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Americas Best Value Inn to Further Enhance Online Presence with
Rich Media from VFM Interactive
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VFM to produce and distribute new rich visual content for all ABVI properties
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CLEVELAND, OH AND TORONTO, ON, October 23, 2008.  Americas Best Value Inn (ABVI) announced today that it has selected VFM Interactive as its exclusive provider of hotel rich visual content production and distribution services and has partnered with VFM to produce and distribute new rich media for all of its nearly 800 inns, hotels, and suites throughout North America.  

As part of the partnership, VFM will be producing and distributing new rich media � still images, 360 degree �virtual tour� images and PhotoFlicks® videos � that will enhance and better display the distinct features and services of each ABVI hotel to travel consumers both on the ABVI website as well as VFM�s network of more than 25,000 travel sites and other electronic distribution channels.   ABVI will also be utilizing VFM�s Vscape® media management and distribution platform to store, manage and distribute its member hotels� new photos to the GDSs, Pegasus and VFM�s other distribution partners. 

�We are excited to announce the launch of our new rich visual media acquisition project that will further strengthen our brand and help our members continue to maintain a competitive advantage on the Internet.  This initiative is another example of how we're always working non-stop to help our members drive their ROI upward and move the brand forward," said Roger Bloss, CEO, President and Founder of Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc., the 12th largest hotel company worldwide and parent company of Americas Best Value Inn and The Lexington Collection.

Numerous studies have shown that quality rich visual media is essential for marketing a hotel online.  Consumers not only increasingly demand this type of content when shopping for a hotel online but are far more likely to book a hotel if they view rich media. Through its new partnership with VFM, ABVI will ensure that its member hotels have the best visual content to showcase their properties to online consumers.  Importantly, VFM�s vast distribution network will enable ABVI member hotels to reach and influence a much wider online audience with their new media, including thousands of travel and travel-related sites as well as key portals and search engines.

�We have seen our web-direct bookings skyrocket in recent years, but knew that we could further enhance them by investing in strong visual content for our member properties.  VFM offered us the most comprehensive solution, from quality rich media productions, to industry-leading media management and distribution technology, and an unparalleled distribution network,� said John Burkard, Vice President, Information Technology of Vantage Hospitality. 

 �We are tremendously excited to have been chosen by Americas Best Value Inn,� said Paolo Boni, president and CEO of VFM. �It�s another 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 Americas Best Value Inn
The award-winning Americas Best Value Inn brand is a recognized leader in the hospitality industry.  Its distinctive brand affiliation structure, the Freestyle Membership Model, has contributed to the company�s rapid growth, earning it numerous industry awards: Fastest Growing Chain in America over the past six years and the National Chain Leadership Award  (2003, 2005 through 2008) to name a few.  A family of nearly 800 inns, hotels and suites located throughout North America, the brand offers guests hometown comfort, quality, service and exceptional value.   Convenient locations and a variety of accommodations make it ideal for the leisure and business traveler.  Its parent company, Vantage Hospitality Group, Inc., is the 12th largest hotel company worldwide, and the only hotel company to be ranked on the Inc. Magazine�s 500/5000 List of Fastest Growing Private Companies for three consecutive years.  For information regarding membership, visit www.AmericasBestValueInn.com/members.cfm or call 888-316-2378. 

About VFM Interactive
VFM Interactive is the leading end-to-end provider of online media production and distribution solutions for the hotel and travel industry. VFM helps hotel and travel companies enhance their online marketing through rich visual content including still images, videos, 360º virtual tours and Flash presentation. VFM�s Vscape® platform allows hotels to manage and distribute their rich media content on the industry�s largest and fastest-growing distribution network of more than 25,000 websites where consumers most often research and purchase travel products. This network includes online travel agencies, travel suppliers, search portals and Global Distribution Systems such as Travelocity, Orbitz, Priceline, TripAdvisor, American Airlines, Yahoo!, SideStep, Sabre Travel Network, Galileo and Worldspan. VFM�s Vscape media distribution platform is utilized by more than 35,000 hotels from dozens of major hotel chains and resorts from brands and management companies including Best Western, Choice, Crowne Plaza, Hilton, Holiday Inn, Interstate, La Quinta, Marriott, Outrigger, Radisson, Regent, Sheraton, Sol Meliá, W, Westin and Wyndham. For more information, visit www.vfmii.com.


 
Contact:

Anne Houdek 
Public Relations Manager
1-888-316-2378 
[email protected] 

Mark Charlinski
Vice President, Sales & Business Development
416-593-6634
[email protected] 
 

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Accor North America To Enhance Online Presence of Sofitel and Novotel Brands; Selects VFM Interactive as Rich Media Services Provider / November 2005
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VFM Interactive Expands Board of Directors Amid Record Growth; Appoints 20-year Veteran Michael W. McCormick to New Seat / September 2005
Worldspan Becomes First GDS to Use VFM to Distribute Stills & Rich Media / August 2005
Le Méridien Adopts VFM's Vscape for Photo & Rich Media Distribution / July 2005
Sol Meliá Partners with VFM to Use Videos to Market Resorts Online / July 2005
Best Western Partners with VFM Interactive in Unprecedented Rich Media Strategy / June 2005
VFM Interactive Launches Vscape® � a Rich Media Distribution Solution Providing Unprecedented Control to Hotels / June 2005
After Seeing Tremendous Response to Pilot Online Videos, W Hotels Partners with VFM Interactive to Add Online Video Tours to All its Properties / March 2005
VFM Interactive releases PhotoFlicks®; Innovative Rich Media Turns Still Photographs into Audio-enhanced Slide Shows to Increase Hotel Bookings Online / November 2004
Vantis Partners with VFM Interactive to offer Hotel Clients Rich Media Solutions / October 2004
Rich Content Such as Internet Videos, Virtual Tours and Flash Presentations Significantly Impact the Buying Decision of Consumers Researching and Booking Hotels Online / December 2003
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