SAN MATEO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 10/18/2006 -- How will the next generation of digital cameras and camera-phones change consumer picture-taking behaviors? Are they ready to embrace video? Will they print more or less in the future? If they don't print, what will they do with their pictures? Future Image has assembled a stellar panel of leading industry analysts to look into their crystal balls and share their forecasts and perspectives on digital video and digital photo technology. The Analyst Roundtable, which will wrap up the 6Sight® Future of Imaging Conference (www.6sight.com) in Monterey, Calif. October 24 and 25, will feature Steve Hoffenberg, Director of Consumer Imaging Research, Lyra Research Inc.; Marion Knoche, Division Manager, Imaging and Optical Products, GfK Marketing Services GmbH; Gary Pageau, Association Publisher, Content Development and Strategic Initiatives, PMA; and Ron Tussy, President and Principal Analyst, Imerge.

"The desire to communicate visually is in our DNA," said Tony Henning, Senior Analyst for Mobile Imaging at Future Image, who will moderate the discussion. "It's an integral part of who we are as a species. Camera-phones are the most common and convenient tools of visual communication that have ever existed. By the end of the decade, nearly half the world's population will have a mobile phone, and at least two-thirds of those phones will have a camera in them. The combination of these two forces -- the urge to communicate visually and nearly universal possession of the tools to do so -- is a powerful agent of change. But how will that change play out for both customers and suppliers? Our session will deliver some of the answers."

"The advent of digital video and digital photo technologies is vastly expanding the number of images being captured, from less than 100 billion a year in the heyday of film photography in the 1990s, to more than half a trillion a year by 2010," says Steve Hoffenberg, Director of Consumer Imaging Research at Lyra Research Inc. "Imaging is becoming more prevalent than ever in our lives, and we have yet to realize all the implications."

"In the 20th century, photography was driven by the development of efficient print production technology, not necessarily consumer desires," said Gary Pageau, Association Publisher, Content Development and Strategic Initiatives, PMA. "Digital technology puts the consumer in charge, and the successful products and services will provide ways to expand markets beyond snapshots. Half of U.S. households that made or ordered prints, also ordered or made value-added products, like photobooks, calendars and DVDs," he observed. "Further, 19 percent of households that did not make prints at all made or ordered value-added products. This indicates there is consumer demand for products specific to the digital era."

"Over the past 12 years, consumers have purchased and used a combined total of 382 million digital still cameras," said Ron Tussy, Principal Analyst, The Imerge Group. "By comparison, consumers have purchased 1.37 billion camera-phones in just the past four years, representing a total of 1.7 billion mobile still capture devices. Consumers are currently capturing 35 billion digital images per year from these devices, yet less than 12 percent of these images are moved off the phone into any form of value enhancement. Still capture on handsets has moved further down in market requirements among feature-sets such as MP-3 audio, HD quality video capture, digital terrestrial television and movie downloads," he added. "Further, camera-phones have become a capture device of opportunity rather than one of planning, which moves still capture capability on mobile handsets into a precarious position. This causes concerns to many component providers. Carriers and vendors must provide uninterrupted, seamless 3 and 4 G networks, higher quality capture, one-button transfer of images off the phone and a complete value proposition, or still capture will soon become the exclusive domain of digital cameras," Tussy warned.

6Sight attendees will also have the opportunity to hear some of Silicon Valley's best informed venture capitalists and banking leaders express their views on these topics during the Financial Roundtable. They include: Raj Kapoor, Managing Director, Mayfield Fund and formerly founder of Snapfish, which was acquired by HP; Sam Jadallah, General Partner, Mohr, Davidow Ventures, a major investor in Shutterfly; and Patrick Chung, Principal of New Enterprise Associates, one of the largest VC funds in the world. A complementary perspective will be added by Tricia Saliniero, Managing Director, Newforth Partners LLC, a leading mergers and acquisitions (M&A) specialist. The panel session is moderated by Mark Kalow, Managing Director of the Soquel Group, an experienced imaging industry entrepreneur, venture capitalist and strategic consultant.

In addition the program will feature demonstrations of new, cutting edge imaging technology by fifteen leading firms, during 6Sight's three New Technology Showcase sessions. These will include liquid lenses, specialized software-enhanced optics, nanomotors, new flash and image stabilization technologies, new generations of image sensors and imaging software, high-definition videoconferencing and more. They will have the opportunity to converse with the developers of these technologies in a relaxed environment during the event gala reception at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, while enjoying the world-famous displays of marine life, a program of entertainment in the movie theater featuring outstanding examples of user-generated visual content, and an array of gourmet food and refreshments.

About 6Sight

6Sight (www.6Sight.com) is a two-day executive event focused on the explosive global spread of imaging technology, and its potential for exciting new opportunities to improve people's lives in the personal, work, and community spheres. It is hosted and organized by Future Image, Inc. publisher of The Future Image Report since 1993 and host of the Mobile Imaging Summit executive conferences, and co-hosted by the two leading industry organizations in imaging -- the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A) and the Photo Marketing Association International (PMA). The annual event brings together technologists, marketers, futurists, artists, educators, customers and members of the media for a program emphasizing innovative use cases, breakthrough technologies, and creativity. The inaugural 6Sight conference will be held on October 24 and 25, 2006 in Monterey, Calif.

About Future Image

San Mateo, CA-based Future Image Inc. (www.futureimage.com) is the leading independent center of expertise on the convergence of imaging, technology and business. Future Image hosts the 6Sight and Mobile Imaging Executive Summit conferences, and publishes two continuous information services, The Future Image Report which monitors the impact of new technologies on the imaging industry as a whole, and the Future Image MIR (Mobile Imaging Report) which focuses on camera-phones and the intersection of imaging and wireless communications. Future Image also underwrites and publishes primary research studies on the impact of emerging, imaging-focused technologies or business trends, and provides consulting services to vendors, investors and large-scale users. Future Image is the official information and research partner of the International Imaging Association (I3A).

About the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A)

I3A is the leading global imaging industry association, driving growth of and setting standards for the photographic and information imaging markets. As the industry focal point, I3A offers a framework and environment where members can quickly find resources to solve critical issues and develop market solutions. Members of I3A work together to find common ground for advancing the industry and to enable better products and services for their customers.

I3A is an accredited Standards Developing Organization, serving as secretariat for the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 42 (ISO/TC42) on Photography, and as administrator for the USA Technical Advisory Group for this committee. Information about I3A can be found on the World Wide Web at www.i3a.org or by phone at 914-285-4933.

About PMA

For 81 years, PMA® has served as an international trade association for the changing needs of the expanding photo imaging industry with more than 20,000 members in 100-plus countries, headquartered in Jackson, Mich. In addition to the United States, there are membership offices in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Italy, Latin America, New Zealand, Russia and the United Kingdom.

PMA membership is open to any firm doing a substantial portion of its business in photo imaging retailing, scrapbook and custom framing retailing, processing (digital and silver halide) or service work. Cooperating memberships are held by firms that manufacture or distribute products or services for the imaging industry. PMA provides more than 100 services to its members, and holds the world's largest annual international photo imaging trade show, typically drawing well over 600 exhibitors and 20,000-plus attendees.

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