Clarion Alum takes a look at IDL

By Michael Collins Print

The cases in stores that hold all the Apple iPods have to be created somewhere. That place is IDL Worldwide In-Store Solutions, a full service retail execution firm which provides consultation, design, engineering, fabrication and installation for brands and retailers.
IDL strives to help improve methods of selling product and enhance communications with customers in retail.

(Lamont Sinclair)

One of IDL Worldwide sayings for its company is “You cannot not communicate.”
With all of today’s technology, communication is a simple task. Steve Turchick, a 1985 graduate of Clarion University, is the Vice President and CFO of IDL Worldwide. Turchick opened his presentation this past Tuesday at Still Hall Auditorium by showing a YouTube video titled, “Did You Know?”

The video is about how technology has advanced so quickly over the past few years.
“When I was here at Clarion, all we had was a computer lab and there were no PCs, cell phones, or iPods,” said Turchick.
Turchick explained how the company provides retail design and strategy for the world’s biggest and most successful brands.
“Apple, Nike and BP are a few of our biggest companies we work with,” said Turchick.
In 2002, Nike asked IDL’s creative team to help launch the shoe for their newest athlete, LeBron James. IDL was engaged for the strategy, engineering and production of all 3D displays for the initial Starbucks VIA Ready Brew product launch. Sprint partnered with IDL to define, design and produce a display to highlight their new 4G Experience in company owned retail stores.
The display tells a story of device convergence, demonstrating how consumers benefit from Sprints blazing-fast 4G Mobile Broadband service with products they already own such as wireless enabled laptops, MP3 players, cell phones and digital cameras.
IDL teamed up with Hasbro to design and produce the retail launch and support for G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra movie. The 24’ by 8’ high retailer assembled, feature-shop was engineered for 11 different store formats and configurations. IDL also managed the shipping logistics to all 440 locations in addition to all printing and production.
IDL partnered with Hollister to launch exciting new store environments inclusive of the cash wrap, tables, cabinets, and wall units. Hollister wanted to create an extremely authentic beach cabin that would appeal to their core customers. IDL fabricated custom hand painted shutters as well as special hand rubbed acid finished steel table.
IDL worked closely with First Act instruments and Toys “R” Us to define an promote the music category in Toys “R” Us. IDL designed and engineered a very stylish and simple to install system that brought the environment to life.
The magic of this program was to develop a space that could be installed at the store level presenting the characters playing real instruments.
Turchick said IDL also works with local businesses such as Giant Eagle and Sheetz. A specialized team called “Crack+” an is extension of IDL that strategically design and execute important consumer experiences for environments where brands connect with people.
Turchick explained that this team worked with Nike for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Nike was promoting its new FLYWIRE technology. The shoes were uniquely displayed on fly fishing line.
“IDL is a maximum impact company,” said Turchick.
By anticipating, assessing, and strategically consulting with in-house resources IDL can provide impact assessment at every phase of a program.
That means more money for production and more money for customer impact.
Turchick talked about another saying for IDL, “We Sell Sleep,” meaning IDL delivers an exceptional experience for their clients on every project.
Every day they provide a level of confidence by making the impossible possible and the possible a reality. At the end of the presentation Turchick talked about a new business investment that the company was trying.
He explained that they wanted to start using Re-board. Re-board was developed in Sweden and it is strong, durable, lightweight, water resistant and environmentally friendly and the company could custom shape and print right onto it. Re-board would be great for wall displays, shelving units for retail stores, or overhead signs.

Posted on February 17 2010 in Features Alumni, IDL