Elevating Retail: CommLink's Award-Winning AV Pro Edge Matrix at Concepts
CommLink Integration, a trailblazer in the audiovisual integration space, proudly clinched the Best User Experience award in the 2021 Systems Contractor News Install of the Year Awards. At the heart of this recognition is their outstanding work at Concepts' flagship store in Boston, Massachusetts a groundbreaking retail space that seamlessly blends street, skate, and fashion, offering an unparalleled shopping experience.
CommLink Integration's innovative approach earned them the Best User Experience award for their work on Concepts' flagship store in Boston. This project showcases the transformative power of audiovisual technology in creating a unique retail experience.
Where Fashion Meets Technology
Concepts, a global brand synonymous with authenticity and narrative, entrusted CommLink Integration to craft an immersive audiovisual experience for its flagship store. Spanning 4,700 square feet across three floors on Newbury Street, this retail masterpiece combines streetwear, luxury, and community engagement. Designed in collaboration with creative agency Sid Lee, the space mirrors an art gallery with its modern materials and comfortable ambiance.
CommLink's Approach: Redefining Audiovisual Integration
CommLink faced the challenge of creating an audiovisual system that seamlessly blended with the store's aesthetics while offering flexibility for evolving brand experiences. The 16 x 16 AV Pro Edge Matrix played a pivotal role in achieving this balance.
The audio system, transparent during business hours, transforms seamlessly to support live DJ events. The modular design allows different clothing brand areas to broadcast unique vibes, controlled through CommLink's custom software. A user-friendly interface, Latitude, empowers easy access to playlist selection, audio/video routing, and ongoing customization without the complexity of other retail environments.
Visual Elements: Dynamic Displays for a Dynamic Space
Visual elements are anchored by four screens, including a 6-foot x 6-foot video wall powered by the 16 x 16 AV Pro Edge Matrix. This setup facilitates smooth transitions for featured brands and significant live events, providing a dynamic and engaging visual experience.
Continued Evolution: A Partnership Beyond Limits
CommLink's collaboration with Concepts extends beyond the Boston flagship, with the recent completion of their fifth retail location in New York City. The goal remains to create retail spaces that break the mold, continually evolving with the brand, where audiovisual integration plays a crucial role.
In celebrating CommLink's SCN 2021 Install of the Year win, we highlight not just an award but a testament to innovation, user experience, and the transformative power of audiovisual technology. As Concepts' journey continues, so does the partnership with CommLink Integration, ensuring each retail space is a unique, ever-evolving masterpiece.
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.
