Group Will Work to Enhance, Expand I3A’s Educational Web site "SaveMyMemories.org"

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – May 5, 2008 – I3A, the leading global association for the imaging industry, is now inviting all companies with interest in helping consumers preserve their digital photo collections to join the Consumer Photo Preservation (CPP) team. All I3A members in good standing are eligible to participate.

The CPP team is the successor to I3A’s Consumer Photo Preservation Initiative, which developed and last year successfully launched SaveMyMemories.org (http://www.savemymemories.org). This informative consumer-oriented Web site addresses the challenges of ensuring a safe future for the billions of digital photographs consumers are now storing at varying — and poorly understood — levels of risk.

SaveMyMemories.org is designed to help consumers understand the challenges of preservation, and how to protect and preserve their digital memories for generations to come, in an easy-to-follow cookbook approach. The SaveMyMemories Web site explains:

• How to create a backup solution for long term storage
• The pros and cons of various storage methods and media
• Tips for organizing photo collections
• Tips for recovering digital photos that are lost due to computer crashes, viruses, etc.

Additionally, the site provides resource links for staying informed about technological advances and for further exploration into the world of digital photography. By following the site’s advice, consumers will be better equipped to properly store, organize and manage their precious digital memories for decades.

I3A has now opened CPP in order to tap the broad expertise of the innovators and leaders of the imaging industry – the organization’s members — and make sure that SaveMyMemories.org continues to be an effective and useful site through the ongoing evolution of the world of imaging. As new technologies and consumer solutions are developed, the CPP team will evaluate them and take steps to ensure that the site reflects advances in image preservation and storage.

In addition, CPP team members will drive new ideas for educating and supporting consumers’ needs to preserve and protect their digital photo memories for future generations, from which new I3A activities or Initiatives could arise.

“I3A’s member companies understand very well the complexities introduced by the rapid adoption of digital imaging, and are well equipped to explore digital photo preservation issues and present solutions to consumers,” said I3A President Lisa Walker. “As a first step toward overcoming these challenges, I3A’s Consumer Photo Preservation Initiative group developed the SaveMyMemories Web site. Now, we invite all I3A members to join the next phase, the CPP team, to build on the initial efforts, and provide consumers with the knowledge and tools to safeguard their digital photo collections.”

In addition to current search engine optimization and marketing programs, new methods of increasing awareness of the messages and tools offered by the Web site will be sought, benefiting the ever-growing number of people who use digital cameras to capture their visual memories. Participation in the CPP team is open to all I3A member companies in good standing.

For more information on joining I3A or the CPP team, call or send an email message to Donna Cohn, Standards & Initiatives Marketing Coordinator, at +1 (914) 285-4933, ext. 14, or donnac@i3a.org.

I3A Annual Conference
Companies with interest in digital photo preservation should plan to attend Imaging Innovation ‘08, the 62nd Annual Conference of the International Imaging Industry Association, to discuss this topic with the current CPP team members. The event will take place June 4-6, 2008 at the Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. I3A members and non-members are invited to attend, as are media representatives. The program can be viewed at http://www.i3aannualconference.org – registration is also available from this link.

About the International Imaging Industry Association (I3A)
I3A is the leading global imaging industry association, driving growth of and setting standards for the photographic and information imaging markets. As the industry focal point, I3A offers a framework and environment where members can quickly find resources to solve critical issues and develop market solutions. Members of I3A work together to find common ground for advancing the industry and to enable better products and services for their customers.
I3A is an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization, serving as secretariat for the International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 42 (ISO/TC42) on Photography, and as administrator for the USA Technical Advisory Group for this committee. Information about I3A can be found at http://www.i3a.org or by phone at +1 914-285-4933.

I3A Press Contact
Judith Vanderkay
Virtual, Inc.
jvanderkay@virtualmgmt.com
+1 781-876-6208

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