FAO, INC., ZAPF CREATION SELECT VENDARIA FOR ON-LINE VIDEO PRODUCT DEMONSTRATIONS
Streaming Videos Enhance Buying Experience and Increase On-line Sales
SEATTLE, WA, December 10, 2002 – Vendaria, Inc., a leading provider of streaming video services for manufacturers and e-retailers, today announced that FAO, Inc., a family of high quality brands for toddlers and children, including FAO Schwarz and Zany Brainy, and Zapf Creation, a maker of best-selling dolls and accessories, are implementing the Vendaria Vpop point-of-purchase product video demonstration solution to extend their brand recognition, and to increase both on-line and traditional sales.
FAO, Inc. has integrated the Vendaria streaming video delivery platform onto the websites of its subsidiaries FAO Schwarz and Zany Brainy, making Vendaria the exclusive product video supplier to www.fao.com and www.zanybrainy.com.
"Shopping at any FAO Schwarz store is a unique experience that delights kids and kids at heart," said Michelle Gershkovich, Executive Vice President of Internet and Catalogue, FAO Schwarz. "We want to capture the magic of our stores and deliver it to the visitors of our website. Vendaria’s streaming videos allow our customers to see our products in action, enhancing both our on-line and traditional sales."
Vendaria Videos Bring Dolls to Life
Vendaria also has been retained by Zapf Creation to produce streaming videos that highlight the company’s most popular dolls. With the click of a mouse, on-line shoppers can see video of Baby Annabell, Rock-A-Bye CHOU CHOU, BABY born‚, and Maggie Raggies Sweetie Singer.
"Vendaria’s solution brings our best-selling dolls to life," said Sandra Crawford, President, Zapf Creation (U.S.) Inc. "Their enhanced videos give our customers a unique opportunity to experience our products in a way they just can’t with static images. The more people know about our dolls through this engaging technology, the more comfortable they are with on-line purchases."
Streaming Product Videos Drive Off-line Sales
According to Forrester Research, some 32 million consumers investigate products on-line, and then buy them off-line by calling toll-free numbers, or by going to traditional retail stores. "Compelling product information, especially visuals that give consumers more information than words, improve product sales," said Scott Kling, Director of Toy and e-Retail Distribution at Vendaria. "Some of our customers have seen Internet sales jump as much as 800 percent for products that have video demos."
NOTE TO EDITORS: To see an example of the Vendaria videos, please go to:
www.fao.com/products/detail.cfm?objectid=8DB582A6-7E91-4F8F-85F521BE22939327&subcategory=4102
or
www.zapf-creation.com/na/play/list.php?dt=cc&c=2&sc=0
About Vendaria
Vendaria Inc. provides streaming video services to companies in need of enhanced sales, marketing and merchandising collateral. By leveraging Vendaria’s technology platform, companies can enrich existing sales and marketing initiatives, and deliver targeted messages to consumers who desire more interactive and engaging content. Vendaria’s services are designed for manufacturers, e-retailers, and advertising and marketing companies. Based in Seattle, Vendaria was founded in 1999 and is privately held. For more information, visit www.vendaria.com.
About FAO, Inc.
FAO, Inc. (Nasdaq: FAOO) is a family of high quality, educational brands for toddlers and children and is a leader in children’s specialty retailing. FAO, Inc. owns and operates renowned children’s luxury retailer FAO Schwarz; The Right Start, national specialty retailer of high-quality developmental and educational products for infants and children; and, Zany Brainy, a leading retailer of high quality, safe and fun products for kids.
FAO, Inc. was formed in January 2002 with the acquisition of FAO Schwarz and currently operates a total of 256 retail outlets nationwide. The Right Start brand originated in 1985 through the creation of the Right Start Catalog and operates 64 retail stores nationwide. The Right Start, Inc. purchased Zany Brainy in September, 2001, and operates 169 Zany Brainy stores. FAO Schwarz, founded in 1862 and now in its 140th year, was acquired by The Right Start, Inc. in January 2002 and currently operates 23 stores nationwide.
About Zapf Creation
The Zapf Creation AG is Europe’s leading brand manufacturer of play, function, and collector dolls and doll accessories. Celebrating its 70th Anniversary in 2002, Zapf Creation is striving to develop its large doll segment to become the leading large doll manufacturer in its key worldwide markets. Today’s top selling brands are BABY born® and CHOU CHOU, which are also market leaders in North America, and Baby Annabell, the widely successful brand in Europe that launched in the United States in 2002. The company’s headquarters are in Roedental/, Germany. For more information, please visit www.zapf-creation.com.
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