Arizona Republic to Use Electronic Ink

Posted on August 30, 2000

E Ink Corporation, a developer and marketer of electronic ink technology, has announced The Arizona Republic will be the first newspaper to use electronic ink displays to transmit news to locations around Phoenix. The Arizona Republic will incorporate E Ink's Immedia displays in select Phoenix-area retail locations.

The displays will be used in 50 public locations during a three-month trial period. The Arizona Republic will use Immedia displays to provide daily news updates as well as to promote stories in the following day's paper and on its website. The electronic ink based signs at all locations will be networked together, allowing messages to be updated instantly from one location. Safeway, Inc. will be the first retailer to feature the displays in ten of its stores.

``The Arizona Republic is committed to providing its readers with timely news from the Phoenix area and from around the world,'' said Gena Zestrijan, retail merchandising manager for The Arizona Republic. ``By incorporating Immedia as a part of our newspaper vending stands, we can instantly alert our readers to breaking news, let them know what they can expect to read about in tomorrow's paper and increase our circulation.''

The Arizona Republic's signs will also be the first application of Immedia displays used by a content supplier on the premises of a retailer.

``As one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, Safeway strives to provide its customers with the best shopping experience,'' said Debra Albery, public affairs director for Safeway. ``The Arizona Republic's use of Immedia in our stores lets our shoppers take advantage of this state-of-the-art technology to obtain news and other information while they shop.''

``By using Immedia, The Arizona Republic recognizes the importance of reaching out to readers at the point of purchase,'' said Cyndi Reitmeyer, retail marketing manager at E Ink. ``And because they're going to be communicating messages to over 50 locations, the use of Immedia assures all locations will deliver the same news in sync with each other. That kind of delivery is impossible with traditional in-store signage.''

``The use of Immedia to provide updated news represents yet another important step by E Ink on the road to creating electronic newspapers that are as easy-to-read as ink on paper,'' said Jim Iuliano, president and CEO of E Ink.