Wal-Mart Canada Animates In-Store Experience

Mississauga, Ontario Wal-Mart Canada is using a new, specially designed digital in-store program from London, Ontario-based EK3 Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary ShopCast.

The company has created an animated character named “Lisa” designed to appeal to Wal-Mart shoppers. Lisa "hosted" Wal-Mart Canada's narrowcasting content in 60 stores during the holiday season. ShopCast designed five 30-second holiday-themed "shows" played on 42- and 48-inch monitors throughout the stores.

The animations were featured along with national advertisements and other narrowcasting elements, such as store-specific content and local information.

Under the agreement between ShopCast and Wal-Mart Canada, digital displays will be installed in all Wal-Mart Canada stores by the end of 2008. Sixty stores have already been wired and have begun airing "Lisa" episodes—which include the central character, her husband, three children and a family.

Future "Lisa Family" shows are slated to be introduced in early 2008 in Wal-Mart Canada stores.