Innovations - sensoryco.

SensoryCo helps create the ultimate “NFL Experience” in Times Square!

SensoryCo recently collaborated with Cirque du Soleil to help enhance the sensory environment in the new “NFL Experience” in Times Square. The venue pays homage to NFL accomplishments over the years and highlights star players and moments. The president of the project, Danny Boockvar, describes it as “Disney meets the Hall of Fame meets Dave and Buster’s, with a liquor license in Times Square.”

Visitors travel through four floors of memorabilia and interactive experiences, such as virtually throwing a ball to Rob Gronkowski on the Patriots’ home field. The project also includes a theater outfitted with SensoryCo’s scenting system.

“Many visitors may remember the 11-minute multisensory film ‘ride’ as the highlight of this four-story permanent paean to all things gridiron” according to Bloomberg Businessweek. New York Giants wide receiver Brandon Marshall said the experience “gave me goosebumps,” which we’ll take to mean it’s a huge success!

Making Scents of the Brain: Smells and Memory

Does the smell of hot chocolate remind you of cozy afternoons with your grandma? Or a certain perfume takes you back to snuggling with your mom? Research shows that scents can immediately evoke strong memories and connotations, and we all have anecdotal evidence too. Just a whiff of a smell can affect mood and instantly transport you to a time and place. SensoryCo works with museums, theaters, theme parks and other businesses to provide a range of scent effects tying smells and memory that create immersive sensory experiences and marketing opportunities as well.

Scents in the Brain
How are such strong emotions and memories triggered by a small sensory cue? Research shows that there is an important link in the anatomy of the brain. The olfactory lobe, which processes incoming smells, runs from the nose into the bottom of the brain. The olfactory lobe has direct connections with the amygdala and the hippocampus, which are both strongly tied to memory and emotion. It’s even noted that visual, auditory and tactile information doesn’t run through these areas, which may explain way smells create such strong triggers of memory.

How Scent Affects Experience
Adding scent effects to otherwise traditional experiences takes those events to the next level. In a culture that is now used to constant information and is expecting more and more thrills and stimulation, the bar is set for ultimate immersion. The introduction of scent effects can “complete” an experience. Where you have previously experienced sights and sounds, the addition of scents can create a sort of virtual reality.

Smells and Memory in Multisensory Immersive Experiences
At theme parks, attractions and museums, SensoryCo has provided a range of scents, creating next-level immersive experiences. At one of the most innovative entertainment facilities, SEGA Orbi in Japan, cutting edge technology combines the incredible visuals of BBC Earth with state-of-the-art audio and SensoryCo’s unique scent effects to create an exceptional experience: the view of a volcano, the sound of the eruption and the smell of sulfur help viewers “lose themselves” in the experience. Similarly, at various museums, SensoryCo scent effects add that extra dimension to exhibits such as the smell of fresh bread in a 1950’s kitchen. Older visitors are quickly “taken back” to those memories, while younger visitors can better imagine those times. Theme parks are also using SensoryCo scent effects to add thrills and create a sense of place. Rides are enhanced with the smells of the theme; a scary ride may smell of smoke or burning rubber, and a children’s ride may smell of candy or other sweets.

Using Smells and Memory for Marketing
Scent effects have become very popular in marketing for good reason. Including smells can trigger a range of emotions regarding a product or service leading to brand awareness and loyalty. Businesses also use smells to boost mood while customers shop and even keep them in a store longer. Experiential marketing combines auditory, visual and olfactory input to create an immersive experience helping to connect those “feel good” memories to a product or service.

Scent effects are still on the edges of technology and experience, and SensoryCo is an innovator in using these effects to harness smells and memory for next level entertainment and marketing. With a unique range of custom aromas and scent generators, SensoryCo will partner with you to create memorable experiences for your customers.

Engaging Your Audience: Multisensory Effects at Live Events

In an era of constant information and a plethora of distractions, how do you immediately grab and keep your audience’s attention? Command your audience by stimulating their senses beyond sights and sounds. Take your meetings, parties, concerts and other occasions to the next level with multisensory effects at live events. SensoryCo is an industry leader, providing an array of scents, weather effects, patent-pending spraymotion water spritzer effects, non-toxic smoke, and fog effects for exhibits, theaters, and live productions.

Grab Them Quickly
Attendees expect to be wowed by multimedia digital presentations with multiple screens, video, and blasting sounds. But imagine an event where guests entered the room and smelled the ambiance you want to convey. Maybe you want a relaxed and playful mood. Or your product is associated with summer. As your attendees enter, they may immediately smell the salty ocean waves and the iconic smell of sunscreen.

Be Memorable
Did you know that memories are intricately tied to smells? The olfactory lobe in the brain is closely associated with the part of the brain that controls memories and emotions. So, smells can trigger memories and influence mood. Incorporating smell effects into your live event can either help trigger a particular feeling in your audience and/or help connect your product to a certain mood or memory. Imagine if after your event, every time those attendees smell the particular scent you used, they think of your company, product or event.

Add the Element of Surprise
Multisensory effects at live events add unexpected elements, engaging more of the senses and creating a more immersive and dramatic experience. Incorporating fog effects or spraymotion (a choreographed series of misting effects) will generate a completely different level of interaction than audio visual effects alone. Concerts and festivals become a magical fantasy with the addition of multisensory effects.

Partner with SensoryCo
The pressure to produce a unique and memorable live event is stronger than ever. Adding layers of experience and multisensory effects at live events makes them more engaging, more realistic, and more memorable. SensoryCo can help your company combine scent effects, smoke effects, fog and wet effects for an alluring, impactful event that brings your vision to life.

Taking Autumn Scent Effects to the Next Level: Enough with the Pumpkin Spice!

How do you know it’s autumn? Is it the falling leaves? The change in the weather? Or the ubiquitous pumpkin spice scent and flavoring everywhere you look (or smell)? How do flavorings and scents evoke a connection to emotions and even a general concept such as a holiday or season? SensoryCo provides autumn scent effects that are incorporated into experiential marketing efforts and multisensory education and entertainment to evoke feelings of nostalgia, happiness and even brand loyalty.

Origin of Pumpkin Spice
Traditionally, “pumpkin spice” is the combination of flavors added to pumpkin pie: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger. Starbucks is generally credited with starting the pumpkin spice craze with its Pumpkin Spice Latte and now there are 1000s of pumpkin spice products including a huge variety of foods, candles, bubble bath, body lotion, air fresheners, soap, dog treats and even vodka. But why did it become so popular?

Scent, Memory and Emotion
The initial connection is a nostalgia for “Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie.” Research shows that smells go through the brain’s olfactory lobe, which has close ties with the amygdala and hippocampus, the brain regions that handle memory and emotion. Hence, smells can evoke vivid memories triggered when you smell that particular scent. For many people, pumpkin spice triggers memories of family, Thanksgiving and overall pleasant emotions.

Marketing Scents
With the close ties of smells to emotion and memories, scents have been used more and more in marketing efforts. Experiential marketing strategically incorporates scent effects into brand identity and awareness campaigns creating an emotional connection to the product or service. But even more than the simple and obvious pumpkin pie scent, other more intangible smells can have a similar effect.

So What Does Autumn Smell Like?
Taking scent effects to the next level, SensoryCo has developed an array of aromas and scent effects products to create a range of multisensory experiences. Of course SensoryCo has specific simple flavors, but it’s often more unique smells that truly inspire an immersive experience. Imagine the scent of fallen leaves, burning wood (cozy fireplace), or even wet concrete (city rain) to conjure a variety of autumn memories and feelings. Combining scents can have an even more significant impression.

SensoryCo Scent Effects
SensoryCo has created scent effects that are now used in many marketing, entertainment and educational settings. From experiential theme parks to scent effects in museums to multisensory educational attractions and more, scent effects help to create a more immersive and impactful experience. An innovative leader in scenting systems and aromas, SensoryCo can develop customs smells to trigger appropriate memories and emotions for any sensory project.

Immersive Experiences: How Are Scent Effects Being Used?

smell memory From enticing cinnamon-apple, bacon, and chocolate to calming lavender, eucalyptus and ocean breeze to the harder-to-define baby, Christmas Day and rainforest, smells conjure a variety of feelings and memories. With customers expecting evermore exciting and entertaining experiences, SensoryCo provides realistic scent effects to heighten the experiential quality of theme park, museum, theater and marketing endeavors.

The Emotion of Scents
Research shows that scents are strongly tied to memories and emotions. Olfactory receptors are connected directly to the limbic system in the brain, which is thought to be the center of emotion. This close connection is why vivid memories may come flooding back when you smell a particular scent, such as a whiff of fresh chocolate chip cookies remind you of your grandmother who often baked when you were young. In fact, many of our likes and dislikes are tied to emotional associations. Familiar scents can conjure immediate responses including happy memories and general good feelings related to those times.

Immersive Experiences
As our culture becomes more sophisticated, customers expect more from almost every experience…more information, more excitement, more thrills. As various businesses compete for customers and visitors, they must remain on the cutting edge with the newest forms of experiential technology. Scent effects have become an integral part of experiences at amusement parks, museums, theaters and even marketing strategy.

Making Scents in Marketing
Traditional marketing is no longer enough to make a lasting impression on savvy customers. Companies are incorporating a variety of techniques to create a more experiential connection, including scent effects. Retail stores often infuse their shops with aromas found to be connected with good memories or particular to their product or lifestyle and food shops are known to waft the smells of their products onto passing consumers to lure them in (yes, often these are actually artificially created smells to “waft better”). Scent effects are also becoming more common at trade shows or other display opportunities. Experiential marketing combines audio visual, tactile or other physical components with smells to create an immersive experience, which helps to connect a product, service or brand with specific memories or other emotions.

Experiential 4D Theaters
Movies and shows without special effects are becoming passé, and cutting edge attractions are incorporating smell effects into their presentations for a more immersive experience. SensoryCo has worked closely with many attractions to create a more experiential 4D theater. With impressive imagery on screen and state-of-the-art audio, adding related smells takes the experience to the next level. Imagine a jungle scene with mountain gorillas foraging in the plants while the smells of the rainforest, wet and musky, surround you. Or with the scene of the great volcano at Yellowstone National Park, the sulfuric scents of volcanic activity allow visitors to “lose themselves” in this truly immersive theater experience.

Fully Themed Attractions
Even at the most exciting amusement parks, visitors continue to expect more novelty. Very few rides are without some kind of theme and adding smell effects sets the “scene” of the ride. Whether it be swampy and creepy for a dinosaur ride or sugary and sweet for a children’s attraction, those smells drifting through the area spark the connections in our brains to create a more immersive experience. Simulator rides take this idea to the next level, using a variety of sensory effects to “trick” the mind into a virtual reality, believing you are immersed in the scene. Smells of the ocean breeze, blooming flowers or even gasoline or smoke in an extreme adventure get the rider lost in the experience.

Finding Scents in Museums
Strolling through a museum, visitors expect to see amazing examples of historical artifacts and other unique exhibits. You may also press a button to hear recorded sounds of birdsong or other animal noises. In an effort to create even more participatory learning, SensoryCo is partnering with museums to add the next dimension – smell effects – to exhibits. In unique displays, museums have combined the visual aspects with specific aromas to conjure memories, emotions and understanding for a more comprehensive experience. A “baby boomer” exhibit uses the smell of fresh cut grass to generate memories of 50s suburbia and incense sparks images of freedom and non-conformity. For older visitors, aromas may spark memories while younger visitors get a full sensory interpretation.

From boosting moods to boosting sales, incorporating scents can be a powerful addition when developing an immersive experience. Research continues to reinforce the power of scent effects, from sparking memories, to creating connections and setting the scent to even improving learning. SensoryCo is an innovative leader in scenting systems and aromas, working with theme parks and attractions, museums and a variety of businesses to create custom aromas for the most immersive, and memorable, experiences.

SensoryCo4D Releases Innovative SmX Series Scenting System for More Immersive Multisensory Experiences

scent system SensoryCo, a leading innovator of atmospheric special effects, announces the SmX Series scenting system for next-level sensory integration in experiential marketing and additional 4D endeavors. The SmX Series is ideal for a range of environments providing targeted delivery of an extensive library of realistic aromas and distinctive scents. SensoryCo will be exhibiting this system at InfoComm16 in Orlando, FL. from June 14-16, 20016.

Few experiences are as strong as smell. Research shows that smell is the sense most closely linked to memory and emotion. Integrating scent effects can be a significant component of your multisensory experiential marketing or other 4D program.

The SmX-4D series systems are designed for targeted applications where participants are up close to the effect. In contrast to ambient delivery, these systems can time and release scent for precise delivery, up close, using compressed air. Whether for in-seat applications, within simulators, at point of sale promotions, museum exhibits or integrated to experiential props, the SmX-4D systems provide a range of control options for flexible design.

“SensoryCo has partnered with companies around the world to create cutting-edge sensory experiences in a variety of settings for marketing, education, and entertainment,” said Bryan Roe, founder and president of SensoryCo. “We work closely with each client, and the SmX Series brings a more customizable solution to provide the ideal scenting solution for each application.”

SensoryCo’s SmX series aroma systems provide a method of placing smells directly in a target area instantaneously; capable of delivering up to 6 different aromas with various types of triggers and controls based on client needs. The system uses dry scent delivery versus atomized oils that “fall out” and deposit or cause damage to electrical components. Aroma media is easily changed out when depleted or content changes. The SensoryCo SmX-4D system uses a design that allows for a clean integration to a variety of physical props, structures or seating.

Applications for these systems include: Museum Exhibits, Video Walls, 4D Theaters, Props, Interactive Displays, Billboards, Point of Sale Displays, and much more.

Visit the SensoryCo booth #N221 to discuss applications for the SmX Scenting System for your multisensory integrated projects.

About SensoryCo
SensoryCo. provides scents, water spritzer effects, weather effects such as mist, rain, fog, as well as smoke effects for 4D theaters, museums, theme parks, exhibits and live productions. All of our systems produce incredible special effects, are easy to configure, easy to implement and perfectly tailored to 4D environments. For more information, visit: sensoryco4d.com.

Taking Amusement to the Next Level with Sensory Effects at Theme Parks

How do you create “fun,” “excitement” and “thrill?” Start with enjoyment that builds…and then add an element of surprise. At SensoryCo, this is our goal when we work with theme parks to add unexpected sensory elements to rides and attractions. We provide scenting, spritzing, smoke and other sensory effects at theme parks to take amusement to the next level.

Rides and Simulators
As visitors expect continual innovation and heightened excitement, theme parks must meet the challenge and add new dimensions of “realism” to rides and attractions. Physical, visual, and audio components are now common and expected. Adding smells and other physical effects help complete the experience.

Few rides are without a prominent theme anymore. No longer is there “just” a roller coaster. Even on traditional rides, wrapping various scents and effects around the experience helps “set the scene” as riders travel through different venues. A thrill ride with a dinosaur or prehistoric theme may use scents that smell swampy or sulfuric as water effects provide unexpected sprays or a jungle mist. A children’s ride that travels through a cartoon party may infuse the aroma of cake or other sweets.

Simulator or platform rides take sensory effects to the next level, combining movement with sounds and visual stimulation to create a virtual reality, tricking the mind into believing it is immersed in the environment. Adding scent effects is to these rides is the final element that truly engrosses the rider in the scene. Simulator rides are often used to create a feeling of traveling in a balloon or aircraft on a scenic trip through a particular area. Smells of ocean breeze, blooming flowers or even smoke or gasoline on a more extreme adventure helps the rider get lost in the experience.

4D Theaters
Theme parks and other attractions are creating 4D theaters that combine video content or stage performances with the physical aspect of “rain” or other water sprays as well as scents to complete the experience. SensoryCo partnered with one client on their 4D theater to couple spritzer implementations to “splash” the audience during a wild ride down a waterfall. Water sprays from “ocean waves” are used in a maritime theater with a film incorporating a stormy sea. Another amusement park uses the unexpected effect of a spray coinciding with a “sneeze” from an animated character (kids love that one!).

Probably one of the most awe inspiring examples is SEGA Orbi in Japan that combines SEGA technology with BBC’s Earth cinematography to create an amazing multisensory experience. SensoryCo collaborated to add scents and water effects on many of the exhibitions and theaters. In “The Magic of Yellowstone,” smells change as quickly as the visual effects, keeping the viewer immersed in the experience. Quickly your nose detects the smell of sulfur as the image of volcanoes comes into view. In other venues, on screen, a stampeding heard kicks up dust and grass as those smells rise as well.

Sophisticated audiences expect continual excitement and novelty from theme parks and attractions. SensoryCo is dedicated to innovation and creativity in the range of aromas and water effects we provide as well as working with clients on custom applications to create the most thrilling sensory effects at theme parks.

The Sights, The Sounds, The Smells? Using Sensory Effects in a Museum Setting

baking bread sensory effects in a museum setting Imagine strolling through a museum and looking at the exhibits. It’s fascinating to see into the past, envisioning another time and place. And now, more than just presenting artifacts, museums are creating more participatory experiences by incorporating multisensory effects, with sounds and even smells to immerse visitors in a more realistic and complete experience. SensoryCo provides custom smells and scent systems to create sensory effects in a museum setting.

[Read more…]

Scent Exploration … A New Frontier

Heat Wave Scent If you ever dreamt of lying in a field of lavender below a grove of citrus blossoms, looking up at the blue sky and taking in the simple sights and sounds of nature’s wonder, you will most likely remember how you imagine to feel at that exact moment. Calm, serene, content, maybe. By the same token, if you were to happen upon a scene where a foul odor crept onto your radar, the memory might not be so pleasant.

The ability of the sense of smell to evoke emotion as well as memories has long been touted as an untapped realm to seek answers as to how our olfactory machinations truly work.

For centuries, perfume crafters have been exacting the essence of popular flowers to create aromas that appeal to individual tastes and trends. However, recent scientific discoveries lend to the supposition that the human sense of smell is more powerful than once expected.

New developments in how the brain reacts to different positive aromas or the opposite, negative odors can give insight that might trigger potential cures for such diseases as Alzheimer’s and Autism.

In their quest for new scents to entice new consumers, retailers have also gotten down-wind of the potential to use smell as a form of brand recognition as well as a tool to define and enhance new fragrances to put out to market.

Luxury brand, PRADA, recently introduced a collection of olfactory stimulating scents with a campaign composed to inspire the imagination while giving a personal reference to remembered experiences. Using names from films and songs from yesteryear, such as “Purple Rain”, “Heat Wave” and “Tainted Love”, PRADA has taken a step to move away from the traditional reference to specific floral, herbal, food or plant based fragrance notes to offering a buyer an experience that impacts all the senses. PRADA’s new collection offers a whiff of a particular scent combined with a visual reference depicting a collage with different scenes and beautiful colors to give the buyer the ability to choose their own expression.

Just like a favorite song can take you back to that time and place from which you originally heard it for the first time, a scent that gives personal meaning can enhance a smell’s place in a person’s history and this type of interpretation has the potential for a scent to place a mark on a person’s own individual story.

SensoryCo products are used in such a manner when applied to live immersive training environments, point of sale merchandising, as well as ambient environments where smell is used to excite a particular reaction.

Smells of the Season: Scent Effects in Marketing

Holiday Scent Effects “Visions of sugar plums” conjures an immediate Christmas image for many people, but what about “smells of sugar plums?” Interestingly, that particular scent may not be well-connected to the winter holiday season, but many most certainly are. Research shows that smell is highly related to memories and emotions. From boosting moods to boosting sales, businesses have capitalized on this link to help shape consumers’ behavior. SensoryCo develops and provides a variety of aromas and scent effects specific to the holiday season.

What Smells Like the Holidays?

In a recent poll, The Huffington Post found the following scents to be favorites of the holiday season: hot chocolate, freshly baked sugar cookies, a fire, peppermint, mulled cider, pine, potato latkes, pie, candles, and gingerbread. Respondents explained that many of these scents reminded them of childhood holiday memories or simply “elicits joy.” Other studies show actual effects on the brain of certain scents: pine can decrease feelings of depression, peppermint can supply a boost of energy, and cinnamon can increase attention.

Business Scents

Using scents in business was initially to mask negative odors, but it’s now relatively common for businesses to use scent to enhance the environment. A study done in 2013 by the Global Journal of Commerce and Management Perspective found that ambient scent has significant impact on consumer behavior in terms of emotion, evaluation, willingness to return to a store and purchase intention. Specific scents in stores have been found to cause shoppers to linger longer and food retailers are known to pump delicious aromas into the area to make people more likely to buy their product. More subtly, scents are used in marketing to create a particular brand image or just create a more festive mood.

From malls to hotels to attractions, holiday-related scents can connect visitors to memories of happy times, which can create a new positive connection with the current experience. SensoryCo provides many of those scent effects to a variety of clients, especially during the holiday season. Many clients change out their scents for each season and for special occasions. So take a big sniff, boost your brain and your mood (but watch your shopping!), and enjoy the scents of the season!