Sony Comes Out with Scent Capturing Printer

Chinese designer Li Jingxuan has created a scent capturing printer for Sony as part of a student workshop sponsored by the company to identify innovative technical ideas. The printer actually uses an electronic nose sensor which detects and captures smells and then uses pattern recognition to reproduce them. It uses aroma-based inks on special postcard sized photo paper with a clear film. When the film is peeled back, the scent is released. 

Great for vacationers and foodies, the printer easily can fit in a purse or backpack. The company hasn't yet said when the scent printer will be available.

New Technology Delivers Scent at POS and Beyond

Scentevents has come out with a new computer controlled technology to deliver multiple scents on cue, activated by motion sensor or requested by the user. The patent pending device, which is commercially available now, is called the 4D scent media player.

The 4D scent player can work with scent diffusion devices provided by ScentEvents or with third party diffusers. The idea is that large brands can integrate the power of scent into their other marketing communications. For example, a company can set up a free standing kiosk in a mall or other public area that runs an ad or video or even a series of them for different products. The scent can be timed to coincide with the image on the screen to emphasize the visual and audio marketing message. Another option is to allow the user to interactively choose the scent they want to smell. Or, depending on the location and application of the system, the scents can be placed on a loop so that they are released on a timer. Different smells can be combined to create a large range of fragrances in the same device.

The natural product for this device is perfumes and scented personal products, since it would allow customers to sample the scents before buying, and thereby spur more sales. However, its uses are limited only by the imagination.

We know that scent is uniquely effective in provoking memories and emotion. Travel companies like cruise lines, resorts and airlines can incorporate the smell of seasonal destinations (pina colada, salt air, refreshing cold air for ski resorts, etc.). Hotels can use their signature scents, reminding previous guests of their stays and inducing a feeling in keeping with the hotel's ambiance and branding. Restaurants can make patrons hungry using tempting food smells, and malls can increase holiday spending with pine and other seasonal scents.

You can contact Scentevents for more information and pricing.

Are You Missing the Point (of Sale)?

Companies spend millions of dollars on television, radio and print ads to drive customers into the stores to buy their products. But did you know that up to 80% of purchase decisions are made at the point of sale?

Major brands are starting to pick up on this reality and realign their spending accordingly. A recent study for the Grocery Manufacturers of America showed that some brands are spending more money on point of sale, or shopper marketing, than on digital marketing. In fact, there is a whole new specialty called shopper marketing, that asserts that companies should focus first on what goes on inside the store and then work backwards from there. Large ad agencies, such as Saatchi & Saatchi and WPP are getting in the game as well. WPP just purchased Los Angeles based POS marketing company Lunchbox, whose clients include Unilever, Walmart and Kimberly-Clark.

What does all this mean for scent marketing companies? A lot! Both ambient scenting and scented packaging are highly effective point-of-sale strategies. Work on getting new business by targeting these specialized shopper marketing agencies and making your case for adding scent to the mix.

Spy Kids 4 Movie to Be Scented

The latest movie in the wildly successful Spy Kids franchise is going to be scented with Aromascope. Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World, coming out in August, will be released in "4D" that is, 3D plus the element of scent.

Each ticket will come with a scratch 'n sniff card with eight numbered scents. Moviegoers will be cued onscreen with the numbers so they know when to scratch off the appropriate scents. The scent cards will be distributed free of charge to all ticketholders, regardless of whether the film is shown in 3D or 2D.

Dimension Films, which raked in over $200 million from the last Spy Kids sequel is betting that young viewers will love the extra element of interactivity. They were one of the first to pioneer the revival of 3D movies, with Spy Kids 3D: Game Over. Now, 3D movies are commonplace not only in the children's genre, but in feature films like Avalon and now with home entertainment. Will Aromascope be the next dimension in entertainment?

Scent Goes Mobile

ESI, a manufacturer of cell phone accessories, has introduced a line of scented cell phone cases. The silicone cases are scented with one of several different scents from Jelly Belly, the jelly bean candy made popular by President Reagan.

Available for iPhone, BlackBerry and iPods, the protective cases come in Very Cherry, Licorice, Blueberry, Strawberry Cheesecake or Berry Blue scents. The cases cost less than $10 and feature a scratch 'n sniff scent release.

Coming soon to the mobile phone of the not-so-distant future... Scented ring tones, so you can smell who is calling you. Find out more on the future of scent, entertainment and electronics at the ScentWorld Expo!