Monday October 11, 10:53 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
SOURCE: Perceptronics, Inc.
WalkerGroup/CNI Chooses Perceptronics IC3D
Framework to Extend Retail And Branding Capabilities
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Perceptronics, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: PCTR - news) announced
today that it had formed a strategic and technical alliance with WalkerGroup/CNI, a cutting edge design and retail
consultancy firm based in New York, NY. The object of the alliance is to create innovative virtual retailing environments
and new multi-sensory consumer experiences for the Internet based upon actual shopping/entertainment venues or branded
advertising/public relations campaigns. The alliance will build its approaches on WalkerGroup/CNI's creative design
capabilities and experience working with the world's leading retailers and Perceptronics' IC3D(TM) technology for
collaborative 3D interaction over the Internet and other networks.
WalkerGroup/CNI, which also has offices in Los Angeles, Toyko and Madrid, has earned a reputation as one of the world's
foremost retail and brand design firms through its work with such prestigious clients as AT&T, FAO Schwartz, Pepsi Cola,
Galeries Lafayette, IKEA, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Chase Manhattan, Bank of America, Ford, Barnes & Noble,
MTV and Goodyear. The firm recently added Tommy Hilfiger to its list of illustrious clients. WalkerGroup/CNI is a wholly
owned subsidiary of the WPP Group plc, one of the leading advertising and communications consultancies in the world. The
WPP Group is comprised of world renowned companies such as J. Walter Thompson and Ogilvy & Mather in advertising
and Hill & Knowlton in public relations. It has 950 offices in 92 countries, with worldwide gross billings exceeding $13
billion annually. WalkerGroup/CNI is distinguished from its peers by its integrated strategic approach to a retail identity
program. This incorporates many separate components, including its trademark process of EnviroBranding©. The
EnviroBranding© process represents the tangible expression of a brand identity through the creation of a 3-dimensional
space and the multi-sensory experiences that are integral to complete environments that merge shopping and entertainment.
The alliance between WalkerGroup/CNI and Perceptronics will allow the companies to extend significantly the range of
retail and entertainment experiences offered to WalkerGroup/CNI clients. In addition to applying WalkerGroup/CNI's design
capabilities into the important and rapidly growing area of Internet virtual retail spaces and multi-sensory experiences, the
parties plan to use Perceptronics' IC3D technology to bring the excitement of collaborative virtual interaction into existing
and future shopping/entertainment venues. Currently the companies are working on selection of clients for initial
presentations.
Mark E. Pucci, chairman and chief executive officer of WalkerGroup/CNI, said, ``In considering how to extend our design
and consulting activities to virtual environments, a major objective was to maintain our high standards of creativity and
innovation. We wanted to offer new distinctive capabilities to our clients, not just the standard Web site design services. We
believe that there is significant room for improvement in the virtual shopping experience; but we also believe that physical
stores and shopping locations will continue to be a crucial part of a total retail and branding program. We see a great chance
to merge the benefits provided by each approach, and the alliance with Perceptronics allows us to exercise fully our creative
imagination.'
``Specifically, we are excited by the capabilities Perceptronics' technology provides for creating unique virtual 3D retail
venues, multi-person shared shopping activities, intelligent 3D avatars to provide personalized assistance and interaction,
new forms of simulation-based entertainment, and even improved methods of client communication. We look forward to
making the same bold impact on the virtual retail environment that we have made on the physical retail environment.'
``Dr. Gershon Weltman, Perceptronics' chairman and CEO, said, 'Multi-sensory shared experiences in 3D environments is
what our IC3D Technology is all about. WalkerGroup/CNI are world masters of 3D space design and
shopping/entertainment experiences. Merging real and virtual environments is a natural transition in light of today's ever
improving computer capabilities and the public's growing appreciation of virtual interaction. It is very familiar to us, from
our previous work in defense simulation. We are gratified to have our technology selected by WalkerGroup/CNI, and are
most enthused by the possibility of working together on high-visibility and high-value projects.``
Perceptronics performs research and development and manufactures and markets computer-based simulation systems for
military and commercial training and decision support. A description of the IC3D Technology and the demonstration
HOTRC collaborative rowing simulation is found on the Internet at ic3d.perceptronics.com. Information about the
Company itself is found at perceptronics.com.
More information about WalkerGroup/CNI, its philosophy and its methodology, including a portfolio of projects, can be
found on the Internet at walkergroupcni.com.
Statements regarding Perceptronics' expectations about growth and marketing strategies, new and existing products, future
financial performance and other Forward Looking Statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These include,
without limitation, technological factors, competitive factors and cash flow factors, uncertainties relating to foreign and
defense-related sales, and requirements for additional financing for development and marketing activities. These and other
risks and uncertainties are discussed in greater detail from time to time in the Company's SEC filings and reports.
SOURCE: Perceptronics, Inc. |
