OTS p28-29 Music Jun09.qxp 28/05/2009 15:22 Page 28
feature · music and entertainment
Entertaining the masses
Pubs that once classed the barmaid’s quips as entertainment now spend thousands of pounds ensuring they
can match, and surpass, what’s on offer in a customer’s living room, so with new ones needed to lure
customers through the doors, OTS takes a look at what’s on offer for pubs.
‘You can’t run a successful pub by available will boost the atmosphere”.
selling pints of lager’, is a phrase often As well as playing tracks by style, such
used by licensees to describe the sea- as 60s, Ballads, Rock, and 2K, Mark will
change in the pub landscape over the be able to create his own play lists,
past decade. The question for them is tailored in advance for a particular
what else is required. Generally this night.
involves large flatscreen TVs with any Mark is also looking forward to trying
manner of sport on them, quiz out some of the system’s unique
machines, karaoke machines and features. He’s keen to create his own
anything else that you could possibly adverts using the touch screen Advert
think of to give people a reason to visit Manager, and may sell advertising
the pub – there’s even more and space on his big screens to other local
more pubs out there have Wii nights. businessmen. He plans to use The
The fact that video games were once Entertainer to its full potential, and
confined to a child’s bedroom really hopes to cut costs dramatically, as well
highlights the changes to the way a as increase footfall, and use the
pub needs to operate to survive in
Mediatheme’s Entertainer could
system’s game features like Skint or
these difficult times.
revatalise your entertainment options.
Mint, Spin to Win, and Lucky Keys to
One company which offers an all keep customers in, long after sports
round solution to entertainment needs enjoy weekly karaoke nights and matches are finished.
is Mediatheme. Its Entertainer system discos. Recently, though, Mark has The team at Mediatheme said they
has a touchscreen monitor at the found the cost of running a full were confident Mark would have great
customer end and has a back end entertainment programme prohibitive, success with The Entertainer, and
crammed with a massive variety of so had Mediatheme’s Entertainer should be able to get a vibrant
music and games functions, to cover installed to reduce costs and allow his entertainment schedule up and
every possible entertainment activity entertainment to be controlled in- running. As if to prove it, OTS will be
within your venue. The system allows house. He says: “I want to provide visiting the The Royal again in a few
any venue to run different kinds of great entertainment for my customers, months to see the impact the system
entertainment on any night, from but I’m sick of forking out £270 each is having on Mark’s entertainment
karaoke, to quizzes and even charity week. I was drawn to The Entertainer offering, his customers, and his takings.
race nights. as it’s a cheaper, more flexible option”.
One pub that recently installed the Mark had a free demonstration of At the touch of a button
Entertainer is The Royal in The Entertainer in his venue, and was Another touchscreen system that is
Helensburgh, a popular bar run by attracted by the huge variety of available for pubs comes from a new
Mark Tyson for the last eight years. The features on offer. The touch screen company called Touchmaster.
successful community pub has a system holds over 12,000 audio, As well as being able to purchase
mixed clientele, and, alongside good video, and karaoke tracks, and a suite products from Touchmaster, the
value and friendly staff, customers of classic pub games including Quizzes company offers a rental deal over a 12
and Race Nights. month rolling contract, complete with
Mark says: “I was impressed monthly updates.
by the way the system allows “We understand that educating the
me to be spontaneous. I can publican not only how to use the
put on karaoke whenever I system but to profit from it, go hand in
want at the spur of the hand,” says George Watson, sales
moment, and provide director at Touchmaster. We fully
entertainment ad hoc”. He understand that a happy, contented
adds, “My coin-op jukebox and profitable venue will in all certainty
doesn’t get used much, so want to hold on to this system after
having this many tracks the initial 12 month period, which of
“I was impressed by the way Mediatheme’s
A number of games are available on
system allows me to be spontaneous.It really
Touchmaster’s system. helps boost the atmosphere.”
· 28 · ots · june 2009 · www.55north.com
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