Back to School

Client Company: Verbatim Corporation
Category: Computers
Country of Production: Canada
Country of Placement: Canada
Intended Length of Use: 2 months
Producer: Artisan Complete
Unit Cost: Under $200
Production Date: 6/2/2008
Production Run Quantity: 455

Client Company: Microsoft Canada Co.
Category: Computers
Country of Production: Canada
Country of Placement: Canada
Intended Length of Use: 2 months
Producer: Artisan Complete
Unit Cost: Under $200
Production Date: 7/1/2008
Production Run Quantity: 295

Client: MeadWestvaco Corp.
Distribution: OfficeMax stores
Producer: TimBar Packaging & Display Point of Purchase Division
Size of Run: 1,000
Introduction: May 2008
Unit Cost: Under $100
Comments: Graphics promote the Mead Rewards program during the back-to-school season.

"Back-to-school promotions often feature corrugated school buses to get moms thinking about lunchboxes and after-school snacks. The key requirement for these displays (one for Nabisco and one for Keebler) is that the retailer assembles the multiple segments into the shape of the bus -- something this retail giant missed in an effort to keep everything standardized on a pallet.

Report Card:

• Brands: B+. Extra credit for Nabisco for including flashing red and orange bus lights (see inset); good product assortments and holding power on both units.

Client: Lexmark International, Lexington, KY
Product(s) Promoted: Lexmark printers/ink, Linksys routers, Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse
Distribution: Sam's Club Stores
Number of Stores: 625
Production Run Quantity: 625
Introduction: 5/30/08
Intended Duration: 2-4 weeks
Dimensions (H x W x D): 61" x 80" x 48"
Weight: 400 lbs.
Budget Category (U.S.): $201 - $250 (display only)
Producer: Great Northern Corp., Racine, WI

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Design of the Times 2008 Contest Declaration

Client: Lexmark International, Lexington, KY
Product(s) Promoted: Lexmark Wireless printers & Ink, Linksys wireless routers
Distribution: Circuit City
Number of Stores: 600
Production Run Quantity: 600
Introduction: 5/15/08
Intended Duration: 2-4 weeks
Dimensions (H x W x D): 52" x 48" x 20"
Weight: 100 lbs.
Budget Category (U.S.): $51 - $100 (display only)
Producer: Great Northern Corp., Racine, WI

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Design of the Times 2008 Contest Declaration

"I fully realize that retail floor space is tight and sometimes you just have to squeeze a promotional display wherever it fits. But the way this store positioned this unit wasted half of its selling potential and virtually buried its visibility. It is a tribute to the Go-Paks and Snak-Saks' popularity with consumers that this corrugated half-pallet actually sold out within a week ä once shoppers found it.

Report Card:

• Brand: A. Great job combining two popular lunchbox items in one bright, eye-catching display in time for the back-to-school season.

Retailer: Stop & Shop
Location: New York