Sanyo 4D-Xventure set to make a splash at Siam Paragon
Australian aquarium operator Siam Ocean World has joined with Sanyo (Thailand), a manufacturer of hi-tech equipment, in investing US$40 million (Bt1.5 billion) in the Sanyo 4D-Xventure theatre, which opens today.
The target is to attract daily audiences of 1,000 to 1,600 to the 84-seat theatre, which is located in the Siam Ocean World aquarium park in the gigantic Siam Paragon shopping complex. Siam Ocean World installed 84 4D-Xventure chairs, embedded with 13 functions allowing audiences to experience a fourth dimension - vibrations, water movement and cold - as well as the images and sounds. Meanwhile, Sanyo supplied four 3D HD and HD2 projectors, and the sound system, according to Siam Ocean World's general manager, Hunsa Thanomsing. The investment is part of their five-year contract. The two partners will further negotiate on plans to invest in 4D theatres in other Siam Ocean World aquarium parks in South Korea, China and Australia. Each session, starting from today, showcases a short movie for 15 minutes. The complex has recently received licences for three movies. The first is called "Pirates". "Siam Ocean World expects the 4D theatre to appeal to parents aged 20-45, along with their children, which are the main targets of our aquarium, to learn more about nature, in line with Sanyo's new marketing theme called Think Gaia," said Sanyo's president Morimoto Tsutomu. Think Gaia was launched in August last year and emphasises three points: global environmental conservation, energy saving, and the right way to enjoy life with nature. This 4D theatre is therefore an appropriate place for Sanyo to promote its new marketing theme. Also, it's a place to show Sanyo's technology. The two companies will together invest in further marketing activities, including advertising on printed and outdoor media as well as events featuring natural concepts, mainly targeting young students. Sanyo itself has allocated about Bt10 million for marketing activities until the end of the year. Hunsa from Siam Ocean World said an early part of the promotion is to combine tickets for aquarium entrance and the 4D theatre into a Bt600 package. The normal prices for aquarium tickets are Bt450 per adult and Bt300 per child, while the 4D-theatre tickets are normally Bt250.
Nitida Asawanipont The Nation
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