NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Oct 4, 2004--Viewpoint Corporation (NASDAQ: VWPT)
-- Initiative to raise money and awareness for Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade, in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
-- The Tony Danza Show`s Ereka Vetrini, a former contestant on NBC`s The Apprentice, to serve as spokesperson for the initiative.
In a sweeping new use of ''search'' technology, Viewpoint Corporation (NASDAQ: VWPT) - a leading provider of Internet graphics and delivery systems - announced today an agreement with Avon Foundation to create and distribute a custom search toolbar that promotes the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade. The program will give the Foundation access to a new source of funding as well as innovative tools for reaching and educating its supporters using the toolbar as a communication link.
As part of the agreement, the Avon Foundation is expected to promote the technology to its supporters via email and its website and will receive contributions from Viewpoint Corporation for Avon Foundation-skinned toolbars that participants download from www.searchingforacause.com. The higher the number of downloads, the higher Viewpoint`s contribution to the Avon Foundation with a guaranteed minimum of $25,000.
Additionally, Viewpoint will enable the Avon Foundation to deliver messages directly to users through a ''tray'' of the toolbar. Participants will be able to connect directly to the Avon Foundation, the Breast Cancer Crusade and affiliate programs through buttons within the toolbar that allow users to access information or support the various Avon Foundation initiatives.
''There is no better use of our advanced search toolbar technology than delivering information that can help save lives,'' says Jay Amato, Viewpoint`s CEO and president. ''Our toolbar will allow the Avon Foundation to keep a constant reminder on hundreds of thousands of members` desktops and will deliver up-to-the-minute updates about fundraising and awareness programs such as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We`re thrilled to be playing an active part in this education campaign and in contributing directly to Avon Foundation`s life-saving programs.''
The use of the search-related technology as a means of fundraising and awareness-raising is a new part of a growing trend by nonprofit organizations to use the Internet and cutting-edge technologies to extend the effectiveness of their programs - a trend cited by the Internet Nonprofit Center. Viewpoint`s Searching For A Cause program and its relationship with the Avon Foundation will continue through March 2005 with the opportunity to extend further.
''We are pleased to add this new tool to our array of fundraising opportunities,'' states Carol Kurzig, executive director for the Avon Foundation. ''The use of the web is growing exponentially, and it has become an important outlet for reaching people of all ages with important messages, such as the message of breast cancer early detection, while raising funds that will support work of the Avon Foundation.''
Serving as spokesperson for the Avon Foundation/ Viewpoint Corporation toolbar initiative is Ereka Vetrini, Tony Danza`s sidekick on Buena Vista Television`s The Tony Danza Show, former contestant on NBC`s The Apprentice (2004), former Internal Operations Consultant for Estee Lauder and Global Promotional Marketing Manager for Clinique.
''I am proud to be representing the Avon Foundation in their use of innovative technologies to raise awareness,'' says Ereka Vetrini. ''So many women my age rely on the Internet as a way of finding and sharing information that is important to their everyday lives. Now through this campaign they can more easily access and share life-saving advice, become active in their communities, while raising money in the process.''
About the Avon Foundation
The Avon Foundation is a public charity founded in 1955 with the mission to improve the lives of women with focus on two areas: the fight against breast cancer and support for women`s empowerment programs, including the issue of domestic violence and economic advancement. The Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade supports access to care and finding a cure. In its commitment to ending domestic violence, the Avon Foundation supports awareness, education, direct services and prevention programs through its new multi-faceted Speak Out Against Domestic Violence initiative. For more information visit www.avonfoundation.org or call 866-505-AVON.
About Viewpoint
The Viewpoint Platform is the technology behind some of the most innovative, visual experiences on the Web and on the desktop with leading clients such as America Online, General Electric, General Motors, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Lexus, Microsoft, Samsung, Scion, Sony and Toyota. Creative Innovator - the Company`s next-generation ad deployment and management system - and the Viewpoint Toolbar - the Vision for the Future of Search - are the latest breakthrough technologies using the full power of the Viewpoint Platform.
This press release may contain ''forward-looking'' statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar expressions that reflect Viewpoint`s current expectations about its future performance. These statements and expressions are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Viewpoint`s actual performance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements and expressions. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include those described in the Company`s filings and reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as the lack of assurances that the Avon Foundation will promote the technology to its supporters via email and its website or that Viewpoint`s Searching for a Cause program or its arrangements with the Avon Foundation will extend beyond March 2005.
Viewpoint and Searching for a Cause are trademarks of Viewpoint Corporation. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright 2004 Viewpoint Corporation. All rights reserved.
|
