Business News
Enhanced KODAK EXPRESS Digital Solutions Website Delivers More Interactive Consumer Experience
Friday 06. March 2009 - Worldwide Destination for Photo Shows Consumers Creative Ways to Make Something Special with Images and Edutains with Games
Eastman Kodak Company (NYSE:EK) has refined its online KODAK EXPRESS Digital Solutions site, www.KodakExpress.com, to offer consumers greater interaction with the brand, easier navigation and the chance to learn about Kodaks four retail areas: “Shoot It,” “Print It,” “Display It” and “Create It.” The Web site is available now to 11 English-speaking countries – the United States United Kingdom; Ireland; South Africa; Australia; New Zealand; the Philippines; Indonesia; Malaysia; India and Singapore – and will be available by the end of March to all 38 countries supported by KodakExpress.com. A revamped global store locator tool is also available throughout the site.
“KODAK EXPRESS Digital Solutions provides customers around the world with an easy-to-use central hub to access the tools and information they need to make something with their images,” said. John Culverhouse, Worldwide Marketing Director, Retail Printing Solutions Consumer Digital Group. “Its a fun and entertaining way for consumers and Kodak to truly interact on a global level.”
Photo-Themed Games
KODAK EXPRESS Digital Solutions also features three “edutainment” games, which incorporates educational and entertainment elements to create a unique online experience. The site tallies scores for each game and players can send e-mail to friends and family to challenge them to beat their score after each game. A leader board tracks high scores from around the world to stoke good-natured competition.
Three games are available now and the website will add more in 2009:
Pair Them Up allows consumers to play by matching double photos and educates them about doubles printing and standard photo printing.
Catch Pictures is a game of skill with an underlying message that consumers can print via Kodak from virtually any digital device.
Find the 5 Differences lets consumers try their skill at spotting differences in photos while educating them about the quality and speed of printing services.
In addition to games, there are tutorials and tools for consumers to do more with their images:
SHOOT IT! – Online visitors will learn everything they need to know to make photos, including detailed information about cameras, photo storage, and accessories offered at the KODAK EXPRESS Digital Solutions network.
PRINT IT! – Helps consumers find general information on what they need to get or make prints. It covers everything from making traditional 4×6 prints to enlargements and posters, to collages and photo books.
DISPLAY IT! – Teaches consumers the different ways to display their pictures at home or in the office, whether it is a digital frame, album, and scrap booking products.
CREATE IT! – Allows consumers to learn new ways to use their Kodak prints and beyond – photo books, calendars, greeting cards, and make photo gifts.
Creating a “Destination Store
Also included at the site is a new Web module that gives Kodak Express retailers options for modernizing their store layouts. The “Destination Store” is an interactive module available to all storeowners and includes store layout schematics and suggestions to view or download to help retailers transform the look and feel of their stores. Suggested layouts can transform stores from isolated products displays to showcases for a comprehensive portfolio of solutions that create a dynamic and engaging customer experience.
These store designs were successfully used in two KODAK EXPRESS stores in different countries. In Cape Town, South Africa, Deon van der Vyer, owner of SUPERFOTO PHOTOGRAPHIC has seen a 40% increase in business since it opened in October 2008. He states, “People stop and turn their heads. They come in, sit down and enjoy using the kiosks. Camera sales at Christmas, created a crowd! I am very happy with the results.”
Dennis Portieri, owner of MAGIC PHOTO in Buenos Aires, Argentina says, “Since adopting the KODAK EXPRESS Experiential store design, weve offered our customers a more inviting experience, both in terms of what they can do in the store and how everything is presented to them, Our customers feel very comfortable spending time in the areas such as Create It and Print It, working with their pictures. Also, our staff is spending more time in front of the counter, interacting with customers. Overall, weve seen an increase in the both the amount of foot traffic in the store, as well as the amount of printing that goes on in our store.”
KODAK Creative Production Software (KCPS)
In addition to the store design, Kodak introduced KODAK Creative Production Software V3.0, a powerful workflow software designed specifically for the photo specialty retailer. With KODAK Creative Production Software, retailers get a robust backbone architecture necessary to import images from many sources, enhance image quality, efficiently create custom products, and send images to a wide variety of printing devices, including KODAK Adaptive Picture Exchange (APEX) and KODAK DL2100 Printer. The software allows retailers to focus on the specific services they wish to offer, both in front of the counter and behind the counter. Its easy-to-use, flexible, creative tools enable a higher level of customer service and value-added product differentiation. This software, as well as KODAK APEX, illustrates the ways in which Kodak frees retailers from behind the computer to spend more time engaging with consumers.