Avid and Digital Content Producer Team Up for ''Perfect Pitch'' Contest

Contest challenges participants to submit a 60-second pitch; winner to receive assistance in bringing to the silver screen

TEWKSBURY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2008--Avid Technology, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVID) today announced that it is collaborating with Digital Content Producer to launch "The Perfect Pitch" contest - a competition that challenges participants to submit a video of a compelling 60-second pitch detailing a film they'd like to get made. The contest will run through April 1, 2008, and one grand-prize winner will receive a package valued at more than $25,000, which will include: a trip to the Sundance Producers Conference; an opportunity to have a trailer of their film cut by a leading Hollywood trailer house; consulting time with distribution and cinematography experts, and a filmmakers production pack (e.g., computer workstation, camera, editing software and hardware, third-party plug-ins, etc.). The contest will kick off at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT this week, where Avid will set up a "live" pitch area in the New Frontier on Main St., and film contestants who want to deliver their pitches in person. All entries - whether captured at Sundance or submitted via the Web - will be available for public viewing and voting on digitalcontentproducer.com.

"There are so many talented filmmakers looking to make connections in the industry, but they lack the financial resources and rolodex of contacts to get a start," said Jeff Stewart, vice president of marketing for Avid's Video Division. "What better way than help them get exposure than to put their ideas on display for tens of thousands of people and provide them with the tools, connections and professional guidance to get the job done. This isn't just another contest from Avid where winners take home editing software; this is really a new approach in the way we shift our focus in 2008 to reach out to customers and help them further their careers."

The Submission Process

To submit entries to the Perfect Pitch Contest, interested filmmakers can visit www.avid.com/pitch, through April 1, 2008 to view the complete contest rules. Avid and Digital Content Producer will start accepting online submissions beginning January 18, 2008. Additionally, Avid will accept "live" pitches at the Sundance Film Festival from January 18 - 22, 2008 from 2-4 p.m., each day, at the Avid booth in the New Frontier on Main St., where contestants will register and go on camera for 60 seconds to pitch their film ideas. All pitches will be posted on the main submission page on digitalcontentproducer.com.

The Selection Process & Prizes

In early April, Avid and Digital Content Producer will announce the top 20 finalists of the Perfect Pitch contest. These finalists will be selected through an online peer voting process on digitalcontentproducer.com, and each will receive free advice about film budgeting and planning as well as a free copy of Avid® ® software. From that group of finalists, a panel of film industry professionals will judge and select four runners up, who will each receive an Avid editing software and hardware package; and one individual who will receive the grand-prize package.

For more information on contest rules, submission guidelines and prizes, visit: www.avid.com/pitch.

About Avid Technology, Inc.

Avid is a worldwide leader in tools for film, video, audio, 3D animation, gaming and broadcast professionals - as well as for home audio and video enthusiasts. Avid professional and consumer brands include Avid, Digidesign, M-Audio, Pinnacle Systems, , Softimage and Sundance Digital. The vast majority of primetime television shows, feature , commercials and chart-topping music hits are made using one or more Avid products. Whether used by seasoned professionals or beginning students, Avid's products and services enable customers to work more efficiently, productively and creatively. Avid received an Oscar statuette representing the 1998 Scientific and Technical Award for the concept, design, and engineering of the Avid® Film Composer® system for motion picture editing. For more information about the company's Oscar®, Grammy® and Emmy® award-winning products and services, visit www.avid.com.

© 2008 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Avid, Digidesign, Film Composer, M-Audio, Media Composer, Pinnacle Systems, Sibelius, Softimage, and Sundance Digital are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. Emmy is a registered trademark of ATAS/NATAS. Oscar is a trademark and service mark of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Grammy is a trademark of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. Product features, specification, promotion and availability are subject to change with notice. Participants in the Perfect Pitch contest do not have to be present to win. The Contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law. No purchase necessary. Participation in the Contest is subject to the official rules available at www.avid.com/pitch.

CONTACT: Avid Video Amy Peterson, 978-640-3448 [email protected] or Avid Corporate Lisa Pistacchio, 650-930-3083 [email protected]

SOURCE: Avid Technology, Inc.