Lou Giacalone joins consulting ranks
December 9, 2011 by Dave Haynes
We welcome Lou Giacalone to the august and ever-building ranks of digital signage smarty-pants for hire.
Portland-based TargetPath announced Thursday that Lou has signed on as Vice President, Digital Media Client Services for the consulting group, focused on developing new business and guiding existing clients on digital media strategy and technology.
Giacalone will work out of New York, though he has deep Portland roots, as CoolSign has developer offices there and Lou started CoolSign.
Says the release:
One of the most well-known and respected members of the digital signage industry, Giacalone founded one of the earliest and now most successful Digital Out Of Home advertising networks, Adspace Networks, and invented the CoolSign digital media software platform. He has originated multiple patents in the areas of digital signage, security and casino gaming technology.
In addition to his tenure at Adspace Networks and CoolSign, Giacalone was also Senior Vice President for Titan360, one of the largest Out-of-Home media companies in the world – launching its digital division and guiding the deployment of the Chicago Transit Authority’s ambitious rail and bus media network.
An acknowledged thought-leader and frequent speaker at digital signage industry events worldwide, Giacalone currently serves as board member and Executive Vice President for Digital Signage with the non-profit Digital Screenmedia Association (DSA).
“Lou brings tremendous experience and insight to the Company, and will have a pivotal role as we continue to expand our expertise in the growing DOOH market,” said Brad Gleeson, a TargetPath founding partner.
“Having been involved with every aspect of digital signage and digital out-of-home media – from hardware to software, content, field services, operations, even ad sales – I look forward to helping clients avoid the landmines and navigate quickly to success in this opportunity-rich market,” said Giacalone.
This is an interesting move for both. Lou did not want to get into just another job, and really wanted to do consulting so he could apply a huge amount of experience and insight. TargetPath already has a solid reach into the digital signage sector through Gleeson, and the company works really closely with a few specialty display firms, effectively running one of them. They are also very active with electronic ink, which puts them well ahead of the industry curve when it comes to something that will be a big element of some future applications of screen networks.
Adding Lou gives TargetPath room to grow that side of the business. The company has people in Portland, San Diego, New York and Amsterdam.
As someone who has known Lou in a variety of roles over the last several years (as a customer, employer and colleague) I can attest to Lou’s passion, intelligence and integrity. This role will be a perfect fit for him as his relentless drive to expand the DS industry, constantly improve on products and focus on the most important person (the customer) will bring tremendous value to customers. Target Path are luck to have him.
Bon chance mon ami,
Raffi