He was the “Bullshit Filter”- the head, heart, and driving force behind Sixteen:Nine. One of the rare voices who could blend expertise with humor to perfection. Now, Dave Haynes is passing the torch, handing over Sixteen:Nine to invidis.
Now it is official: Dave Haynes is retiring. One of the most well-known and respected voices in digital signage is stepping away after nearly two decades.
For all these years, Dave ran the blog Sixteen:Nine all on his own, keeping the industry informed and connected.
At invidis, we immensely appreciated Dave as our North American content partner – both for his insights and for who he is as a person.
invidis takes over
We are therefore very proud to be continuing the Sixteen:Nine story – in cooperation with Spectrio.
Starting in June, the invidis editorial team will take over the site’s daily reporting, building on the great work Dave started.
Dave’s journalistic background
The reputation Sixteen:Nine enjoys today did nothappen by chance. It is the result of Dave Haynes’ long career in journalism: Before stepping into the digital signage world, Dave spent over 20 years working in various roles at daily newspapers.
In 1999, he joined Canada’s Elevator News Network (ENN), one of the most forward-thinking digital signage networks of its time, where he helped lead its growth throughout the country. After ENN merged with Captivate Network in 2001, Dave moved on and started his own consulting business. During that time, he helped establish Concourse Media, a DooH network in Toronto.
In February 2006, Dave launched Sixteen:Nine, combining his deep journalistic background with a sharp, independent view of the industry. It didn’t take long for the site to become a trusted and influential voice in digital signage.
Podcasts and Mixers
In September 2021, Sixteen:Nine was acquired by digital signage provider Spectrio. Dave Haynes stayed on as publisher and editor-in-chief, continuing to run the site with his trademark independence.
In addition to the blog, Dave also hosted the 16:9 podcast and organized popular networking events like the “Sixteen:Nine Industry Mixers” at trade shows such as ISE and DSE. In early 2025, he published his magnum opus: the Future Displays Report, a 240-page deep dive into the current state of digital signage technology.
Calling out marketing phrases
Regular readers of Sixteen:Nine know Dave for his unique voice – witty, sharp, and never afraid to speak his mind. His tagline, “All Digital Signage – Some Snark,” sums it up perfectly. He proudly described himself as a “bullshit filter,” cutting through marketing fluff and calling out real issues in the industry. It’s that blend of honesty, humor, and insight that earned him lasting respect and popularity across the global digital signage community.
It is therefore an honor for invidis to step in Dave’s footsteps and continue Sixteen:Nine – while fully recognizing that no one can truly replace him. We will bring our own editorial voice and strengths, but our mission remains the same: to be a central hub for the international digital signage industry – a steady point of reference in a sometimes chaotic landscape.
Or, as Dave once said: “I know I bring something different.” We will do our best to uphold that tradition and keep the essence of Sixteen:Nine alive.