LEDTalk with PixelFLEX

PixelFlex is hiring a Sales Account Manager and Sales Engineer, both of which are Located on Production Row in the heart of beautiful downtown Nashville, TN. PixelFlex’s is headquartered just a stone’s throw away from Nashville’s famous hot chicken, craft breweries and iconic honkytonks. Free lunches and in-house massages are a frequent benefit that their employees enjoy. When combined with a casual work environment, makes for some enjoyable Fridays. Additionally, Amazing health, dental and vision coverage makes life as a PixelFLEX team member very convenient, and being so close to many of the live events they sponsor makes life a lot more fun. PixelFLEX is one of the leading providers of LED solutions to touring acts, schools, theaters, churches, and advertisers among others. And PixelFLEX wants to keep revolutionizing the video industry, which is why they need your help. Members of their team go beyond just sales calls and getting their products out the door. They’re entrepreneurs, innovators and designers. If this sounds like a company you would like to be a part of and would like to learn more, Visit pixelflexLED.com or marketscale.com/b2bjobs to apply.

On this episode of LED Talk, host Tyler Kern was joined by Jon Lewis, Lead Consultant and Sales Representative at PixelFLEX, and Chris Clark, Director of Media, Southside Baptist Church to discuss the ins and outs of LED in the house of worship. Clark, for context, described why his Southside Baptist Church decided to move their screens to LEDs, and what the advantages have been. One advantage: LEDs do not have the same glare issues Southside’s old monitors did, which make the screens easier to view when stage lights are on during services. Lewis described the process PixelFlex goes through when working with churches on their needs. “Finding out how they are currently exporting video and how they are currently putting content together,” Lewis said, are key findings PixelFLEX goes through with churches on needs assessment. “How big a screen do you need, how are you going to push content, and how intricate can you get,” are all important considerations. Clark detailed his fantastic experience working with Lewis and PixelFLEX on Southside’s needs. “Start to finish the whole process and working with John and PixelFLEX was as good as it could possibly be,” he said. A key point, Clark mentioned, is his church budgeted out their needs and then worked with Lewis and PixelFLEX on the project and timing. For Lewis, his suggestion is houses of worship should start their conversations prior to when they want to make their purchase, so the deliverables are ready when they need them. Lewis provided examples throughout the discussion of various uses for LED in churches, and the types of request he and his team receive. In the end, Clark’s satisfaction with the move to LED, left him with nothing but praise, and suggested other houses of worship should look into making the switch. For more episodes of PixelFLEX's LED Talk, click here!

Think about the last great visual experience you've seen. Can you name the hardware components, the types of light used, or the specifications of the speakers that accompanied this experience you're thinking of? Probably not because a great experience for a consumer is not about the hardware; it's about the feeling. On this new episode of LEDTalk, host Tyler Kern sat down with two venerable experts in creating stunning visual experiences-- David Venus, Chief Marketing Officer at PixelFLEX and Alberto Scirocco, CEO of LeftChannel. "Content is not the thing that runs the hardware, content is the whole experience," Scirocco said. LeftChannel is an Ohio-based motion graphics and animation studio with a focus on creating innovative, brand-centric work across platforms. "But sometimes we see people who are excited to run into building a visual experience so they rush straight to the solution. They figure, 'I want to put screens in this space,' but when they do that they already created a portion of the content," he said. That's why thought has to be put into the content picture as a whole, Venus explained. "Purpose really starts from the beginning," Venus said. "What are you trying to accomplish, create, and evoke in this digital experience?"

Digital LED displays are transforming corporate workspaces, creating a positive ripple effect that disseminates throughout the companies workforce and into its clientele. “Digital is now," said David Venus, CMO of PixelFLEX. On this episode of LEDTalk, host Tyler Kern sat down with Venus & guest Jeff Peden, director of marketing at Dalton Agency, to discuss how new video display technology elevates the corporate space. Gone are the days of slapping a big-screen TV on the wall and calling it audiovisual technology. Today, companies are looking to stand out from the crowd by displaying their unique brand identity in new ways. One way to exhibit company values, missions, and workflow is by using innovative new LED screens to create a visionary data center, drawing in clients and drawing together employees. Venus and Peden encourage companies to “think outside the rectangle.” That is, think beyond a TV screen and dream up an immersive AV experience. PixelFLEX’s strategy for designing and implementing LED technology in a workspace is to hone in on content. By highlighting a company’s intention and purpose, an AV space can feel purposeful and intuitive, serving to please both client and employee. Though AV digital technology is “on-trend,” Peden asserted that this new and exciting trend is “not going away any time soon.” As the overall marketplace shifts toward the experiential, corporate facilities will follow suit, crafting their own AV experience that elevates their brand and sets them apart on the global stage.

On this episode of LED Talk with PixelFLEX, host Tyler Kern sat down with chief marketing officer David Venus and director of sales Will Dickey to discuss five factors that significantly affect the price of implementing an LED solution, and why a client should be educated on all five to deliver the best solution possible. Componentry: Dickey discussed the options available in LED components, including chips, wiring, and power supply, and how they affect cost. Pixel Pitch and Distance of Viewers: How an LED screen is going to be used determines the solution, Venus said. “If viewers are far away, you can start to back down in resolution and still accomplish the same thing,” he said. “But if you have a screen at eye level in a corporate lobby, you need that higher pitch. And ultimately, the pixel pitch will affect the overall price. ” Installation and Rigging Variables: Screen mounting costs vary on the location and the LED’s primary use. Clients should be “really grasping what’s going to affect installation and how that can lead to costs later down the line if those things aren’t thought through,” Venus cautioned. Processing and Playback: Another factor can be processing and playback, which affect the cost as well, the two experts said. Content: Finally, content is a chief consideration because it’s the reason for an LED solution. “If it’s not high-quality content and you haven’t thought through what you’re trying to accomplish with that content, then at the end of the day I say, ‘Why did you even put that on the wall?’” Venus said.

On today’s episode of PixelFLEX's LEDTalk, Tony Green, VP of Business Development for Snap Install, and David Venus, Chief Marketing Officer for PixelFLEX, give insight on the direction of the display industry and the road blocks that are making the market struggle. The two also dive into how pertinent the choices are that companies make regarding their digital signage, and how not only the tech but the content is what makes digital displays succeed. Proper training of installers and integrators is very important; both Venus and Green stress that understanding the ins and outs of the product beyond the install is crucial, and the bare minimum expectation from clients. Too many times have they seen display deals go south because the integrators don't know the technology like the back of their hand. Ideally, situations that arise on job sites are handled without the need to call tech support. The added advantage is that customers get the peace of mind that they are going to have a product that supports their need. LED tile design is another big factor in the success of a company’s digital signage, but each installation brings new unique challenges. “LED gives so much creative freedom, at times, you can find yourself in a predicament of how you are going to effectively mount your display to your surface,” Venus said. It is these types of potential issues that, if aware of at the outset, are better dealt with when they arise. The biggest takeaway is it that it's all about service and communication. Green and Venus recommend being upfront with the customer from the beginning and for partner companies to be in communication with the customer, and each other, so that the proper result of technology, application and content is accomplished.

The trade show industry (and concert and events industry) can seem very open to the public, but there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that can be very private, and things are getting more sophisticated as the years go on. Scott Karan, Chief Marketing Officer of Froggy’s Fog, a company that makes professional effects fluids for smoke, haze, fog, bubbles, and more, knows how to make a splash at a trade show. He joined the MarketScale podcast to discuss the benefits of using PixelFlex LED Screens at trade shows and events. Karan loves to not only design and sell these products (using booth-themed effects to do so) but he also enjoys documenting his behind-the-scenes journey with followers and fans. This upcoming week, Froggy Fog has a “massive haunted attraction show with lots of fog and atmosphere effects.” “About 75% of our clients have stemmed from that industry,” Karan said. The company must have a “huge presence and huge setup” as trade shows are its “main marketing effort” and how the brand started 15 years ago. He feels it is really pivotal to attend these shows, not only just to show consumers what is new and cutting edge, but to interact with the consumers. “Someone comes up to us just about at every show with a new way they’re using our product that we hadn’t thought about,” Karan said. “We were creating custom signage for each event and bannering a 20-by-40 booth can really add up." That’s all changed with PixelFLEX LED screens, which was a "no brainer" to be able to change that message, per show, up to the minute.”

The LED industry is currently a $5 billion worldwide industry, with the Americas region recently crossing the $1 billion mark. With this much money being invested into displays, how does that relate to higher quality and increased price points? Are we still buying things from China, or is it possible to manufacture these components in the United States? How do we find the right balance, both in terms of getting the components we need at the correct quality, while still meeting the customer’s needs and price points? On today's LEDTalk, we sit down with Jon Lewis, director of operations for PixelFLEX, for a discussion about the LED industry as a whole. To Lewis, this is a “good time to be in LED” because of increased quality options; it is no longer “the wild wild west” of LED where people were figuring things out just a few years ago. For starters, Lewis points out that although higher density pixel pitch products are more available and stable, they are not for everyone. “If you’re trying to put church worship lyrics on a 16 foot screen, and the audience is 45 feet away, you don’t need a 1.5 resolution at 4K,” Lewis said. He compares display overkill to sitting at the front row of an IMAX theatre, it just gets to a point where peripheral vision is unusable. It is just too much. Lewis points out that by triangulating the client’s needs (screen size, how far away the audience is, and the type of content) on the first phone call, a lot of those issues can be stopped. He also addresses the Chinese marketplaces, specifically sites like AliBaba, and the difference between ordering from U.S.-based versus Chinese companies. At the end of the day, “97 percent of components are produced in China”, so most of the time people are receiving Chinese components, which can lead to communication problems, as well as time zone issues when it comes to warranty repairs. Lewis speaks more about the cultural difference, as well as his recent trip to China, and some compliance issues as well, all on today’s LEDTalk.

Corporate facilities are putting displays in conference rooms, front lobbies and green rooms more and more these days, and strategy for entertaining clients is big business. How can business owners make their display stand out above the competition and attract the sales, and how can AV integrators and suppliers play into those client trends? On this episode of LED Talk, we sit back down with David Venus, Chief Marketing Officer of PixelFLEX LED, discussing his definitive top four design trends in digital signage and how they're affecting the market. Tune in as we talk about how “size matters” as large format displays are becoming a standard among the industry. Everyone seems to be wanting tighter pixel pitch, aiming for full HD, 2K or 4K. Finer pixel pitch products like sub-2mm, even sub-1.6mm, are trending as well. Interactivity is key, as virtual and augmented reality experiences become our new normal; only about 10 percent of people remember things that they read, but over 90 percent of people can recall things they experienced, a statistic motivating much of today's content marketing and product purchasing decisions. Touch, motion, and tactile experiences are on the rise, especially in retail and hospitality, where brick-and-mortar are having to keep up with the e-commerce world. Of course, durability and price points can’t be forgotten; it’s a delicate balance. What are other trends, and how can you integrate them into your displays? And what’s one of the most unforgettable displays we’ve ever seen? Listen to host Tyler Kern and Venus explain it all. Follow PixelFLEX on social media for more LEDTalk! Twitter – @pixelflexledFacebook – facebook.com/PixelFlexUSA LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/pixelflex

From 2017 to 2019, there was a 50% increase in fine or narrow pixel pitch products, which most would say is undeniable growth. The business-owner is demanding this crisper technology and so is the market; the real challenge is how to create these high-res products and still make them affordable to the end user, while also making a stable product that has traditionally been unstable.

For a country that prides itself on pushing the envelope, technologically, we haven’t really been bold with the deployment of outdoor LED displays outside of Times Square or the Vegas Strip. Globally, the market is telling a different story. “In 2016, it was roughly a $4 billion dollar industry, globally. It’s projected to reach somewhere in the $14-$16 billion dollar range by 2023, so, you’re talking 6 years, 7 years. That’s a lot of growth and it’s something that definitely needs to be looked at. Especially if it’s not in your strategy as a company,” David Venus, PixelFLEX CMO said. Venus, and the industry as a whole, have spoken; outdoor LED screens are here to stay. The applications are continuing to vary and grow in scope, too: they’re powering residential living facilities, sports facilities, commercial building displays, you name it. In this podcast from MarketScale Pro AV, Venus discusses the growth of the technology, the future expansion of use cases for outdoor solutions, and how the integration of these displays into architecture can open up a new world of functionality.

For something as ubiquitous as air travel, the stress of the airport process is inescapable. Delayed flights, long wait times, luggage fees– they’re part of the flying experience that don’t seem to be going anywhere, and it’s leaving travelers unhappy. A 2017 Kelton Global survey claimed 97 percent of passengers had some issue with the airport process and experience. How do you begin to approach these staggering numbers? One approach, which hits on aesthetic and practical solutions, is robust digital signage. “LED displays are really enabling airports in the world of creativity,” said David Venus, PixelFLEX CMO. In this podcast from MarketScale Pro AV, Venus breaks down the ways visual displays can change the entire airport experience for the better. Not only can digital signage be used for way-finding and emergency situations, easing the navigational stress of an airport, but it can be used to visually transform an airport’s appearance. Immersive digital experiences and digital art give travelers something memorable, entertaining and inspirational during their travels. Retailers should be excited too; not only do happy travelers mean happy shoppers, but digital signage can reinforce advertising campaigns and sponsorship activation. According to a study by Sixteen-Nine, 49 percent of items advertised on digital signage saw a direct sales increase. Venus explains that this multi-layered affect makes visual LED installations a must for the airports of the future, large or small. “You can balance both dynamic, immersive, digital art, but then also incentivize yourself as an airport to bring in additional dollars,” Venus said.

Sometimes the way to clear up a situation is to simply make the image a bit clearer. Those metrics are different for each space. In this podcast from MarketScale Pro AV, host Sean Heath speaks with Mark McIntosh, LED & Media Specialist at PixelFLEX. They discussed the relationship between resolution and install space, the impact of average viewing distance, and how resolution can actually impact content. “I encourage anyone that is thinking about using LED at a show or using it for your corporate board rooms, or using it for an installation in your business, using it for your concert, whatever the use is; just stay close in contact with either the provider or the manufacturer of the product that you’re using, so that you know those resolutions, and you create specifically to that,” McIntosh said.

As LED technology improves and the lifespan of installations grows to practically a decade or more in length, architects are becoming more incentive to implement LEDs into their ideas and building designs. This crossroad between AV technology and architecture, coined perfectly as AVitecture, has allowed for more creativity among building spaces, from commercial to residential. In this podcast from MarketScale Pro AV, PixelFLEX Senior Sales Representative Will Dickey discusses this trend, as well as talks the benefits and challenges of working with LED display technology.

In this podcast from MarketScale Pro AV, PixelFLEX CMO David Venus explains how companies can inspire creativity and innovation just by upgrading their physical work space. We also talked about some emerging trends in his industry and how LED can truly enhance an aesthetic.

The average person is bombarded with over 1000 advertisements a day, and in the retail space, the go-to ad has been static signage. But as the years have gone by, there’s a new need for something that can maintain the open, inviting design of a window-front shop while still draw in new customers. In this podcast from MarketScale Pro AV, PixelFLEX CMO David Venus sat down on the podcast to tell us how transparent LED screens are bringing exciting and reusable advertisements to the retail industry, and how the technology is making its mark in other industries through human-centered design.

In this podcast from MarketScale Pro AV, PixelFLEX CMO David Venus sits down with host Sean Heath. The two discuss the perspective Venus has after working on both sides of the event curtain, breaking into the education space by working with institutions like Stanford, the satisfaction that comes from helping a client’s wild dream come to life, and the implementation nuances that accompany the new revolution in architecture.