PhotoChannel Signs Agreement with Costco Canada
Costco to utilize PhotoChannel’s PNI Digital Media Platform
VANCOUVER, BC – December 16, 2005 – PhotoChannel Networks Inc. (TSX-V: PNI and OTCBB: PHCHF) (“PhotoChannel” or the “Company”), one of North America’s leading digital imaging technology providers, today announces an agreement with Costco Canada (“Costco”) whereby Costco will deploy the PNI Digital Media Platform to initially offer online photo printing for Costco members through the Costco website located at www.costco.ca.
The integration of the PNI Digital Media Platform within each Costco warehouse will allow Costco members to place orders for prints and other photo products online and pick them up in the selected warehouse. Costco customers will now be able to use the benefits of the new PNI Digital Media Platform, including the seamless ordering of prints. Currently, Costco warehouses in Winnipeg are live for Costco members to place orders and the remaining Costco warehouses will be enabled over the next few months.
“PhotoChannel is very pleased to announce Costco as a customer,” said Peter Fitzgerald, Chairman and CEO of PhotoChannel. “We have had a long history of working with Costco and we are looking forward to our ongoing partnership. The signing of this contract further entrenches PNI as the leading provider of distributed digital content to retailers in Canada and with such a recognized “household name”, along with the reputation that Costco has built over the years, together we will definitely make the new service a resounding success.”
"We are very pleased to have chosen PhotoChannel, as our online digital service provider,” said Peter Malizia, Assistant General Merchandise Manager of Ancillary Services for Costco Wholesale Canada. “We believe that PhotoChannel’s technology delivers the right combination of products and services needed to make our online digital photo offering live up to the standards our members expect. The printing of digital images, along with digital content e-commerce, is in a very high growth stage and we are relying on PhotoChannel’s leading expertise in this area to deliver our members best on class capabilities.”
About Costco Wholesale
Costco Wholesale currently operates over 460 warehouses in North America and around the world. The company now operates 66 locations in Canada including its Kanata location which opened November 16th. Worldwide sales topped the $51.9 billion mark with the end of its fiscal year on August 28th, 2005.
About PhotoChannel
Founded in 1995, PhotoChannel operates PNI Digital Media to provide services for major retailers, wireless carriers, and content providers. The PNI Digital Media Platform connects consumer ordered content such as photos, music and games with retailers that have on demand manufacturing capabilities for the production of merchandise in real time. Currently over 8000 retail locations are serviced by PNI Digital Media. Music, Photos, Games, Video, Mobile Content - PNI Digital Media creates transaction opportunities. For more information please visit www.pnidigitalmedia.com. Investor Information: (866) 345-0115 WARNING: The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained in this release. The Company relies upon litigation protection for "forward-looking" statements.
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