(TORONTO, ONTARIO – June 4, 2008) – Intouch Media Group Inc. and GestureTek Inc., today announced the installation of a revolutionary interactive visual display media solution for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).
Intouch Media installed GestureTek’s GroundFX interactive display system just prior to the Toronto Raptors’ first home playoff series at Toronto’s Air Canada Centre, at Gate 1 adjoining the Bank of Montreal FanZone. The system was designed to both entertain and inform Raptor fans before and after the playoff games. Using sophisticated cameras and body tracking software, GroundFX intelligently responds to the subtlest of body movements to projects dynamic interactive multimedia content or interactive games onto the floor.
Among the special effects used in the Air Canada Centre’s display, a ‘wipe and reveal’ effect displays the Raptor claw, which can be ‘gelled’ with a wave of a fan’s hand, and then swept away to reveal the BMO logo stating that they are a Proud Sponsor of the Toronto Raptors Playoffs. A series of eight interactive player images are displayed with a variety of interactive effects, along with creative ads promoting playoff tickets and Raptor memorabilia such as hats and jerseys, and the new playoff slogan Are You RED-Y?
“Positive fan reaction, as well as research statistics that show advertising effectiveness versus traditional static ads, have inspired Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment to use GroundFX to promote future games and promotions for the Raptors and Toronto Maple Leafs,” said David Leetham, Director, Sales & Marketing, Intouch Media Group.
“Gesture control has ushered in a new era for advertisers and marketers. Other new interactive technologies that excite and engage fans include immersion and multi-touch. With immersion, people see their own image in the heart of an interactive advertisement, and can watch themselves as they bring the display to life with hand and body movement. With multi-touch, people have Minority Report-style interactivity, and are able to control information by dragging and rotating their hands across a computing surface.”
About InTouch Media Group Inc.
Intouch Media Group specializes in "advertainment" solutions through interactive advertising mediums, putting consumers at the controls as they explore products and services at retail, sports arenas, malls, airports and more venues. Our integrated solutions promote: a dialogue vs. a monologue; interaction vs. impression; and entertainment vs. interruption in advertising. Intouch Media Group delivers a measurable and extended brand interaction to its clients via integration of software, hardware and creative strategy. For more information email Email David Leetham: davidl@intouchmediagrp.ca www.intouchmediagrp.ca
About GestureTek Inc.
GestureTek is the pioneer, patent-holder and world leader in gesture-recognition technologies and computer vision for information, presentation and entertainment systems. The company’s revolutionary video gesture control software lets users control interactive content, access information, manipulate special effects or immerse themselves in an interactive 3D virtual world - simply by moving their hands or body. In the past 20 years, GestureTek has delivered over 4,000 interactive displays, kiosks, exhibits, games and other interactive solutions for museums, science centers, location-based entertainment facilities, retail stores, real estate presentation centers, corporate boardrooms and showrooms, television networks and game developers. Software and patent licensees include Microsoft, Sony, Hasbro, NTT DoCoMo and various mobile game developers. GestureTek is headquartered in Silicon Valley, with additional offices in Toronto, Ottawa and Asia. For more information visit www.gesturetek.com or contact patti.jordan@gesturetek.com.
About Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) is one of the premier sports and entertainment companies in North America that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Toronto Marlies Hockey Club of the American Hockey League (AHL), Toronto FC of Major League Soccer, Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf Square and two digital channels - Leafs TV and Raptors NBA TV.