Thomson’s Out Of Home Networks Business Launches Ground Breaking In-Store Media Solution

Paris, San Francisco– At CES today, Thomson (NYSE: TMS), through its Premier Retail Networks (PRN) business, introduced the first high-definition content management and distribution platform designed to increase sales of HDTV and home theatre products for its customers. Thomson’s HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface)-enabled Best Picture™ solution significantly enhances the shopper experience by enabling product-specific comparison, ensuring each TV has the optimal display settings, and giving retailers complete control of how individual TVs are merchandised across thousands of stores.

“Ensuring high levels of compliance for HDTV displays is critical for successful merchandising,” said Sean Moran, head of the Out-of-Home Media Networks business for Thomson’s Services Division. “Based on the positive feedback we’ve received from our partners, we believe this next generation HDTV merchandising initiative is a game changer in helping drive consumer electronics sales and delivering a more satisfying shopping experience.”

Best Picture is a hardware and software solution that enables remote management and control of every HDTV display from one central location, with real-time reporting of any compliance errors, such as TV’s cabled incorrectly or tuned to the wrong channel. Best Picture also supports retailers’ sustainability initiatives - TVs can be switched off during low traffic periods, resulting in millions of dollars in power savings each year.

Best Picture is supported by PRN’s IPTV platform and was developed in collaboration with Thomson’s Corporate Research business unit, an HDMI founder with long standing experience in this field. Thomson will work with top consumer electronic manufacturers and retail media solutions providers to drive broad adoption of Best Picture in 2008, including Philips, Enseo, Kramer, ARMA Design, and others.

“We are excited about Thomson’s Best Picture solution, and are eager to work with its PRN business to support this initiative for our next generation of HDTV’s,” said Todd Richardson, Vice President, Customer Marketing Connected Display, Philips Consumer Lifestyle North America. “With this solution or components of this solution, we will be able to ensure that every Phillips TV on display is shown in the best possible light and that our customers get the information they need to make informed purchase decisions.”

Thomson’s new HDTV merchandising initiative, supported by Best Picture, gives shoppers and store personnel on-demand access to individual TV specifications, hook-up services and accessories. Manufacturers with Best Picture-enabled TV’s are also able to program demo modes for best picture quality across a range of programming genres. Programmed TV’s will automatically revert to the best display mode after in-store changes.

“With Best Picture’s master console, our retail partners have the ability to monitor and control every TV across the chain,” said Scott Francis, Chief Technology Officer of PRN. “We are very excited about the opportunities for this new solution and will be working with our partners to deliver the benefits of Best Picture to consumers and retailers as quickly as possible.”

Thomson’s PRN business enables retailers and manufacturers to reach consumers in over 7,000 leading retail stores worldwide. It works with retailers, content partners and advertisers to create in-store programming that engages, informs and motivates consumers where they shop. Retailers carrying the PRN Network include ACME, Albertsons, Best Buy, Carrefour, Circuit City, Costco, Jewel-Osco, Pathmark, SAM’S CLUB, Shaw’s, ShopRite, Star Market, and Wal-Mart Stores.

*Thomson will be demonstrating its PRN’s Best Picture solution at CES this week; South Hall 2 #25705

About Thomson — World leader in digital video technologies
Thomson (Euronext Paris: 18453; NYSE: TMS) provides technology, services, and systems to help its Media, Entertainment & Communications clients – content creators, content distributors and users of its technology – realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment.. For more information: http://www.thomson.net.