IKEA - Live
Founded in Sweden in 1943, Ikea the popular Swedish furniture store has
proved a hit with British homeowners since opening its first UK store in
1987. Ikea has a total of 186 stores in 31 countries worldwide.
When its UK stores broke through the £1bn ($1.8bn) sales barrier for the
first time its UK chief, Peter Hogsted wanted to thank all the employees
around the UK by talking to them in person over a live satellite Link.
We were asked to link together 15 major Ikea stores with a two way connection
to the central hub at Brent Park (the head Office) in north London and
feed 4 other distribution sites with the main output.
Scheduled for one hour starting at 8.30am before the main stores opened,
this was to become the single largest live broadcast since the last election.
Each site was equipped with stages, large screens, PA systems and cameras
in their check-out areas where all the staff assembled for a celebratory
breakfast time.
Peter Hogsted talked in person to his whole staff and then with the use
of a large eight camera Scanner Truck at the Hub each site made their own
special presentation which was fed live to the entire network.
“The two way satellite link provided an unique opportunity for IKEA co-workers in our UK stores, distribution centres and call centers to come together to share in the success of achieving a successful sales target. It was hugely successful both in terms of generating a feel good factor across our organizations and in the professional way the operation was managed by VCL video”
Peter Hogsted