Amazon Chooses Macromedia Flash Video as the Exclusive Online Format f

Amazon Chooses Macromedia Flash Video as the Exclusive Online Format for the Amazon Theater Short Film Competition

    Business Editors/Entertainment Editors/High-Tech Editors

    SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 3, 2005--

Flash Video Technology Enables Customers to View Short Films on Amazon.com
    Macromedia (Nasdaq:MACR) today announced that Amazon Services has selected Macromedia(R) Flash(R) video as its exclusive online video format for the Amazon Theater Short Film Competition, which will showcase up-and-coming filmmakers. By leveraging the abilities in Flash to develop a custom-branded, interactive media player, Amazon is providing users with an exceptional, customized online film viewing experience. Because Flash video is viewable through Macromedia Flash Player, the most widely deployed player on the Internet, users can easily and instantly watch video content regardless of their connection speed, platform, or browser and without having to download a large media player. For more information on Flash video, please visit www.macromedia.com/go/flashvideo.
    "Macromedia Flash video gives Amazon a seamless, branded experience for the Amazon Theater Short Film Competition," said Chris Hock, director of product management, Macromedia. "We're excited to work with Amazon as they pioneer groundbreaking, new ways to offer customers exclusive and entertaining video content."
    With the delivery of content via Flash Video Streaming Service powered by Speedera, Amazon is able to reach the widest possible audience of filmmakers and film consumers. In addition, the use of Flash video and Flash Player is highly cost-effective because the technology works seamlessly across different browsers and connection speeds. The contextual integration of Flash video enabled Amazon.com to create a unique Amazon Theater experience.
    "Using Flash video has a proven track record of delivering a high-quality, short-film viewing experience for Amazon.com customers," said Chris Bruzzo, director of strategic communications, Amazon Services. "The Amazon Theater Short Film Competition will give short-film makers the chance to showcase their work with the highest quality Flash video while letting our customers easily view and enjoy these films."
    Beginning today, filmmakers can register and submit their films at www.amazon.com/shortfilms. Once registered, filmmakers will receive a version of Sorenson Squeeze and a special offering from Metro Encoding of Los Angeles to encode their films in Flash video format. Short-film submissions will be available for viewing and voting by the general public on Amazon.com at the end of May.

    ABOUT MACROMEDIA

    Experience matters. Macromedia is motivated by the belief that great experiences build great businesses. Our software empowers millions of business users, developers, and designers to create and deliver effective, compelling, and memorable experiences -- on the Internet, on fixed media, on wireless, and on digital devices.

    Copyright 2005 Macromedia, Inc. All rights reserved. Macromedia, the Macromedia logo, and Macromedia Flash are trademarks or registered trademarks of Macromedia, Inc., which may be registered in the United States and internationally. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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CONTACT: Macromedia Sandra Nakama, 415-832-4053 snakama@macromedia.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENTERTAINMENT MOTION PICTURES SOFTWARE INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Macromedia, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005