To: Marconi who wrote (3545 ) 9/14/1999 11:46:00 AM From: BDR Respond to of 10293
Mr. Marconi: I assume the rise in IMON is a result of the following press release. The headline makes it sound like Sony and IMON have a signed agreement but the body of the release suggests that they have only been invited to make a presentation of their technology. This sounds like the Zitel announcements that they were qualified to be considered for government contracts (but there never were any contracts). "the only middleware selected capable of supporting seamless n-way branching of digital film with integrated Internet access". Sounds impressive. Does it mean anything? <<<< ImaginOn Tapped by Sony Computer Entertainment to Serve Developers of Content for PlayStation2 SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 1999-- One of 45 companies selected by Sony to provide middleware software technology, ImaginOn's ImaginAuthor(TM) is the only middleware selected capable of supporting seamless n-way branching of digital film with integrated Internet access ImaginOn Chief Executive Officer David Schwartz invited to present the company's authoring software at Sony's PS2 developers conference in Japan next week Underscoring the potentially significant long-term strengths of its patented technology in high bandwidth, Internet-based applications, ImaginOn, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMON) today announced that it has been selected by Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. to provide middleware to developers creating content for the Internet-enabled Sony PlayStation(R)2 platform scheduled for launch in 2000. According to ImaginOn Chief Executive Officer David Schwartz, ImaginOn is one of 45 companies selected from around the world to serve on the project -- and the only company whose authoring system supports seamless n-way branching of digital film with integrated Internet access. "As a result, we expect many developers creating content for the new PlayStation 2 will license ImaginAuthor." At Sony's invitation, Schwartz will present ImaginOn's patented authoring technology next week in Japan at Sony's PS2 developers conference. "We are very pleased that Sony has elected to make high-bandwidth Internet access an integral part of the PlayStation 2 business model -- and will not be at all surprised if ImaginOn's software technology helps to make Sony's high-bandwidth Internet-based entertainment strategy a success in 2000." ImaginOn's announcement today follows the one made yesterday by Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. in Tokyo, Japan. In that announcement, Sony said it recognized the potential of broadband networks to offer consumers a vast selection of content and the convenience of download capability. Accordingly, Sony said it would establish broadband based distribution of digital content, beginning with the PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software libraries. With an Ethernet connection to a broadband network such as digital cable, PlayStation2 users will be able to download data-intensive computer entertainment content to hard disc drives to be provided by Sony Computer Entertainment. ImaginOn, Inc., operating through its wholly-owned subsidiary, ImaginOn.com(www.imaginon.com), engineers, produces and sells business and consumer software for CD-ROM and Internet users, including: WebZinger, its product line of Web Research Engines; sellONstream, its e-commerce software solution; and WorldCities 2000 Web/CD travel planners. ImaginOn, Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiary, INOW, Inc., (www.inow.com) provides Internet services including high-speed connectivity, website hosting, website design and e-commerce support. ImaginOn, Inc.'s wholly-owned subsidiary ImaginOn Digital Productions (www.imaginondp.com) designs web sites and advertiser-supported CD-ROMs. WorldCities 2000, sellONstream, WebZinger, and ImaginAuthor are trademarks of ImaginOn.com and are also protected under U.S. Patents. Except for the historical information presented herein, the matters set forth in this press release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provision of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks include acceptance of ImaginAuthor by software developers, the successful development of competitive software to ImaginAuthor, and competitive pricing pressures for ImaginAuthor. In addition, other risks are detailed in the Company's periodic reports and in its Form S-3/A-2 registration statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 26, 1999. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements. --30--sw/ny* CONTACT: Griffin Public Relations & Marketing, New York Bob Griffin, 212/481-3456 Bgriffingriffinpr.com