ClearStory Systems Announces Ascent Media Selected EMS(R) for Its Digital Management Media Platform

ClearStory Systems, Inc., a leading provider of enterprise digital asset management (DAM) solutions, announced that Ascent Media, a company providing solutions for the creation, management, and storage of media assets, has developed a new digital media management service built on the ClearStory Enterprise Media Server(TM) (EMS). Ascent Media's integration of EMS will offer cutting edge video management services to Ascent Media customers, resulting in a faster time to market, quicker response time, and a lower cost of doing business.

The explosion of multi-media channels -- such as wireless phones, video-on-demand, and high-definition television -- has added significant complexity to the task of controlling and delivering media assets used for commercials and other marketing communications. Organizations and agencies must constantly repurpose content in different media formats; localize and internationalize commercial spots; and manage increasingly complex media placement issues, such as tracking when and where different commercials have run.

As a leading provider of specialized media services for advertising agencies and other groups that produce, own, and distribute media content, Ascent Media touches nearly 60% of all the commercials produced in the United States. The sheer volume of video content combined with the evolving digital media landscape gave Ascent Media the opportunity to provide additional services to their customers. With the digital media landscape becoming increasingly complex, agencies and corporate clients are looking for comprehensive solutions for the management of their video assets. Ascent Media is looking to meet the growing demand. ClearStory's EMS platform was able to provide additional functionality to Ascent Media's existing DAM services by enabling the company to fully integrate its video production infrastructure, resulting in a new system that would keep pace with its customers' evolving needs.

Ascent Media evaluated technology solutions that could be customized to create a scalable, in-house digital video library and media services system. With its pure J2EE architecture, highly modular platform, and robust set of developer APIs, ClearStory's Enterprise Media Server(TM) (EMS) was the logical choice for this initiative. Ascent Media was able to build the solution in just three months.

"For a brand to be successful today, it must reach consumers from a variety of different channels and mediums. The need to repackage and deliver content in multiple formats across multiple channels creates an enormous content management challenge for organizations," comments Craig German, Vice President, Program Management, Digital Services, Ascent Media Group. "This solution provides complete lifecycle management for our customer's video assets. We were extremely pleased with how easy it was to work with EMS to achieve our objectives and ClearStory's expertise and support has made them an invaluable partner in supporting this initiative."

By connecting Ascent Media's enterprise video applications through the EMS, Ascent Media can offer complete lifecycle management for digital video assets. Customers can upload their digital video to the Ascent system, where it can be easily edited, archived, and distributed. Leveraging the power of EMS, Ascent Media customers can benefit by:

--  Enhanced collaboration and control - Content owners will have secure,
    on-demand access to their content and greater control over where and how
    content is used. The adaptable user interface also makes it easier for
    creative teams to actively collaborate on projects.
--  360-degree media capabilities - The new initiative allows video assets
    to be quickly and easily repurposed and customized for different media and
    markets, maximizing these assets for customers.
--  Flexibility and scalability - Built with a pure J2EE architecture, the
    solution can easily be scaled and integrated with existing and future video
    applications.
--  Delivery efficiencies - With video residing in Ascent Media's central
    repository, costs associated with transport and storage of assets will be
    dramatically lowered, and delivery times reduced.

Comments Mike Lam, President of ClearStory Systems: "Ascent Media is well-renown for providing unprecedented levels of service for their customers through the adoption of leading edge technology. This modern media services platform really provides an important competitive edge in post-production, video delivery, and on-demand video services."

About ClearStory Systems, Inc.

ClearStory Systems, Inc. is the leader in high-performance, content management solutions for digital media communications. ClearStory software manages the enterprise digital media supply chain, from creation and collaboration, to lifecycle management and delivery, to give companies a competitive advantage, marketing agility, cost avoidance, and maximum efficiency. Backed by premier customer support and service, ClearStory award-winning products are easy to use and readily align with our customers' business objectives for both a rapid return-on-investment and low total cost of ownership. Visit us at www.clearstorysystems.com .