Site-specific ads on inOvationTV media platform promote Ricker Pop.
The inOvationTV media program, a forecourt media platform offered jointly by Wayne Fueling Systems, a global provider of fueling dispensing, payment, automation, and control technologies for retail and commercial fuel stations, and Gas Station TV (GSTV), America’s No. 1 video network at the pump, continues its nationwide expansion with the addition of new sites across the state of Indiana.
Ricker Oil Company, operators of 50 Ricker’s convenience stores and fueling locations in Indiana, has elected to install new Wayne Ovation fuel dispensers— equipped with the inOvationTV media program—at new sites currently in development in central Indiana. Ricker’s has previously installed the inOvationTV media program at a number of its locations as part of its site upgrade and build-out efforts in the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area.
“We were one of the first in the country to aggressively position and differentiate ourselves,” stated Quinn Ricker, president and CEO, Ricker Oil Co. “With the inOvationTV media program, we know that our customers are receiving an enhanced fueling experience and positive brand message every time they visit.”
Headquartered in Anderson, Ind., Ricker’s convenience stores are well known for their ‘Ricker Pop’ fountain sales. “We decided early on to establish fountain drinks as a ‘hero’ category and differentiator for our brand,” explained Ricker. “And our site-specific ads on the inOvationTV media platform allow us to consistently reinforce this with our customers.”
Ricker’s convenience stores also introduced a branded rewards program, Ricker’s Rewards, in early 2012. “This is an area where the inOvationTV media program has proven to be a particularly powerful communications venue for us,” stated Ricker. “Our rewards program is fuel focused, so promoting the program while our customers are fueling makes the program an especially logical and effective tool for us.” Today, the Ricker’s Rewards program includes more than 50,000 loyal customers.
Founded in 1979 by Jay and Nancy Ricker, the company has grown through new builds and two major acquisitions—the BP assets in Fort Wayne, Ind., and the BP ampm assets in Indianapolis. Today, in addition to its convenience store operations, the company provides fuel to an additional 80 sites in Indiana, and operates a food truck that serves breakfast and lunch in the central Indiana area.
“In addition to the branding and promotional benefits of the inOvationTV media platform,” stated Cameron Nokes, product manager, inOvationTV media program, Wayne Fueling Systems, “Ricker’s convenience stores have the assurance of knowing that the Ovation dispensers are EMV-ready and capable of supporting Near Field Communication (NFC) solutions as these payment technologies are implemented.”
An early adopter of forecourt media, Ricker’s convenience stores initially featured GSTV program content at a number of its sites in 2007. With the introduction of the inOvationTV media program, it expanded the program to include additional sites in 2012 and 2013.
“It is always particularly gratifying when respected retailers like Ricker’s convenience stores embrace the inOvationTV media platform and our exclusive GSTV media content at additional sites within their network,” stated David Leider, CEO of Gas Station TV. “It has been an important component of our growth strategy, and a real testament to the improved business performance that retailers in our inOvationTV media program network experience.”