| DIGITALCUSTOM TO FULFILL CUSTOM DIGITAL EDITING FOR DEEP JAPAN'S NET DPE ONLINE SERVICE San Francisco, CA, August 8, 2002 - DigitalCustom Group, Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement with DEEP Japan Co., Ltd. of Fukuoka, Japan, to become DEEP's fulfillment provider for custom digital photo repair and restoration. DEEP Japan was a pioneering entrant into the Japanese online photofinishing business when it launched its "Net DPE" service in 1997. Through its agreement with DigitalCustom, DEEP Japan appears to become the first high volume online print provider to offer customers comprehensive professional photo restoration and repair without ever leaving the digital photofinishing Web site.
Many online printing sites provide do-it-yourself tools, which perform only basic edits. DigitalCustom's comprehensive, artist-executed, digital editing services at www.image-edit.com now give DEEP Japan users full access to the power of custom professional editing.
DigitalCustom's President, Jeff Makoff said, "DEEP Japan's execution in online photofinishing has been outstanding. It is logical for DEEP not only to offer digital prints, but also to give DEEP's customers access to custom image editing services. DEEP recognizes that the option for customers to fix serious defects and obtain high quality restorations is a powerful benefit of digital photography. DEEP's Net DPE customers will love this service."
Kunihiro Handa, President of DEEP Japan said, "DEEP Japan's customers will appreciate the huge flexibility that this service offers. With just a few clicks, a customer can have any problem in a photo fixed -- with almost no limitation. This service goes far beyond red eye repair and minor enhancements. Customers will be able to have severe lighting problems solved, remove people, turn snapshots into portraits and glamour shots and many other services. DigitalCustom's commitment to the highest quality work will be appreciated by our customers."
About DEEP Japan
DEEP Japan's online service prints digital images into silver halogen prints using specialized software and Internet. By not charging a 'basic fee' or shipping, DEEP delivers L size prints at the very the low price of 40 yen. DEEP Japan offers next day delivery in most major cities in Japan and is the No. 1 provider of online digital prints in Japan. DEEP Japan is seeking to extend its business worldwide by partnerships with photo labs in all customer markets. DEEP Japan's Web address is www.digitalplaza.co.jp. DEEP Japan's business contact is Mrs. Tomoko Kawakita (e-mail: [email protected]).
About DigitalCustom
DigitalCustom Group offers custom digital photo editing services to photo retailers, marketing agencies, media companies, photographers, in-house corporate creative departments and consumers (through "DigitalCustom" and "Image-Edit & Art"). DigitalCustom's corporate offices are in San Francisco, California and its worldwide customer service facility is in Cincinnati, Ohio. More information about DigitalCustom Group is available on the company's corporate/professional Web site at www.digitalcustom.com and its consumer site at www.image-edit.com. DigitalCustom's business development representative for Japan is Mr. Tomo Nakagawa (e-mail: [email protected]).
# # #
DIGITALCUSTOM SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH PHOTO RETAIL CO-OPERATIVE GROUP
Town & County Retailers to Offer Comprehensive Custom Photo Editing
San Francisco, CA, August 2, 2002 - DigitalCustom Group, Inc. today announced that it has signed an agreement with Town & Country Photo Dealers Network to offer comprehensive custom digital editing service through the nearly 250 independent Town & Country retail photo stores throughout the United States.
DigitalCustom provides high-quality photo restoration, skin repair, glamorization and a host of other custom photo editing services to photo retailers and other retailers. Under the agreement, DigitalCustom will receive digital files and highly-customized instructions through the Internet, execute, quality assure the creative work, and return completed work to Town & Country retailers through the Internet.
DigitalCustom's President, Jeff Makoff said, "We are very pleased to be affiliated with the Town & Country dealers. Town & Country stores are premium stores, with longstanding customer relationships. DigitalCustom will allow Town & Country dealers to offer truly comprehensive custom photo repair and restoration."
Harry Reiter, President of Town & Country Dealer Network, said, "We made this agreement with DigitalCustom after a test by several of our member stores. The feedback on DigitalCustom's service and quality was outstanding. While many of our retail members already offer some form of photo restoration there are a variety of reasons for the membership to have a business relationship with DigitalCustom. Most of the member stores do this work in-house. DigitalCustom performs this service on a wholesale basis and there is a cost benefit. Other store owners will find DigitalCustom is a good choice for smoothing seasonal demand, covering for vacationing or ill store employees, or simply where DigitalCustom's extra skill is required for a particularly difficult restoration. We encourage each of our dealers to add DigitalCustom's capability to their stores immediately."
Liz Ingersoll, digital artist and operator of a dedicated photo editing system at Stroudsburg Foto, a Town & Country dealer located in Stroudsburg, PA, said, "Digital Custom did a beautiful job on our test image. Our customer loved the work. Digital Custom's turn-around and quality are First Class. We signed-up immediately, submitting a second job and are looking forward to being able to take on work we would have had to turn away before."
About DigitalCustom
DigitalCustom Group offers custom digital photo editing services to photo retailers, marketing agencies, media companies, photographers, in-house corporate creative departments and consumers (through Image-Edit & Art). DigitalCustom's corporate offices are in San Francisco, California and its worldwide customer service facility is in Cincinnati, Ohio. More information about DigitalCustom Group is available on the company's corporate/professional Web site at www.digitalcustom.com or its consumer site at www.image-edit.com. Retailers may get started immediately by contacting Jeff "Buz" Busdieker at 866-668-8880.
About Town & Country
Town & Country is a buying co-operative of independent photo retailers and labs, most of which are located in the U.S. Town & Country's motto is "You don't have to be big to buy big". Started in 1973 when two camera-store owners, who were friendly competitors, exchanged film, cameras, etc. to help each satisfy its customers' needs. Today, the organization has more than 175 independent members with 220 storefronts. Town & Country currently is growing at the rate of about 5 new members per month. The group sources a wide variety of photo supplies, paper, chemistry, lab consumables, cameras, accessories and services for its members. It also produces and hosts an annual members only trade show. More information about Town & Country is available at www.tcphotodn.com or by calling Harry Reiter at 215-918-2132. |