firmCHANNEL Powers Largest Outdoor Digital Advertising Network in Las Vegas

Thursday July 17, 2008

WINDSOR, ON – Canadian based eliquidMEDIA International, developers of the firmCHANNEL Digital Signage Software Platform, have announced that they have been selected as the creative and content management platform to outfit the Las Vegas Strip with innovative bus shelters housing the most advanced digital displays in the world. The project will incorporate the technical assets and services of Samsung Electronics, Outdoor Promotions LLC, MRI Inc, The Vertigo Group, Alliance Financing Group (TSX-V:AFG), and firmCHANNEL Digital Signage.

Project coordinators have selected firmCHANNEL as the preferred software solution to manage the digital media network. As a fully web based solution, firmCHANNEL provides superior network management and diagnostic tool sets that effectively collaborate the shelters with ease.  

Douglas McKay, president of eliquidMEDIA International Inc comments, “We are proud to be part of this group of innovative companies, delivering world leading technology in a city like Las Vegas . The consortium of partners that have been assembled, form what I believe is the “A” Team for executing on any size deployment of digital signage”.

The digital media will be directed to not only bus passengers, but also to the 1.5 Million pedestrians and 1.8 million automobiles that pass the shelters each month. The communication and advertising media will be professionally designed to maximize the capabilities of the advanced displays. To communicate with the rapid traffic movement, Media Clips will be limited to 7.5 or 15 second durations.

In total, 18 enclosures will be strategically positioned in prominent locations along the Las Vegas Strip in 2008 with another 20 in early 2009. The series of shelters will stretch from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino on the south side of the strip to the Riviera Hotel and Casino at the north end.  

 “This project exemplifies Outdoor Promotions vision for understanding the needs of an environment and delivering beyond the aesthetic goals of the Las Vegas strip” adds Gary Young, President and CEO of Outdoor Promotions, LLC.  “This project is a collaboration of progressive companies who will have great influence on the digital signage industry for year to come”. 

The displays represent a landmark achievement for outdoor digital communications. The 70-inch, sunlight-readable LCD will narrowcast full audio and video at a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The customized displays have set new standards for outdoor visibility with a brightness level of 2000 nits, surpassing previous highs of 1500 nits. Each LCD can display up to 16.7 million variations of color and can be seen clearly from virtually any angle.

“This trend-setting application is an excellent example of how real-time digital advertising will command a lot of attention and replace the outdated medium of paper posters – even in the glitziest city on earth,” said Scott Birnbaum, Vice President, Samsung LCD Business. “Samsung is extending the reach of advertisers from increasingly popular indoor displays to truly dynamic messaging in the most challenging of outdoor environments,” he added.

Bernie Shimkovitz, CEO of Alliance Financing Group states, “ Alliance has approved and funded numerous projects globally in the out-of-home digital signage industry, and we are extremely impressed with this visionary project in Las Vegas and are excited to participate in the consortium as the financial partner”.

The digital communication project is an optimal fit for the high traffic environment and the vibrant Las Vegas backdrop.  The collaboration of technologies is poised to sustain a dramatic impression on a city that is ultra receptive to dynamic digital media.

About firmCHANNEL

eliquidMEDIA International is a developer of firmCHANNEL™ web-based solutions and equipment for the digital signage industry. In business since 1996, the Windsor Ontario based company has provided new-media solutions to customers worldwide. With employees based in Canada, U.S.A, and Italy , the company supports a growing network of independent distributors and re-sellers who are licensed to sell their products. firmCHANNEL™ is among the pioneers of web based digital signage. Today, the Software Platform remains a leader in innovative solutions for an evolving industry.

Visit: www.eliquid.com or www.firmchannel.com    

About Samsung Electronics

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2007 consolidated sales of US$103.4 billion. For more information, visit www.samsung.com

About Outdoor Promotions

Outdoor Promotions is a leading provider of out-of-home media partnership programs for public entities and private landlords including street furniture and innovative digital media products. For more information, visit www.OPOutdoor.com

About Alliance Financing Group Inc.

Alliance Financing is a diversified commercial finance institution that specializes in providing branded or white labelled asset based financing solutions to equipment and technology manufacturer, vendors and distributors to assist them in selling their products to customers ranging from SMBs (Small to Mid-sized Business) to Fortune 1000 companies, as well as to institutional and public sector organizations.  Alliance Financing provides a comprehensive suite of financing products and options and its financing solutions are delivered through both traditional bricks and mortar channels and various Internet channels.  Alliance Financing maintains a “high-tech, human touch” philosophy; utilizing a combination of proprietary technology - such as its private labelled online financing tools, selected ASP technologies, and a dedicated staff of finance professionals to deliver its products and solutions. For more information about Alliance Financing Group Inc. please visit www.alliancefinancing.com