Walmart has been named 2012 DEG Retailer of the Year for Hardware, Software and Digital, and Blu-ray 3D titles “The Avengers” and “Hugo,” along with classic titles “Jaws” and “Alfred Hitchcock Collection” have been named the best Blu-ray movie releases of the year by DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group.
DEG will hold its annual reception to award top honors for digital entertainment products and retailers who excel in the marketing of these products Tuesday evening, Jan. 8, at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Walmart’s award marks the first time that one retailer has swept all three retail categories.
DEG established three retailer awards to recognize excellence in merchandising and promoting both (1) new digital entertainment products and (2) Blu-ray Disc and UltraViolet titles during the past year. The selection was made based on nominations by consumer electronics, IT manufacturers and content providers who are members of the DEG. These members voted for the hardware retailer and the content providers – both the studios’ home entertainment divisions and the music companies – voted for the software retailer. The DEG third category honors the retailer who excelled in the digital space. DEG members were asked to consider national, regional and online retailers in their voting. The membership overwhelmingly voted for Walmart as the 2012 DEG Retailer of the Year for Hardware, Software and Digital.
“Walmart’s extraordinary accomplishments in the home entertainment category have been an enormous source of growth for the industry,” said Ron Sanders, President of the DEG Board of Directors and President, Warner Home Video. “This award is a true testament to Walmart’s leadership and innovation, and a token of the DEG’s overwhelming appreciation for their ongoing partnership.”
Hardware members cited Walmart’s efforts in actively promoting and selling new digital technologies. The retailer continues to successfully support Blu-ray hardware and software, and UltraViolet through its Disc to Digital program, offering their customers a broad range of products and purchasing opportunities. As new categories such as UltraViolet appear, they have taken the initiative to develop engaging interactive displays to expose the consumer to emerging technologies.
In the category of Retailer of the Year for Software, Walmart was chosen based on its unparalleled excellence in the display and promotion of packaged initiatives, with a focus on digital growth, both on UltraViolet and electronic sell-through. DEG members also recognized Walmart as the Digital Retailer of the Year for its aggressive steps on UltraViolet and a forward thinking combined digital and packaged strategy.
“Walmart’s support of the Disc to Digital initiative through VUDU has been instrumental in introducing UltraViolet to a new generation of consumers,” said Craig Kornblau, Vice President of the DEG Board of Directors and President, Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
“Walmart and VUDU have been aggressive in promoting the UltraViolet ecosystem and have created an exceptional, consumer-friendly digital experience that enables consumers to experience the promise of digital ownership of movies and TV shows today.”
In memory of the DEG’s founding Chairman Emiel N. Petrone, the DEG has three awards to acknowledge the year’s most outstanding digital entertainment products released in calendar 2012 in the categories of Best Physical Media Product, Best Digital Media Product and Most Innovative Home Entertainment Product. Selected by a panel of product reviewers from the industry’s home theater enthusiast publications, the following three products will be awarded with the top honors:
- The DEG Emiel N. Petrone Digital Innovation Award for BEST PHYSICAL MEDIA PRODUCT: BDP-105 Blu-ray Disc Player (Oppo)
- The DEG Emiel N. Petrone Digital Innovation Award for BEST DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCT: Kindle Fire HD (Amazon)
- The DEG Emiel N. Petrone Digital Innovation Award for MOST INNOVATIVE HOME ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCT: XBR-84X900 4K Ultra HDTV (Sony)
- Theatrical Title of the Year: “The Avengers” (The Walt Disney Studios)
- Classic Title of the Year (TIE): “Alfred Hitchcock Collection” (Universal Studios Home Entertainment); “Jaws” (Universal Studios Home Entertainment)
- Music Title of the Year: “Neil Young Journeys” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
- 3D Title of the Year: “Hugo” (Paramount Home Media Distribution)
- Second Screen App of the Year: “The Dark Knight Rises” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment)
Los Angeles-based DEG is an industry-funded nonprofit corporation that advocates and promotes the many consumer benefits associated with various home entertainment products, including both physical and digital media on a variety of platforms.