Rochester, NY — PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative, is using the latest digital technology in its marketing for the 9th annual AppForum digital printing conference, http://www.AppForum.org January 31 - February 2, 2011 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas. Their direct mail campaign features a tie-in to the interactive 3-D augmented reality campaign created for Tissot Swiss Watches' T-Touch watch collection. Tissot US Brand President, Sharon Buntain, will also be a featured speaker at the AppForum.

"The AppForum is known for being ahead of the curve when it comes to new applications for digital printing. We introduced our audience to augmented reality and QR codes last year, and it's been incredibly exciting to see how quickly the technologies are being adopted in the marketplace," says PODi President, Rab Govil. "The Tissot augmented reality campaign has generated enormous buzz around the world - we're thrilled to have Sharon on board as a speaker, and to be able to repurpose the campaign in our own event marketing."

The Tissot campaign, launched in May 2010 with online and print advertising, allows users to experience the latest watch collection interactively. It resulted in 50,000+ hits on YouTube in the first two weeks. "This partnership with Tissot is an opportunity for us to build buzz for out-of-the-box content and progressive thinking people will find at AppForum," says Caslon GM David Erlandson. "We'll be taking our own direct mail one step further with digital printing and personalization - individuals will have personalized QR codes and URLs that will take them to personalized landing pages. They'll then be able to enjoy the Tissot campaign for themselves."

Ms. Buntain will present a special Spotlight Session at the AppForum. She'll be sharing her perspectives as a brand manager, insights into what drives her marketing decisions, and thoughts on being a first-adopter of this progressive technology. She will also award a Tissot watch to the winner of the PODi sponsored raffle.

Tissot Swiss Watches www.Tissot.ch is a member of the Swatch Group, the world’s largest watch producer and distributor, and has a presence in over 150 countries. Tissot is the official timekeeper and partner of NASCAR, FIBA, AFL, CBA, MotoGP, and the World Championships of cycling, fencing, and ice hockey.

The Tissot augmented reality program was created by Holition, a leader in AR retail experiences www.holition.co.uk. It included print advertising and an augmented reality window display at Selfridges in London.

The QR code portion of Tissot’s promotion was implemented by Tappinn Mobile QR Code Engagement, a company specializing in Quick Read connected content and web-based mobile pages and sites. Tappinn Co-Creator Nick Ford will also be in attendance. www.tappinn.com

Cutting-edge digital printers, FormStore www.formstore.com are printing the Tissot direct mail. MindFireInc www.mindfireinc.com supplied the personalized QR codes, URLs, and landing pages. GPA Specialty Substrate Solutions www.askgpa.com supplied the paper.

2011 AppForum sponsors: Gold Sponsors – Canon, FUJIFILM, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Pageflex by Bitstream, Xerox, xpedx / Silver Sponsors – CGS Technologies, HP, Online Print Solutions, Ricoh / Bronze Sponsors – Avanti, Finch Paper, MindFireInc., Page Technologies, Printable, PrinterPresence, Rollem International, XMPie. Media Sponsors – CANVAS magazine, In-plant Graphics, Printing Impressions, Print Media Centr, Process Magazine, Quick Printing, The Seybold Report, WhatTheyThink. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are still available. Get more information at http://www.AppForum.org/sponsors-info