Avid Introduces Next-Generation Avid Active ContentManager

Version 3.0 creates more efficient news workflow by extending news content to Web and wireless devices

Tewksbury, Mass. – Avid Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVID) unveiled Avid Active™ ContentManager 3.0, a solution for broadcasters looking to simplify multi-channel news workflows and create more revenue opportunities by broadening the delivery of content to the Web, wireless devices and other IP-based distribution points. Avid Active ContentManager 3.0 allows broadcasters to efficiently and effectively build Web and mobile audiences by enabling automatic creation and repurposing of broadcast news content (audio, video and graphics) with minimal effort and cost.

“More people are getting their news on the fly, and pushing stories to mobile devices and the Web are becoming critical channels for us to capitalize on additional revenue streams. We need to be able to move content quickly, without having to rebuild our infrastructure,” said Brian Cottle, system administrator at KOMU TV8 in Missouri. “With Active ContentManager, our staff can easily publish video, audio and graphics material to our station’s Website with a few clicks, and it doesn’t break the budget. We’ve been able to leverage a lot of the infrastructure we have in-house and turn around content very quickly and that has helped us keep a competitive edge.”

Avid Active ContentManager 3.0 works in conjunction with most newsroom computer systems and popular nonlinear editing systems and offers tight integration between the Avid® iNEWS® newsroom computer system, Avid NewsCutter® news editing systems, and Avid Unity™ and Interplay® systems to deliver industry-leading newsroom-to-Web speed and operational efficiencies. With Avid Active ContentManager, customers will now be able to easily capture entire newscasts, change video in and out points, manage content from non-news production sources and publish the news content to various mediums.

Customers will benefit from a range of enhancements to Avid Active ContentManager 3.0, including:

* Availability of the ACM NewsPoller module, which allows newsroom workflow linkage with most Web content management systems and includes enhancements to simplify interoperability with other content management systems.
* Qualification of Sorenson Squeeze® 5 for background encoding of broadcast video into online video resolutions, which significantly lowers implementation costs.
* The ability to automatically post as-aired newscasts or news segments in Web and mobile-specific resolutions.
* Expanded content support that enables most data types can be introduced into, managed, and published by Avid Active ContentManager.
* Automatic positioning of stories on Web pages ranked by number of hits and votes.

“Avid Active ContentManager gives broadcasters the flexibility and creative control to more effectively build online audiences and additional Web-generated revenue, and it works with just about any news environment.” said Jim Frantzreb, sr. marketing manager, broadcast at Avid. “Not only does version 3.0 break new ground in speed and simplicity, but the connection with an Avid news workflow means that different stories, unaired or alternate clips, or user-generated content can be easily and automatically added to a broadcaster’s Website. This helps broadcasters leverage their market advantage by providing unique Web and mobile content that can attract the loyal viewership that builds revenue.”
Pricing and Availability

Avid Active ContentManager 3.0 is priced at $70,000 (not including server hardware, Microsoft SQL software, encoding software, and PCTV card). The Avid Active ContentManager NewsPoller module is also available for $15,000 for those customers wishing to use an existing content management system. Avid Active ContentManager 3.0 is available now.
About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, and broadcast professionals – as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign®, M-Audio®, Pinnacle Systems®, Sibelius® and Sundance Digital®. The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature films, commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students, Avid’s products and services enable customers to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar® statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid® Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. For more information about the company’s Oscar, Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning products and services, visit www.avid.com, del.icio.us, Flickr, twitter and YouTube; connect with Avid on Facebook or subscribe to Avid Industry Buzz.

© 2008 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice. Promotions and discounts are subject to availability and change without notice. All prices are USMSRP for the U.S. and Canada only and are subject to change without notice. Contact your local Avid office or reseller for prices outside the U.S. and Canada. Avid, Digidesign, Film Composer, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Sundance Digital, Avid Active, iNEWS, NewsCutter, Avid Unity, and Interplay are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATA. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. Sorenson Squeeze is a trademark of Sorenson Media, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.