Talking Print to show audio and video DM at TFM&A

Audio and video embedded print specialists Talking Print will be showcasing its range of marketing solutions at this week's Technology for Marketing and Advertising 2013 event (TFM&A).

David Hyams, director of the London-based firm, explained it had identified a gap in the B2B market for use of visually-enhanced greetings cards, which it has successfully tested with West End show Spamalot last year.

Among its products on display will be its work on a seasonal card featuring Monty Python’s Always Look On the Bright Side of Life, which was used as a Christmas message for show cast members and as a wider promotional tool.

In addition, the company will also be offering print firms at the TFM&A event an opportunity to see its embedded brochures, which it believes could have wide application using video modules within cards and books.

Sourcing its electronics from China, the video units feature high resolution TFT LCD screens ranging between 4.3 and 7 inches in size.

The company’s initial research from partners in America has suggested that promotional campaigns could gain a 30 percent improvement in response rates through adding embedded video content.

Hyams said: "TFM&A provides the ideal opportunity to demonstrate to the creative community the power of our technology and its potential to engage end users. Embedded audio and video in print is proven not only to extend recipient interaction, but used for direct marketing and promotional items can also significantly increase campaign response rates."

Since starting the company 18 months ago with business partner John Wignall (who has more than a decade’s experience in audio module work), the pair have taken on a diverse range of bespoke projects. This has included multimedia campaigns within the retail sector.

Hyams added: "I come from a design background and the idea for the company came from seeing consumer greetings cards and realising what could be done for the B2B market. For the Spamalot campaign we did a limited run of 500 cards which worked really well.

"What makes us unique among anyone doing video content is that we are able to do short runs, sometimes even just doing something as an individual piece. As we are a consultancy, we do not work with any one specific print company, but use different companies for different projects within litho and digital printing.

"With our products, it’s something that people really do need to see, which is why we get out to as many show as we can. People have been really wowed by our products so we are looking forward to TFM&A, which is something we haven’t done before."

Technology for marketing and advertising is at Earls Court 2 between 26/27 February.