Consumers get first look at new KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera; Fans Can Meet Pro Snowboarder Spencer O’Brien at Kodak Tent

Rochester, NY, Mar. 17 -- Kodak today announced it is the “Official Camera Partner” of the 2010 Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships in Stratton, VT and will give consumers the first opportunity to see – and test – the new KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera. In a setting perfect for this rugged adventure-seeking camera, Kodak will have a tent in the Sponsors Village, where pro-snowboarder Spencer O’Brien will greet fans and sign autographs on Saturday, March 20, from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. EST. Kodak is also sponsoring the “Best Trick in Half Pipe” award during the competition.

The new KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera will hit the slopes in its first appearance since its debut at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show in January. The durable, waterproof*, pocket-sized HD digital video camera will be jibbing and freestyling from the peaks of Stratton with some of the nation’s most acclaimed snowboarders.

“For all those consumers waiting for a video camera that can keep up with their active lifestyle, we are thrilled to officially introduce the KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera at the Burton US Open Snowboarding Championships,” said Phil Scott, Vice President of Marketing, Digital Capture and Devices, Kodak. “From blue squares to black diamonds, Stratton is the perfect venue for us to show riders and fans how easy it is to capture video in full 1080p HD, no matter what kind of terrain they’re on.”

Kodak Tent
In the Kodak tent, snowboarding enthusiasts can get a demonstration of the PLAYSPORT Video Camera, take it out to test for themselves, and also have a shot at taking one home.

Pro-snowboarder Spencer O’Brien, Transworld Snowboarding’s 2008 Rookie of the Year, will be on hand to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. During the event, Spencer will also give one of her lucky Twitter followers a chance to win an autographed KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera. In addition, Spencer will capture behind-the-scenes footage of the Burton US Open with the PLAYSPORT Video Camera.

“I love taking pictures and videos while I’m on the mountain and I’m always looking for quick and easy ways to share them with my friends and family,” said Spencer O’Brien.

Spencer placed slopestyle 2nd at X Games 13 and recently finished 1st at the Winter Dew Tour Slopestyle in Snowbasin, UT and 4th at the inaugural Winter X Games Europe.

Kodak Best Trick in Half Pipe
In recognition of the boldest on the slopes, Kodak will also sponsor the Burton US Open’s “Best Trick in Half Pipe,” awarding one male and one female rider with a cash prize and a new KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera.

Pro photographer Cole Barash, a celebrated photographer in the world of snowboarding, will join Kodak at the event to capture all the action in both still photography using Kodak film, and in video using the KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera.

The KODAK PLAYSPORT Video Camera is available in Abyss (black), Wave Crash (blue) and Adrenaline Rush (purple) for US $149.95 MSRP beginning this month at major retailers including Best Buy and Amazon.com, as well as Kodak.com.

Follow all of the excitement at the Burton US Open on Kodak’s 1000 Words blog http://1000words.kodak.com, YouTube Channel, http://youtube.com/KodakTube, and Chief Blogger Twitter feed, http://twitter.com/kodakcb.
* Up to 10 ft. (3 m) under water

About Kodak
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© Kodak, 2010. KODAK and PLAYSPORT are trademarks of Kodak. 2010

Front (left) and rear (right) views of the Kodak PLAYSPORT video camera in Abyss black. Photos provided by Eastman Kodak Co.