August 1, 2012
Seeing Is Believing: Bridgestone Golf Unveils First Ever Live In-Store Video-Chat Ball Selection Service
New Service Allows Golfers to Video-Chat with Bridgestone's Ball-Fitting Experts at Point-of-Sale
COVINGTON, GA — Recognizing that golfers are baffled by the scores
of different golf ball models available at retail, Bridgestone Golf, the #1 Ball-Fitter
in Golf, announced today that it will bolster its popular online B-FIT program with
the introduction of B-FIT Video Chat, a free, live face-to-face, point-of-sale
video-chat golf ball consultation service. Since B-FIT's launch in 2010, Bridgestone
has conducted over 325,000 free online consumer ball selection consultations, helping
golfers of all skill levels find the right balls for their games. Now, the service
is expanding to in-store live video consultation.
Bridgestone's B-FIT Video Chat launched in a beta test form at the PGA TOUR Superstore
in Roswell, Georgia in mid-July. Since its launch, customers at PGA TOUR Superstore
have raved about its convenience, ease of use and the unique ability it affords
to have one-on-one, face-to-face conversations with Bridgestone's ball-fitting experts.
Bridgestone's B-FIT video-chat program is housed in an in-store kiosk on a Bridgestone
golf ball end cap display. The kiosk features a striking flat panel display 25"
touchscreen monitor using the OpenTok Platform from TokBox. OpenTok allows face-to-face
communications to be embedded into any site or service. Over 50,000 TokBox partners
are currently using the technology worldwide, but Bridgestone Golf's version is
the first to ever be used in a retail in-store environment in any channel.
"We realize that when consumers walk into a store looking for golf balls they have
to be overwhelmed by having probably a hundred choices," said Dan Murphy, Vice President
of Marketing - Bridgestone Golf, Inc. "We believe that by offering this live in-store
consultation with one of our fitting experts, we add some clarity to the madness
and make the buying experience much more rewarding for consumers. Thus far the incredible
feedback we've received from both consumers and store personnel at the Roswell Superstore
location tells us we are succeeding."
Bridgestone Golf plans to offer the B-FIT Video Chat service in select markets in
the near future, and the company is currently working on an iPad version of the
application that would be used to expand the concept widely to golf specialty and
green grass stores throughout North America by the end of 2013.
In addition to the market test in Atlanta, Bridgestone Golf is previewing the technology
at the 2012 WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club this week. The
B-FIT Video Chat kiosk is available for attendees to experience in the Bridgestone
Performance Park at the event, throughout the tournament week.
For more information on Bridgestone Golf and its current portfolio of ball-fitting
efforts visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.
# # #
Editor's Note: High-Res images of all Tour Staff and all new Bridgestone equipment are available upon request.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc., based in Covington, GA, manufactures and markets premium
golf balls, clubs and accessories under the Bridgestone and Precept brand names.
Bridgestone is represented on a world stage by a number of internationally famed
golfers including
Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar,
Davis Love III, Brandt Snedeker,
Paula Creamer, Nick Price,
and Lee Trevino.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bridgestone Sports Co. Ltd.,
whose headquarters are in Tokyo.
Bridgestone Golf, Inc. is proud to be the #1 Ball Fitter in Golf as the industry
leader in live launch monitor fittings. Bridgestone provides three ways for golfers
to find the ball that best fits their game: live fittings through the
Bridgestone Ball Fitting Challenge, live online
chats with ball fitting
experts through its B-FIT service, and an easily accessible
Online Ball Selection Guide. For more
information on ball fitting, including a complete schedule of Ball Fitting Challenge
events, visit www.bridgestonegolf.com.
About TokBox:
OpenTok from TokBox is the leading global online video communications platform,
enabling the addition of live group video communications into any web property.
Incorporating solutions for enterprises, entrepreneurs and developers, anyone with
a web presence can harness the power of live video to drive user engagement within
their site or service.
The scalable, customizable platform incorporates proprietary quality-enhancing technology
and enables high quality video sessions with up to 20 live participants and unlimited
viewers.
TokBox is a privately held company headquartered in San Francisco, CA.
