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| Neil D. Cohen is the 2008 Hall of Fame recipient. |
PMA names 2008 Hall of Fame and Distinguished Service Award recipients
PMA, Jackson, Mich., named Neil D. Cohen, president and CEO, District Photo Inc. , Beltsville, Md., the PMA 2008 Hall of Fame recipient. The award is the PMA’s highest honor and is selected by the PMA Board of Trustees based on career success and the individual’s role in the advancement of the photo imaging industry. Cohen will be honored at the Official Business Session on Thursday, January 31, at 9:00 a.m. during PMA 08, which takes place Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev.
Cohen started his career with District Photo Inc. in 1976 and has been president/CEO since 1989. The firm currently has three facilities: Beltsville, Md.; Chambersburg, Pa.; and Newton Abbott, United Kingdom.
Cohen served as president of PMA from 1997-1998, and he has been involved in various committees over the years involved with the photo imaging industry. He has also been involved in numerous business groups, including the World Presidents’ Organization. Additionally, Cohen is involved in a range of philanthropic organizations serving children’s needs, education, Jewish organizations, and health-related causes.
PMA will also honor five leaders with the PMA Distinguished Service Award on Friday, Feb. 1 at 8:00 a.m., prior to a PMA 08 Official Business Session. This honor is given based on career commitment and invaluable contributions to the imaging industry. The 2008 honorees are: Larry Capodilupo, ICL Imaging , Framingham, Mass.; George R. Champagne, Abar Imaging Center, Providence, R.I.; John D. Clouse Jr., Nikon Inc. , Melville N.Y; Carlos Eduardo Hellmund, C. Hellmund & Cía S.A., Venezuela; and John L. Segall, Lifetouch Inc., Eden Prarie, Minn..
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If you are attending PMA 08, make sure to check out the Big Night event the Ultimate Tailgate Party at 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 2 in the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. The tailgate is the closing event of the show, and includes sports games (even a large-screen projection football gaming area for “armchair quarterbacks”), a variety of tailgate-type foods, a DJ, and the Oakland Raiderette cheerleaders.
There’s also a chili cook-off competition between PMA member associations, so be sure to cheer your favorite team to victory. Three raffle prizes will be drawn at 7:00 p.m. for an authentic Eli Manning #10 New York Giants jersey, an authentic Tom Brady #12 New England Patriots jersey, and a 40GB Sony PlayStation 3 featuring Blu-ray media and Bluetooth technology for wireless Internet connections. The PlayStation 3 also comes with two wireless controllers and the popular football game Madden NFL 08.
One raffle ticket is included with the purchase of ticket for the Ultimate Tailgate Party. The fee is $25 per member or $45 per non-member. Wristbands are available for purchase at the PMA Special Events Desk at PMA 08. The tailgate will be held in the End Zone on the second level of the trade show floor in the education area immediately following the Kickoff Reception at 4:00 p.m., and the $10,000 Grand Prize Drawing at 4:15 p.m.
PMA 08 Flickr group launches, offering attendees an online community to share photos, discussions
PMA 08 attendees are sure to snap lots of photos during the conference in Las Vegas, Nev., from Jan. 31 - Feb. 2, and now there is an online public Flickr group for attendees to view, post, and share photos of the trade show, receptions, hotels, parties, and more. The PMA 08 group, created earlier this month, already features several photos of past PMA shows in anticipation of the upcoming PMA 08. In addition to viewing and posting photos, group members can participate in discussions and connect with fellow show-goers. First-time attendees can get a glimpse of what the show looks like before attending, while networking with veteran attendees.
To view the photos, you do not have to be a member of Flickr. Just go to www.flickr.com/groups/pma08. Those who want to join the PMA 08 Flickr group to submit photos, comment on images, and participate in discussions, must have a Flickr account, which is free. After a Flickr account has been created, joing the PMA 08 group is easy. First, go to www.flickr.com/groups/pma08. In the upper right hand corner, click the “Join the group?” link, which will lead to a verification page asking: ‘”Do you really want to join the group PMA 08?” Click “Join this group,” and begin uploading photos and discussing the upcoming show. Sign up for a Flickr account now if you don’t already have one and prepare to show other attendees and members your perspective in and around PMA 08 in Las Vegas.
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InfoTrends briefing to be held on Feb. 1 during PMA 08
On Feb. 1 at PMA 08, the InfoTrends team will hold a briefing to address important trends that will shape the consumer digital imaging market in 2008. They will cover a number of new developments within the digital imaging ecosystem, including capture, sharing, and output. This breakfast event will be located near the exhibition hall, and will conclude prior to the opening of the trade show show floor.
The InfoTrends Breakfast and Presentation, from 8:15 a.m.-9:30 a.m., will begin with a welcome by Jeff Hayes, president of InfoTrends, before members of the team will speak on different imaging topics and trends. Ed Lee, director of Consumer Imaging Services, will speak about “Imaging in a Connected World.” David Haueter, associate director of Photo Printing Trends, will talk about “The Fine Print on Photo Printing — A Market Outlook.” Alan Bullock, associate director of Internet Imaging Trends, will discuss how “Every Picture Tells a Story.”
The InfoTrends Briefing will take place in Room S219 and S220 in the South Hall, Level 2, of the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev. Registration is available online or by contacting Sue Hickey at 781-616-2100 ext. 114 or at susan_hickey@infotrends.com
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| The Buck Rogers/NPG group. |
Buck Rogers/NPG meets in San Diego
The Buck Rogers/NPG group recently met Jan. 14, in San Diego, Calif., for idea sharing and networking. A highlight of the meeting was a tour of HP Co. facilities in San Diego, Calif.
“The meetings were very successful and our members are very excited about the industry,” says Don Spring, Buck Rogers/NPG chairman. “New products such as photo books and collages are about to explode onto the market. Customer awareness of these products is low. Consumers who have experienced these products in our members stores are very excited and want more products like these.
“This year’s PMA [Show] will give retailers great ideas that will help them provide these new and exciting products for their customers,” he added.
In the front row: Neil Cohen, District Photo; Chris Lydle, Chris’ Camera Center and Digital Pho
Photo library Getty Images admits it is for sale
Although Seattle, Wash.-based Getty Images said it was its policy “long-standing policy” not to confirm or deny rumors, the company confirmed it was exploring strategic alternatives in response to an article published on Jan. 21 in The New York Times.
The New York Times reported that Getty shareholders could rake in more than $1.5 billion from a sale and that private-equity firms, including Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Bain Capital, which was founded by presidential candidate Mitt Romney, had already expressed interest.
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Getty said that while discussions with prospective buyers are ongoing there is no guarantee that a sale will occur, reports a Forbes.com article. The company said it isn’t planning on updating the United States stock market with any more information on the process until its board thinks it is appropriate. The company said it has hired Goldman Sachs as its financial adviser and Weil, Gotshal & Manges as its legal adviser.
With increasing competition from cheaper competitors and new technology, some have called into question the sustainability of Getty’s business model, says the Forbes.com article. But Thomas Weisel Partners analyst Christa Quarles said the company’s assets, such as its iStockPhoto business, add value. She said iStockPhoto, a stock photography website, could bring in as much as $83 million in 2008 alone. Getty bought it for $50 million in 2006.
Quarles said that cost-cutting initiatives such as layoffs will also help spur along a sale. Last August the company said it was slashing 100 workers, 5 percent of its full-time staff, but Quarles says it’s being too slow with the cuts.
Last year, Getty had looked into buying a smaller rival, Jupiter Media, but negotiations between the companies were abandoned, reports Forbes.com.
Fabrik acquires G-Technology Inc.
Fabrik Inc., San Mateo, Calif., a provider of storage, memory, and next-generation online services, has acquired G-Technology Inc., Santa Monica, Calif., a manufacturer of storage solutions for the Apple Mac community, including heavy users of multimedia content, Final Cut Pro digital audio/video specialists, and other pre/post production professionals. Fabrik has acquired G-Tech in a cash and stock transaction. Financial terms will not be disclosed.
In February 2007, Fabrik purchased the consumer business of SimpleTech, which now offers a portfolio of online services, home network solutions, storage devices, and memory for the consumer and small business markets. Serving the creative professional market, G-Tech complements this offering by delivering a respected brand in the Apple Mac community. Specifically designed for HD video editing, 3D rendering and other demanding applications, G-Tech’s products further expands the Fabrik’s footprint to include USB, FireWire, eSATA, SCSI, and Fibre Channel systems ideal for both small creative studios or big production houses.
Roger Mabon, CEO of G-Tech, will remain at Fabrik as vice president of Sales and Marketing for the G-Tech product group of Fabrik, reporting to Mike Cordano, Fabrik CEO and co-founder.
For more information about Fabrik and other storage options, check out the article “Safe and Secure Online” in the January issue of PMA magazine.
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| James Edward Rice |
In memoriam: James Edward Rice
James Edward Rice, Fairport, N.Y., passed away Oct. 13, 2007, at the age of 82. A Rochester, N.Y., native, Jim was a graduate of Madison High School, where he served as class vice president, and Cornell University, where he was a member of the lacrosse team and Delta Upsilon Fraternity. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Rice rose to the rank of Captain during both World War II and the Korean War. An officer in several Airborne divisions, Rice was honorably discharged in 1955.
Professionally, Rice was a well known and respected figure in the world of professional photography and photofinishing. After a 31-year career at Eastman Kodak Co. , Rochester, N.Y., Rice accepted the James McGhee Professorship at Rochester Institute of Technology , holding the chaired position until 1995 when he retired with the status of Professor Emeritus. While at RIT, Rice received the PMA Distinguished Service Award for his lifelong contributions to the photo industry as an executive and educator.
Among his many interests , Rice was an avid golfer and a longtime member of The Country Club of Mendon where he also served as a board member. He is survived by his wife of 56 years Grace; his children Michelle (Mike) Adams of Nashville, Tenn., Jamie of Arlington, Va., Mark (Cynthia) of Penfield, N.Y., Glenn of Fairport, N.Y., and Jase (Marie) of Hermosa Beach, Calif.; and grandchildren Brad, Greg, and Tyler Adams, and Ashley, Clayton, Trevor, and Connor Rice.
People on the move
· X-Rite Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., announced Lynn J. Lyall will be joining the company as executive vice president, chief financial officer and secretary. Lyall will succeed Mary E. Chowning, who has decided to retire. Lyall will assume his role on March 3, and Chowning will stay with the company through April 15 to assist with the transition. X-Rite is involved in color measurement and color management, offering hardware, software and services for measuring, formulating and matching color. The company serves a range of industries, including printing, packaging, photography, graphic design, video, automotive, paints, plastics, textiles, dental and medical.
· Circuit City Stores Inc., Richmond, Va., named John T. Harlow executive vice president and chief operating officer. Harlow will oversee the company’s retail stores, real estate, information technology and supply chain. Harlow comes to Circuit City with nearly 20 years of experience as a senior retail operator and turnaround executive. Harlow was most recently a retail director with Deloitte Consulting LLP and has been involved with Circuit City over the past year. In other management actions, Brian S. Bradley was recently named senior vice president, Multi-Channel. Bradley joined the company in January 2005 as steward of innovation. In April 2006, he was promoted to vice president, Strategy and Innovation. In January 2008, Bradley was promoted to senior vice president, Multi-Channel.
· PTS Consulting & Service Group Inc., Reading, Pa., the exclusive U.S. distributor for the Durst Jota Photo Album Production System, named Jack Cutler creative advisor for the company. Cutler is an award-winning and internationally published beauty/fashion photographer, and also the owner of DCC Photo in Reading, Pa. Cutler will be on hand in the PTS booth to talk about the Jota Photo Album Production System at PMA 08. PTS Consulting & Service Group Inc. is a leader is imaging solutions focusing on digital output products, service, and technology. The company says it believes in helping clients achieve their goals through creativity and maintaining a competitive edge.
· BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc., Natick, Mass., announced Laura Sen is the new company president and chief operating officer, and is also elected to the company’s board of directors. Sen will be responsible for all day-to-day operations, and is a 15-year BJ’s veteran who is currently executive vice president of Merchandising and Logistics. Herb Zarkin, BJ’s chairman and CEO, retains a number of key responsibilities and will continue to work closely with Sen and the senior management team. Sen joined BJ’s in 1989 and served as executive vice president of merchandising and logistics from 1997 to 2003. She returned to the company in January 2007. BJ’s also announced the restructuring of its merchandising division under the leadership of Christina Neppl, who will succeed Sen as executive vice president of Merchandising and Logistics. Bruce Graham, senior vice president, general merchandising manager of Consumables, will assume additional responsibilities as general merchandising manager of Perishables; and Mark Titlebaum will become senior vice president, general manager of General Merchandise, a position that has been vacant. Robert Eddy, senior vice president of Finance, will assume responsibility for the financial departments formerly managed by Neppl.
Industry notes
· ColorCentric Corp., a digital printer in Rochester, N.Y., has recently partnered with some of the biggest photo book names in the Internet. Make sure to listen to the new DIMAcast podcast to prep you for the photo books products and trends at PMA 08. In the podcast, PMA Publisher Gary Pageau visited ColorCentric CEO John Lacagnina and talks about starting up an on-demand, real-time digital printer, the photo book market, and what it’s going to take to get more images printed.
· Mark Comon, Paul’s Photo, Torrance, Calif., will lead one event during PMA 08 in Las Vegas to help attendees develop a photo tour and trip program in their stores. The event, a Las Vegas bus tour, will be held Thursday, Jan. 31, in the evening. The bus tour will be a photographic trip and also a lesson in why photo trips and tours are successful, says Comon. Attendees will visit downtown Las Vegas and the Las Vegas Neon Museum Boneyard.
· Yahoo! Inc., Sunnyvale, Calif., is expected to lay off hundreds of workers, according to The Associated Press. The amount of Yahoo’s roughly 14,000 employees will lose their jobs hasn’t been determined. A final decision may be announced Jan. 29 when Yahoo executives are scheduled to review the company’s fourth-quarter results. The potential layoffs were first reported over the weekend by Silicon Alley Insider, a blog focused on investments in technology and media. The blog said Yahoo may eliminate 1,500 to 2,500 jobs, says the AP.
· HARMAN technology Ltd., Mobberley, Cheshire, United Kingdom, has launched a MySpace page dedicated specifically to its photographic inkjet media brand - HARMAN PHOTO. The new page follows the page created by HARMAN for its ILFORD PHOTO brand in 2007. The new page will it allow MySpace users to ask questions of the HARMAN team and give feedback on HARMAN PHOTO products, and will also be used by HARMAN to post bulletins and relay information covering things like new product developments and exclusive competitions.
· TheMagicTouch USA, Niles, Ill., announces the grand opening of its new division in Florida: TheMagicTouch South. Based in the Tampa Bay, Fla., area TheMagicTouch South will cover sales and distribution for all of Florida and the Southeastern states. The MagicTouch USA provides customers with solutions for applying full color images onto almost any surface. The Magic Touch and Magicut lines of transfer media and cut materials allow customers to decorate awards, signs, textiles, personalized gifts, and more. TheMagicTouch South has also opened a new showroom in its office in Clearwater, Fla., where the company will offer product demonstrations and training to its customers.
· ScanMyPhotos.com , Irvine, Calif., will instantly scan up to 1,000 4-by-6-inch photos in 15-minutes for $49.95 or a customer order is free as part of its “15-Minute ScanMyPhotos.com Challenge,” which runs through Jan. 30. Additionally, customers will receive a free 6-by-6-inch photo flip book collage randomly selected from scanned photos if the process is not complete in time. Upon receipt of a direct mail order, ScanMyPhotos.com will also scan and prepare for same-day return mailing an order of up to 1,000 4-by-6-inch photos or it is without charge. ScanMyPhotos.com is a division of 30 Minute Photos Etc., a digital imaging retail photo center that operates a online photo ordering service. The company also recently launched a new ScanMyPhotos.com blog, featuring company news and tips on photo scanning and digital imaging.
· Sears Holdings Corp., Atlanta, Ga., is changing its organizational structure to give business units greater control, reports Reuters. The retailer recently warned that fourth-quarter profit could be less than half that of a year ago. Holiday sales fell in the 2007 season in light of a failing housing market and poor economy. Sears Holdings Corp., the operator of Kmart and Sears stores, has reported profit declines for the past two quarters, and sales at stores open at least a year have fallen at both chains for the past seven quarters, says Reuters.
· Sprint Nextel Corp. said it may eliminate 4,000 positions and close 8 percent of its stores — moves that will save up to $800 million a year — as the company continues to struggle to keep subscribers, reports The Wall Street Journal. The Reston, Va., company expects to close 125 of its company-owned retail locations and eliminate more than 4,000 third-party distribution points. The company has approximately 20,000 total distribution points, including nearly 1,400 company-owned retail locations. The layoffs are expected to be completed in the first half of the year and will include management and non-management positions.
· X-Rite Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich., this year is again holding its seminar “Color Control Freak.” Color Control Freak 08 offers an in-depth understanding of color, its value in the design process, and techniques for proper reproduction. Sponsored by Pantone, HP, Eizo, and X-Rite, this one-day interactive seminar equips design professionals with the latest color knowledge and tools. Industry experts will teach attendees basics in color trends and psychology as well as how to collect, build, and specify color that remains consistent from screen to print. Registration is $295, which includes a full day of seminar instruction, live demonstrations, lunch and giveaways. Attendees will take home X-Rite’s new “Color Management for Creatives” eLearning DVD, a seminar reference CD, a presentation booklet and the exclusive “Need to Know: Color” manual. New to 2008, attendees will receive the Color Control Freak Discount Book with discounts from sponsoring companies. The first seminar is March 4 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the seminar program runs through May. Agenda and registration information is available online.
· Canon U.S.A. Inc., Lake Success, N. Y., launched a new Super Bowl 2009 sweepstakes that will award one winner at random a trip for two to Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay, Fla. in 2009. The winner will receive round trip airfare to Tampa, Fla., hotel accommodations for 5 days and 4 nights, car rental, and a Model A camera kit, says Canon. Those interested can enter via the online entry form, or mail in a 3-by-5-inch card containing name, address, phone number, e-mail and date of birth to: Canon “Your ticket to the Superbowl XLII sweepstakes” P.O. Box 5046, Grand Central Station, New York, NY, 10613. Mailed-in entries must be postmarked by Feb. 8 and received by Feb. 15. Online entries close Feb. 8, and the winner will be drawn on Feb. 19.
· Roland DGA Corp., Irvine, Calif., introduced the Roland Masters Gallery, a Web-based art gallery formally recognizing the achievements of top Roland inkjet users including sign makers, screen printers, apparel decorators, vehicle and other graphics professionals, and artists worldwide. Previously featured in Roland advertisements and other marketing programs, Roland Masters were selected based on a portfolio of work that reflects exceptional creativity and execution. In addition, Roland Masters each demonstrate a high level of technical expertise.
· Olympus America Inc., Center Valley, Pa., announced a 6-year sponsorship of the U.S. Open and U.S. Open Series. This sponsorship is with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States and owner and operator of the U.S. Open, and it represents an expansion of the current relationship between Olympus America, the USTA and the U.S. Open. The Olympus U.S. Open Series brings together the 10 tournaments in North America during the summer tennis season immediately preceding the U.S. Open. Olympus will feature the E-System at the U.S. Open. The E-System, a DSLR camera platform, provides the high-precision performance for professional photographers.
· Hallmark Cards Inc., Kansas City, Mo., is kicking off “YourPets,” a competition allowing consumers to enter birthday card designs featuring a pet photo. Hallmark will print and sell the entries that become finalists, and online voters will select the best. Hallmark is encouraging pet owners to submit the funniest, most endearing, cutest, silliest, or most creative pet photos along with a corresponding birthday sentiment for a chance to win. To enter the Hallmark “YourPets” competition, entrants can log onto www.Hallmark.com/you between now and Feb. 3. Sixty-seven finalists will each win $250, and their cards will be printed by Hallmark and sold both online at and in more than 10,000 stores. Finalists will be posted online starting March 3. One Grand Prize winner with the most votes will receive a $1,000 prize and trip to Hallmark with his or her pet for a professional photo shoot and workshop with Hallmark’s creative team.
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