Microsoft Sponsors American PHOTO Mission Series - Good Works of Sixteen Charities Captured in Just-Published Works of Acclaimed International Photographers


NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 2006--Hachette Filipacchi Media (HFM) launches the American PHOTO Mission Series in three newly published books. Sixteen charitable groups are captured by six internationally acclaimed photographers to showcase altruistic works. Microsoft, known for world-class philanthropy, funded the printing and provided the photographers with digital workflow technology to capture, distribute and communicate these noteworthy causes in compelling ways.

In addition to the books, the Mission Series will be highlighted on the American PHOTO website and in the July/ August 2006 issue with a 16-page editorial - hits newsstands mid June. Microsoft also sponsors the Hachette-based website featuring the photographers' passionate images of volunteerism, while they themselves volunteer their time and talent. This unique photojournalism captures the deep sense of responsibility and lifelong commitment to the welfare of others. Photographic history has its roots in compassion by creating images that freeze moments of intimate reality into a force for implementing social change.

"We're proud to be the communication vehicles for this exemplary project-and to work with Microsoft, whose commitment to both charitable and creative causes is unparalleled. The artistry of these photographers and their donation of time to good causes deserves to be highlighted for industry leaders who read our magazine," states Jeffrey Roberts, VP Publisher American PHOTO, www.popphoto.com.

The sixteen charities featured in the Mission Series encompass a variety of good causes throughout the country. They encompass:

-- NEW YORK CHARITIES: New York Restoration Project - www.nyrp.org: New York City Cares - www.nycares.com; Gods Love We Deliver - www.glwd.org; City Harvest - www.cityharvest.com; City on Wheels - www.citymeals.org; Coalition for the Homeless - www.coalitionforhomeless.org; All Stars Project Inc - www.allstars.org; Fresh Air Fund- www.freshair.org; Puppies Behind Bars - www.puppiesbehindbars.com; Volunteer Association for Senior Citizen Activities - www.vasca.org; Miracle House - www.miraclehouse.org

-- NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN- www.missingkids.com

-- IMAGINE ASIA - http://www.stevemccurry.com/imagineasia/

-- PROFILE OF A SAN FRANCISCO CHARITY - http://www.innvision.org/

-- SPECIAL OLYMPICS - www.specialolympics.org/

-- ARTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE - http://arctic.fws.gov/

ABOUT Microsoft, visit www.microsoft.com/prophoto.

ABOUT Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc. (HFM U.S.)

The New York-headquartered subsidiary of Hachette Filipacchi Medias, the world's largest magazine publisher. HFM U.S. reaches nearly 50 million readers through brands including American PHOTO. Visit www.hfmus.com or www.popphoto.com.