Screenly Changelog Episode 11: Dave Haynes retirement, AI and innovation in digital signage, Live-stream content feeds, Advice for signage companies, and more!
Welcome back to the Screenly Changelog! In Episode 11, we’re joined by special guest Dave Haynes, founder of the iconic digital signage publication Sixteen:Nine. Catch the full conversation by watching the episode or read the highlights below.
A special guest - Dave Haynes, founder of Sixteen:Nine
Dave Haynes, a true pillar of the digital signage industry for decades, joined Viktor and Daniel to discuss his remarkable career and lasting impact on the industry. Dave’s storied journey, from newspaper journalism to pioneering the premier digital signage publication Sixteen:Nine, highlights the transformative evolution of the digital signage industry at large.
The origin of Screenly & Dave’s influence
Dave played a pivotal role in introducing Screenly to the broader digital signage community. In fact, Viktor shared that Dave first introduced him to the term “digital signage,” spotlighting Screenly during its early stages. Their first meeting not only connected Screenly with key industry figures but also set the tone for years of meaningful collaboration.
Sixteen:Nine - From hobby to industry cornerstone
Dave founded Sixteen:Nine in 2006 to address the lack of insightful, reliable coverage in the digital signage space. Initially a side hobby, the publication rapidly grew into an essential industry resource, renowned for its candid analysis, absence of marketing hype, and deep dives into practical, real-world issues.
Cutting through buzzwords - Real talk on digital signage security
In Episode 11, Dave and Viktor address the critical need in digital signage to move beyond security buzzwords. They stress that genuine digital signage security isn’t about ticking compliance boxes—it requires a continuous, proactive cultural commitment. Viktor underscored the importance of comprehensive lifecycle management, emphasizing that genuine security involves deep scrutiny, ongoing updates, and robust hardware management.
The shifting digital signage buyer - From marketing to IT
A notable trend discussed was the evolving profile of digital signage buyers—from traditionally marketing-driven teams to IT-focused professionals. This shift is bringing increased scrutiny on security, system integrations, and long-term reliability, requiring vendors to provide genuinely robust technical solutions rather than superficial feature sets.
AI, vibe coding, and practical innovation
Dave, Viktor, & Daniel explore the real-world use of AI in digital signage, agreeing that true innovation isn’t always flashy. For years, Dave has championed “boring signage” that genuinely solves customer pain points, such as dynamic queue management, directional signage, and operational automation—highlighting real value over headline-grabbing gimmicks.
Avoiding common signage pitfalls
Dave shares critical insights about digital signage best practices and advises against multi-zone screens and distracting widget overload, explaining that these approaches fragment audience attention, reducing impact and effectiveness. Keeping signage content clear, direct, and simple is paramount for success.
Importantly, Dave also advises digital signage companies to differentiate themselves clearly, avoid competing solely on price, and lean into their unique strengths. In the case of Screenly, Dave advises that the company lean into its deep technical expertise in security. Specializing in niche applications, industries, or pain points rather than general-purpose offerings ensures sustained relevance and customer loyalty.
Thank you, Dave! Retirement & what’s next
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dave Haynes for his immense contributions to the digital signage industry, his energizing support of Screenly, and his commitment to keeping the industry honest, insightful, and innovative.
Although now retired, Dave plans to remain active in the industry and possibly start a personal newsletter for deep-dive research pieces every month or so. To reach out to Dave Haynes, contact him on LinkedIn.
Interested in secure, scalable digital signage solutions? Explore Screenly and start your 14-day free trial today.
Stay tuned for future updates, and thank you for joining us for the Screenly Changelog’s Episode 11!
