News
| Contact:Lisa Keller Internet/PR Supervisor (631) 858-8409 evans@tamron.com |
Press Release
TAMRON AND POPULAR PHOTOGRAPHY MAGAZINE ANNOUNCE THE MASTER PHOTOGRAPHERS "FOCUS ON YOU" SERIES OF LIVE Q&A EVENTS
CHAT LIVE WITH FIVE RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHERS ABOUT THEIR RESPECTIVE AREAS OF EXPERTISE
ENTER TO WIN A TAMRON SP AF17-35MM F/2.8-4 DI LD ASPHERICAL (IF) LENS
NEW YORK, NY, June 8, 2004 -- Tamron USA, Inc. and Popular Photography & Imaging magazine announced an exciting new series of live internet chat events designed to give photo enthusiasts the chance to learn directly from master photographers from the comfort of their own homes. The series, entitled "Focus on You" will feature the participation of noted professionals who will each host one of five live chats devoted to their respective fields of expertise--Travel, Wedding, Sports, Landscape/Nature/Wildlife and Portrait Photography. Participants will have the opportunity to submit questions for the masters concerning their work, technique, or any other aspect of photography, before, during and after each live event, and to discuss the answers with their peers. Each participant can also enter to win a Tamron SP AF17-35MM F/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical (IF) Lens (list price: $817.95) in a sweepstakes scheduled for drawing at the close of the event schedule. Best of all, participation in this unique learning opportunity and entry in the sweepstakes is open at no cost whatsoever to anyone with an interest in photography. "At Tamron, we pride ourselves in going 'above and beyond' in our services," stated Stacie Errera, Chief Marketing Officer for Tamron. "In addition the highest levels of quality and technical innovation, we strive to provide learning resources for users of our photo products, who are constantly looking for inspiration and information to improve their photography." Tamron recently announced the re-launch its website, www.tamron.com, which, in addition to improved navigation and presentation of information, features a learning center that contains information about Tamron products and services and will soon include a "how-to" section featuring articles written by master photographers. "This event series represents just one more aspect of the educational commitment that runs from our e-mailed and printed newsletters through to the continuing expansion of our new website," said Errera. "Tamron's educational commitment falls right in line with Popular Photography's mission to provide comprehensive coverage of the latest innovations in photo equipment and to draw upon the experience of noted professionals to inform our readers," said Richard Rabinowitz, Vice President and Publisher of Popular Photography & Imaging magazine. "This is the latest in many innovative projects designed to enhance popphoto.com's offerings as a full-service consumer website and liaison for leaders in the photographic and imaging industry to the world's top photographers." In the spirit of innovation, Rabinowitz called upon FLASHcap Interactive, a New York City based web design, internet application, virtual software maker and marketing firm, to come up with the concept and design for the events. "Richard suggested that we step outside the box and try a radical web marketing concept," said Bill Indursky, Marketing/Design Director at FLASHcap. "We came up with what we call a satellite, co-branded site, not a part of Tamron's website, and not officially a part of Popular Photography's website, but designed as a place where Pop Photo's readers and Tamron's customers can come together to learn and to share their passion for photography in the context a live event." In order to overcome the tendency towards clutter and confusion often associated with traditional live chats, Indursky and his team designed the online applications for the events from scratch, customized to the unique priorities of participants. "We developed a system where the photographer can choose to enter his answers or comments directly into the general chat window or into a special, separate window that is just for his use. People are also going to be able to ask advance questions for up to a month before the live chat, so that the photographers can tailor their advice to the participants needs. The photographers will then put together a slide show and personalized commentary based on the advance questions that each receives. People will be able to view the slide show and read the commentary 45 minutes before the live event so that they may use them as a reference when chatting with the photographer live. Participants will even be able to submit follow-up questions after the event's conclusion." The first event is scheduled to go live at 9:00pm EST on July 20th. The host will be leading documentary/travel photographer, Jeff Jacobson, a member of the prestigious agency, Magnum Photos, whose work regularly appears in major publications such as The New York Times Magazine, Fortune, Time, Geo Stern, Rolling Stone and LIFE. "I'm excited by this opportunity to share my experiences with fellow photographers," commented Jacobson, "and to contribute to the passion that Tamron and Popular Photography bring to the pursuit of photographic excellence." The schedule for the four following events is as follows: September 21, 2004 at 9:00pm EST
October 19, 2004 at 9:00pm EST
November 16, 2004 at 9:00pm EST
December 21, 2004 at 9:00pm EST
Interested parties can visit http://tamron.popphoto.com to learn more about the events, read photographer bios, post advance questions, and enter the sweepstakes to win a Tamron SP AF17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di LD Aspherical (IF) Lens.
About Tamron Tamron is a leading manufacturer of lenses for photographic, industrial, laboratory, video, digital and scientific applications. Among its many optical and mechanical innovations since the start of the company in 1950, Tamron's development of mass-produced hybrid aspherical elements in 1997 paved the way for high magnification zoom lenses. The technology was incorporated into the groundbreaking 28-200mm. Two years later the first 28-300mm was introduced. Tamron has won more awards for these two lenses than all other lens manufacturers combined. View Tamron's new website at www.tamron.com. About Popular Photography & Imaging Popular Photography & Imaging Magazine has been a specialty magazine for photography for more than 50 years. Its love of photography can be seen in every page of the magazine since then. Visit www.PopPhoto.com for the latest photography has to offer. About FLASHcap Interactive FLASHcap Interactive is an award winning New York City based web design, internet application, virtual software maker, and marketing firm committed to achieving its clients’ business goals. With two offices in the U.S. and one office overseas, FLASHcap provides complete development from marketing inception to tested finished product. Visit www.flashcap.com for more information on products and services.
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