Panasonic Plasma Televisions to Play Prominent Role at PhotoImaging & Design Expo

Business Wire, April 22, 2004

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 22, 2004

42" and 50" screens reveal photos in real time during live shoots

PhotoImaging & Design Expo, the only industry show created and developed by industry icons and experts, announced today that history will be made during the event, when live photo shoots are integrated with 42" and 50" Panasonic Plasma Screens, capturing the live color and beauty of every shot. For the hundreds of conference attendees watching these live shoots, the screens will offer a new level of energy and vision, as well as providing a look into the future where plasma displays will function as an integral part of the digital work flow.

Douglas Dubler, an award-winning fashion, beauty, and fine arts photographer has been a trailblazer, having been the first to introduce the large screens at his studio during live advertising shoots.

"In the past, dozens of people would congregate around a computer screen to look at images," says Dubler. "The presence of Panasonic Plasma Screens has added energy to every one of my shoots, providing not only visual impact, but larger-than-life images with true, vibrant colors."

Dubler counts Epson, Fuji, Olympus, Avon, Max Factor, Revlon, Clairol, and others among his client list. His work has been featured on hundreds of magazine covers. Dubler will lead a live photo shoot for a magazine cover at the Expo, encompassing all aspects of production - concept, casting, styling, hair and makeup, lighting, composition, digital capture, retouching, and high-resolution output.

Jennifer Graylock, the official photographer of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York and L.A. for the 2003 season, will also incorporate the Panasonic technology into her live runway shoot. Working with designer Richard Tyler and high-end models, she will conduct a fashion runway program, using the best in Olympus equipment.

"The screens will play an interesting role in the dynamics of the show," says Graylock. "They'll also add an important educational dimension to the conference, allowing attendees to view an end result on the screen."

As an Ultimate Sponsor of the PhotoImaging & Design Expo, Panasonic will host the Opening Night Gala Reception. The company's Plasma Screen technology will also be featured in the June issue of Studio Photography & Design magazine in a behind-the-scenes editorial.

With two weeks and counting until the opening of the PhotoImaging & Design Expo, show planners continue to carve out new and innovative ways to capture and display images. Sponsored by Studio Photography & Design and Digital Imaging magazines and produced by Cygnus Expositions, the trade show arm of business-to-business media leader Cygnus Business Media, the show is expected to reach over 150,000 photography and imaging professionals. The Expo debuts May 5-7, 2004, at the San Diego Convention Center. For information on attending or exhibiting at the 2004 event, visit www.PhotoImagingandDesign.com, www.ImagingInfo.com, or call 800.827.8009.

Cygnus Business Media is a leading, diversified business-to-business media company with a portfolio of over 200 media products reaching five million professionals annually within 15 major markets. Its four distinct divisions -- Cygnus Publishing, Cygnus Expositions, Cygnus Interactive, and Cygnus Custom Marketing -- provide comprehensive, integrated advertising and marketing programs for Cygnus' valued customers and clients. The company's leading business publications, trade shows, conferences, Web sites, online products and custom marketing capabilities enhance brand identity, generate sales leads, and build product awareness as they strengthen customer/client relationships. For more information on how Cygnus Business Media can help you achieve your advertising and marketing objectives, visit www.cygnusb2b.com.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, Division of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, markets a broad line of digital and other consumer electronics products. Based in Secaucus, N.J., Matsushita Electric Corporation of America is the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Additional information on Matsushita Electric Corporation of America and Panasonic is available at www.panasonic.com.