REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 5, 2001 — Nothing captures the pride of America better than a picture. Imagine a photo album so large and so grand that it includes photos from thousands of Americans, each with a story to tell. The Picture It! group at Microsoft Corp. and the Consumer Markets Division at Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. are asking every man, woman and child across the country to share their
“American Spirit”
and enter a photo into the World’s Largest Photo Album.
“The goal of the World’s Largest Photo Album is to tell a story of the people and places that make our lives richer, more meaningful and fun,”
said Michelle Kline, product manager of the Home Imaging and Publishing Division at Microsoft.
“And in addition to helping create a chain of ‘American Spirit,’ Microsoft and Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. will donate $1 per photo entry* to the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s fight against cancer.”
People can participate and enter photos in the
“American Spirit” section of the album by calling a toll-free number and requesting a free, special-edition Fujifilm QuickSnap one-time-use camera (while supplies last) or acquiring a copy of Microsoft® Picture It!® Premium 2002 Limited Edition software between now and Dec. 30. In early 2002, the World’s Largest Photo Album Web site will showcase photos chosen from these cameras in a special
“American Spirit”
section.
“During the past five years, we’ve chronicled our family’s memories through precious photos of spirit, courage and victories — both of beating cancer and winning a third Tour de France,”
said Kristin Armstrong, who is working with Fujifilm to encourage more consumers to explore the fun and ease of digital picture-taking, sharing and storing.
“The effort to create the World’s Largest Photo Album lets people share memories from the special moments of their lives and support a cause close to many people’s hearts.”
“We are excited to participate with Microsoft Picture It! on the launch of the World’s Largest Photo Album. The program is an exciting way for people to enjoy digital photography and communicate with photos,”
said Matt Knickerbocker, vice president of marketing, Consumer Markets Division, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A.
Take a Photo, Pass It On! How to Enter
Thousands of free camera kits, which include a Fujifilm QuickSnap one-time-use camera and
“passport,”
will be sent to people who call (866) SNAP-PIX (762-7749). The mission is for people to take one photograph, capturing a moment in life that they feel depicts the
“American Spirit,”
and pass the camera on to a friend or family member. The Picture It! group asks that each photographer sign the
“passport,”
which tells the tale of where they were when they took the photo, so everyone can discover the camera’s wide and varied travels. Once all the photos have been taken, participants should return the kit for their photos to be considered for inclusion in the special section of The World’s Largest Photo Album.
Americans also can submit their digitized photos taken with any camera to the World’s Largest Photo Album Web site at http://www.photos.msn.com/ until midnight Dec. 30. From the Web site, visitors can enter** their photos to compete for cash and prizes in a variety of categories, including the grand prize: a $10,000 Digital Extreme Shopping Spree, and a Fujifilm FinePix 6800 Zoom digital camera and NX-500 Printer. For each photo entered into the World’s Largest Photo Album, Picture It! and Fujifilm also will donate $1 (up to $10,000) to help fight cancer by supporting the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
A special edition of the Picture It! Photo Premium 2002 CD product also is available at retail stores nationwide. Included with the software is a free World’s Largest Photo Album Fujifilm QuickSnap one-time-use camera complete with instructions on how to submit photos to the online contest.
Five semifinalists in each category will be showcased on the World’s Largest Photo Album Web site each week until the end of the year. In January 2002, visitors to the site can vote for the Best of Show to decide which amateur photographer wins the grand prize.
Prize Categories
Anyone who wishes to participate in the World’s Largest Photo Album contest at http://www.photos.msn.com/ may submit their photos in e-mail in one of eight categories: Most Beautiful Garden Photo; Best Family Reunion, Holiday or Special Occasion Photo; Best Pet Photo; Best Amateur Athlete in Action Photo; Best Vacation Memory Photo; Best Friendship Photo; Cutest Kid Photo; and My Favorite Photo. Pictures must be submitted by midnight Dec. 30, 2001. One prize winner from each category will be selected. (See http://www.worldslargestphotoalbum.com/ for full rules and actual prize lists.)
About Picture It!
Launched in 1995, the Picture It! line of products provides consumers with leading consumer photo-editing technology and the highest-quality content. Picture It! has received several press awards, including Computer Shopper’s Best Buy of 2001, the CNET Editor’s Choice, Family PC’s Family Tested Recommended and PC Magazine’s Top 100 Home-Oriented CDs. Additional products in the Picture It! line include Picture It! Publishing 2002, Picture It! Publishing Platinum 2002, Picture It! Photo 2002, Picture It! Photo Premium and Greetings 2002, all new for 2002.
About MSN Photos
Launched in 2001, MSN® Photos ( http://photos.msn.com/ ) — powered by the No. 1 best-selling consumer photo editing title,* Microsoft Picture It! — makes it easy for people to share photos with friends and family by offering a wide range of online photo features, including online photo albums, prints, enlargements and cards, as well as personalized photo gifts and online photo-editing tools.
About Fujifilm
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A. Inc. is the U.S. marketing subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co. Ltd. of Tokyo (Nikkei
“FUJIY”
), a leading global manufacturer of imaging and information products. Recognized for its technological innovation and high quality, Fujifilm offers a complete portfolio of imaging and information products, services and e-solutions to retailers, consumers, professionals and business customers. More information on Fujifilm products can be obtained by calling (800) 800-FUJI or by visiting the Fujifilm U.S.A. Web site at http://www.fujifilm.com/ .
About the Lance Armstrong Foundation
The mission of the Lance Armstrong Foundation is to help people manage and survive cancer. The foundation’s goal is to change and improve the world for cancer survivors and their loved ones. It wants to reduce the presence of cancer on this planet; continue to define, refine and improve cancer survivor services; and facilitate the delivery of those services — and a large dose of hope — to the patients, their families and other loved ones touched by the disease. It’s a tall order, but an organization that bears the name of the man who came back from cancer to win three consecutive Tour de France victories can aim for nothing less. More information is available at http://www.laf.org/ .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.
* Up to $10,000 total.
** Open to U.S. residents 18 years or older.
*** NPD INTELECT Market Tracking, January 1996-March 2001; based on total U.S. retail sales.
Microsoft, Picture It! and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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