The World Economic Forum Announces Technology Pioneers 2007: Sling Media, Inc. Selected

Business Wire, Dec 4, 2006

SAN MATEO, Calif. -- The World Economic Forum today announced 47 Technology Pioneers for 2007. Sling Media, Inc. has been selected as one of these Technology Pioneers. The Technology Pioneers were nominated by the world's leading venture capital and technology companies. The final selection from 225 nominees was made by a panel of leading technology experts appointed by the World Economic Forum. Technology Pioneers 2007 are invited to attend the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum to be held in Davos, Switzerland from 24-28 January 2007.

Sling Media is a digital lifestyle products company whose award-winning product, the Slingbox[TM] allows consumers to access their familiar living room television experience at any time, from any location, using a variety of different displays including laptops and desktop PCs and Macs, PDAs, and smartphones. The Slingbox redirects, or "placeshifts," a single live TV stream from a standard cable connection, cable box, satellite receiver, or DVR to the viewer's PC Co located anywhere in the home or anywhere in the world, via the Internet.

"On behalf of Sling Media and all of our employees worldwide, I would like to personally thank the World Economic Forum for this distinction bestowed upon our company today," said Blake Krikorian, co-founder, Chairman and CEO of Sling Media. "The Slingbox is a breakthrough product that is changing the way consumers view linear television and other video programming. Sling Media is at the forefront of this shift in interactive media delivery, creating new and innovative products and services that deliver a rich customer experience. We look forward to participating in the World Economic Forum in 2007."

Technology Pioneers are companies that have been identified as developing and applying highly transformational and innovative technologies in the areas of energy, biotechnology, health and information technology. This year's class of companies has been selected not only because of the cutting-edge work undertaken by these organizations, but also because their work has potential long-term impact on business and society.

The companies' products include microscopic pill cameras, bio sensors that localize landmines, implantable medical devices for the treatment of brain tumours, mobile television service, blog search engines, open source webrowsers, video headsets, thin-film diamond coatings, solar air-conditioner equipment, paper batteries for music-playing greeting cards, and even an automatic and compacting trash bin powered by solar energy.

Over half (27) of the Technology Pioneers 2007 are US-based companies, with 13 located in California. The United Kingdom boasts six Technology Pioneers 2007; the Netherlands, India, Israel and Singapore boast two each; Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Sweden, and Switzerland have one each.

"The competition to become a Technology Pioneer has been more intense than ever. It is evident that technology and innovation is playing a key role in the shifting power equation at a global level. Driving this shift is the tremendous amount of innovation taking place outside of traditionally hubs. The wide geographic spread of this year's Technology Pioneers is a testament to this trend. We are pleased to welcome these exciting companies to our Community of Technology Pioneers, and look forward to engaging these industry leaders of the future into the community of the World Economic Forum," said Peter Torreele, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum.

To be selected as a Technology Pioneer, a company must be involved in the development of life-changing technology innovation and have the potential for long-term impact on business and society. In addition, it must demonstrate visionary leadership, show all the signs of being a long-standing market leader - and its technology must be proven. Previous Technology Pioneers have included Autonomy, Cambridge Silicon Radio, Encore Software, Google, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, and Napster.

Go to www.weforum.org/techpioneers/2007 for the entire list of Technology Pioneers and interviews with the CEOs of the selected companies.

The selection criteria include:

1) Innovation. The company's technology must be truly innovative. A new version or repackaging of an already well-accepted technological solution does not qualify as an innovation. The innovation should be recent - not more than two years old. The company should invest significantly in R&D.

2) Potential Impact. This company's technology must have the potential to have a substantial long-term impact on business and society in the future.

3) Growth and Sustainability. The company should have all the signs of being a long-term market leader and should have well-formulated plans for future development and growth.

4) Proof of Concept. The company must have a product on the market or have proven practical applications of the technology. Companies in "stealth" mode and companies with untested ideas or models will not qualify.

5) Leadership. The company must have visionary leadership that plays a critical role in driving the company towards reaching its goals.