Videophone network targets pub audience

Allied Domecq Leisure is introducing an in-pub videophone network, designed by CHBi Interactive Media.

Targeted at 18-26-year-olds, Xchange is part of Pubnet, also being designed and developed for Allied Domecq by CHBi.

The service allows customers to link up and play a live video dating game titled Lust In Space, as well as collect private video messages or hold one-to-one chats.

The Xchange concept is part of a wider effort by the pub sector to better target new and existing audiences as pubs come up against increasing competition from other activities.

Students from De Montfort University’s School of Design and Manufacture have won top prize – 3000 – in a Whitbread Young Pub Entrepreneur competition to design the pub of the future.

See News Analysis, page 8.