Kodak introducing new film and paper

[bmac]

Just got this email today...


Dear Photographer,

Because you are a valued partner, I am writing to explain the facts behind the announcements Kodak made on January 22nd. I want to avoid any potential misunderstanding about Kodak's commitment to traditional film photography as we experienced after a similar meeting last September.

Kodak remains committed to film, photographic paper, and traditional photography now and in the future. In fact, we will aggressively defend our leadership positions in film and paper.

True, we will accelerate growth of our digital products and services. However, our goal is to grow the total photography category for our mutual benefit.

At the upcoming Photographic Marketing Association meeting in Las Vegas next month, we will introduce four exciting new consumer films and one-time-use cameras and four new films and papers for professional photographers and professional labs. We will introduce a number of new digital products and services as well. These products, and more like them in our product roadmaps, underscore our commitment to photography.

In our meeting with investors and the news media, we outlined the fact that management is already delivering on our digitally-oriented growth strategy. Our new business environment requires a much lower cost structure and you will read about some of the plans we are developing to become more competitive. Our focus now is to take the operational steps to accelerate success.

Our intent in doing so is to make Kodak a stronger, more capable company. A company that is better able to meet your needs today and well into the future.

View January 22, 2004 Press Release.

Best regards,

Bernard Masson
President
Digital & Film Imaging Systems
Eastman Kodak Company

 

[Jorge Oliveira]

Brian

It fits with what was stated in one recent press release, I believe the out of film camera business one.
They would introduce new films in the near future.
But all the press would explore was the out of the camera business.

The report of film death was greatly exaggerated- paraphrasing Mark Twain.

At least until the next press release...

Jorge O

 

[sergio caetano]

Do not trust on what Kodak says, not even development times published.

 

[bmac]

I'm really currious as to what type of pro films they are going to come up with. The portra line is pretty maxed out if you ask me.

 

[blansky]

Yea, yea, yea, Kodak, tell it to someone who cares.

Some things never change.

 

[bmac]

HAHAHA!

 

[lee]

good point michael. They are in the CYA mode. I moved almost all of my business way from Kodak several years ago. I decided to vote with my pocket book and give my money to those that will support my efforts.

lee\c

 

[Francesco]

When dealing with credit lines for example (i.e. whether to extend or open up a line of credit for trading financial products between companies) the last people you want to call is the company under scrutiny. They will always print a rosy picture to placate worried counterparties and investors. Kodak is no different. A third party source is often times more reliable.

 

[bmac]

I support you Lee. I'll be waiting by the mail box

 

[GreyWolf]

I guess I am on the flip side of the coin. I like some of their papers, use Tri-X in both sheet and 120 format and use HC-110 frequently. I hope that they do deliver and also introduce a few products I might use.

I will give them the opportunity and see if they can make good on what they say.

Kind Regards,

 

[sergio caetano]

It was not Kodak which declared to the press some months ago they wouldn't invest on analog improvements anymore ? ...

 

[clogz]

The other day I heard the news on the radio that Kodak are going to fire 15,000 employees worldwide.
Their major lab here in the Netherlands is going to close down. Moreover, Big Yellow is hardly present in the camera shops, whereas Fuji, Ilford.....

 

[dr bob]

"Our focus now is to take the operational steps to accelerate success."

Now where have I heard this before...? Oh yes! During the war in South East Asia.

Truly, dr bob.

 

[Jorge Oliveira]

There were some gossips around re new high speed films.

Who knows?

Jorge O

 

[garryl]

you thought we were mad at Kodak- read this~~

http://www.lonsberry.com/writings.cfm?story=1325&go=4

** please take with a pound of salt**

 

[Jorge Oliveira]

Garryl

That's modern business administration - as teached in the best schools:

If there's a crisis, first fire people, then let's see how it goes.

Try to find out how did Lucent and Nortel and who else behaved in the last couple of years.

Jorge O