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Kodak seeks to boost market share with the launch of image-sharing products

DUBAI — Kodak has changed its business strategy to boost its market share in the Middle East by launching image-sharing products in the region.

The world’s foremost imaging innovator unveiled its latest consumer digital photography products to the Middle East markets in a unique launch event in Dubai.

The company expects new products will boost its share in the market known for its high quality and standards as well as stiff competition among the gadget manufacturers.

“The new product portfolio is designed with the needs of today’s modern users in mind, focusing on the sharing and networking applications of images and videos on web networks through Kodak’s innovative ‘share button’ as well as robust sorting and tagging features most users will find extremely practical,” said Arif Khan, Area Manager for Kodak (Near East) Inc.

Kodak has up to a 32 per cent market share in the Middle East and Africa region. The company, facing stiff competition with up to 13 per cent share in the UAE, banks on new image-sharing products to increase its stake in the market.

Khan said Kodak’s new-product line not only incorporates new technologies aligned with the social element of sharing images and videos, but it also offers unique and personalised products for different users.

Elaborating, Khan said new product line has unique innovative features such as a one-click share button, simple yet effective tagging and sorting, face recognition capabilities, revolutionary Wi-Fi equipped frames, and even a waterproof camera that can work up to 10 feet underwater.

Reddy V. N., Business Manager for Kodak, said the digital camera market is booming due to technological advancements. He said despite revolution in mobile phone sets with latest built-in digital camera demand for traditional still and video camera remains intact as consumers use them on serious events.

“People prefer digital and video cameras over cellphone photography for serious events. Market is still witnessing a robust growth in digital camera segment and the stakeholders have to be innovative to retain their position in the market.”

Reddy said Kodak focuses on software innovation in digital photography rather than participating in the optical-zoom and mega-pixel war with competitors in the market. “Kodak’s image sharing products will facilitate consumers and give a definite boost to our share in the market,” he said.

In reply to a question, he said the new products focus on sharing and networking applications of images and videos on the Web through Kodak’s innovative ‘share button’ as well as robust sorting and tagging features.

“The Kodak Easyshare M-series digital cameras are user-friendly and let them share their golden moments with popular sites like Facebook, Flickr, Youtube, Kodak Gallery and e-mails,” he said.

He said price for digital frame, having capacity to store 4,000 images, starts from Dh700 while the digital cameras are priced between Dh500 to Dh1,800.

muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com