Eastman Kodak Company
Kodak Unveils Kodak Plus Digital 35 mm One-Time-Use Camera System
New One-Time-Use Camera Offers Benefits of Digital Photography; Kodak Also Announces Extended Availability of Kodak Picture CD
LAS VEGAS, March 2, -- Eastman Kodak Company today unveiled Kodak Plus Digital, the first of its kind one-time-use camera that gives consumers the benefits of digital photography.
A simple and inexpensive way to get digital pictures without a digital camera, Plus Digital system offers an easy entry into the world of digital by providing consumers with their pictures both as prints and as digital images on a Kodak Picture CD. Kodak Plus Digital system is the first product from Kodak that truly provides the benefits of both film capture and digital output in one product, which directly links to three of the company's key growth strategies to expand the benefits of film, drive output and to make digital easier.
Kodak Plus Digital system features a Max HQ one-time-use camera that has a unique coding system that means the consumer automatically receives a Kodak Picture CD at no additional charge when they buy Kodak premium prints. Each Kodak Plus Digital one-time-use camera is processed using new Kodak Perfect Touch processing (where available) which individually scans and corrects each picture to reveal more vibrant colors, richer detail and fewer dark shadows—before the photos are printed. Consumers simply take the camera to any retailer that offers Kodak premium processing and check the box for Prints Plus a CD.
"Research has told us that consumers want to participate in digital photography; however, they want digital to be easy and they don't want to give up their traditional prints," said Marc Gibeley, Vice President, New Products and Services, Consumer Imaging, Kodak. "Whether a consumer prefers the familiarity of film or is not ready to invest in a digital camera, Kodak Plus Digital system offers an easy and inexpensive way to enjoy digital pictures without a digital camera."
For retailers, the introduction of Kodak Plus Digital system provides an opportunity to drive increased revenue for premium one-time-use cameras, as well as increased Picture CD penetration for retailers of Kodak photofinishing.
Kodak conducted extensive research and an operational test in Detroit last fall garnering the following results:
- 93 percent of consumers were extremely satisfied
after using the product.
- 92 percent thought it was a very good or fairly
good value after using the product.
- In some retail accounts, Kodak Plus Digital
one-time-use camera
achieved 10- 20 percent of Kodak's one-time-use camera
sales.
Kodak Plus Digital system will retail for $9.99-$11.99 which includes the cost of the Kodak Picture CD, and will vary by retailer. The product will began shipping in February and will be available nationally in stores by May 2003.
Kodak Plus Digital system will be supported through an aggressive marketing campaign consisting of national TV and print advertising as part of the Share Moments. Share Life™ campaign, a free standing insert (FSI) highlighting Kodak's new products as part of an innovation effort, promotions and public relations.
Kodak Expands Onsite Enablement for Kodak Picture CD
Kodak is expanding the number of retailers that can produce Kodak Picture CD onsite. Beginning immediately, Kodak is providing digital minilab suppliers its proprietary software development kit, including technical and certification support at no charge, enabling any mini-lab to produce Picture CD onsite. Retailers can also find more information on offering Picture CD on-site to consumers by contacting their digital minilab supplier.
Positioning Kodak Picture CD as the best way to get digital pictures without a digital camera, Kodak also revealed that consumers who have used Kodak Picture CD have consistently reported over 80 percent satisfaction with the product. In addition, 90 percent of Kodak Picture CD users consistently intend to use the product again. From any film camera whether 35 mm or APS,
Kodak Picture CD provides consumers with digital pictures along with prints and easy-to-use tools that will help them zoom and crop, remove red-eye, email, and order additional prints from Kodak and its retail partners. More information can be found at http://www.kodak.com/go/pictureCD.
Eastman Kodak Company and infoimaging
Kodak is the leader in helping people take, share, enhance, preserve, print and enjoy pictures---for memories, for information, for entertainment. The company is a major participant in infoimaging, a $385 billion industry composed of devices (digital cameras and PDAs), infrastructure (online networks and delivery systems for images) and services & media (software, film and paper enabling people to access, analyze and print images). Kodak harnesses its technology, market reach and a host of industry partnerships to provide innovative products and services for customers who need the information-rich content that images contain. The company, with sales in 2002 of $12.8 billion, is organized into four major businesses: Photography, providing consumers, professionals and cinematographers with digital and traditional products and services; Commercial Imaging, offering image capture, output and storage products and services to businesses and government; Components, delivering flat-panel displays, optics and sensors to original equipment manufacturers; and Health, supplying the healthcare industry with traditional and digital image capture and output products and services.
For additional information about Kodak, visit our web site on the Internet at: http://www.kodak.com/go/PMA.