BEL is not just a tech playground (although we do have fun!); it's a specialized environment designed to test and refine retail technologies. By conducting experiments in a controlled environment, you can understand customer responses before implementing strategies in the real world, reducing the risk of costly errors.Exploring Emerging TechnologiesBEL stands at the forefront of technology adoption in the retail industry. We facilitate the exploration of cutting-edge technologies, including unattended retail, computer vision, AI, augmented reality, scent, sound, IoT and others, to create seamless, immersive retail experiences.Evaluating New Products and StrategiesOne of BEL's key strengths lies in its capacity to enable retailers to evaluate new technologies before their full-scale launch. This proactive approach minimizes the financial risks associated with untested concepts and ensures that the final product or strategy aligns seamlessly with customer expectations.Alignment with Target AudienceIn the highly competitive world of retail, understanding and aligning with your target audience is essential. BEL's research and consulting capabilities help retailers gauge the effectiveness of new technologies and strategies, ensuring that they resonate with their intended customer base. This alignment is crucial for creating customer-centric solutions that drive long-term growth.Informed Decision-MakingIn the rapidly evolving retail landscape, investing in innovation and customer-centricity is the key to thriving. Brand Experience Lab is more than just a facility; it's an invaluable asset that provides the resources and expertise needed to succeed in the dynamic world of retail. As your research and development partner, we are here to help you unlock your brand's full potential and bring your innovative ideas to life.

From Disney Character to VR Pioneer to Emerging Technologist: David Captivates AudiencesDavid's journey isn't your typical marketing path. He honed his storytelling with his degree in theater and as a performer in the WDW Tencennial Parade, a skill that electrifies his speaking engagements. With 30+ years of experience, he's challenged industry giants like Razorfish, Microsoft, and Pepsi to craft more compelling brand narratives.VR Visionary: David's vision isn't limited to the stage. Since 1991, he's been a pioneer in VR for marketing, even producing some of the earliest VR promotions ever. His work has earned prestigious awards like a Cannes Lion, and his "AudienceGames" for Volvo was hailed as "one of the best marketing ideas in the world." Bridging the Gap: His experience as Director at both the AT&T AdWorks Lab and the PwC Experience Center allows him to seamlessly blend corporate savvy with theatrical flair. David doesn't just talk about creating experiences, he makes it real, creating unforgettable presentations that empower marketers to leverage technology for authentic brand experiences.Creating New 3rd Places. David's most recent topic - How do you create better value from your physical experiences in a digital world? As we become more digital, our physical environment becomes even more important. Given how crowded the retail world is and the number of brands reaching out to consumers, the ability to touch and engage consumers in a place where you control the entire message has incredible value.Technology to Create Better StoriesWith over 30 years of professional speaking engagements, David has challenged marketers to create better stories and to understand how consumers want to hear and be engaged by those stories. He has given presentations for a wide range of companies, including Razorfish, Microsoft, msnbc.com, MTV Networks, the Newspaper Association of America, Nokia, GSK, Pepsi, Nike and Ogilvy, among many others.

Co-curated the 1st Advertising Week TechX in NYC as well as curating the TechX experience for London Advertising Week, design work for a customer experience space for a major media brand and mentoring several start-ups.

I am a Director of the PwC Experience Center, working with innovation and emerging technologies. I'm also working on developing programs around VR/AR and how digital is impacting physical space. In addition, I'm the lead mentor and introduced storytelling and pecha kuchu for the BXT training pilot.In today's market, delivering a functional core product or service is not enough. People expect more than just function. To transform your business, you need to go beyond function to create memorable, meaningful experiences - something no one else in your market can offer that creates real value for your customers, partners and employees.

* Design and program development work for the AT&T Innovation Center being developed in Austin.* On the AT&T team for SXSW activities and brand activiation.* Create strategy and brand activations for new start-up at AT&T.* Oversee creative design for new office location to house 400+ employees. * Create brand experiences that can be delivered from additional offices around the country.* Create a presentation experience to bring in leadership from partners, clients and prospects, to help them better understand our product offerings. This experience will showcase both current and future product offerings.* Oversee all event and trade show activations.

* Helped generate $10+ million in revenue through world-class, business development, presentation experience.* Oversaw creative development and construction of brand experience space to introduce agencies and clients to the AdWorks product offerings. * Developed narrative for the entire experience. * Delivered 700+ presentations to agency heads and clients.* Create a multimedia, "Future Look" experience showcasing the future of TV & multiscreen advertising.* Continually update content to refresh experience and create additional opportunities to meet with clients, agencies and prospects.* Founding member of AT&T Experience Council, helping to share experience learnings across multiple business units within AT&T.

Presented workshops on the future of retail at key RAMA events across the country.

Working with brands to understand the importance of "place" and to help them create "oneline" brand experiences.

Introduced AudienceGames, an award-winning, in-cinema experience for msnbc.om which won 2 Gold Pencils, a Bronze Lion and was named “One of the Best Marketing Ideas in the World” by Brandweek. AudienceGames received very high un-aided recall and purchase intent for clients.Creative Director for all client assignments including Chase, Mattel, Volvo, msnbc.com, Orange, Nokia, Pepsi, Sunsilk, Mindshare, Glaxo-Smith Kline, Bravo, Old Navy, AOL Vodafone, MTV and many others.Created experience walking tours and experience audits for Pepsi, Nokia and Chase Manhattan bank among others.Delivered presentations on emerging technology at advertising industry events including Verge (Ogilvy client event), numerous Microsoft client presentations, Razorfish, SXSW, Ad Age Creativity conference and others.As Founder of the company, I created a number of university partnerships, including the Entertainment Technology Center at CMU, the NYU Center for Advanced Technology and the Institute for Simulation & Training at UCF, Brand Experience Lab was an innovation center that revitalizes, repositions and revolutionizes companies through the creation of compelling, authentic and relevant brand experiences. At the Lab, we had a number technologies that can be 'tech transferred' as well as examples of recent applied research.

Introduced one of the first Synthetic Interviews, with Arnold Palmer for Nicorette. Performed strategic creative work and project management for a variety of clients.Evaluated, recommended and created interactive strategies to optimize marketing and promotion initiatives.Directed business development and online applications for Coca-Cola, Claritin, thehealthchannel.com, pointandshop.com, CBS, Times Square 2000, Green Giant, WNBA and the Salt Lake Olympic Committee.Produced weekly e-commerce/new media update e-mail with articles from a variety of industry sources.

As a key part of their Strategic Services team, David evaluated, recommended, and created interactive strategies in order to optimize investment of marketing and promotion initiatives. Clients included the Coca-Cola Think Tank, GSK and Viacom Mall Entertainment.

Founder of one of the first companies to specialize in using virtual reality for marketing and advertising; pioneered Experiential Advertising - using virtual reality to allow the consumer to enter and interact with immersive advertising; oversaw all client engagements. Won Best Trade show award in 1994 for our Immersive Animation theater for Cabletron Systems. Produced award-winning Cutty Sark Virtual Voyage, the largest VR tour ever produced. Frequent speaker on the use of VR for advertising and marketing.

Produced all events that the Arts Council participated in, including the Very Special Arts Festival and Light Up Orlando.Also created the Orlando International Artsfest. A three-day, performing arts festival featuring over 40 regional ethnic organizations. This event attracted over 200,000 people to downtown Orlando and was called "the real EPCOT Center" by the Orlando Sentinel.

Worked in a variety of merchandising areas at the Orlando theme park, including the Main Street Emporium at the Magic Kingdom and the Centorium at EPCOT Center. Was also a performer on the Tencennial Celebration of the Magic Kingdom.In addition to my paid work at Disney, I also founded/directed the WDW Youth Theatre Club, a group of Disney cast members who performed in local schools.