NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--May 17, 2004--Viewpoint Corporation (NASDAQ: VWPT) - a leading provider of Internet graphics and delivery systems - announced today a deal with Scion - the new line of vehicles from Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. - to launch an innovative
search toolbar later this week. The Scion xBar sports Scion branding and made-to-order features in time for the national rollout of the new tC sports coupe.
The xBar is powered by Viewpoint`s Graphically Enhanced Search technology that delivers revolutionary visual enhancements for searching the Web; it also provides Scion-specific branding and skinning as well as updateable, dynamic content and functionality. These features that will allow Scion customers to get the latest information about the tC through their toolbars.
Scion plans to promote the xBar to its loyal community of drivers and visitors to the special tC mini-site (www.wanttc.com) in time for the national dealer rollout and the launch of the new tC. In addition, Viewpoint will offer the Scion xBar ''skin'' to its rapidly growing network of toolbar users to help support the success of this initiative.
''This partnership with Scion affirms Viewpoint`s new focus on search as a way of supporting our underlying technology and providing value for our premiere clients,'' says Jay Amato, Viewpoint`s CEO and president. ''It also preserves the economic model of our toolbar and helps us reach a new base of desirable consumers. For Scion it creates marketing real estate that never existed before. Given the advanced architecture of our toolbar, Scion is now able to repurpose existing assets such as 3D and video and deliver them to its users through a custom tray deploying from the xBar. This is a win-win for everyone.''
''We`re very excited to make this leading edge solution available to our customers,'' says Adrian Si, Scion interactive marketing manager. ''As a company, Scion is all about finding new ways to connect and stay connected to our customers, improving their overall experience. This marketing tool ties in perfectly with our national dealer rollout and the launch of the tC mini-site, announcing the release of the new tC coming in June.''
The development of the Scion xBar extends a relationship between Viewpoint and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. that began in February of 2002. Since then, Viewpoint has successfully assisted in the launch and promotion of numerous vehicles including the Prius hybrid - named the North American Car of the Year - the Toyota Highlander hybrid, the NASCAR Craftsman Tundra race truck and several Lexus models. Viewpoint also helped design and create Scion`s Build Your Scion (BYS) configurator, which enables users to personalize their xB, xA, and tC vehicles.
''We`re pleased to partner with the innovators at Toyota, Lexus and Scion and we continue to look for ways to introduce our technology into new and exciting arenas,'' added Mr. Amato. ''The Scion xBar extends the potential reach of all the content we`re creating for Scion as it launches its brand across the country.''
Scion plans to make the xBar available for download on www.wanttc.com later this week, with Viewpoint also offering the xBar as a ''featured skin'' on its website, www.viewpoint.com.
About Viewpoint
The Viewpoint Platform is the technology behind some of the most innovative, visual experiences on the Web and on the desktop with leading clients such as America Online, Electronic Arts, General Motors, HP-Compaq, IBM, Lexus, Microsoft, Samsung, Toyota, and Sony. Creative Innovator - the Company`s next-generation ad deployment and management system - and the Viewpoint Toolbar - the Vision for the Future of Search - are the latest breakthrough technologies using the full power of the Viewpoint Platform.
Viewpoint Corporation has 100 employees at its headquarters in New York City and in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Detroit.
This press release may contain ''forward-looking'' statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar expressions that reflect Viewpoint`s current expectations about its future performance. These statements and expressions are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Viewpoint`s actual performance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements and expressions. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include those described in the Company`s filings and reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as the lack of assurances that: Scion will repurpose existing assets such as 3D and video and deliver them to its users through a custom tray deploying from the xBar; Viewpoint will find ways to introduce its technology into new and exciting arenas; or the xBar will extend the reach of all the content Viewpoint has created or will create for Scion.
Viewpoint is a trademark of Viewpoint Corporation. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright 2004 Viewpoint Corporation. All rights reserved.
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