Window Media not blind to an opportunity

A new approach to advertising is turning Perth business windows into billboards.

Local company Window Media is using blinds and a colour printer to project brands, corporate images, promotions and other messages alongside city and suburban footpaths.

The company says the use of prime window space as billboards captures the attention of motorists and pedestrians, and has the added advantage of being vandal and graffiti proof, and cheaper than sign writing.

Window Media director Ali Shahwan said the company took a client’s corporate images, brand projection, promotions and the like, printed them onto blinds and then fitted this to a full or part window space.

“It is an Australian first. We reproduce digital images onto the client’s choice of high-quality roller, venetians or shutter blinds,” he said.

 “Designs can be developed to full bleed size, large display windows or tailored over several smaller windows.

“Internally they can be tailored to foyer and office windows, corporate or boardroom images.”

Mr Shahwan said a change of message only required a “new skin”.

“It allows special offers and promotions to be easily interchanged with year-round corporate branding,” he said.

Perth bank branches, medical practices, sporting groups and pharmacies are some of Window Media’s first clients. Subiaco Oval, ANZ in Claremont and Western Diagnostic have recently had the blinds installed.

And Mr Shahwan said Window Media had fielded inquiries from companies in Sydney and Melbourne.

“We have a few meetings set up in Melbourne and we want to pitch this nationally,” he said.

Meanwhile, Window Media is waiting to move to new premises in Osborne Park.

“We have been delayed but hope to be there next month. The blinds will be manufactured at the new site and the office will be next-door,” said Mr Shahwan, who wants to set up a duplicate operation in the eastern states within the year.

Marketing Focus managing director Barry Urquhart said that, while this type of advertising would not necessarily sell a product, it would reinforce brand presence.

“If you have high street presence and good visibility it will reinforce a particular location,” he said.

“It will reinforce but it won’t be used as a selling platform or to launch products.”