MELVILLE, N.Y., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in Nikon's history, the company has created a 30-minute long-form television commercial to help support Nikon dealers' sales efforts. The stars of the long-form are the new Pronea S and Nuvis S ultra-compact Advanced Photo System Cameras. The colorful new 30-miniute commercial will make its debut in 15 major markets, beginning October 18. Complete with a toll-free number for viewers to call, the 30-minute commercial introduces the ease-of-use and joy of the Nuvis S and Pronea S cameras to amateur photographers in a fun environment. Although the cameras are being sold through the 30-minute commercial, the main goal is to drive retail sales through authorized Nikon dealers and to promote Advanced Photo System photography.

"We had an involved story to tell, and the longer format allows us to explain all the features of our Advanced Photo System cameras to TV audiences, including honeymooners, families, vacationers," said Jerry Grossman, general manager of communications at Nikon. "Our objective is to raise consumer awareness of Nikon's line of stylish cameras in support our dealers sales efforts."

The first option callers will receive when they phone the toll-free number is to locate their closest Nikon dealer. Callers next have the option to buy the camera directly. However, the direct prices of $299 for the sleek, compact Nuvis S and $419 for the Pronea S are higher than typical dealer pricing, thus making dealer purchase the preferred option. The commercial was filmed on the Grand Princess cruise liner in the Mediterranean. Princess Cruise Line is one of Nikon's marketing partners, and has equipped on-board photo labs with Advanced Photo System film processing capabilities.

Twenty assorted Nikon Pronea S and Nuvis S advanced photo system cameras were given to 20 Grand Princess passengers. The documentary-style commercial recorded their candid impressions as they used the cameras. The passengers were filmed taking pictures while visiting romantic Venice, Naples, Capri, Florence, Monte Carlo and Pompeii. The results were extraordinary. All of the testimonials from passengers were extremely positive, stressing the ease-of-use, fun, and exceptional photographic results that are the hallmark of Nikon cameras.

"Travel and photography are perfect partners. Anybody who has ever been on a cruise knows how important it is to have a camera with them to capture their memories," Grossman said. "We were able to demonstrate the cameras' ease of use and their Advanced Photo System features in a setting where cameras are really put to the test."

In addition to Pronea S and Nuvis S cameras, the long form commercial also features Kodak Advantix film and Princess Cruise Lines -- Nikon's partners in creating the long form commercial. Nikon tested the long form commercial in several markets during June and July The tests supported the earlier market research that indicated local retail dealer sales would increase each time the commercial appeared. The long form commercial is also being supported by print advertising, as well as marketing materials in retail locations.

Kodak Professional Names James Reisteter to New Channel Position; Reisteter Also to Assume Digital Product Marketing Duties

ROCHESTER, N.Y., October 12--James J. Reisteter has been named General Manager, Channels, U.S. and Canada (US&C) region and Vice President, Kodak Professional. In his new post, Reisteter will be responsible for channel strategy, sales and channel programs, as well as sales channel operations for the US&C region of Kodak Professional.

In addition, to developing channel strategy and a digital business model, Reisteter will assume responsibilities as Director of Product Marketing for the Digital Business, Digital Capture and Digital Output for Commercial Imaging in the US&C region.

"As Kodak Professional's business evolves, it's essential that our sales channel strategy evolves as well," said Jeff McLeod, Regional Business General Manager, Kodak Professional, and Vice President, Eastman Kodak Company. "We're counting on Jim to strengthen relationships with our Kodak Professional products network dealers while expanding into new channels such as value added resellers, integrators and applications developers that will be particularly critical for our digital product line."

Reisteter joins Kodak Professional from Kodak's Document Imaging Division, where most recently he held the position of Director, Worldwide Marketing and Channel Sales. He brings to Kodak Professional more than 18 years of channel marketing, channel strategy and sales management experience with leading technology companies including Hayes, Delrina and Government Technology Services, Inc.

He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing and economics.

Hurricane Floyd Blows Nobody Any Good

While Hurricane Floyd bypassed the coastal communities which had been most concerned at the early warning stage, many towns in areas previously thought to be safe from flood suffered the most. Millburn Camera, in Millburn New Jersey, had 30" of water in the store itself and some five feet in the basement. Apparently the downtown store was keeping the flood waters out until somebody's potted tree crashed through the glass, letting in the destructive waters.

At Town & Country Stores' buying show in Willow Grove, PA, many dealers expressed their sorrow at seeing so many pictures of their customers' damages.

That show had lighter-than-usual attendance from dealers, while the Photofair Buying Show and the MotoPhoto shows were extremely weak due to storm concerns.

Skip Cohen Leaves Hasselblad USA, Allen Zimmerman Interim President

Fairfield, NJ - In September Skip Cohen, President of Hasselblad USA, announced he would be leaving the company for an opportunity to join an Internet start up venture involved in photography. He will join PhotoAlley as President, effective October 1, 1999.

"This was an extremely hard decision to make. We're having a phenomenal year and everyone knows how much I love Hasselblad. However, I have to take on the new challenge. The company is in extremely good hands with Allen Zimmerman as Interim President," said Cohen.

Allen Zimmerman, a founding member of the Hasselblad USA team, has been appointed Interim President. Zimmerman and Cohen have worked together for over 12 years, since Cohen joined Hasselblad in 1987. As Vice President, Mr. Zimmerman has been involved in every detail of the company's operation.

"It is always challenging to deal with changes in any successful operation, as the management as well as all members of the HUSA sales force and staff form one of the strongest teams in the industry. We are confident their success in the USA market will continue," said Göran Bernhoff, President and CEO of the Hasselblad group based in Gothenburg, Sweden. He also said that "Skip Cohen will be missed by all his colleagues within the Hasselblad Group. All of us wish him great success in his new job."

Chuck Wolf Sees Future for PMDA Meeting

NEW YORK, NY - September 27, 1999 - Chuck Wolf, President and CEO of Wotf Cameras, recently addressed photo manufacturers and specialty dealers at the Photolmaging Manufacturers & Distributors Association (PMDA) meeting held in New York City and announced that Wolf Camera will open five retail locations in New York City during the next year. 

Wolf, long regarded as one of the most successful leaders and entrepreneurs in the retail photographic industry, founded the Atlanta-based Wolf Camera company in 1974. Wolf Camera experienced explosive growth in 1998, primarily through the acquisition of 450 CPI/Fox Photo and Proex stores. In 1999, a year after the acquisition, store presence has greatly increased in key existing markets, such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Memphis, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The company now operates approximately 700 locations in 30 states and has more than 7,000 associates. 

Starting oft his presentation, Wolf shared the changes he has witnessed during the past 25 years and believes that those changes will seem small when compared with the changes to come over the next 25 years. He believes that the past and future share one important common denominator - the need to accept and embrace change. Wolf stated that the current photographic retail industry represents more potential for revenue and profit growth than at any time in its history despite its label of being a mature business.

Wolf encourages professionals in the photography retail business to be ready to respond to the rapidly changing photo retail landscape. But first, the tremendous strength and future offered by traditional photographic products and services must be recognized. "At Wolf Camera, we view the 35mm and the 24mm Advanced Photo System color roll as the 'atom' of our business," said Wolf. "It is the 'basic unit of life.' From the color roll, all good things come."

As for his 30 years of personal involvement in this business, Wolf says, "I have never experienced a period like the one in which we are now operating." He noted the following examples of what are common in the photographic industry today:

• A rapid pace of new product introductions and new technologies
• A rapid consolidation of ownership
• Tremendous economic growth and expansion
• A time with more competition than ever before

"Although we are facing new and diflicult competition challenges for the first-time from non-traditional sources such as the Internet, I am actually more optimistic about our industry than ever before," said Wolf.

Wolf doesn't view digital technology or the Internet as threats to his business. Instead, he sees both as tremendous opportunities for growing business. He feels digital photography is an opportunity to introduce customers to a new and exciting way to use their pictures and images in ways they never have before, not as an alternative to traditional picture-taking, but as a complement to it. Despite new technologies, and despite the digital hype, Wolf sees the photography business growing strongly in three different, though closely-related directions - 35mm, 24mm Advanced Photo System, and digital.

'The powerful combination of 35mm, 24mm Advanced Photo System, video, and digital has given photo retailers more to talk about, more to sell, and more profit-generating opportunities than ever before," noted Wolf. Believing that the vast majority of consumers are not going to change their traditional photography patterns anytime soon, Wolf said, "Consumers want service, quality, convenience and competitive prices, and most importantly, they own millions and millions of 35mm and Advanced Photo System cameras. They have a lot of traditional picture-taking left in them."

One thing, according to Wolf, that remains true for the future photography business is that output is everything. The huge potential of digital output services must be recognized. The recent dramatic increases in digital camera sales and the resulting difficulties in customers' receiving quality output of their images only stresses the importance of addressing output.

As for the Internet, Wolf views e-commerce as a concern. "While online shopping is growing dramatically in many retail categories, we still believe consumers want great customer service," said Wolf. 'They want to touch and feel the product, interact with a human being who can answer their questions; they want a pleasant and memorable experience in a clean and professional-looking retail store, and they want hassle-free return privileges.. .and none of this is available on the Internet."

Wolf cited The Home Depot as an excellent case study of a company that doesn't want manufacturers competing for their business via the Internet. The Home Depot no longer carries products in its stores if manufacturers sell them on the Internet. "It was interesting to me that The Home Depot said they would not be put in the position of purchasing products from vendors who were also, in effect, competitors," said Wolf. "I'm not exactly sure how this will all play out, but there are a lot of us in the retail business who are watching The Home Depot situation with interest."

Wolf currently serves on the Board of Advisors at the Georgia State University Business School and the Board of Visitors at Emory University. He is Vice Chairman of Member Services and Small Business Council for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the board of directors for the following organizations: First Union Bank, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and the Golf Club of Georgia.

Fuji Garners EISA and TIPA Awards

ELMSFORD, NY - Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. is proud to announce that two prestigious industry organizations, the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) and the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), have recognized Fujifilm products to receive this year's highly prized EISA and TIPA awards. 

EISA, an organization of 40 leading photography, video, audio, home theater and multimedia magazines from 18 European countries, chose two Fujifilm products for the Photo Awards of the Year 1999-2000. FujifIm will receive EISA awards tor its Fujifilm Fotonex l000ix MRC camera for the 24mm Advanced Photo System, (known as Endeavor 1000ix MRC Tiara camera in the United States), and for its New Fujicolor Superia 35mm film line. 

In voting the Fujifilm Fotonex l000ix MRC the "European APS Camera of the Year 1999-2000," the EISA Photo Panel noted, "Fujifilm Fotonex l000ix MRC is one of the strongest APS compact cameras ever, thanks to its attractively designed titanium shell. Its exceptionally small size makes it an ideal partner for any memorable situation. A high quality 24mm lens, active AF system, extensive APS features, like three formats and MRC function, provide easy operation,

EISA also recognized the New Fujicolor Superia Film as the "European Color Print Film of the Year 1999-2000" touting, "Fuji's unique technology of four color layers is now available for all amateur photographers. The extra layer ensures better rendering of hues, especially in the green portion of the spectrum. The layer also improves the reproduction of true colors in fluorescent-lit situations...This superb film technology is offered in the New Superia 100, 200, 400 35mm films and also in Fujicolor Nexia Dl 00, A200 and H400 APS films."