Utrecht, 14 November, 2002 – Macromedia, Inc. (Nasdaq: MACR) announced that leading websites including Baz Luhrmann’s La Boheme, Fox.com, Siemens, and Universal Studios use Macromedia Flash MX to deliver great end user experiences that seamlessly integrate video-based content. Video content in Macromedia Flash enables an integrated user experience unlike other video playback options that require launching external players and have platform inconsistencies. Macromedia Flash Player is installed on 98 percent of web desktops, with demand for new content already driving Macromedia Flash Player 6 penetration to 53 percent of browsers and platforms.
“Macromedia Flash content with embedded video has become prevalent on leading entertainment and corporate sites because of its ability to make video an integrated part of the user experience,” said Param Singh, director of product management, Macromedia. “La Boheme, Fox.com, Siemens, and Universal Studios are just a few examples of video-based content and applications that would not have been possible before across as many platforms and browsers.”
The Enterprise Networks division of Siemens Information and Communication Networks Inc., a subsidiary of Siemens AG, has developed an infrastructure to erase the boundary between the mobile phone and office phone, reduce redundant communications, help users be productive and responsive while mobile, and automate routine communications transactions such as scheduling. As part of its HiPath unified communications campaign, (http://www.siemensenterprise.com/prod_sol_serv/products/applications/mobility/microsite/index_us.shtml) Siemens uses Macromedia Flash MX to walk users through the benefits and offerings of this detailed platform.
"Macromedia Flash MX enables us to deliver an online presentation using video of a presenter to introduce prospective enterprise customers to our new HiPath product line," said Kelly Telfer, MarCom manager, Siemens. "The video and interactive application enable us to walk users through the high-level benefits of our enterprise telephony offerings."
For Baz Luhrmann's retelling of Puccini's La Boheme, (http://www.bohemeonbroadway.com) which opens on Broadway later this month, site visitors can see the full television commercial as an introduction to the site, giving them a taste of the music and cast as well as a sense of the production value.
“From the very start of the La Boheme marketing campaign, we knew that we wanted our commercial to be the centerpiece of our web presence,” said Carol Chiavetta, director of marketing for Baz Luhrmann’s Production of Puccini’s La Boheme. “After exploring our options, using Macromedia Flash MX was the obvious solution.”
FOX.COM (www.fox.com) uses Macromedia Flash MX to deliver promotional videos for its television shows. From the front page of its website, users can see clips from some of their favorite shows.
Universal Studios uses Macromedia Flash MX to enable site visitors to send e-cards for the upcoming movie 8 Mile, starring Eminem. The e-card (http://www.eminem.com/8mile/ecard/send/) features video from the film and an Eminem song with additional links for people interested in finding out more about the movie.
Macromedia Flash MX can import any standard video file supported by QuickTime or Windows Media Player, including MPEG, DV (Digital Video), MOV (QuickTime), and AVI. Users can then manipulate, scale, rotate, skew, mask, and animate any video objects, as well as make them interactive, using scripting. The video is automatically compressed by the Sorenson Spark codec in Macromedia Flash MX.
Users who want to compress their video content even further can benefit from a Sorenson promotion that will enable them to purchase Sorenson Squeeze for Macromedia Flash MX for $50 off the retail price when they register their copy of Macromedia Flash MX. The offer expires November 30, 2002. Further details will be e-mailed to users when they register their copies of Macromedia Flash MX.
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Macromedia (www.macromedia.com) empowers millions of designers and developers to create effective user experiences across the widest array of platforms and devices. Through an open, integrated family of client, tool, and server technologies, Macromedia is driving a new generation of rich Internet applications that radically improves the Internet experience.
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Copyright 2002 Macromedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Macromedia, the Macromedia logo, and Macromedia Flash are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc., which may be registered in the United States and internationally. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.
For more information on Macromedia: http://www.macromedia.com
Macromedia – Wim Muijsert Leads United – Laureen Dix
Tel.: +31/30 750 40 84 Tel : +31/6.2475.0474
E-mail:wmuijsert@macromedia.com E-mail:laureen.dix@leadsunited.com