PMA Show : Kodak Delivers the Power of Digital Imaging
Kodak Delivers the Power of Digital Imaging at PMA 2007
Retailers Will Be Able To Leverage Their Existing Assets To Move Consumers Beyond 4x6 Prints.
LAS VEGAS, NV, Mar. 7 -- Eastman Kodak Company today demonstrated a
range of digital imaging solutions aimed at helping retailers tap
growing consumer demand to do more with their digital pictures. At the
Photo Marketing Association's Annual Conference and Exposition, Kodak
unveiled a lineup of custom photo books, collages and digital photo
merchandising products and services that can be produced in-store,
on-line and at wholesale.
"Each day some 315 million digital images are taken and stored, but not
printed, creating a tremendous opportunity for retailers to help
consumers do more with their digital images," said Brad Kruchten,
General Manager of Kodak's Retail Printing Business and Vice President,
Eastman Kodak Company. "If the industry is to unlock this potential
treasure chest of images, we must work together to offer consumers a
variety of easy-to-use products and services that are readily available
from multiple pathways."
"Our approach will be to offer retailers a portfolio of in-store,
on-line and wholesale products and services, all based on open
architecture, that will leverage their existing assets to profitably
grow the digital business - while offering consumers the ability to do
more with their pictures than capture and print 4x6-inch photos and
enlargements," says Kruchten. "These products and services will enable
consumers to move beyond capturing and sharing moments to creating and
sharing stories."
At PMA, Kodak is showing:
* KODAK EASYSHARE Custom Creations Software, that will make it
easy for consumers to design their own photo products at home for
printing at retail. The desktop software application provides consumers
with an easy, fast and fun way to create photo books, calendars,
collages, greeting cards and other photo specialty items. Once
completed, consumers can simply download their creation to a CD and
bring to a retail location or send on-line to a retailer for
production. (see separate release for more information)
* KODAK Picture Kiosk Software (Version 1.5) with New Auto Collage
feature that provides consumers with a new level of flexibility to
easily create custom collages that can be printed in minutes on the
kiosk or in-store mini-lab. And the new KODAK GS Compact Picture Kiosk
with countertop design and easy installation for maximum ROI in low
burn locations. (see separate release for more information)
* KODAK EASYSHARE Digital Cameras and Accessories, including the Z885
and Z712 IS with high ISO and image stabilization for taking action
pictures in any lighting conditions. (see separate release for more
information)
* KODAK s1220 Photo Scanning System that provides an in-store solution
for converting consumers' photo prints into digital files on KODAK
Picture CDs, KODAK Picture Movie DVDs and the wholesale KODAK picture
shoebox scanning service. (see separate release for more information)
* KODAK HQ Maximum Versatility Single Use Camera that emulates the
sleek stylish look of a digital camera and is 20% smaller than the
model it replaces; and new KODAK GOLD 100 and 200 speed consumer films
with enhanced emulsions for brighter pictures. (see separate release
for more information)
* New KODAK PROFESSIONAL Digital Print Production Software DP2 for
improved efficiencies and increased quality and throughput in pro labs;
and new professional paper optimized for digital printing. (see
separate release for more information)
* KODAK NEXPRESS Digital Production Color Press enhancements for
increased productivity and higher image quality for photo book
applications. (see separate release for more information)
The In-Store Experience
As digital imaging becomes more commonplace, consumers are turning to
retailers to print their digital images. Retailers can expand their
in-store offerings with KODAK products and services to produce custom
photo books, collages, calendars, greeting cards, and other photo
specialty items. According to Kruchten, Kodak is offering retailers the
most comprehensive and flexible portfolio designed to meet each
retailer's market requirements.
Kodak's Digital Support Network
Kodak's Qualex wholesale photofinishing subsidiary in the U.S. has been
"retooled" as a digital printing infrastructure, providing retailers
with a range of digital fulfillment products and services. Qualex
provides retailers with the flexibility to grow their digital output
business while leveraging their in-store assets. By partnering with
Qualex, retailers can now provide digital fulfillment without in-store
investment, offer alternative price/value solutions to complement their
in-store capabilities and expand their portfolio of digital services
beyond what they can produce on-site.
Qualex can provide retailers with a portfolio of custom photographic
products such as photo books, collages, calendars, posters and mugs.
Qualex's photo book offerings will include simple 4x6-inch flip books
and custom-bound photo books printed on silver halide paper, and
premium soft and hard cover books printed on Kodak's NEXPRESS Digital
Printing Press.
According to Photofinishing News, the market for these and other custom
photographic products will total $1 billion in the U.S. this year. By
partnering with Kodak, retailers are now able to tap into Qualex's
wholesale digital network to offer an unprecedented range of solutions
for this burgeoning market.
About Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak is the world's foremost imaging innovator. With sales of $13.3
billion in 2006, the company is committed to a digitally oriented
growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images
and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak's system of
digital and traditional products and services to take, print and share
their pictures anytime, anywhere; Businesses effectively communicate
with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress,
conventional and digital printing and document imaging; Creative
Professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story
through moving or still images; and leading Healthcare organizations
rely on Kodak's innovative products, services and customized workflow
solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and
information sharing within and across their enterprise.
More information about Kodak (NYSE: EK) is available at www.kodak.com.
Kodak, EasyShare, Gold, Kodak Professional and Nexpress are trademarks of Eastman Kodak Company.
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