PRESS RELEASE


February 2008

Want to know more about the hot issues facing the design world? Register for your IDSA district conference. Join design practitioners, educators and students for dialogue, insight, community building...and portfolio reviews!

Southern District Conference
"design go.CUP
March 6-8, 2008
River Club — Savannah College of Art and Design
Savannah, GA
www.idsasouth.org

To most, Savannah is known for its picturesque, park-like squares, moss-laden Live Oak trees and historic architecture. But don’t forget the infamous Savannah “go cup.” This tradition of taking any leftover beverage from your favorite watering hole as you meander through the streets is our inspiration for this year’s Southern District Conference. Are you feeling half empty? Need a little design inspiration to get you through your next design project? Looking to fill your cup with new business opportunities?

For nearly three days, beautiful Savannah will host our region’s leading design practitioners, educators and design theorists for a diverse array of dynamic presentations, provocative discussions and interactive workshops. Need a break from the scheduled conference activities? Savannah is a mecca of back alley jives and joints, parks, galleries and museums. The perfect place to get your creative juices flowing. Go to Savannah. Get your design go.CUP. Get your fill.

Midwest District Conference
"Influence: Inspiring and empowering the creative process
April 4-6, 2008
Marriott Country Club Plaza
Kansas City, MO
www.idsa-midwest.org

Industrial designers have always looked to our peers for inspiration and dialogue. As we grasp for new challenges and blur the lines that define ID, we look to outside creative outlets: design, architecture and fashion to expand our understanding of what makes us unique. "Influence," the 2008 IDSA Midwest District Conference in Kansas City, MO, will bring together a cross section of different creative spheres to discuss and challenge our role in shaping the world.

Northeast District Conference
"NakID"
April 4-6, 2008
Sheraton Society Hill Hotel
Philadelphia, PA
www.idsa-ned.org

Industrial design has been fooling around with other industries; let’s catch it with its pants down.

There are a lot of things under the fabric that are piquing our curiosity. The 2008 Northeast District Conference is aiming to break down not only the world of industrial design, but also to expose relationships, both existing and emergent, between ID and other areas of business and design. The theme is all about exposure — exposure of inventive companies, emergent trends and progressive methodologies. We have picked up speakers from advertising, branding, interaction design and, of course, industrial design to divulge their experiences and what has enabled their success. We've got some of the most pivotal people from up front and behind the scenes giving us the down and dirty about their practices and what has differentiated them from the masses.

It's about time we stopped fooling around and got down to business - let's get NakID!

Mideast District Conference
"Art + Science"
April 11-13, 2008
The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel
Columbus, OH
www.idsa-mideast.org

In anticipation of IDSA's 2008 National Conference, "Polar Opposites," the Mideast District Conference will explore two influencing and seemingly opposing factors of design, art and science. "Art + Science" will look at the dichotomy of art and science, the similarities between the two, and the way we as designers pull them together to create new and better products and experiences.

Western District Conference
"The Bird and the Buffalo: Symbiotic Relationships in the Ecosphere of Design"
April 25-27, 2008
Art Institute of Portland
Portland, OR
www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=188915

The conference title, “The Bird and the Buffalo,” reflects the symbiotic relationship between two creatures that have no cognitive recognition that they depend upon each other – but the partnership is extremely beneficial to both. The pests in the buffalo’s fur provide a steady supply of food for the bird, and the bird removes unwanted parasites from the buffalo and sounds an alarm by hissing when one of the buffalo’s predators enters the area. As designers, we have the opportunity to observe this kind of relationship, learn from it, analyze it, interpret it and mimic it in our own dealings with those representing different points of view. Yet, although we supposedly possess superior intelligence to these creatures, we frequently plod along in our own worlds, oblivious to the opportunities partnerships with dissimilar “creatures” present us. We want to do it “our way.”

The 2008 IDSA Western District Conference will explore the intricacies of the creative relationship. While not every party in a relationship represents the creative side, every participant brings something important to the table. Effective communication between all parties is the key to a successful outcome. The goal of this conference is to expose these processes within our trade and help designers navigate the tortuous relationships that are part of the path to great design. Recognizing the benefits of give-and-take and learning the art of cooperation will introduce a new energy to the designer-production process and help you find the market for your ideas in business and consumer environments.




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PRESS RELEASE


February 2008

Amazon.com and LOVEFiLM International (www.lovefilm.com), announced that LOVEFiLM will acquire Amazon's Europe's DVD rental business in the United Kingdom and Germany. As part of this transaction, Amazon Europe will also make a cash investment and become the largest shareholder in LOVEFiLM International Ltd., and finally, the two companies will enter into a multi-year marketing agreement in which Amazon Europe will promote LOVEFiLM's services on its sites for UK and German customers.

Completion of the deal is subject to regulatory approval in the UK and Germany. Following completion of this deal, the new LOVEFiLM subscriber base will total over 900,000 customers predominantly in the UK and Germany, but also in the Nordics (Sweden, Norway, and Denmark).

"As one of Europe's largest online DVD rental businesses, LOVEFiLM is well established to serve customers' increasing demand for entertainment," said Greg Greeley, Amazon's vice president of European retail. "Our investment will enable LOVEFiLM to grow the business further and we are excited to be part of their future."

Simon Calver, CEO of LOVEFiLM International said, "Customers are faced with an astonishing array of choices in the entertainment world these days. LOVEFiLM International will ensure that Amazon Europe's customers get the best possible DVD rental service. We will be delighted to welcome all Amazon Europe customers to the LOVEFiLM service. This new, bigger customer base will give us an even better position from which to build LOVEFiLM as the best place for customers to find film."

Amazon Europe will continue to operate the DVD rental business on behalf of LOVEFiLM for a period of time following the close of the transaction to ensure an efficient transition and smooth customer experience. No staff reductions are planned at Amazon's German or UK operations as a result of the business transfer.




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