Planar PS-Series Displays Create Effective On-Property Marketing
The operators of today's most successful casinos know the importance of innovative marketing to attract and maintain a growing base of loyal visitors and guests. Having seen Planar Systems' new generation of highly-affordable digital signage – the Planar® PS-Series™ - the management of Spirit Mountain Casino in Oregon began implementing the technology in early 2012, expanding on a Planar digital signage implementation that had begun approximately seven years earlier. Today, this technology, in total, is seen as a significant and innovative marketing asset.
"This technology is one of the most effective means we have for communicating with guests," said Greg Fritz, Spirit Mountain marketing manager. "The Planar displays are attractive and are the best way of reaching more people at once and grabbing their attention. That's a huge advantage for us."
Fritz said the Planar PS-Series displays are being used to present messaging across the entire property about promotions, prize contests, and upcoming events. "The displays create a really effective call to action. They get people to enter promotions at kiosks around the casino, and motivate them to try different games and also to come back to future events. So they're a powerful marketing tool for us on many levels."
Reliability of Planar PS-Series is a key differentiator
Spirit Mountain turned to Klasstech AVS of Beaverton, Oregon, for assistance in planning and installing the seven newest displays—a total of 25 Planar screens, including the new Planar PS-Series, are now installed on the property. A long-time system integration partner of Planar, Klasstech cites several Planar PS-Series features that make it particularly well-suited to the casino environment.
"The reliability of this product is second to none," said Jason Wade, Klasstech AVS, co-founder. "Casinos run 24/7 so their digital signage has to do so as well. The Planar PS-Series is designed to run all day, every day. It's the only brand we'll specify for casino properties."
Wade says the two Planar PS-Series models selected for Spirit Mountain – the PS4670, a 46" high bright LCD, and the PS5551, a 55" LCD – also have the image quality needed in a casino environment. "These are big, busy places with lots of sights and sounds to attract guests to various games, restaurants, bars and other areas of entertainment. The Planar PS-Series displays have the ability to stand out in this environment in a very impactful way," he said.
Image quality makes a dramatic impression
In the Summit View Lounge, guests watch sports programming and promotional content on the PS-Series displays that both feature thin bezels for a sleek, high-tech look. "Each display has full HD resolution, 500 nit brightness, and 4000:1 contrast ratio. Viewers see a picture that is almost life-like in its clarity and brightness – you can't take your eyes off it," Wade adds.
Klasstech AVS also installed individual displays at several locations in the gaming area to show sports programming, promote casino activities, and advertise upcoming events. And, in the quick-serve deli restaurant, a Planar PS-Series display serves as the menu board. "Wherever you view these displays, the effect is dramatic," said Spirit Mountain's Fritz. "It really makes an impression, and we think it helps create a memorable experience that keeps people coming back."
Display design reflects needs of systems integrators
From the integrator's perspective, Wade said the Planar PS-Series makes good business sense. "This is a top-quality product made for demanding applications. It was designed from the ground up as a commercial digital signage system, as opposed to other brands that often are little more than consumer-grade products. We know it will work as specified and we won't have customers calling us to complain about performance issues or failures."
Wade gives Planar kudos for several key design features. These include making the Planar PS-Series products ultra-thin and lightweight, and equipping them with industrial metal bezels. As a result, the displays fit unobtrusively into almost any environment, they can easily installed by a single technician, and their heat load is minimized to preserve display life.
"We also like the fact that Planar designed the Planar PS-Series with source inputs on the side of each unit," said Klasstech AVS's Wade. "This might seem minor in comparison to other features, but not having to reach behind each panel to make connections is a big time saver. It shows that Planar listens to its integrators and acts on their recommendations. Engineering decisions like this keep our costs down and allow us to serve our customers more effectively."
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
