LAS VEGAS, N.V. (January 25, 2008) - Panasonic today announced that Keizo Ishiguro, General Manager, Device Development Center, Panasonic AVC Networks Co., will be honored with the 2008 Photo Imaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (P.M.D.A.) Technical Achievement Award at the P.M.D.A. Annual Awards Dinner held during the 2008 Photo Marketing Association Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"We're pleased to be able to honor Mr. Ishiguro with our 2008 Award for Technical Achievement," said Matt Knickerbocker, President of the PMDA." His efforts over the last 20 years, especially in the field of zoom lenses, have certainly contributed to the growth and excitement of our entire industry."

Ishiguro was selected by P.M.D.A for his expertise in the field of imaging technology and his many achievements throughout his career that have resulted in unique, groundbreaking products, including the development of the revolutionary optical technologies in the TZ-, FX- and FZ-Series of Panasonic LUMIX digital still cameras. In addition, he has helped create and establish the partnership between Panasonic and Leica, and as a result most of Panasonic's LUMIX digital still cameras feature Leica lenses.

"Since joining Panasonic more than twenty years ago, Mr. Ishiguro has been responsible for leading Panasonic in development of numerous technologies and partnerships that have helped shape the LUMIX brand and drive Panasonic forward in this very competitive industry," said Alex Fried, National Marketing Manager, Imaging, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. "We are proud and excited to celebrate Mr. Ishiguro and are thrilled that the industry has acknowledged his revolutionary accomplishments."

Currently, Ishiguro is responsible for the management and development of Panasonic's optical devices while overseeing a team whose size has doubled since he started in this position in 2004. Ishiguro first joined Panasonic in 1984, and was responsible for the optical design of zoom lenses and developing the auto-focus system for video cameras, as well as developing apsherical lenses and overseeing commercial production of lenses. Later, he developed and initiated the commercial production of compact camera modules and was placed in charge of design and development of zoom lenses for digital still cameras.

Other 2008 P.M.D.A. honorees include: Person of the Year: Phil Askey - Founder, Editor, Author, Programmer and Webmaster, DPReview.com; Norman C. Lipton Lifetime Achievement: Thomas Shay, Director of Corporate Communications, Fujifilm USA (retired); Visionary: David Vaskevich, Senior Vice President, Chief Technical Officer, Microsoft Corp.; and Photographer: Frans Lanting.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Panasonic develops advanced imaging technologies and its entire LUMIX digital still camera line includes optical imaging stabilization and Intelligent ISO features. In its commitment to provide consumers with extensive imaging resources, Panasonic LUMIX established the Digital Photo Academy, a series of nationwide workshops designed to instruct consumers how to optimize the features on their digital cameras and produce high-quality photos. Panasonic is honored to support OUR PLACE - The World's Heritage, a project that will create the world's largest photographic collection of UNESCO World Heritage sites, with acclaimed photographers exclusively using LUMIX digital cameras to capture all images. Information about Panasonic LUMIX digital still cameras and its affiliated programs is available at www.panasonic.com/dsc.

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