Wednesday April 7, 7:16 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Princeton Video Image Endorses FIFA
Subcommittee Recommendation to Allow Virtual
Advertising During Televised Soccer Games
LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1999--The virtual advertising
subcommittee of FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), the governing body for world league soccer,
has recommended lifting the ban on virtual advertising during television broadcasts of FIFA-sanctioned games, and
has proposed guidelines for virtual ad use.
Officials for Princeton Video Image, Inc. (NASDAQ: PVII - news, www.pvimage.com - news), the global leader in
virtual advertising solutions for television, said it strongly endorses the sub-committee's recent recommendation,
which is expected to be adopted by the FIFA Executive Committee at its July meeting, opening the worldwide market
for virtual advertising in soccer.
According to FIFA, the proposed regulations, if adopted, would take effect later this year, allowing virtual ads on any
flat area in the stadium (other than the field of play) at anytime, as well as on the centercircle and penalty areas
anytime except during play itself.
''For some time, we have felt appropriate use of virtual advertising would be beneficial for soccer,'' said Chuck
Blazer, Chairman of the FIFA Media Committee and CEO of CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in North
America, Central America and the Carribean. ''CONCACAF was the first to authorize experimental use of virtual ads
in international soccer when, in cooperation with PVI, ads were inserted in the international broadcast of the Parmalat
Cup, broadcast from the Meadowlands in 1995. Since that time, ConcAcaf has continued to explore the implications
of virtual advertising technology through the numerous events produced by Publicidad Virtual, PVI's Latin American
licensee, in cooperation with Mexican broadcaster Televisa. We are pleased that the successful PVI demonstration
programs carried out under our auspices have led to these recommendations by the subcommittee.''
''Worldwide soccer is an especially good market for virtual advertising, as so many games are shown in countries
other than the country in which the game is actually played,'' said Dennis Wilkinson, PVI President and CEO. ''New
advertising can be placed in the game for each country into which the game is transmitted. This is especially
important in Europe and Latin America. This recommendation is a significant breakthrough for virtual advertising and
PVI, opening up opportunities in countries around the world where FIFA - sanctioned games are played.''
Mr. Wilkinson continued, ''Outside the United States, soccer is the most popular spectator sport. For virtual
advertising to gain acceptance in this market would be a very significant breakthrough. Even though this
recommendation has yet to be approved by the entire FIFA body, it enables us to begin developing relationships with
organizers, rights holders, broadcasters and advertisers.''
Princeton Video Image, Inc. has developed and is marketing a real-time video insertion system that, through patented
pattern recognition technology, places computer-generated electronic images into television broadcasts of sporting
events as well as other programming. These electronic images range from simple corporate names and logos to
sophisticated 3-D images and animated effects. In virtual advertising, broadcasters insert advertising messages into
telecasts so that the ads appear as part of the live stadium scene. PVI has provided video insertion services for nearly
1,000 live telecasts worldwide, including broadcasts of Major League Baseball, National League Football, professional
soccer, motorsports, and other live events. The Company is headquartered in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, with offices
in New York City and Brussels, with Licensee's offices in Mexico City and Johannesburg. Any statements contained in
this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those relating to market acceptance, dependence on strategic partners
and third party sales, contractual restraints on use of PVI's technology, a rapidly changing commercial and
technological environment, competition, possible adverse regulations, need for additional financing, intellectual
property rights and litigation, and other risks identified in PVI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Actual results, events or performance may differ materially. PVI undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result
of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the
date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
Contact:
Media Contact:
Roher Public Relations, New York
Christina Friedkin, 212/986-6668
or
Investor Contacts:
Morgen-Walke Associates, Inc., New York |
