Seattle FilmWorks and VStream Introduce Talking Pictures; Agreement Provides Voice Sound Clips to Email-Delivered Photos
BUSINESS WIRE - August 03, 1999 08:18
SEATTLE, Aug 3, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE via COMTEX) -- Seattle FilmWorks (Nasdaq:FOTO), a leading Internet-based photofinisher, has joined forces with VStream, a leader in Web-based communications, to bring audio commentary to email-delivered photos.
The new service gives Seattle FilmWorks customers the ability to add a personal narrative to their photos through the use of VStream's Internet-based messaging service, Beep.
"This is a marriage of two convenient services with high customer appeal," said Paul Berberian, VStream president. "We're blending Internet-enhanced communications with multimedia and the result is a visual and audio service that is fun and personal."
With the power of VStream's voice-to-email technology, Seattle FilmWorks customers can add narration to a photo with a simple phone call to VStream's automated messaging center. The audio file, produced through VStream, accompanies the photo whenever a customer emails photo links to friends, family, and business associates.
"We know our nearly two million customers enjoy sharing their visual memories with family and friends over the Internet, and now using VStream's technology, they can enhance those memories with audio descriptions," said Gary Christophersen, president and CEO, Seattle FilmWorks.
Making a Picture Talk
When Seattle FilmWorks customers view an online image of one of their photos, they can click a button to add a personal voice message to the photograph.
After selecting to send a voice message, customers receive an identification code and phone number. Customers dial the number, enter their code and record their own private messages and captions for their specified photos. The audio file accompanies the photo, so anyone who views the photo via email has the option of also hearing the audio caption.
PhotoWorks(R): More than 30 million images scanned
PhotoWorks(R) is an increasingly popular way for Seattle FilmWorks customers to share photos over the Internet. With more than 30 million images scanned, PhotoWorks(R) is one of the largest consumer photo storage sites on the Web. PhotoWorks(R) is free when a customer provides Seattle FilmWorks with an email address and orders normal film processing services. Seattle FilmWorks will process any brand of 35mm or APS film, starting at $8.50 a roll (plus shipping, handling and applicable taxes). The price includes freshreplacementfilm.
PhotoWorks(R) service includes free scanning of every photograph, Web posting to a private site and lifetime archiving, as long as the consumer remains an active customer of Seattle FilmWorks. To get started, customers can request free film and an order form at www.filmworks.com.
You've Been Beeped: Audio Greetings over Email
VStream's Beep, the technology behind PhotoMail voice messages, allows customers to "beep" friends, family or colleagues with an email voice message by logging onto the VStream site at www.vstream.com. By simply entering the email address of their recipient(s), customers are given a unique phone number and PIN code to record a clear voice message to be received via email.
Beep, newly added to VStream's family of innovative Internet communications services, allows users to easily publish their voice on the Web, using their telephone to send personalized recorded greetings to anyone with an email address.
About Seattle FilmWorks
Seattle FilmWorks is a leading mail order photofinisher and image management company, having served more than 1.8 million customers in 1998. Seattle FilmWorks has been an industry leader in providing digital images on floppy disk or CD (Pictures On Disk(TM)). In addition, Seattle FilmWorks is a leader in providing digital images over the Internet via its PhotoMail(TM) Internet delivery service. Based in Seattle, Seattle FilmWorks (Nasdaq: FOTO) was founded in 1978. More information is available at www.filmworks.com or by calling 1-800-FILMWORKS.
About VStream
Founded in April 1997, Boulder, Colorado-based VStream is a leading Internet communications provider. The company offers a suite of services including live and on-demand webcasting, audio/visual conferencing and voice-to-email services. VStream leverages streaming technologies developed by Microsoft Windows technologies (Nasdaq:MSFT) and Real Networks' Real Media streaming technologies (Nasdaq:RNWK). For more information, call 800-VSTREAM (878-7326) or visit vstream.com.
All companies and product names are trademarks of their respective owners.
Press contacts: Gary Tashjian Vice President, Marketing Seattle FilmWorks, Inc. (206) 281-1249 garyt@filmworks.com
For more information, e-mail info@filmworks.com or call 800.FILMWORKS (800.345.6967). Copyright (c) 1999 Seattle FilmWorks, Inc.
Copyright (C) 1999 Business Wire. All rights reserved. -0- CONTACT: Alexander Ogilvy for VStream Megan Castle, 303/615-5070 ext 134 mcastle@alexanderogilvy.com or Seattle FilmWorks Case Kuehn, 206/281-1546 case@filmworks.com
WEB PAGE: businesswire.com
GEOGRAPHY: WASHINGTON COLORADO
|
