http://www.ilfordphoto.com/pressroom/article.asp?n=95

ILFORD PHOTO LAUNCHES MYSPACE PRESENCE

14th February 2008

ILFORD PHOTO LAUNCHES MYSPACE PRESENCE
*Imaging Specialist Hopes to Unite Global Black and White Photographic Community

ILFORD PHOTO, the leading manufacturer of silver halide black and white photography products has become the first global photography brand to have a presence on the popular online social networking website, MySpace. The ILFORD PHOTO MySpace page is designed to bring together the global community of traditional black and white photography enthusiasts, as well as inform ILFORD PHOTO users of new products, events and exhibitions.

Howard Hopwood, marketing director at HARMAN technology Limited commented:
“The launch of our MySpace page is a watershed moment for ILFORD PHOTO. We will be able to engage directly with hundreds, possibly thousands of photographers worldwide, united in their love and passion for black and white photography.”

“The response from photographers using MySpace already has been unanimously positive, and we have already received messages of goodwill and encouragement. It is great to see such a broad mix of people contributing to the future of traditional photography.”

Photographers the world over have already flocked to the ILFORD PHOTO page, which is located at www.myspace.com/ilfordphoto, and the brand’s ‘FriendSpace’ already includes people from locations as diverse as London, Tokyo, New York and Poland. The page displays an animated black and white photography slideshow that MySpace users can contribute their images to – creating a constantly changing global online exhibition.

Howard Hopwood continued:
“At ILFORD PHOTO we are committed to creating a bright future for traditional black and white photography, and the MySpace page shows that the digital age has not eclipsed traditional photography; it is genuinely facilitating it, helping to establish a bright future for black and white.”

MySpace reportedly attracts over 230,000 new registrations every day, boasting well over 100 million users. Artistic professionals from the world of photography, filmmaking and particularly music have harnessed the potential of online social networking to generate awareness and plaudits alike, and ILFORD PHOTO hopes that the legion of professional and amateur photographers involved with MySpace will welcome its arrival.

Howard Hopwood added:
“The MySpace page will offer a wealth of information, and we are currently looking at new and exciting content we can include. We have posted our programme of masterclasses on the site, and we will keep our MySpace friends informed of all our various offers and competitions.”

“The page will work in synchrony with our own website to offer black and white photographers comprehensive and up-to-date information. We are also asking MySpace users for suggestions of what else we can include – engaging in a two-way dialogue with enthusiasts. It is a very organic and exciting project.”