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FASTSIGNS(R) Selects the Widen Media Collective for Digital Asset Management
[January 16, 2014]

FASTSIGNS(R) Selects the Widen Media Collective for Digital Asset Management


(Marketwire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) MADISON, WI -- (Marketwired) -- 01/16/14 -- FASTSIGNS® International, Inc., the worldwide franchisor of FASTSIGNS sign, graphics and visual communication companies, has selected the Widen Media Collective to organize and distribute digital marketing assets for more than 550 global locations. The new digital asset management (DAM) system will provide FASTSIGNS with the tools, flexibility and scalability to improve the cataloging and use of digital assets for sales, marketing and décor initiatives.



Founded in Dallas, Texas in 1985, FASTSIGNS has grown from a single location to a global leader in visual communication solutions. With expertise in all types of interior and exterior signs, graphics, exhibits, displays, and much more, FASTSIGNS has built a reputation for helping companies gain visibility, communicate their message and achieve their strategic goals.

FASTSIGNS previously used a simple DAM solution, internal servers and a support website to store and distribute these digital assets to franchisees in the US, Canada, the UK, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean, Saudi Arabia and Australia. However, the inconvenience of using multiple storage locations and limitations of the old DAM system prompted FASTSIGNS' marketing department to search for a better alternative.


"We had outgrown our system, and we needed something more robust," said Drue Townsend, senior vice president of marketing at FASTSIGNS. "We wanted a DAM system that could grow with our needs." Townsend asked the company's IT team and creative services department to recommend several reputable DAM providers that met FASTSIGNS' product requirements and price range. Widen was one of three DAM solutions the research team suggested. After several demos and a live trial on Widen's Digital Asset Management Sandbox, FASTSIGNS selected the Widen Media Collective.

"The capabilities, flexibility, user-friendliness and scalability of the Widen Media Collective made it stand out from the competition," said Townsend. "Widen's ability to create a single sign on (SSO) integration with our system was also an important factor, as were Media Collective's tracking and reporting tools. Finally, our Widen advisor did a great job answering our questions and providing information throughout the research process." FASTSIGNS' user base will include more than 100 internal staff members and team members at all 550 franchise locations. The DAM system will initially store marketing assets including photos, videos, audio files, digital sign content and PDFs.

"Businesses commonly contact us when they've outgrown their storage and management solutions," said Jake Athey, Widen's marketing manager. "Very basic DAM systems and in-house solutions eventually lag behind robust web-based platforms that continually evolve through updates and upgrades. Widen's software as a service (SaaS) DAM platform gives FASTSIGNS access to cloud-based, professionally managed services that will continue to advance as the market and technology changes." About FASTSIGNS® FASTSIGNS International, Inc. is the worldwide franchisor of the more than 550 FASTSIGNS® centers located in the US, Canada, the UK, Brazil, Mexico, the Caribbean, Saudi Arabia and Australia (where centers operate as SIGNWAVE®).

FASTSIGNS is a sign, graphics and visual communications company that helps customers of all sizes -- across all industries -- meet their business objectives and increase their business visibility. Some of the products and services that FASTSIGNS uses to provide comprehensive solutions include vehicle, floor and window graphics, point of purchase signs, digital signs, labels and decals, architectural and interior décor signs, printing, promotional products and wearables, mobile marketing and other related marketing services. To learn more, visit www.fastsigns.com or call 800-FASTSIGNS for a location near you.

About Widen Enterprises, Inc.Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Widen has honed its more than 60 years of experience in premedia services and color management specifically for assisting customers with building brand equity and supporting consistent brand representation across print and Web communications. Through its inventive suite of Web-based digital asset management applications, Widen software services provide marketing networks with real-time, Web-based access to clients' digital asset libraries, subsequently eliminating manual search and file preparation time, costs related to replacing images and videos that cannot be located, and added costs for hardware, software and upgrades. For more information, visit: www.widen.com.

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608-443-5472 Email Contact Source: Widen Enterprises

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