Thomson Provides Integrated Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management, and Anti-Piracy Solutions to Microsoft in Support of Successful Xbox 360™ Lau15 March 2006
Thomson's Technicolor Home Entertainment Services Business Supports Introduction of New Video Game Console in North America with Cutting-Edge Anti-Piracy Technologies, and Comprehensive Manufacturing, Packaging, Assembly, Distribution, and Logistics Management Services
PARIS, France and CAMARILLO, Calif. — March 13, 2006 — Thomson (Euronext 18453; NYSE: TMS) today announced that its Services division, through its Technicolor Home Entertainment Services business, provided integrated manufacturing, supply chain management, and anti-piracy solutions to Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) in support of the highly-anticipated launch of Xbox 360™, the new video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.
To support the launch of the Xbox 360 platform, Technicolor leveraged a number of its sites across North America and Europe, just as it did in the fall of 2001 with the initial launch of the first-generation Xbox console. For the Xbox 360 launch, Technicolor provided Microsoft, its partners, and its retail customers with a broad array of services, including anti-piracy consulting; optical disc manufacturing, packaging, and assembly; retailer-specific bundling, assortment, and custom configuration; distribution and fulfillment operations; and logistics management services.
The revolutionary new console has been one of the most sought-after consumer electronics products since its long-awaited debut in North America on November 22, 2005. Technicolor manufactured, packaged, and shipped millions of units, in multiple SKU configurations, in less than 30 days across North America and Europe. Industry analysts estimate that all consoles which Technicolor delivered to North American stores by the launch date have already been sold through the retail channel. Microsoft expects to sell three million Xbox 360 units in the first 90 days after its launch, fueled by product introductions in Europe on December 2, 2005, in Japan on December 10, 2005, and in other geographies around the world in 2006.
"Technicolor Home Entertainment Services is very proud of its ongoing relationship with Microsoft, and the extensive scope of services it provided in support of the highly-successful launch of the Xbox 360 console," said Quentin Lilly, president of Technicolor Home Entertainment Services. "By continuing to deliver industry-leading distribution and supply chain management services, we are able to consistently support Microsoft's strategic business initiatives, and fulfill broad consumer demand for a wide range of Xbox-specific and other Microsoft products available at retail."
"Technicolor's industry leadership in optical media replication, printing, packaging, and assembly enabled the Xbox 360 to launch with a variety of new and exciting game titles — all equipped with state-of-the-art anti-piracy mechanisms," said Matt DuCouer, senior director of manufacturing at Microsoft Corporation. "As a trusted Microsoft partner for many years, Technicolor continues to deliver the breadth and depth of manufacturing services which Microsoft requires to fully realize the technology and market potential of the Xbox 360 platform."
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"Microsoft could not be any more pleased with the performance of Technicolor's supply chain management services in support of the retail introduction of the Xbox 360," Ken Lewis, director of logistics at Microsoft Corporation. "The company's vertically-integrated distribution network, and its multi-dimensional logistics capabilities, were critical components of Microsoft's retail sell-through strategy for the new console. As a result, Technicolor will continue to play an instrumental role in the ongoing success of the Xbox 360, as well as the introduction of other Xbox- and Microsoft-branded products."
The Technicolor Xbox 360 services fall under an extended partnership agreement which Thomson signed with Microsoft. Under the terms of the agreement, Thomson's Technicolor Home Entertainment Services business unit provides ongoing manufacturing, packaging, assembly, distribution, and logistics management support for a wide variety of production, including the Xbox and Xbox 360 platforms. These capabilities also include optical disc replication and finished goods distribution services for all Xbox game titles created by Microsoft, Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles, and related peripheral products. In addition, Technicolor Home Entertainment Services manages North American distribution services for all other Microsoft Home & Entertainment Division retail products, including retail software, such as operating systems, applications, and productivity suites, and various hardware items, such as keyboards, mice, and other assorted PC peripheral devices.
Since the launch of the Xbox platform in late 2001, Thomson's Technicolor Home Entertainment Services business unit has manufactured and distributed Xbox discs for Microsoft-branded titles on a global basis. The partnership between the two companies builds on a long history of technology and manufacturing support which Technicolor has provided to Microsoft, and extends beyond the retail sector to a broad spectrum of Microsoft business channels, including the OEM and licensing sectors. Technicolor's relationship with Microsoft includes the development of turnkey optical disc manufacturing and distribution services; support of anti-piracy initiatives across all regions worldwide; and the implementation of security technologies such as inner mirror band and edge-to-edge holographic imaging on optical media products.
About Thomson — Partner To the Media & Entertainment Industries
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides technology, services, and systems & equipment to help its Media & Entertainment clients - content creators, content distributors and users of its technology - realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group is the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA, and Thomson brands. For more information: http://www.thomson.net.
About Technicolor Home Entertainment Services
Technicolor Home Entertainment Services, part of the Services division of Thomson, provides complete DVD and CD manufacturing and distribution services, ranging from compression and authoring through to packaging, shipping, and returns processing, for leading Hollywood studios, video game publishers and manufacturers, independent rights holders, software developers, OEMs, record labels, promotional agencies, direct marketers, and more. Recognized as an optical industry pioneer, and the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of DVDs and CDs, Technicolor Home Entertainment Services has the high-volume replication capabilities and superior technology to produce all major DVD formats, including Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, quickly and efficiently. A leader in the development and implementation of DVD anti-piracy technologies designed to protect content for customers, Technicolor Home Entertainment Services has the worldwide capacity to produce more than 1.7 billion DVDs and 170 million CDs annually. Major Hollywood clients include: The Walt Disney Co., Warner Bros. Pictures, Universal, Paramount, DreamWorks SKG, and MGM. Major software publishing customers include Microsoft, THQ, Atari, Vivendi Universal Games, Intuit, and Electronic Arts. For more information: http://www.technicolor.com.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is the most powerful video game and entertainment system, delivering the best games, the next generation of the premier Xbox Live® online gaming service, and unique digital entertainment experiences that revolve around you. The system launched this past holiday season in North America, Europe, and Japan, and will be available in Australia, Colombia, Hong Kong, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan in 2006. For more information: http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox Live, are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.
Media Contact Information:
+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+|Thomson Media Relations | | |+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+|Keith R. Pillow (U.S.) | +1 805 445 4254|keith.pillow@thomson|| | |.net |+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+|Season A. Skuro (U.S.) | +1 805 383 3245|season.skuro@thomson|| | |.net |+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+|Martine Esquirou (Europe)| +33 1 41 86 58 51|martine.esquirou@tho|| | |mson.net |+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+|Julie Dardelet (Europe) |+ 33 1 41 86 65 24 |julie.dardelet@thoms|| | |on.net |+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+|Thomson Investor | | ||Relations | | |+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+|Severine Camp | +33 1 41 86 57 23|severine.camp@thomso|| | |n.net |+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+|Marie Boidot | +33 1 41 86 51 00|marie.boidot@thomson|| | |.net |+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+|Laurent Sfaxi | +33 1 41 86 58 83|Laurent.sfaxi@thomso|| | |n.net |+-------------------------+--------------------+--------------------+
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SOURCE: THOMSON
Source: marketwire
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