CHICAGO — Computer Strategy Coordinators Inc., Schaumburg, IL, had a little something extra to show off this month at Windy City’s DM Days ’99 conference sponsored by the Chicago Association of Direct Marketing: its business card.
The Digicard is the latest in business presentation software technology designed by Adivan in Switzerland and now available in the United States and Canada through Ember Media Corp., New York. The technology works in most CD-ROM players creating a multimedia presentation for a company that circumvents the need for a brochure, follow-up fax or telephone pricing inquiry.
CSC, a database marketing and list management analysis company uses the Digicard to promote its business and attract new clients. According to CSC sales executive Evan Ellefsen, the response rate is about 60 percent.
Digicard uses patented specially-shaped CD-ROM discs, which have only been available in the western hemisphere for less than a year. Digicard can hold up to 16MB of information and can include stereo quality sound, motion video and animated graphics.
Markus Schneider, managing partner for Ember Media, said that though less than 50 companies currently are circulating Digicards, the technology is growing rapidly. Companies and organizations that have taken advantage of the Digicard include the United Nations, Ford Motor Co. and Miller Brewing Co.
Current costs for Digicard technology are running about $3.50 per unit for a minimum order of 500. Schneider says that price can come down to about $1.80 per unit for runs more than 5000. But that doesn’t including programming and development costs, which can range anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000.
