Computerised sandwich boards to greet airport users

Travellers going through some of the UK’s major airports are set to be greeted by people wearing computerised sandwich boards following a new deal agreed with a Dublin-based company today.

Media solutions group Adwalker has signed a three-year access agreement with airports operator BAA under which its walking advertisements will be able to move around a number of the group’s airports.

Adwalker also has deals for people wearing its sandwich boards to be present at shopping malls in the United States and New York’s Times Square.

The computerised sandwich boards include a display screen that can play adverts, as well as a wearable computer, touch screen and wireless internet connection that can be used to register consumers’ details, and a printer to produce coupons or other marketing material.

Today’s deal will initially cover Heathrow, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports, with the two groups splitting any revenues made through the initiative.

Adwalker has already signed its first client under the BAA deal, with mobile phone group Motorola using the sandwich boards to alert people travelling to Barcelona through Heathrow to its stand at a conference being held there.

The AIM-listed firm hopes other groups that hold concessions at BAA airports will also make use of its technology.

Simon Crisp, chief executive of Adwalker, said: “With this deal, Adwalkers will be seen by a huge international audience of highly-valued consumers and the board believes it will attract an array of existing and new clients to airports who wish to have access to the Adwalker platform both landside and airside.”

John Pizzamiglio, head of media at media@BAA, said: “Airports provide a unique media environment for brands as travellers are very receptive to innovative messaging.”