One of the primary requirements of any complex and rapidly expanding market that is to understand the fundamentals but just as importantly is to do so in an impartial and agnostic manner. Only in this way can we critically view digital signage applications from the simple to the complex in the full light of what they can be without limiting ourselves to a single paradigm from any direction. Whether it is display technologies, integration infrastructure, software, or content creation, there are common rules and elements that must be understood and embraced. Only in this manner can we properly comprehend the benefits of one product or one solution over the alternatives. In the end it is the appropriateness of the solution to the need that matters
It is certainly true that an educated consumer is in the best interest of a manufacturer, and it is equally true that an educated cross section of individuals designing and integrating digital signage projects is in the best interest of the entire industry. To this end, the Digital Signage Experts Group working within the commercial AV/ IT industries as well as the creative community, in cooperation with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, designers, and integrators has established an industry wide organization dedicated to providing impartial and agnostic education and certification standards programs for the complex digital signage industry, and the technologies driving it.
The "heart" of the organization is a one day digital signage certification entitled the Digital Signage Certified Expert (DSCE) Program. The Digital Signage Experts Group works in concert with an advisory board of recognized digital signage industry experts to advance the level of professionalism within the community.
Alan is a principal of Brawn Consulting, an audio visual consulting, educational development, and market intelligence firm with national exposure to major manufacturers, distributors, and integrators in the industry. He was formerly President of Telanetix and previously National Business Development and Product Marketing Manager, Pro AV Group, Samsung Electronics. Brawn is an AV industry veteran with experience spanning over 2 decades including years managing a commercial AV systems integration company after which he was one of the founding members of Hughes-JVC. He is a recognized author for leading AV industry magazines and newsletters such as Systems Contractor News, Digital Signage Magazine, Rental & Staging, Display Daily, and Electrograph’s Emerge.
Brawn is a member of the Imaging Science Foundation and Managing Director of ISF Commercial. Alan is CTS certified and an adjunct faculty member of InfoComm sitting on their PETC council and chairing the ISO/ANSI video performance task group. He is a member of the International Commission on Display Metrology for SID and a Learning Unit provider for NSCA. Most recently he became a director of the Digital Signage Experts Group certifying professionals in the digital signage industry. He was the recipient of the Pro AV Hall of Fame recognition from rAVe in 2004.
Jonathan is a principal of Brawn Consulting, an audiovisual consulting, educational development, and marketing firm, based in Vista, California. Brawn Consulting has a national footprint with connection to the major manufacturers and integrators in the commercial audiovisual industry. Prior to this, Jonathan was Director of Technical Services for Visual Appliances, an Aliso Viejo CA based firm that manufactures ZeroBurn plasma display technology, and successfully ran his own integration group, Brawn & Associates, serving the residential and commercial audiovisual markets. Jonathan literally grew up in the AV industry, with over 15 years of experience in technology, design, and educational development. Starting with Hughes JVC in the early 90’s, Jonathan worked alongside his father Alan in creating and building training programs for technical, sales, and marketing development.
Jonathan has extensive experience in AV systems design and integration, as well as expertise in the development of educational development programs. Jonathan holds CTS certification and teaches courses at InfoComm. He is a founding director of ISF Commercial, a display calibration and certification standards body, and a founding member of The Digital Signage Experts Group. He provides articles for industry publications including Systems Contractor News and The Digital Signage Magazine.
Lyle Bunn was recognized with an Honorary Doctorate in January 2011 by the Digital Signage Expert Group for his significant contributions to education and the development of the Dynamic Place-based Media industry. He is one of North America’s most highly regarded independent advisors and educators to end users, integrators, suppliers, operators and investors of Dynamic Signage, Digital Place-based and Enterprise Media.
Lyle Bunn’s ten years of focus on Digital Signage follows over 25 years of successful experience in North America’s Information Technology and Telecommunications industries. Lyle was the only individual named to the Digital Signage Forum’s 2005 Digital Signage Top Ten List, listed among such corporations as Thomson, 3M, Clear Channel, Focus Media and others.
Through his advisory and education services, he has contributed to the development of hundreds of networks in retail, food services, health care, post-secondary, consumer services, transportation, hospitality, corporate and other environments for consumer, patron, staff and student communications.
His eBook titled the “Digital Signage Planning Guide,” which was released in its 5th edition in June 2010 and is used around the world.
The “SPEED” Digital Signage Training Program, which was launched in late 2008 has been presented to over 2200 end users, advertising, integrator and supply professionals to accelerate projects and supply capability. In addition to private corporate programs, SPEED is provided at major industry events such as Digital Signage Expo.
He Chairs or presents at every major North American digital signage event. He is also among the first to carry Digital Signage, Digital Out-of-home and Enterprise Media perspectives into the broadcasting, consumer electronics, audio-visual industries and Silicon Valley technology sector with presentations at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), Consumer Electronics Show (CES), InfoComm and others.
In over 200 published articles and whitepapers, and serving as principal writer and editor of industry supplements included in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal and The National Post, Lyle has advanced the understanding and application of digital signage. He has written on such areas as “communications objectives, business models, project processes, media management, software selection, the communications continuum, content strategy and composition, mobile interface, loss prevention, measurement and a range of technology and business issues.
Lyle serves as Academy Faculty of InfoComm International, on the Digital Signage Expo Advisory Board Industry Consultant's Council and on the Board of Advisors of Customer Engagement Technology World.
He serves on the judging panels of the DIGI, POPAI, Screenmedia and the NEC Best of InfoComm awards.
Lyle is often referred to as an “industry expert” in articles, presentations, whitepapers and the corporate plans and press releases of companies. In the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Executive briefing series he is referenced almost a dozen times including in the initial pages of the book as “one of the better known and better versed champions of the recent digital signage movement.”
Lyle travels extensively and enjoys small craft sailing, golf, classic movies and trail biking.
Laura is a leading retail strategist who has spent her 20-year career focused on cross-channel experiential marketing and branding with consumer-focused technologies.
She started her career as an agency brand planner, where she recognized the importance of understanding all channels of consumer communications to successfully lead her client accounts. She intentionally jumped into various roles, from account service to media to R&D, eventually falling in love with technology and founding her agency’s first interactive division.
After mastering Interactive, Laura focused on the missing piece in her cross-channel marketing expertise—the retail store. She joined Miller Zell as Vice President and led accounts like Circuit City, Wal-Mart and H&R Block, working intimately with her clients to help them construct strategies that encompass all points of customer experience and communications. She also immersed herself with multiple industry constituents to understand the potential of in-store digital media technologies for retailers.
In 2003, she founded Retail Media Consulting, devoting herself to helping retailers, advertisers and agencies understand—and capitalize on—the store as a valued media channel.
Laura also chairs the POPAI Digital Signage Advocacy Committee, and is a board member of the Digital Signage Expo, the Digital Signage Federation, the Digital Content Circle and Retail TouchPoints. She writes the retail technology column for Digital Signage Magazine, and is an “expert resource” lecturer, workshop teacher and author in the In-Store Digital Media space.
Her first book, Lighting Up the Aisle: Practices and Principles for In-Store Digital Media, was released in 2007.
David Keene is the Executive Editor of the Systems Group, NewBay Media (the Systems Group consists of NewBay's Digital Signage Magazine, Systems Contractor News, AV Technology, Residential Systems, Rental & Staging Systems, the InfoComm Show Daily, and the CEDIA Show Daily). Keene has been active in the industry for thirty years. Prior to joining NewBay in 1996, Keene handled public relations for a variety of industry players; including Bauer Audio Visual in Dallas; Caribiner International, New York; and High End Systems in Austin (Keene was one of the first three employees at High End Systems– now a Barco company). In 1980, Keene developed the first industry-wide projection alignment standard for the Association of Multi-Image while working with AMI President John Stokes. He subsequently worked as a multi-image producer and special effects supervisor for Stokes Imaging Services in Austin, and PTV Associates in Mexico City, Mexico. After serving as Editor of the Systems Group at NewBay from 1996 to 2000, Keene was appointed Executive Editor in January of 2001.
Keene is currently the Awards Chairman of the DIGI Awards (Digital Signage Innovator Awards) administered by NewBay Media's Digital Signage magazine; he is also a judge of the APEX Awards–the digital signage award program administered by the Digital Signage Expo. Keene was winner of the INKY Award at the NAB show in April 2011, for “Excellent Editor - non Radio and TV” category for his work in Digital Signage and Digital Out-of-Home reporting, recognizing not just Keene's work, but the growing importance of AV and digital signage in the larger media landscape.
David can be reached via email or via phone at 512-922-8413
For more than four years as the operations director for an association management company, Brian has led teams to implement overhauls of management infrastructure and processes for numerous organizations. These improvements include upgrading management systems, increased use of integrated web technology, customer service processes, and marketing campaigns. The effectiveness of these programs has achieved increased retention rates, higher member satisfaction, and decrease spending on administration for clients.
Brian’s success with technology and marketing have been demonstrated in his development of market data, sales, and contact management systems for Fortune 500 sales teams. Brian was involved with the development of numerous business process outsourcing (BPO) projects for state and local governments. Earlier in his career he held positions in charitable and education organizations.
Brian is a member of the American Society of Association Executives and is involved with the Association Management Company Institute. He holds a degree in Geography from Virginia Tech and completed the International Commerce and Policy Graduate program at George Mason University.
Brian Gorg has been appointed the Director of the Digital Signage Federation.
Richard Lebovitz is editorial and educational services director for the Digital Signage Expo (DSE), with responsibility for content for the DSE website, e-newsletter and the DSE educational program, including seminars, workshops and on-floor presentations. He also initiated the quarterly Digital Signage Expo Business Barometer, the longest-running survey in the digital signage industry. He is an award-winning journalist and educator with more than 20 years experience in consumer and business media.Richard Lebovitz is editorial and educational services director for the Digital Signage Expo (DSE), with responsibility for content for the DSE website, e-newsletter and the DSE educational program, including seminars, workshops and on-floor presentations. He also initiated the quarterly Digital Signage Expo Business Barometer, the longest-running survey in the digital signage industry. He is an award-winning journalist and educator with more than 20 years experience in consumer and business media.