Fotocommunity Unveils LinkedIn-Like Feature As US Expansion of Worldwide Online Photo Meeting Place Kicks Off At PMA
Europe’s Leading & Largest Photographic Community Site Showcases US Commitment With Enhanced Innovative Social Networking Technology At German Pavilion M 200-5
BONN, GERMANY – January 29, 2008 – fotocommunity, Europe’s premier
online meeting place for photographic enthusiasts and pros to share
ideas and inspiration, unveils dynamic additions such as a new
LinkedIn-like feature during its US expansion – at the Photo Marketing
Association (PMA®) International Convention Trade Show, January 31 –
February 2, 2008 in Las Vegas.
PMA is billed as the world’s largest annual imaging event attended by
more than 20,000 photographers and related professionals from around
the globe. It is a perfect venue to kick off fotocommunity’s deepened
commitment to those in the US with an intense passion for photography.
The site’s expanded social networking platform for photography
enthusiasts, professionals and artists alike – the largest in Europe –
is showcased this year with a more US-centric approach in the German
Pavilion area of the floor in Booth #M200-5.
Also at PMA08 fotocommunity launches new user-friendly tools, such as
its latest relationship-based tool, an “activity feed.” This all-new
LinkedIn-like feature gives www.fotocommunity.com members an even
greater ability to network and discuss photography. The additional
social networking technology facilitates connections among like-minded
people who have met on site.
In addition, the media has an opportunity to preview the all-new
fotocommunity features at “DIGITAL FOCUS,” press event on the eve of
PMA from 7:00-10:00pm, January 30th, at The Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas
(http://www.pepcom.com/pephome/pephome.html).
All-new Dynamics For Digital Photo-philes
PMA marketing research reveals that digital imaging has grown into an
impressive $87 billion industry around the world. Under the careful
directorship of fotocommunity founder Andreas Meyer, the old axiom “ a
picture is worth a thousands words” has not only survived in the new
multibillion dollar digital market, it has flourished. More than
700,000 members from all across Europe now come to fotocommunity to
share their love of photography, receive feedback, and participate in
the dynamic exchange of ideas and inspirations found nowhere else – on
line or in person.
"I created fotocommunity to be much more than just an Internet website.
It is a living community that transcends the net with members from
across Europe getting together daily to exchange experiences and ideas
about a common passion – photography. The fotocommunity team and I are
extremely pleased to launch new features that concentrate on
relationships and communications at PMA. It marks our renewed
commitment to provide the growing number of people here in the US who
share a deep passion for digital photography with their own virtual
community in which they can share photos and information," Meyer says.
Registration on fotocommunity is free, although the number of photos
each free visitor may post on the site is limited. The site offers
membership upgrades on three levels: Basic, Pro, and World. Membership
upgrades are well-priced, with a Basic subscription of approximately $6
USD per month. Although registered visitors to the site can participate
in fotocommunity, members receive advanced benefits that enhance the
community experience, including the ability to post more photos in a
shorter time period. For more information on membership visit:
www.fotocommunity.com/pc/pay.php. In all cases, photos posted on
www.fotocommunity.com are subject to review. And therein lies a key
difference.
Unlike other sites that may function as electronic “storage” space for
online photos fotocommunity was created as a vibrant, virtual community
in which true “photo-philes” can present and discuss photographic work
of every type. Comments, photo postcards, chats, text forums, and
linked pictures and profiles all help create the site’s unique
community feeling. It is not unusual for a new member to receive
multiple “welcomes” and comments on his or her first posting – from
pros who use fotocommunity to spot and start the latest trends to avid
enthusiasts who share a passion for the same photography style or an
interest in a hot visual trend. In fact, since fotocommunity was
founded in 2001, members have written over 60 million reviews for
approximately 11 million photos. Currently, fotocommunity receives
approximately 200 million page views every month. For more info on
Fotocommunity, visit:
http://www.cjcstrategists.com/resources/fc/backgrounder.pdf
The community is offered in five languages: German, French, Italian,
Spanish, and English. PMA08 attendees have an opportunity to explore
www.fotocommunity.com and all the considerable benefits the site brings
to the US photo industry, including the following enhancements and
updates:
* An enhanced user interface – just-released, an enhanced interface
puts all site functionality on one screen with easy-to-use,
easy-to-navigate bars and tabs that make browsing the site a breeze. US
members will find the “world tab” of particular interest, giving them
ability to access photos by category from all over the globe with one
click.
* A favorite photos bookmark – launched in January, the bookmark
feature allows fotocommunity members to designate and share their
favorite photos easily with an additional feature that makes specific
information public to visitors of their pages.
* An all-new model database – in January, the site began offering
fotocommunity members access to an extensive database of headshots via
sedcards.
* An upcoming social networking feature – during the first quarter
of 2008, fotocommunity will launch an all-new LinkedIn-style “activity
feed” that allows an “enhanced buddy list” to share recent
photography-related interests and projects.
* A brand-new slide-show showcase – during 1Q08 as well, members
will have the ability to instantly connect photos and news from
fotocommunity to their respective websites so they can showcase their
talents and interests to the world in the latest slide-show format.
* A 2008 international photo contest – as part of the site’s
regular contests, a brand-new international competition will begin in
February. US members are invited to participate.
Communal Connections That Extend To Real Life
By far the greatest allure for photography enthusiasts is the site’s
easy exchange of ideas and discussion with like-minded people. The
community created among fotocommunity members has proven to be so
strong, it has extended beyond the virtual realm into real life.
Over 2,400 user-organized events take place every year. Members are
able to organize informal gatherings, collective photo tours, regular
meetings and more, using the site’s interactive calendar. fotocommunity
further supports these activities by hosting fotocommunity festivals
that historically have drawn thousands of people throughout
German-speaking areas. For more information on the Festivals visit:
http://www.cjcstrategists.com/resources/fc/FestivalBrochure.pdf
"We are looking forward to deepening our commitment to a large and
diverse market such as the US. It’s diversity, after all, that has kept
fotocommunity fresh and exciting, even for longtime users. Travel and
sports photographers can find others that share their interests just as
easily as an office worker who is pursuing a passionate photo hobby,"
Meyer adds.
About fotocommunity
Founded in 2001, fotocommunity (fc) today is an Internet community of
approximately 700,000 avid photographers and photographic enthusiasts
and houses more than 10 million photos worldwide. As Europe's largest
platform for those with an intense interest in photography,
www.fotocommunity.de is a convergence of laymen, professionals and
artists alike. With 200 million page views per month, fotocommunity is
quickly becoming a global phenomenon. www.fotocommunity.com, with its
English user interface, is increasingly popular, along with the
Italian-language www.fotocommunity.it. A French-language
www.fotocommunity.fr fotocommunity and Spanish-language
www.fotocommunity.es fotocommunity were launched at the photokina, the
world's largest photography exhibition, in 2006.
For more information visit: www.fotocommunity.com
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