Thinfilm And GlaxoSmithKline Bring NFC Technology To Leading Over-The-Counter Brand Flonase

Interactive ‘Smart’ Shelves Featuring NFC SpeedTap Tags Educate Consumers and Drive Purchasing Decisions; Program Launched in Retail Stores Across Canada

OSLO, Norway--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Thin Film Electronics ASA (“Thinfilm”) (OSE: THIN; OTCQX: TFECY), a global leader in NFC (near field communication) mobile marketing and smart packaging solutions, today announced that GlaxoSmithKline (“GSK”) (LSE/NYSE: GSK), one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies has commercially deployed Thinfilm’s unique SpeedTap™ tags to create interactive ‘smart’ shelves for enhanced communication with consumers at time of purchase decision-making.

“Bringing Thinfilm’s NFC solutions to a valued product like Flonase® is a milestone in the industry, and we look forward to helping GSK drive the brand’s value by connecting directly with consumers at the time of purchase decision-making.”

GSK introduced interactive ‘smart’ Flonase® shelves in retail stores across Canada in an effort to educate consumers about the new product and guide them in their purchasing decision. Thinfilm’s unique SpeedTap™ tags incorporated into shelving allows consumers to obtain product information through the tap of an NFC-enabled smartphone.

In addition to SpeedTap tags, GSK is also using Thinfilm’s software platform – CNECT™ – as part of the end-to-end solution that helps dynamically manage the experience of Flonase® consumers. The cloud-based platform integrates with the NFC hardware, enabling GSK to manage tags remotely, deliver custom messaging and content, view real-time consumer tapping activity, and develop valuable consumer insights through built-in analytics functionality.

“At GSK, we focus on helping people do more, feel better, and live longer. And we do that, in large part, by delivering highly effective products to the market,” said Sriman Banerjee, Director – R&D Respiratory Packaging for GSK. “But we also realize that connecting directly with consumers to provide unique and meaningful experiences is critical in today’s market. We believe an innovative mobile technology like Thinfilm’s can play a critical role in strengthening customer relationships, building brand loyalty, and driving revenue for the Flonase® brand.”

Flonase® Allergy Relief is the first ‘prescription to over-the-counter’ intranasal corticosteroid spray from GSK indicated for relief of nasal and eye-related allergy symptoms as well as management of sinus pain and pressure. It is an effective medicine that relieves seasonal and year-round allergy symptoms caused by pollen, mold, dust and pets.

“We are delighted to work with GSK – a global leader, an innovator, and a company that is changing the face of healthcare,” said Davor Sutija, CEO of Thinfilm. “Bringing Thinfilm’s NFC solutions to a valued product like Flonase® is a milestone in the industry, and we look forward to helping GSK drive the brand’s value by connecting directly with consumers at the time of purchase decision-making.”

About Thin Film Electronics ASA

Thinfilm is a global leader in NFC mobile marketing and smart-packaging solutions using printed electronics technology. The Company creates printed tags, labels, and systems that include memory, sensors, displays, and wireless communication — all at a cost-per-function unmatched by conventional electronic technologies.

Thinfilm offers end-to-end mobile marketing solutions that feature hardware, label/packaging integration services, and comprehensive cloud-based management, reporting and analytics. Collectively, these components deliver a powerful 1-to-1 digital marketing platform through which brands of all sizes can connect directly with consumers, all with the simple tap of a smartphone. The resulting disintermediation of search engines, online marketplaces, and social platforms empowers brands to control messaging, enhance consumer dialogue, build loyalty, increase engagement, and drive sales.

Thinfilm’s roadmap integrates technology from a strong and growing ecosystem of partners to bring intelligence to everyday, disposable items. Its mission is to effectively extend the traditional boundaries of the Internet of Things to fuel the Internet of Everything.

Thin Film Electronics ASA is a publicly listed company in Norway with global headquarters in Oslo, Norway; US headquarters in San Jose, California; and offices in Linköping, Sweden; San Francisco; London; and Shanghai. For more information, visit www.thinfilm.no.

About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare is one of the world’s largest consumer healthcare products companies. Its more than 30 well-known brands include Voltaren®, Emulgel®, Aquafresh®, Sensodyne®, and TUMS®.

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and healthcare companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better and live longer. For company information visit: http://www.gsk.com.

This information is subject of the disclosure requirements acc. to §5-12 vphl (Norwegian Securities Trading Act).