HP Press Release 17/06/04

HP to teach eBay marketplace users how to easily capture, share and print high-quality digital photos

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 17, 2004
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HP today announced that it will provide digital photography content and products to the eBay community, sharing expert tips and techniques with the nearly 105 million registered eBay users.

To back this effort, HP will develop the HP Digital Photography Zone area on eBay.com (www.hp.com/go/ebay), which is designed to provide a total digital photography educational experience. The Zone will highlight how digital photography solutions can make it simpler and easier for consumers to capture, share, manage and print digital images at home for their eBay business, as well as their personal use.

Approximately 59 percent of eBay users own a digital camera and the digital images they take are often a vital part of the online buying and selling process. Buyers frequently prefer to see a picture of the product they are considering before making a purchase.

“Together with eBay, HP is leading the charge in delivering a simple and rewarding photography experience for consumers,” said Kathy Stromberg, vice president, Consumer Segment Marketing - Americas, HP. “The HP Digital Photography Zone is an incredible channel to share our digital photography expertise with these consumers and the millions of others who are online and already living in the digital world. Our classes, as well as the innovation of our products and solutions, will empower eBay users to make their postings - and all their digital images - stand out.”

This relationship with eBay furthers HP’s initiative to bring digital home photography to the mainstream consumer market. HP uses a variety of consumer education programs - from in-store kiosks to mobile digital photography tours to online education - to show consumers how to get the most out of their digital photography experience. Additionally, this relationship allows eBay to offer its community simple, user-friendly digital photography solutions.

“Digital photography is an essential component of a good item listing on eBay,” said Gary Dillabough, vice president of Strategic Partnerships, eBay. “Teaming up with HP extends the opportunity for our community members to learn more about how to take better photos and enhance their listings on eBay by maximizing the use of digital photography.”

The HP Digital Photography Zone will include the following consumer resources:

Interactive Tours: HP product and technology demonstrations such as “Adaptive Lighting” and “Printing Great Photos.”

eBay Classroom: Instruction on how to take, edit and upload great images for eBay listings; capture close-ups; print great photos; and more.

HP Product Showcase: Listings of HP cameras, photo printers, scanners and accessories via the HP storefront on eBay.
eBay University also is adding an HP digital photography course to its curriculum that will walk users step-by-step through a successful posting on eBay. eBay University offers classes to help new sellers get started and experienced sellers grow their businesses on eBay.

HP helping users get started at eBay Live! 2004

In addition, HP will be a premier sponsor of eBay Live! 2004 Community Conference in New Orleans, June 24 - 26, where photo seminars will offer step-by-step help for eBay users of all levels. The HP Experience booth will educate consumers on a wide variety of HP digital photography and entertainment products so that they can enhance their everyday experiences. In addition, 500 HP Pavilion PCs will provide eBay users access to their listings and e-mail.

For a limited time, new eBay users will have the opportunity to purchase an “HP Starter Kit for eBay,” which includes an HP digital camera, memory card, software, eBay University CD-ROM and eBay camera case. The starter kit will be available online at the HP storefront on eBay as well as at eBay Live! 2004 Community Conference. A copy of the Official eBay Bible will also be given as a promotional offer to individuals that purchase the starter kit at eBay Live!

This announcement complements the existing HP Marketplace on the eBay site, where consumers already can purchase HP’s leading line of consumer technology products, including desktops, notebooks, monitors, PDAs, digital cameras, inkjet photo printers, all-in-one devices, scanners, supplies and accessories at the HP storefront on eBay (www.stores.ebay.com/hpmarketplace). Customers of the HP Marketplace, which is powered by distribution partner New Age Electronics, can expect their product shipment within 24 hours of payment.

About HP
HP is a technology solutions provider to consumers, businesses and institutions globally. The company’s offerings span IT infrastructure, personal computing and access devices, global services and imaging and printing. For the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2004, HP revenue totaled $76.8 billion. More information about HP (NYSE, Nasdaq: HPQ) is available at http://www.hp.com.