J. Walter Thompson (JWT)
Chicago, IL

History

As the world's oldest advertising agency, J. Walter Thompson (JWT) has a rich history of firsts – including broadcasting the world’s first radio spot and creating the world’s first television ad. They wanted their relocation to Chicago’s Merchandise Mart to represent their accomplishments through astounding technology that looked toward the future. They had a vision: create a cutting edge, high-tech, unique facility – a facility truly fit for a king of firsts.

Challenge

Committed to excellence, JWT enlisted the help of H.O.K as the facility architect, Turner Construction as the contractor and AVI Systems as the audio visual design-build integrator to design a new office space that would inspire imagination and build enduring relationships between brands and consumers.

Much of the audio visual technology was to be built around the lobby displays. Although the original concept called for pillars with plasma monitors, the CEO wanted something more elaborate to accommodate their vision of firsts.

Solution

AVI Systems designed a concept for a large-scale media wall that would utilize a seamless 24.6' x 44" screen with rear screen projection that would come from 5 projectors mounted on the ceiling.

Next, AVI Systems verified that JWT's creative department could create media content large enough to fit the massive media wall. These images would need to blend together from one projector to another without distortion or stretching.

The solution was found at InfoComm, with AV Stumpfl's multi-display software plus the Silicon Optix ImageAnyplace video scaler, which features 2 Warp levels: 1 for the entire screen and 1 for individual displays.

Result

The result is actually a “first” in its own rite: a large-scale curved media wall that engages and attracts clients as it digitally showcases the agency's dynamic video content.

The first impression of the agency begins as visitors ascend an escalator that takes them directly into the JWT office. The effective, interactive lobby display leads visitors around the corner to the reception desk and through the reception hall.

In addition to the lobby, JWT wanted state-of-the-art meeting spaces that would inspire creative thinking and energize idea collaboration. AVI Systems designed 10 rooms – including an executive boardroom, a focus group facility, and multiple conference rooms – with leading-edge media like SMART Boards and plasma display monitors.

Beyond

Advertising is just one industry example of how AVI Systems implements our full range of audio visual integration capabilities. From hotels and convention centers to colleges and universities, and from broadcast and production studios to corporate facilities around the world, virtually every industry benefits from using leading-edge technology.