Full text of Dazzle announcement (CUBE inside)...........
Dazzle Multimedia Signs Agreements With Leading Retailers; CompUSA,
Fry's, Egghead, NECX and Future Shop to Distribute Snazzi and Dazzle
FREMONT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 1998--Dazzle Multimedia (formerly LA Vision) the leading provider of
affordable personal video computing products today announced partnerships with a number of industry-leading retail chains
and on-line retailers, including CompUSA, Fry's, Egghead Computer, NECX and Future Shop Superstores. These
well-known retailers join the world's largest distributor Ingram Micro, and top retailers such as Tiger Direct, J&R Music
World, T-Zone as well as over 20 other retailers, catalog sales companies, Internet sales companies and distributors that are
selling Dazzle Multimedia products worldwide. The company's products, Dazzle and Snazzi, are based on the MPEG-1
industry standard which allows the highest quality full motion video to be captured, edited and placed into popular Windows
applications in seconds. "These agreements support our strategy to acquire broad distribution that reflects our consumer
product focus," said David Taylor, President of Dazzle Multimedia. "Our distribution strategy is working. In just over three
months the number of major distributors and retailers carrying our products has more than tripled. Consumer response has
been incredibly positive and many retailers and distributors have already placed multiple reorders." "We've built a successful
business on our ability to identify products that appeal to a broad base of computer buyers," said Larry Mondry, CompUSA's
executive vice president of merchandising. "We're very enthusiastic about Dazzle and Snazzi. We're confident that our retail
strength and Dazzle Multimedia's products will make a winning combination."
CompUSA
CompUSA is one of the nation's leading retailers and resellers of personal computers and related products and services. The
Company currently operates 148 CompUSA Computer Superstores, in 67 major metropolitan markets across the United
States, which serve retail, corporate, government and education customers and include technical service departments and
classroom training facilities.
Egghead Computer
Egghead is one of the premier national resellers of computer hardware, software, peripherals and accessories. Through three
primary sales channels, namely its web sites -- www.egghead.com, www.surplusdirect.com, and www.surplusauction.com --
its direct sales catalog (1-800-EGGHEAD) and Egghead Computer retail stores, Egghead generated revenues of $415 million
for 1997. At retail Egghead currently operates 83 stores in 25 markets. Each store offers desktop and laptop computers,
software, accessories and peripherals, as well as upgrade and installation services.
Fry's Electronics
Fry's was founded in 1985 as a one-stop shopping experience for the hi-tech professional. Fry's carry products ranging from
chips and components to consumer electronics and appliances. Fry's is privately held with 16 stores located throughout the
western U.S. Products offered range from computers to computer chips. The company provides full service and support
seven days a week, 365 days a year.
NECX
Founded in 1980, NECX is the largest, most comprehensive independent source for the purchase and sale of electronic
components, computer products and networking equipment worldwide. In the U.S., NECX developed the first
Internet-based, transaction-capable on-line e-commerce site in 1993 and now operates the largest and most complete
e-commerce site for computer products on the Internet with over 15,000 visitors per day. NECX customers fall into two
categories. They include large-volume purchasers and sellers of electronic components, computer products, and networking
equipment including OEMs, system integrators, manufacturers, and franchised distributors, as well as corporate IT, higher
education and consumers. Product can be ordered via the NECX web site at www.necx.com .
Future Shop Superstores
With over 76 stores in Canada and 24 stores in the U.S., Future Shop is one of North America's fastest growing electronic
retailers. The company carries a broad range of electronic products including offerings from IBM, Compaq, Apple, HP, NEC,
Canon, Panasonic, Motorola, Epson and more. Future Shop was founded in 1982.
About Snazzi and Dazzle
Dazzle and Snazzi allow home and business users to add true digital quality, full motion video to their favorite Windows
95-based entertainment and business applications to create full-screen movies and multimedia projects quickly and easily. The
company's solutions are based on the MPEG (Motion Pictures Expert Group) international standard which has been adopted
by industry leaders such as Microsoft, IBM, DEC, Sony and Hitachi. Dazzle is an easy to install 5.25" x 3" external adapter
that snaps directly onto a computer's external parallel port in seconds. Snazzi is a PCI add-in card. Both products use a
friendly five button on-screen software control panel that's easier to use than the typical TV remote control. Users can preview
and see recorded images instantly. Both products allow users to capture video and snapshots from any video source including
a camcorder, VCR, TV, laserdisc or DVD. Dazzle has a suggested retail price of $299 and Snazzi's suggested retail price is
$399.
About Dazzle Multimedia
Dazzle Multimedia, a privately-held company with headquarters in Fremont, Calif., develops and markets personal video
computing products that let the mainstream user quickly and easily capture, edit, manage and communicate full motion video
and still images. The company's products, Dazzle and Snazzi, are based on the MPEG-1 standard which provides the highest
quality video and allows for seamless integration of stills and videos into popular Windows applications. Dazzle Multimedia is
located at 45778 Northport Loop West, Fremont, CA 94538. Dazzle Multimedia can be reached at 888/436-4348,
510/623-5880, or via fax at 510/623-5894 or via the Internet at dazzlemultimedia.com .
Note to Editors: Dazzle Multimedia, Snazzi and Dazzle are trademarks of Dazzle Multimedia, Inc.
CONTACT: Stirling & Karbo, Inc.
Danielle Tatman, 415/513-0977
dtatman@skco.com |
