Integrated solutions in photography from picture taking to sharing has been the buzz word in the industry for a long time, however recent initiatives by Kodak have upped the game, creating a new window of opportunity for the home-user who will now lead the industry towards greater heights
The latest trend throughout the globe has been the run away success of home photography integration. As different brands have rushed to market with seemingly endless stream of cameras which link to home printers, and then onto digital picture frames, and even televisions, the race is on to make is simpler, faster and with better resolution. Kodak however says that the new and more important battle is for home-user integration and his price resilience.
Changing the game: Value for money will take center-stage
Speaking recently on the trend for value-conscious consumers who are now less likely buy into savvy ad campaigns, Arif Khan, Area Manager for Kodak Near East said, “Value for money is key to the savvy technocrat and general home-user in today’s more sophisticated market. There are saving in economies of scale in the manufacturing realm and it makes perfect sense that the company that has photography as its core business proposition would benefit significantly from this. And naturally this advantage is passed along to the consumer.” For instance, Kodak’s run away success digital camera, V1273 which won ‘the best digital camera’ title, in a recent survey, conducted by one of the leading IT magazines in the region. The recognition was awarded based on not only how the product performed during the test, but also how wallet-friendly it is. “We believe we have more than one customer per family, and with each using their chosen product for at least three years. The trick for extension of the brand is to move from one family member to the next. This has been our strategy and it appears to be working, and importantly our products deliver - every time,” commented Khan.
Keep the lines of integration easy
On the issue of integration, Khan emphasized that home-based integration will grow, but the focus not merely be fanned by marketing plans, but hard core issues such as ease-of-use and complete-bundle offering. Khan said that Kodak’s Plug and Play format continues to play a significant role in Kodak’s growth in market share, and importantly the success of its digital frames pointed clearly to the need for not only integration but enhanced features which would typically cost significantly more with other known brands. He said, “The integrated Kodak experience spells “capture-print-share” and the market is shifting to ‘keep it easy’ as consumers continue to seek out friendlier solutions which suit busier lifestyles.” The Kodak bundled-experience includes an array of professional quality digital products from cameras, home photo printers, to instant photo kiosks and more recently, the much talked about Quick Touch Border digital frames.
Demographics
Kodak which has lead the way in easy use and share options, with its recent best selling Quick Touch Border digital picture frames sees the trend for integration rising to ever new heights given the unique demographic in the UAE and rest of the region, which compels rapid growth of new ‘sub-cultures’ and hobbyists who have significant growth roles in any market.
At this year’s Gitex Shopper, Kodak will offer special packages, which reflect great value add ons on Kodak’s runway successes that are gaining fantastic reviews across the globe.
Working closely with merchants
Nearly 40 per cent of our business comes from photo printing and it is an important part of the Kodak experience for our customers. “As such Kodak believes in engaging our merchants by providing them added-value through product innovation, marketing promotions and other market resilient strategies to ensure the brand and their businesses are well served,”said Khan. He explained that this was the rationale behind Kodak’s recent move to consistently introduce new equipment at leading electronic and Kodak Express Outlet stores. “While speed of processing and provision of excellent quality prints is key, business success primarily depends on attracting new, and retaining old customers in all core areas of competency and naturally photo printing is one of ours. If we can provide opportunities to our merchants to consistently improve their visibility and extend their delivery standards to our loyal customer base, than that must be married into our integration systems to ensure we offer a complete Kodak delivery.”
Being at Gitex is a natural extension of Kodak’s commitment both to end users and merchants, designed to help ensure that the brand remains the preferred choice of one of the most prominent markets segment - the home-user. Kodak will be at GITEX Shopper – from 18th to 24th October at Airport Expo Dubai.
Kodak Gitex offers:
V1273 – 12 mega pixels with 2 GB card + camera pouch + G610 printer + 100 sheets of media to print for AED 1599
KODAK Digital Frame with Quick Touch border: hi-tech features include MP3 speakers, PictBridge function and Kodak’s colour science chip and its patent Light Management film for AED 449 for 7 inch frame and AED 599 for 8 inch frame including a 1 GB memory card
C 813 cameras - 8.3 -mega pixels with 1 GB card and a camera pouch for AED 399
C 1013 cameras-10-mega pixels with 1 GB card, camera pouch and battery charger for AED 549
M 763 cameras - 7 mega pixels with 1 GB card and a camera pouch for AED 549
M 863 cameras - 8 mega pixels with 1 GB card and a camera pouch for AED 599
M1033 cameras - 10 mega pixels with 2 GB card and camera pouch for AED 899
About Eastman Kodak Company: Kodak is the world's foremost imaging innovator, providing leading products and services to the photographic, graphic communications and healthcare markets. With sales of $14.3 billion in 2005, the company is committed to a digitally oriented growth strategy focused on helping people better use meaningful images and information in their life and work. Consumers use Kodak's system of digital and traditional image capture products and services to take, print and share their pictures anytime, anywhere; Businesses effectively communicate with customers worldwide using Kodak solutions for prepress, conventional and digital printing and document imaging; Creative professionals rely on Kodak technology to uniquely tell their story through moving or still images; and leading Healthcare organizations rely on Kodak's innovative products, services and customized workflow solutions to help improve patient care and maximize efficiency and information sharing within and across their enterprise.
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