| San Francisco, CA and Toronto, Canada, December
14, 2007 � Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, the first and leading collection
of boutique hotels throughout the United States and Canada, is ramping
up its online marketing with more rich visual content through a new partnership
with VFM Interactive, the leading producer and distributor of hotel rich
media. As part of the partnership, VFM will be producing and distributing
new rich media � still images, virtual tours and videos � that will enhance
and better display the distinct features and services of each of Kimpton�s
unique properties to travel consumers both on Kimpton�s website as well
as VFM network of more than 25,000 travel sites and other electronic distribution
channels.
Additionally, Kimpton will be utilizing VFM�s Vscape® online rich media management and distribution platform as well as a new custom-developed state-of-the-art multimedia viewer to better display its properties� media. Vscape will allow Kimpton to store, manage and distribute to all electronic channels all of its properties� images, virtual tours, videos and other marketing content through a single platform. Utilizing the best media display technologies, the new VFM Flash-based viewer will provide online consumers with a superior user experience, allowing them to quickly and easily explore each Kimpton property and its guestrooms, amenities, meeting facilities, restaurants etc. through engaging rich visual content. �Our goal is to use the best marketing tools available to fully convey to online consumers the distinct and attractive features of each of our unique properties and convince them to stay there. And in today�s online world, rich visual content like still images, virtual tours and videos are an essential part of the online marketing mix,� said Kathleen Sanford Reidenbach, vice president, revenue management & distribution for Kimpton. �VFM�s high quality rich media productions, industry-leading media management and distribution technology, and unparalleled distribution network make them the ideal partner to help us enhance our properties� online image and, ultimately, reach more consumers,� added Reidenbach. �We�re delighted and proud to have been selected by Kimpton for their rich media production and distribution needs,� said Paolo Boni, president and CEO of VFM. �It�s a great endorsement of VFM and our capabilities. Importantly, it�s also further evidence that quality hotel rich visual content is no longer a just �nice to have�.� About Kimpton San Francisco-based Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is the first and leading collection of boutique hotels throughout the United States and Canada. Founded by Bill Kimpton in 1981, privately held Kimpton Hotels offers services and design elements focused on care, comfort, style, flavor and fun. Every Kimpton hotel reflects the energy, personality and pulse of its location, history and architectural style. Each property features personalized guest services, comforting in-room amenities, specialty rooms and suites, and provides a range of exciting culinary experiences through affiliated top-rated destination chef-driven restaurants. Kimpton takes pride in its commitment to social responsibility and leads the hospitality industry in ecological practices through its innovative EarthCare programs. In addition, Kimpton demonstrates a unique dedication to its female guests with the Women InTouch program, offering comfortable and safe environments, in-room fitness and wellness options as well as the company's unique "Forgot It, We've Got It" honor bar, providing essentials that women travelers may have forgotten at home. Among the company's newest properties are the Hotel Palomar in Washington D.C., which opened in July 2006, and the Hotel Palomar Dallas, which opened in August, 2006. Additional projects are underway in Southern California, Texas, Florida and Virginia. For more information, please visit www.KimptonHotels.com or call 1-800-KIMPTON. About VFM Interactive
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