MultiMedia Intelligence has predicted that the digital signage market will more than double in size by 2012, having grown by 34 per cent from 2007 to 2008.

According to the intelligence report, the current annual consumption 1.1 million of displays will rise to consume 2.3 million by 2012.

The report was released by IT Europa, which is jointly developing and marketing the Digital Signage Zone (DSZ) at IBC2009 with IBC and BPL.

The IBC2009 exhibition takes place from September 15 to 19 at the RAI, Amsterdam.

The new digital signage zone at IBC2009 will bring together many of the organisations and technologies that are emerging as major forces in this new medium.

It will provide a unique opportunity for application developers, content providers and technology companies to showcase their capabilities at the heart of the broadcast industry's leading international conference and exhibition.

IBC attracts more than 49,000 visitors and 1,400 exhibitors from 130 countries and has an unrivalled reputation for introducing and establishing new technologies, including high definition displays, mobile TV and IPTV.

“Digital Signage is fast developing as a new advertising medium and an important new delivery mechanism for broadcast content,” said Michael Crimp, COO, IBC.

“The investment IBC is making in establishing the new DSZ at IBC2009 reflects the strategic importance of the medium and the key role that the broadcast industry has to play in its development.”

The deployment of digital signage in a variety of commercial environments has created a whole new line of business for companies involved in broadcast technology.

Retailers, technology vendors, content providers and brand owners are working together to define new promotional landscapes in retail environments, public arenas, sports stadia, transport concourses and office spaces, using digital signage.

The technologies, solutions and content that are driving this revolution in communication will form the focus for the DSZ at IBC2009.

The DSZ will be accompanied by the IBC2009 DSZ business briefings to which attendance is free.

These briefings will examine some of the issues and opportunities arising from the growth in digital signage in further detail and are intended to reinforce and complement the established peer reviewed, paid-delegate IBC conference. – TradeArabia News Service