Version 5.0 Launch Wave

August 4, 2008 by

We would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our early adopters and software testers. Over the last 8 weeks, the preview of our new version 5.0 software update has gone extremely well. We have gathered some tremendously useful information along the way and we would now like to update everyone on what’s coming and when.

The new Bowling Music Player contains hundreds of updates and over 30 new features. Here are some of the ones we think are important.

For Bowling Video subscribers:

  • The video playback engine has been significantly changed and now provides even better and more transparent transitions between music-videos and video content like promotions and enhancers.
  • Music-Video Search has been updated for better and more accurate results.
  • Now Playing now offers simple Drag and Drop of playlist items for faster and more intuitive playlist management.
  • PlayNow Custom Playlists have been updated so that you can now edit saved playlists independently of your Now Playing playlist.
  • PlayNow Custom Programs is a new feature that gives you the ability to build custom music-video programs with built in content ratings. The number of music-video programs is now limitless!
  • Bowling Video Marquees can now be saved for future use and quick implementation.

For all Bowling Music subscribers:

  • The Bowling Music Enhancer has been updated with a new Search feature to help you quickly find what you’re looking for and features fast inline results.
  • We have also added short text descriptions for all promotional and enhancer content so you know what you’re playing before you even click play.
  • Enhancer Favorites is a new feature that allows you to pick up to 16 of your favorite enhancers and save them for quick access.
  • The Bowling Music Scheduler is all new with a more intuitive user interface and now runs on a 7-day, date and timeslot-based design.
  • Scheduling items is faster than ever now with easier to use “Selectors” for each type of schedule item which are designed to better expose item selection. Content Selector presents identical options for searching and discovering content as available in the Enhancer. The Music / Video Selector offers full program descriptions when selecting a program. We have also added the capability of scheduling saved Marquees, custom Video Programs & Playlists, and volume actions to automatically adjust the player’s volume at specified times.
  • SMT Auto-Update is a new feature that allows BMN to create templates of scheduled actions and then apply them to individual subscriber accounts or full groups of accounts for multi-location chains. Templates will be automatically updated and assigned throughout the year. You no longer have to worry about updating your schedule; we’ll take care of it for you!

These are just a few of the new features coming in the version 5.0 update. We know that a lot of BMN subscribers are excited about this update and we want to get it out to you as soon as possible. We also respect that there are many subscribers who are quite happy with the current version. With this in mind, we have limited the design changes on this update. Did you know that Bowling Music Network now services over 650 bowling centers across North America? As the largest and most popular entertainment service provider to the bowling industry, we have to be responsible for how new updates will affect all of our subscribers. You have our guarantee that we will be available to train staff and provide helpful documentation and tutorial videos for the new update.

Release Schedule

On August 18, 2008 we will be opening up the new version to all subscribers who would like to try it out. When you log in to your services, you will be presented with an option to use the new player, or to continue to the old version.

On September 15, 2008 all subscribers will automatically be switched over to the new version. Don’t worry though; all your settings will be automatically migrated. As noted previously, most subscribers won’t even notice any major changes in the player. Just about everything is right where you’ll expect it to be.

If you have any questions or concerns, we welcome you to contact the Bowling Music Helpdesk at 1-866-684-8324. Once again, thank you for your support. We really appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to provide you great value and superior entertainment and marketing services.

Posted in Bowling Music Technology | Leave a Comment »

It’s Coming!

May 21, 2008 by

When new subscribers and bowling center proprietors are first introduced to the Bowling Music Network, we typically hear comments about how much easier the service is to use compared to what they had before. This doesn’t happen by accident and we’re the first to admit that our software and services wouldn’t be what they are without our dedicated customers and their feedback. 

Our development team has been hard at work on the next major version of the Bowling Music Player and we’re happy to say it’s almost ready! Version 5.0 is coming soon and includes all new features for the Enhancer, Scheduler and Video components, as well as hundreds of updates all around. It’s been over a year in the making and I’m confident it’s the best version yet!

Please accept this as our invitation to visit us at the International Bowl Expo 2008, where you can experience the latest in new technology. You’ll see why over 500 bowling centers across North America have chosen the Bowling Music Network for their bowling entertainment services.

If you’re already a subscriber and would like to get in on the pre-release final stage of testing, you can send an email to bmp5@bowlingmusic.com or contact the BMN Help Desk at 1-866-684-8324 to be added to the list.

More info and final release date will follow in the coming weeks… Stay tuned!

-Aaron Lewcock, Partner & Technical Director.

 

Posted in Bowling Music, Bowling Music Technology | Leave a Comment »

What do you do?

April 14, 2008 by

People often say to me: So, what is it that you actually do?

They find it difficult to understand when I say that we create positive, energetic reactions. I guess it would be easier to understand if I said we provide music and music-video services to bowling centers throughout North America. Maybe it would make more sense if I said: we develop a leading edge web based software that schedules music/video programming and promotional announcements for businesses.

The fact is, that’s how we do it. What we do; is make people jump, smile, dance, high five, eat, drink and be merry.

We always make it a point for every member of our team to understand that our customers do not subscribe to music programs, a web site, an interface, promotional announcements, the latest music video’s or industry leading customer service. They subscribe to their customer’s reaction to the delivery of all of the above. If the reaction is not making people jump, smile, dance, high five, eat, drink and be merry, we are not delivering value to our subscriber’s business.

Nobody delivers this value better than the Bowling Music Network. That is why we are the fastest growing service in the industry. It’s what we do!

What does your music service provider do?

-Jim Juniper, Partner & Sales Director.

Posted in Bowling Marketing, Bowling Music, Bowling Music Technology, Bowling Music Video, Entertainment Bowling, Promotions | Leave a Comment »

The Trade Shows are Coming, the Trade Shows are Coming!

April 7, 2008 by

The business of bowling is great! I challenge you to find a better group of business people to deal with. Our favourite part of the year is what we call the “Trade Show Tour”. The Tour gives us a chance to introduce our services to prospective proprietors, as well as the opportunity to get together with our valuable subscribers.

Our goal is to create an interactive experience with our products, services and people. 2008 will be no exception. Our creative team is finalizing the plans for an even bigger, brighter and more interactive experience at the Bowling Music Network booth.  If you currently utilize music videos at your bowling center, or are thinking about adding it to your entertainment package; you have to stop by our booth for the Got Video? Experience. New products, new services and the best customer support team in the business. We’ll soon be loading the truck and heading out on Tour!

See you there!

-Jim Juniper, Partner & Sales Director.

Posted in Bowling Industry, Bowling Marketing | Leave a Comment »

BMN Supports The Industry

March 24, 2008 by

logo_alliedMember The Bowling Music Network is pleased to announce that we are now an Allied Member of the Bowling Proprietors Association of America. We recognize the critical role that the BPAA plays in the development of the bowling industry and as an industry supplier; we feel it is necessary to support the association in the capacity of an Allied Member.

We participate in four BPAA industry events including Bowl Expo, the Mid America Bowl Fest, East Coast Bowling Center’s Conference and the Bowling Summit. These events are one of the benefits that the association delivers to its membership. As time has progressed, we have seen the BPAA take a proactive role in leadership that has created programs to benefit all in the industry of bowling. Frequently, industry associations start off as great ideas and over time become a slow moving bureaucracy that is viewed to its members as an annual expense. It is quite the opposite with the BPAA. We are impressed with the leadership focus on industry consolidation, education and effective market development strategies.

It is an exciting time to be part of the BPAA and we are proud to be an Allied Member. For more information on the Bowling Proprietors Association of America, log on to www.bpaa.com.

Posted in Bowling Industry | Leave a Comment »

Welcome former Rock 300 Subscribers!

February 25, 2008 by

satellite_dish With the recent disconnection of some satellite services from Rock 300, we have had a number of Rock 300 subscribers make the switch to Bowling Music Network.

They are seeing why Bowling Music Network is the industry’s fastest growing entertainment service. No pricing schemes, fancy promotions or marketing campaigns caused this decision. They discovered more music/video programs, advanced marketing content & control, superior technology, and leading customer service only available from Bowling’s leading Music Network.

Whether you are still paying for bowling “RADIO”, or subscribed to any other music/video service, we welcome you to experience the Bowling Music Network difference!

Call us today at 1-866-684-8324 for a no obligation free trial!

Posted in Promotions | Leave a Comment »

HEAR The Difference!

February 19, 2008 by

speakerNot a lot of stock is placed in sound quality these days. The Internet is polluted with awful sounding (not to mention mostly illegal) digital songs in the form of mp3 and other various file types. Most Internet radio stations broadcast at sub par bit rates (or quality levels). Even satellite radio like XM and Sirius which are supposed to be FM Radio’s premium alternative are definitely not an acceptable alternative to FM Radio when it comes to sound quality. A lot of business related services say they offer “CD Quality Transparency”, which is supposed to mean that the music sounds like playing a CD; unfortunately that is seldom the case.

The problem with the so called “Premium Music Concept” service providers is usually one of a couple things (or sometimes both):

  • Lack of technical ability, and
  • The distribution expense factor

The Internet is a fantastic medium for the digital delivery of business music services. The technical team at Bowling Music Network identified this over a decade ago. We pioneered this type of delivery in the industry and have been very successful with it because we know how to maximize on it’s potential. You need to trust that the company in charge of your customer’s entertainment experience has a solid technical background. I don’t personally change my vehicle’s oil when it’s due, not because I can’t physically do it, but because there are other people that can do it better. Being able to do something, and being able to do something right are two very different things. We take extra care and use unique and proprietary technologies to ensure that our subscribers only get the best.

When it comes to distribution, companies heavily evaluate what it costs to get the service to your bowling center. On the Internet, everything is measured by bandwidth and throughput. The higher the quality of sound or video, the more it costs to get it to you. This is usually why the Internet/Satellite radio, and other business music services don’t sound so great. They choose to sacrifice quality for cost. This might be acceptable for talk radio or free broadcasts for consumers. But when you have a bowling center packed with paying customers looking for an exciting bowling experience: You better make sure the music sounds as good as the bathrooms are clean, the food tastes great, and how friendly your staff are!

-Aaron Lewcock, Partner & Technical Director.

Posted in Bowling Music, Bowling Music Technology, Bowling Music Video, Entertainment Bowling | Leave a Comment »

Summer Success Starts in February!

February 7, 2008 by

Whether you’re a 96 lane center or a 6 lane center; the trend is usually a slow-down in the summer. For some, it’s a small change in attendance. For others, closing shop for the summer is the ideal and most cost-effective way to survive. Don’t get beat by the heat, start promoting now!

The summer is a great time to host a plethora of short programs, fun leagues, themed bowling nights, kid’s camps, etc… The key to successfully running any promotion is customer awareness. Traditionally your best sellers are your staff and regular customers. What if we could add another element to your sales force? What if within your four walls, at strategic times, we could create opportunities to cross-sell, up-sell and promote the day to day and upcoming activities within your center?

The answer lies in Bowling Music Network’s Smart Marketing Technology. With a stock library of over 300 promotional announcements we can start promoting your spring/summer programs now! In today’s hyper-competitive market, people need to be informed. People need to be aware or they will not invest their time and money within your business. Let’s make sure that they do.

As part of the business development team at the Bowling Music Network, we’re ready to review and setup the entire month with promotional announcements so that we’re promoting the right programs to the right people. Let your ladies league know about the summer camp they can enrol their kids in this summer. Promote your new exciting themed bowling nights, and benefit from eighteen themed music or thirteen music-video formats to create the right atmosphere. Inform your junior bowlers about the Coaching program you have to help them hone their skills over the summer for next year’s school bowling team. Any students involved in scholarship programs? If so, let the kids and their parents know about them as well. It could be as simple as making your Friday night bowlers aware of your Tuesday night Quartermania promotion with a simple 20 second announcement.

To add more fuel to the fire… Let’s make sure that we’re scheduling the best music to keep the energy as high as possible in your center. With the choice of multiple themed music and music-video options, Family Friendly SAFE-ZONE formats, Live programs with Requests and Dedications including a Live Dedicated Kids party program; you can be sure that the right music is playing at the right time without having to manage a thing.

Whatever the program, whatever the function, let’s promote it in a professional and strategic way in February so that we can keep the door swinging in the summer!

-Adam Melrose, Sales & Business Development

Posted in Bowling Marketing | Leave a Comment »

Experience Marketing

February 6, 2008 by

Are you selling, educating/entertaining, or all of the above? None of us like commercials (except of course for Super Bowl Sunday’s entertaining ones), however if it weren’t for commercials, I wouldn’t know about the many products and services that improve my life on a regular basis. These, I refer to as “educating” commercials (which are most effective when entertaining). The rest are just plain and boring “selling” commercials. Luckily, at home with my PVR I can skip right through the selling commercials, but life isn’t always pre-recorded.

The lesson for me in this is: if you’re not educating and entertaining, you’re not selling. Let’s face it; if the consumer is not enjoying the message for the product or service, what is the chance of them enjoying the actual product and sustaining their business?

So are you randomly playing announcements and stuffing flyers into the face of your customers? How is promoting the local dentist, service station, or national video rental chain enhancing your customer’s experience? In my opinion, hearing about a delicious nacho platter with two loaded hot peppers, cheese, sour cream and an ice cold bud light would do a better job to improve my experience, particularly, if you bring it right to my lane! Added to that, the more fun you make it look and sound, the better the chances are to get me to take action (place the order). Call me shallow or perhaps call me thirsty and hungry just like the majority of every one of your customers. The fact is, if it doesn’t sound or look fun, I’m not going to do it.

Your challenge is to identify the points of the experience that have the most impact on your customers (food, beverage, arcade, karaoke, easy check out etc..) and make sure they know this is something they have to try. Our challenge at the Bowling Music Network is creating a compelling message that is part of your entertainment experience.

We’re ready when you are!

-Jim Juniper, Partner & Sales Director.

Posted in Bowling Marketing | Leave a Comment »

IN-Center Audio and Video Marketing Works

January 21, 2008 by

arrowsSix years ago, Jim Juniper and I developed a technology called Promo Player which was an “in center” marketing platform designed specifically for the Bowling industry. The first of it’s kind in the industry; Promo Player allowed bowling proprietors to cross-sell and up-sell existing and future products or services to customers inside their four walls. The technology allowed automatic playback of (audio only at the time) announcements at a set interval during regular music programming. Despite the sophistication and  ease of use, the power of the technology really laid in the library of stock announcements which accompanied it. There were generic announcements for Leagues, Food & Beverage, Fundraisers, Safety Rules, Corporate Parties, Kids Birthdays and many other profit opportunities. The bowling proprietor could also have custom announcements produced to promote anything not covered by the generic library. All of a sudden, you could easily promote your business using professionally produced announcements embedded in to your music program, and it was a big success.

Over the years there have been a number of advances in the technology: there’s now a full featured scheduler which allows you to schedule announcements to play at specific times during the day giving you the ability to really benefit from Targeted Marketing. Also, with the advent of large video displays in the bowling center; Digital Signage (or Video IN-Center Marketing) has become extremely popular. You can schedule announcements to play at specific times and they are inserted seamlessly in to your entertainment programs.

Many entertainment services for bowling now offer similar technologies and most do a decent job. The key to being successful with IN-Center Marketing isn’t in the technology though, and we don’t believe it ever was. Consistent execution and the right message is what sets the Bowling Music Network aside from the others. When we first introduced Promo Player, the total stock library of generic announcements was 18. We now offer over 300, completely free of charge. Consistent execution however, is a tough one when you’re an over-worked and busy proprietor or manager. We understand that; so we take care of it for you with free IN-Center Marketing consultation and execution of your custom program from our end. When you first become a Bowling Music subscriber, we ask some simple questions about your business and work with you to build a schedule that will take advantage of the available announcements. This service is included with your subscription and followed-up on for quarter-annual adjustments.

We are strong believers in the benefits of IN-Center Marketing and we hear success stories every day from subscribers about increased sales and program participation. IN-Center Audio and Video Marketing Works; is it working for you yet?

-Aaron Lewcock, Partner & Technical Director.

Posted in Bowling Marketing, Bowling Music Technology | Leave a Comment »

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