For Retailers
(Business Wire; 02/04/98)
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 4, 1998--The new Kodak Image Magic
sticker prints kiosks hit the market this month offering a compact new revenue
source for retailers. The new self-serve sticker kiosks allow consumers to
place their face on stickers about the size of a postage stamp.
The concept of photo stickers was first introduced in Japan where it is
currently a $2.5 billion business with one million teenagers using the kiosks
daily, according to I.T. Strategies Inc. Kodak is offering unique content,
network capabilities and full service and support with the Image Magic sticker
prints kiosks as the market emerges in the United States.
"Kodak plans to lead the U.S. market in sticker prints with exciting
content, including motion picture characters. We expect sticker kiosks to be
popular traffic builders in shopping malls, specialty and mass market
retailers, theme parks, entertainment destinations and theaters," says Jim
Sullivan, general manager, entertainment retail for Themed Entertainment, a
unit of Kodak's Entertainment Imaging division. "Some theme parks are already
enjoying success with Kodak's sticker kiosks, as are retailers such as FAO
Schwarz toy stores," Sullivan says.
"The income potential of these kiosks far exceeds standard retail revenue
on a per-square-foot basis," says Sullivan. "With less than 10 square feet of
space, very little labor and full service and support from Kodak, retailers can
generate extremely attractive returns."
The Kodak Image Magic sticker prints kiosks will be networked. Each kiosk
will be connected to a standard phone line to transmit sales data including the
number of sales per day, the most popular sticker themes used and royalties.
Sales reports from Kodak will help locations track what sells to optimize
future profits.
The sticker kiosks have proven to be people magnets--attracting children,
teenagers and adults. "Stickers are very affordable and lots of fun," says
Sullivan. "Kids can get a whole sheet of 16 personal images that they can
trade with friends, stick on personal items and use to share good times. This
is a concept that really works. It puts pictures in a whole new category of
entertainment."
"Two different styles of stickers are available--those with general scenes
such as holiday themes or amusing cartoon-like content, and those with exciting
branded-content scenes such as movie themes, animated characters or sports
logos," says Sullivan. "Kodak's creative team will update themes and
backgrounds on a regular basis, keeping content tied to current programs and
promotions. Retailers have many opportunities to use stickers to promote
merchandise sales."
Kodak has reached an agreement to offer Sesame Street characters on
stickers and more themed characters will be available. A toy retailer may
request borders with popular toys or characters. A sports retailer would use
team logos. Content can be changed automatically by simply downloading new CDs
supplied by Kodak. Enhanced network capabilities will allow content transfer
over phone lines in the near future.
The Kodak Image Magic sticker prints kiosks combine high photographic
quality, user friendliness, fun interactive graphics and an attractive
design.
Kodak's support will include a full service help desk for quick response
during
all retail hours and same-day, on-site component exchange.
The Sticker Prints Kiosks also include digital image merging. This
allows
customers to combine their own image with various fantasy backgrounds of
their
choosing. The effect produces a three-dimensional look: the person
appears on
the sticker with content in front and behind them creating 3-D depth.
Other
features include:
-- Zoom lens imaging optics, allowing from one to four people to fit into
an
image; -- 30-second output of stickers with photographic quality; -- A
two-
printer option with automatic switching capabilities for high volume
locations;
-- The best interactive graphics in the industry; -- Adjustable mirrors
to
accommodate customers of different heights; -- Direct view posing that
allows
customers to pose and interact live with the scenes; -- Choice of two
sticker
sizes; and -- The ability to accept either tokens or cash.
The potential for the kiosks extends even further than outputting
sticker-
backed photos, however. "Digital technology enables products like
this one to
become key point-of-sale technologies for retail and entertainment
destinations," says Sullivan.
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