European multimedia associations announce the winners of the European seal of excellence in multimedia 2004.

Hanover, 18 March 2004

At the occasion of CEBIT, Europe's leading multimedia associations announce the winners of the European Seal of Excellence in Multimedia 2004. Mr. Oluf Ulseth, Norwegian State Secretary for Industry, gave the keynote speech at this important yearly event and congratulated the winners: "Europe needs companies that create products and services that are ready to take on the world markets. The European multimedia Industry really has a lot to show for, and the winning companies have managed to distinguish themselves among the very best in the world..."

In his introduction, Philippe Wacker, the Secretary General of the European Multimedia Forum, underlined the importance of the Seal as a visibility tool highlighting the European Multimedia Accelerator (www.e-multimedia.org/accelerator)a joint effort of Europe's multimedia associations to support their members' international business expansion. "The Seal showcases some of the companies that our Accelerator is currently promoting internationally, both within and without Europe, particularly into the US and Asian markets". He also welcomed the participation of Indian companies in this year's Seal and highlighted the excellent cooperation with the Bangalore-based Interactive Technology, Software & Media Association, saying "In the future, we will extend our Seal to other regions of the world. In a context that is becoming increasingly anti-globalisation, we want the Seal to remind us all that cross-cultural collaboration is not only profitable but mutually fruitful & reinforcing, and ultimately a factor of peace".

Background

The European Seal of Excellence in Multimedia distinguishes European companies with applications, services or technologies that are genuinely outstanding and world class and non-European companies with an outstanding track record of collaborating with Europe. A list of the winners is appended.

Focusing on Achievements of Excellence

Through the Seal, the European multimedia associations want to honour the outstanding achievements of companies active in the multimedia environment, a community composed of seven main groups:


Digital Content Creators
Digital Content Aggregators
Software Suppliers
Digital Device Manufacturers
Digital Network Suppliers
Digital Content & Technology Users
Service Providers to any of the above
The Selection Process

Members of the European Multimedia Associations Convention (EMMAC) nominate their candidates. A jury composed of a representative from each EMMAC member selects the winners. The Seal is awarded yearly on the basis of five criteria:


Innovation
Performance
User friendliness
Benefit to Society
Market Creation & Penetration
Companies & institutions to which the Seal is bestowed are entitled to refer to, and publicly display, their 'European Seal of Excellence'. All winners feature prominently in www.Check-Out-Europe.com, the European Showcase of Excellence in Multimedia.

The Organisers

The European Multimedia Associations' Convention - EMMAC (www.e-multimedia.org/associations) is the co-ordination platform of Europe's main national and regional multimedia associations. It is managed by the European Multimedia Forum. The EMF (www.e-multimedia.org) is the main European Trade Association promoting the competitiveness of the converging digital media industries in the global market place.

For more information - please contact:

Margaretha Mazura,
Deputy Secretary General,
European Multimedia Forum

Tel: +32 475 44 36 83
e-mail : mm@e-multimedia.org