News
Kodak and Universal Studios Renew Multi-Year Marketing Partnership; Agreement Establishes Kodak as Exclusive Imaging Provider to Universal's Theme Parks in U.S.
ROCHESTER,
N.Y. and UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA
(BUSINESS WIRE)
Nov. 5, 2001
Eastman Kodak
Company (NYSE: EK) and Universal Studios have announced the renewal of
their strategic, multi-year partnership for an additional five years.
Under the agreement, Kodak will serve as the exclusive imaging partner
to Universal's theme parks in the U.S., which include Universal Studios
Hollywood and CityWalk Hollywood, as well as Universal Orlando -- Universal
Studios and Islands of Adventure -- and CityWalk Orlando.
The partnership provides for park-related marketing and promotions campaigns
involving such products as film and cameras, one-time-use cameras, ride
photo capture systems and supplies. In addition, Kodak will sponsor featured
attractions in each of the theme parks: the Universal Studios Hollywood
studio tour; the Woody Woodpecker roller coaster at Universal Studios
Florida in Orlando; and The Flying Unicorn ride at Universal's Islands
of Adventure in Orlando.
Among the special promotions will be the introduction of Kodak's newest
imaging technology, iConnect at kodak.com, an image upload application
to the Internet with on-line photo sharing, archiving and print order
capabilities.
"The Universal Studios theme parks are the perfect fit for our image
technology. Their unique attractions and exciting experiences provide
consumers with many ways to capture their memories using Kodak products
during their stay. We value our strategic partnership with Universal Studios,
and look forward to further developing our alliance over the next several
years," said Gerard Wallner, Director of Sponsorships, Consumer Imaging,
Eastman Kodak Company.
Stephanie Sperber, Universal's senior vice president, global alliances
added, "This agreement enhances and reinforces our successful, studio-wide
relationship with Kodak, which continues to benefit from and grow along
with new advances in technology. Our theme park guests have come to rely
on the availability of Kodak's quality products in our parks, and we are
proud to once again offer consumers the very best opportunities to take
great pictures and share them with family and friends any way they chose."
The Universal Studios and Kodak relationship began in 1981 with the sponsorship
of the Special Effects Stage at Universal Studios Hollywood. It then grew
to include sponsorships in Orlando, at Universal Studios Florida (1990)
and Universal's Islands of Adventure (1999). In addition to these theme
park agreements, other elements of the existing partnership include an
ongoing motion picture film agreement with Universal Studios for the use
of Kodak motion picture film in Universal's feature and television productions,
as well as digital restoration services.
About Universal Studios
Universal Studios (www.universalstudios.com) is a diversified international entertainment company engaged in production and distribution of theatrical, television and home video products; operation of theme parks around the world; merchandising of a wide variety of entertainment-related consumer products; and retailing. Universal Studios is a part of CANAL+ Group, the TV & Film Division of Vivendi Universal, a new global leader in media and communications.
Kodak and InfoImaging
Eastman Kodak Company is the world's leader in helping people and businesses take, share, and store pictures -- traditional or digital. Kodak's sales last year of nearly $14 billion were divided between consumer and commercial products and services, such as professional and consumer digital cameras, laser imagers for radiologists, photographic films for professionals and amateurs, digital services for cinematographers, high-speed document scanners, and aerial images. Kodak is a leading participant in infoimaging, a $225 billion industry created by the convergence of images and information technology. Infoimaging unites three closely-related imaging markets -- devices, infrastructure, and services/media -- that enable people to more easily take and share pictures as information, entertainment or memories.
For additional information about Kodak, visit www.kodak.com.
