TORONTO, CANADA, June 20, 2005 � VFM Interactive, the leader of rich
media production and distribution for the travel industry, announced today
the launch of Vscape® � a sophisticated online tool for distributing
hotel still images and rich media such as videos and virtual tours across
the Internet. With Vscape, hotels can distribute their online media with
one simple point of contact to thousands of travel sites, search engines
and, shortly, GDSs � while having complete selective control over the electronic
channel and exactly which sites their images appear on.
Up till now, still image distribution has been hampered by several problems.
It�s been a fragmented, inconvenient process requiring multiple points
of contact for hotels. It�s also been patchy and inconsistent, sometimes
with a good deal of lag time between the time new media becomes available
and the point at which it�s eventually displayed online to consumers. Outdated
images appear in unlikely places. And the management, control and leveraging
of media assets is inefficient and difficult, particularly in large corporate
structures with hundreds or thousands of properties. Vscape addresses all
these problems.
What�s more, Vscape is currently available to hotels at no charge. This
includes no-cost distribution of up to 20 still images per property.
�Vscape answers several frustrations we�ve heard about repeatedly from
our hotel clients,� explains Paolo Boni, President and CEO of VFM. �We
took their cue to develop a system that is efficient and time-saving while
giving hotels more control over the online channel and how they market
themselves in that space.�
Several leading hotel brands have not only expressed interest in Vscape
at this early stage, but have already signed agreements with VFM. �In the
next few weeks, we�ll be announcing several partnerships with leading hotel
brands,� adds Boni. �We�re very enthusiastic about how this service is
being embraced.�
VFM�s network consists of more than 5,000 travel and travel-related
sites where consumers are researching and purchasing travel products including
8 of the top 10 travel websites, and shortly, key meta-search engines,
search portals, and GDSs. The Selective Distribution Dashboard in Vscape
provides hotels with the ability to control exactly where they want their
images and rich media distributed. And because of VFM�s ongoing technology-driven
relationships with its distribution partners, Vscape ensures prompt updating
of images anytime a hotel has new photos available.
Vscape easily interfaces with a hotel�s internal content management
system using a simple XML feed to distribute stills and rich media with
one contact point. For hotels and management companies that do not yet
utilize a media or content management tool for rich media, or would like
to transition to the convenience of a single platform, Vscape includes
the web-based Online Media Manager � a tool that enables hotels to upload,
store, update, manage, categorize, search, distribute and track the usage
of all their digital assets and rich media � from still images, 360s and
videos to logos and PDF brochures. The sophisticated, intuitive interface
has a number of easy-to-use tools that enable hotels to efficiently browse,
add and update all media through a single access point.
Inquiries about Vscape can be made to VFM Interactive toll-free at 1-877-593-6634.
About VFM Interactive
VFM
Interactive is the leading distributor and producer of rich media content
for the lodging and travel industry. Operating the largest and fastest-growing
distribution network, VFM enables hotels to maximize their presence online
using the power of rich media on more than 5,000 travel and travel-related
sites where consumers are researching and purchasing travel products. In
addition to sites such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline and TripAdvisor,
VFM�s distribution network also includes major search engines and will
shortly include both meta-search and GDSs. VFM also produces a variety
of rich media marketing content including videos, 360° virtual tours
and Flash productions. VFM�s clients include over 3,000 hotels and resorts
from brands and management companies such as Best Western, Choice, Crowne
Plaza, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Interstate, Marriott, MGM, Outrigger, Radisson,
Regent, Sheraton, W, Westin, and Wyndham properties.
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