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Technology Stocks : Seagate Technology -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Ben Wu who wrote (6350)	12/1/1998 10:45:00 PM
From: DJBEINO	Respond to of 7841

Comdex wrap-up: Seagate had wildest booth Erik Espe While thousands of people couldn't help but notice the conspicuous absences of Intel Corp., IBM and other biggies from the floor of Comdex this year, they also couldn't ignore the more-than-impressive presence of Scotts Valley-based Seagate Technology Inc., which arguably had the best booth at the show. Featuring an ultra-wide-screen movie theater showing a 3-D film and laser show pushing Seagate's hardware and software; a small, futuristic meeting room that looked like something out of "Star Trek: The Next Generation"; and employees wearing futuristic ties and shiny shirts, the booth truly got the attention of conference goers. It marked the first time in five years that Seagate had rented space on the showroom floor. The company is on a crusade to make general consumers aware of its brand name, much like Intel has done. "We want to brand Seagate so that people outside the IT industry will know what Seagate is," said Phil Montero, manager of corporate communications. "Branding is a critical differentiator." The company also is attempting to reposition itself. Officials hope to get consumers to see Seagate as a one-stop solutions provider for data storage needs, rather than simply a disk drive manufacturer. The company produces a wide range of storage devices and software, Mr. Montero noted. "Don't look at Seagate as just your drive," he said. "Seagate offers a lot more." As part of its new marketing approach, Seagate has adapted the slogan "Information the way you want it." At the Comdex booth, the walls glowed green inside and outside the featured meeting room to lead attendees to see the 19-year-old company in a more futuristic light. "It's a new color scheme for us," he said. "It's green, metallic, futuristic." Mr. Montero wouldn't divulge how much Seagate spent on the booth--only that it was "significant." "Just coming to Comdex is expensive," he said. "Exhibit space is expensive. Booth property is expensive. You can't get half-pregnant. Either you're going to do it, or you're not." Shugart meets with VC clients in Vegas For several years before this, Seagate had steered clear of the convention floor, instead renting suites in the Nugget hotel in downtown Las Vegas and entertaining customers there. So it was no surprise to see Seagate's founder and former CEO, Al Shugart, staying at the hotel and meeting with potential clients for his new venture capital company, Al Shugart International. Mr. Shugart was fired from Seagate in July after the board decided it was time for new blood following layoffs at the company, which was losing market share in the growing disk drive industry. Seagate president and COO Stephen Luczo was named CEO in his place. Mr. Shugart is nonetheless considered a Silicon Valley legend. At Comdex, he announced that his new VC firm was making its first investment: in Blue Sky Research, a San Jose-based optical storage technology company. ASI is investing $500,000 in the startup. amcity.com

To: Ben Wu who wrote (6350)	12/2/1998 9:40:00 AM
From: William Epstein	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 7841

Ben Wu; Thank you for the article covering Al Shugart. However, I am interested, right now, in the stock's recent performance. Yesterday was the first really exciting day, as a stock watcher, I've had since 96, concerning SEG. If the stock continues to perform this way we are in a very bullish situation and I will buy on every weakness. I notice now that the fundamentalists woke up yesterday and are now beginning to speculate about where the top will be. I agree with them. It's worth speculating, indeed fun but I think we have several months of rising price before any decisions need to be made. PHOTOMAN