SignStorey to Use DIRECWAY Broadband Satellite for Digital Content Distribution

SignStorey to Use DIRECWAY Broadband Satellite for Digital Content Distribution

Selects New DIRECWAY(R) Multimedia Services to Distribute Media-rich Content to its Customers

GERMANTOWN, Md., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), the world's leading provider of satellite broadband solutions, announced today that it has signed a six-year contract, valued at $1.6 million, to provide DIRECWAY(R) Multimedia Services to SignStorey, a provider of customized digital media networks to grocery retailers.

The solution purchased by SignStorey is for two grocery chain customers totaling 250 stores. Content will be delivered through the HNS DW4020 broadband satellite terminals. The service portion of the deal includes two- way broadband for polling, PC Anywhere, and other content management, as well as the newly announced DIRECWAY Multimedia Services (MMS). The package allows SignStorey to pay a fixed amount per month per site for interactive applications plus a charge per MByte for multimedia content they distribute, providing them with greater financial flexibility than available through other service providers.

DIRECWAY Multimedia Services are designed for multicast delivery of a variety of rich media applications, including point-of-decision content, for which SignStorey will contract and distribute. The service includes access to a user-friendly interface for scheduling and for selecting recipients of each multicast. SignStorey will have complete flexibility to schedule distribution of its content, as well as the flexibility to create logical groupings of recipients, from a single device within a single store, to groups of devices, to every device within their customer's network

Using content distributed by DIRECWAY MMS, SignStorey will provide its retail customers with in-store video networks for the display of targeted advertising and product promotion messages at the point-of-purchase (POP). Reaching the consumer at the point-of-purchase has been shown to increase customer awareness of products and promotions, as well as to generate incremental sales.

"When we were investigating a way to distribute messages to consumers in a retail environment, we considered DSL, but decided that satellite was the optimum solution. We needed a solution that was easy to manage, available everywhere, and ideal for the distribution of media-rich content to multiple locations," said Jeff Martin, senior vice president of Operations at SignStorey. "DIRECWAY Multimedia Services provide all that plus we believe HNS has the best support resources available."

"Both retailers and product suppliers are recognizing the benefits of reaching the consumer at the point of decision and are adopting digital signage systems for their stores," said Paul Gaske, executive vice president and general manager, North American Division as HNS. "DIRECWAY MMS allows SignStorey to distribute messages targeted to particular departments within stores, as well as times of day, all on a fee-per-usage basis."

Installation at SignStorey's first customer, Pathmark Grocery, began in October 2004 with completion of the rollout expected in first quarter 2005.

About SignStorey

Founded in 2000, SignStorey is a leading supplier of in-store digital advertising networks to the grocery industry. SignStorey installs and manages its networks and also provides programming and advertising sales. SSI networks are currently installed at Pathmark and Price Chopper. SignStorey's content partners include such companies as Epicuious.com, Cooking.com, Taunton Press, Caring Today Magazine and Mom's Team.com. The programming includes shopper information, news and customized messaging from each retailer. SignStorey's digital signage is individually addressable providing maximum messaging flexibility to its retailers and advertisers. SignStorey's headquarters is located in Fairfield, CT. For more information, visit http://www.signstorey.com/.

About Hughes Network Systems

Hughes Network Systems, Inc. (HNS), a wholly owned subsidiary of The DIRECTV Group, Inc., is the world's leading provider of broadband satellite network solutions for businesses and consumers, with more than 800,000 systems ordered or shipped to customers in 85 countries. HNS pioneered the development of high-speed satellite Internet access services, which it markets globally under the DIRECWAY brand.

Headquartered outside Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, HNS maintains sales and support offices worldwide. The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE:DTV) is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd. For additional information, please visit http://www.hns.com/.

HUGHES, Hughes Network Systems, and DIRECWAY are trademarks of The DIRECTV Group, Inc.


Source: Hughes Network Systems, Inc.

CONTACT: Judy Blake of Hughes Network Systems, Inc., +1-301-601-7330,
jblake@hns.com, or John Hallock of Brodeur Worldwide, +1-617-587-2024,
jhallock@brodeur.com, for Hughes Network Systems, Inc.

Web site: http://www.hns.com/
http://www.signstorey.com/


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