Konica Minolta UK Press Release

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Limited announce internal restructure

Following a wide reaching internal review encompassing all operations, Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Limited announces managerial, structural and operational changes.

Managing Director, Mr Akihiko Nezu returns to Japan to take a new role within Konica Minolta. Toshihiro Matsumoto will replace him; previously President of Konica Minolta Photo Imaging France. He will take over from Akihiko Nezu from May 2005.

As part of a drive to improve logistics and cost effectiveness the warehousing sited within Milton Keynes of the legacy Minolta camera business will close. All camera distribution will be transferred to the Konica Minolta warehousing facility in Feltham, Middlesex. This will result in enforced redundancies within the Milton Keynes operation. The Konica Minolta Service Division that also operates from this location will not be affected by this change.

Adobe UK Press Release

STOCKLEY PARK, UK. — April 08 2005 — Adobe® Systems today announced the return of Adobe Live for 2005. Building on the success of last year’s event, Adobe Live will be even bigger and better than before, with a larger exhibition area plus a wider variety of seminars including demonstrations of the brand new Adobe Creative Suite 2. Once again, the event is free to attend and is taking place on May 26th and 27th at the Business Design Centre, Islington.

Adobe Live is designed to help creative professionals, from all areas of industry, get the most out of Adobe software. Three key themes take precedence this year: Digital Imaging, Publishing, Design and Advertising – so if you’re in print or web design, advertising or photography – make sure you don’t miss out!

Konica Minolta make some very nice digital cameras, but it doesn’t sound as if that is enough, as the company announced a 38% cut in its operating profit target for the next business year. Ominously the digital camera side of things was blamed at a press conference on Friday:

“Konica Minolta gets more than half of its sales and most of its profit from office equipment, but its photo imaging division, which handles film and cameras, has been its Achilles’ heel. The division is headed for a ¥9 billion loss this business year. “We will scale down our photo imaging business in step with the shrinking of the overall market and will rush to get the business out of the red,” Konica Minolta President Fumio Iwai told a briefing held to unveil a new medium-term business plan.”

Website: CNN Money - Konica Minolta cuts profit target by 38%

Further evidence that the digicam boom is slowing down comes from a Reuters report which says that Japanese exports of digital cameras fell for the first time ever last month. A sharp drop in shipments to Europe was blamed for the 0.9 % decline. Exports to Europe in February dropped by over 10%. Japan’s Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) compiled the report.

Website: Japan Digital Camera Exports Down First Time

Whilst companies like Canon and Nikon turn their attention to selling more high-end digital SLRs, Casio are focusing on providing quality cameras that provide innovative features like digital video, in a report over on Macworld.

”“We are not trying to invade the Digital SLR space and we are not trying to be the lowest price out there with the highest number of megapixels. We are trying to go after the consumer value—value not defined as lowest price, but benefits we bring that are real benefits given the price.

“We are excited about digital video—this so-called convergence product, said Clough. “We think we can do it in a way that doesn’t just replicate what’s being done but brings new dimensions of usage to the consumer.”

Website: Macworld - Casio president talks digital camera strategy

TrendWatch Graphic Arts Press Release

TWGA DIGITAL IMAGING REPORT EXAMINES THE MARKET(S) FOR DIGITAL CAMERAS AND SCANNERS IN THE GRAPHIC COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY

NEW YORK - March 30, 2005—TrendWatch Graphic Arts today released its special report titled “A Decade of DI: The TrendWatch Graphic Arts Perspective on the Changing Market for Digital Imaging Equipment.” The report provides a complete view of both the historical and current markets for digital cameras and scanners in the graphic arts, as well as the forces driving and impeding the market for both types of devices. The graphic arts markets that TWGA looks at comprise printers, prepress firms, graphic design and production firms, publishers, and Internet design and development companies.

The report draws on both the extensive TWGA historical databases and current market survey reports to provide a complete picture of planned investment in digital imaging hardware. The report also provides detailed breakdowns of which price ranges of each type of device are preferred by each market. Other trending data provides both an historical and contemporary context for investment in digital imaging hardware.

Tom’s Hardware Guide have published a brief but fascinating interview with Chuck Westfall, Manager of the Canon’s Cameras Technical Information Department.

“Is there a theoretical limit on megapixels? Does the consumer care about high pixel counts?

“Consumers generally don’t care about really high megapixel counts. It’s the commercial studio that need to do double page spreads or 11 inch by 7 inch prints at 300dpi. We don’t think there will be a huge jump in megapixels, rather it will be incremental, like f-stops. The Canon 1DS Mark II is at 16 megapixels, our next camera might have 22 megapixels. “

Website: Tom’s Hardware Guide - THG Interviews Canon Cameras

Lexar Media Press Release

Jury Awards Lexar Over $380 Million For Toshiba’s Theft of Trade Secrets and Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Jury To Consider Punitive Damages Tomorrow

FREMONT, CA, March 23, 2005 – Lexar Media, Inc. (Nasdaq:LEXR), a leading marketer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media and accessories, today announced that after a six week trial, the jury found Toshiba Corporation (JP:6502) and Toshiba America Electronic Components, Inc. (PNK:TOSBF.PK) liable of breach of fiduciary duty and theft of trade secrets and awarded Lexar over $380 million in damages. 

The jury also found that Toshiba’s and TAEC’s actions were oppressive, fraudulent or malicious, which supports an award of punitive damages.  Evidence and argument will be presented to the jury tomorrow on the amount of punitive damages.

Thanks to Sanj for letting me know.

The UK’s biggest photographer retailer, Jessops, saw its share price fall by 30% this week as it announced a profit warning. Market analysts slashed 25 to 30% off their profit forecasts, causing Jessops share price to fall 47½p to 107p.

“The company said sales of digital cameras had collapsed in February as shoppers stayed away from the high street. Chief executive Derek Hine said: “It was like a tap was turned off. This is new territory for us. I’ve been in this business for seven years and I’ve experienced nothing like this. This is off the Richter scale.’’”

Telegraph - Jessops hurt as camera sales go out of focus

Following Kodak’s recent acquisition of Ofoto, HP have followed in their footsteps by announcing that they have bought the popular online photo service Snapfish.

HP Press Release

Acquisition enables HP to provide consumers with more choice for sharing, storing, printing photos; broadens HP’s position in the digital photography market

PALO ALTO, Calif., March 21, 2005
HP today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Snapfish, a leading online photo service.

Snapfish’s expertise in online photo services, coupled with HP’s worldwide customer reach, will rapidly enhance HP’s ability to capitalize on the growing market for online photo printing.

Snapfish offers high-quality photo products and services. These include free online photo sharing, photo storage and management, free editing tools and software, online print ordering, wireless imaging services for camera phone and color handset users, and more than 70 personalized photo products, such as calendars, mousepads and the like.

Reuters has an interesting interview with Canon’s European chief of Consumer Imaging, Mogens Jensen, about Canon’s short-term strategy.

“Surging demand for digital compact cameras in Europe is slowing, and Japan’s Canon Inc. said on Friday it was focusing on more expensive cameras, printers, and even flat screen televisions. Last year saw digital camera sales in Western Europe increase 58 percent to just over 25 million units, but while that growth may slow to 25 to 30 percent amid continued price pressure, the market for more advanced digital Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras will double by the end of 2006.”

Website: Reuters - Canon refocuses as digital camera growth slows

Luminous Landscape have just published a show report from the Photo Imaging Expo in Tokyo, which is Japan’s biggest photography show, including news of 3 pigment-based large format printers from Canon - the Canon W8400, Canon W6400 and Canon W2200S.

“More interesting were the new Canon large format printers W6400 (A1) and W8400 (B1). These were released in Japan just a week ago. They seem to offer 2400*1200 DPI at 4 pl and use 7 inks (Bk, MBk, C, M, Y, PC and PM). Just like on the Epson printer, one black is for glossy paper, the second one is for matte paper. The W6400 can print up to 609*18000 mm, while the W8400 can go up to a paper width of 1117 mm. They are able to do exact borderless prints on A and B standards papers. The default print drivers ships with .icc profiles for the Canon papers compatible with this printer (at least Glossy photo and semi-gloss photo). Canon does also market 12 meters rolls of Hahnemuhle Photo Rag 188 and 308 for the 2 printers.”

Website: Luminous Landscape - Photo Imaging Expo Report

Further information on Canon’s new large-format printers can be found here:

Website: JCN Network - Canon Introduces Versatile New Large-format Inkjet Printers

Following the lead of virtually every other camera manufacturer (except Canon), Konica Minolta has lowered its full-year to March 2005 earnings and revenue forecasts, according to a news report on Yahoo. Recent digital camera price falls in what has become a competitive market are partly to blame, along with a failure to introduce new products in its information equipment business. “Although we introduced high-end SLR digital camera products in the third quarter (to December), which raised the average price of digital cameras by 20 pct from a year earlier, the average price for the whole year (to March) is estimated to fall by 4 pct,’ said Kiyofumi Tanida, head of accounting.”

Website: Yahoo News

Giottos Press Release

Giottos, manufacturer of high quality, highly innovative tripods, monopods and accessories, have appointed JP Distribution as their exclusive distributor for the UK. 

“Giottos is excited about the potential opportunities that will result from the appointment of JP Distribution as our UK distributor. Giottos have concentrated on producing products that are of an exceptional quality and design at competitive prices. JP Distribution has impressed us with their professionalism and excellence as a value added distributor of leading brands. Giottos are convinced that our brand will flourish within JP Distribution’s complementary portfolio ultimately allowing more customers to enjoy the benefits of our range of premium products”, commented Yvonne Shen, Managing Director – International Sales.

NPPA Press Release

DURHAM, NC (March 9, 2005) ­ The National Press Photographers Association, the society of professional photojournalism, today said that Newsweek magazine’s use of an altered photograph of Martha Stewart on its cover last week was “a major ethical breach.” Stewart’s head was superimposed upon the body of a model who was photographed separately in a Los Angeles studio, and the composite image was published on Newsweek’s cover.

“NPPA finds it a total breach of ethics and completely misleading to the public,” NPPA president Bob Gould said today. “The magazine’s claim that there was a mention on Page 3 that it was an illustration is not a fair disclosure. The average reader isn’t going to know that it isn’t Martha Stewart’s body in the photograph. The public often distrusts the media and this just gives them one more reason. This type of practice erodes the credibility of all journalism, not just one publication.”

Canon UK Press Release

IDC names Canon number one in European digital camera market for third consecutive year

· International Data Corporation (IDC) annual research positions Canon in first place for Western European digital camera sales in 2004
· 58% annual growth recorded for Western European digital camera market in 2004
· Canon supports predicted 2005 D-SLR market growth with launch of the EOS 350D

Figures released by analyst house IDC confirm that Canon, leader in photographic and imaging technology, is the market leader in Western European digital camera sales for the third consecutive year.

Canon increased its leadership position in 2004 to claim a 16.8% share of the entire Western European digital camera market, which saw total shipments across all brands exceed 25 million units . With sales of 4.2 million units of digital SLR (D-SLR) and compact digital cameras in 2004, Canon has achieved an increase of over 66.6% on equivalent sales in 2003. 

According to IDC research, 38.4 million (24.4%) of all households in Western Europe own a digital camera. This trend looks set to continue with household penetration rates expected to increase further in 2005.

Kodak Press Release

Picture Archiving and Sharing Standard (PASS) Specification v1.0 Now Complete

Specification will facilitate the development of compatible products and services to help ensure consumer’s future enjoyment of digital pictures and videos

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 20—Eastman Kodak Company, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd., and Konica Minolta Photo Imaging, Inc. today announced the completion of a set of standards for the consumer imaging and electronics industries, setting a path to help ensure compatibility of digital photos and motion images on CDs, DVDs or other media with a broad range of consumer products.

The online edition of the Independent ran an interesting story yesterday on photography and how it is viewed in the United Kingdom. Having lived in London myself for a few years and now living in Paris,  it’s quite startling to see how much more the French are into photography as an art form, with lots of galleries and a constant cycle of exhibitions. So it’s good to read that the Photographer’s Gallery in London is moving to a bigger home in Soho.

“Hopefully photography will finally have the same status as it has in Europe and North America. Britain is quite unique compared with our European neighbours in how we don’t ‘get’ photography. This will be very good for London and will secure the city as a place where contemporary culture is seen and made.”

Website: The Independent - How photography in London got a glossier image

Konica Minolta UK Press Release

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Limited Management Restructure

Konica Minolta Photo Imaging (UK) Limited announces changes to management positions.

By mutual agreement Laurie Moore, Sales and Marketing Director stands down with immediate effect. Laurie Moore joined Minolta (UK) Limited in 1993 as General Manager of the Photographic Division presiding over record growth, notably between 1993 to 2003, quadrupling turnover and profitability. Laurie played a major role in the successful merger of Konica and Minolta in 2003. He leaves Konica Minolta having established a firm foundation for growth and continued strength within a competitive marketplace.

DxO Labs Press Release

DXO LABS APPOINTS FORMER NOKIA EXECUTIVE LAURENT SAMAMA TO HEAD ITS MOBILE IMAGING BUSINESS

Paris, France, February 10, 2005 – DxO Labs, a software company focused on research in digital imaging, announces that Laurent Samama has joined the management team of the company as Vice President, Mobile Imaging.

“In this position, Laurent will be in charge of DxO Labs’ business with the mobile industry at large, including mobile network operators and cameraphone vendors,” says Jerome Meniere, founder and CEO of DxO Labs. “Mobile imaging is a considerable growth opportunity for DxO Labs and his 15 years of international management experience in this industry is a real asset for us.”

Before joining DxO Labs, Laurent spent 10 years with Nokia where he held various senior management positions. As managing director of Nokia France, he significantly increased the company’s business and presence in this country. He later relocated to the Silicon Valley to head one of the company’s global business units delivering end-to-end mobile business solutions. Through strategic partnerships with the IT industry, he also developed new markets globally, particularly mobile banking.