Kodak webpage for film?

Ron Baird wrote:

In reality Kodak itself does not care.

Actually that is not the case. I know the people in digital and
traditional sides and they are quite committed to you.

Yes, Kodak's website has much more information about films in general
than any competitor's website. You can get quite an education there!
I'm not sure how much support the typical film user needs.

In particular, I appreciate that Kodak TechPubs recently added MTF
sharpness graphs to datasheets for their professional negative films.
It's interesting that Kodak graphs RGB separately, whereas all other
manufacturers graph just a single line for gray? all colors? I dunno.

On the downside, it is disappointing that Kodak discontinued so many
fine films such as Ektar/RG 25, Pro 100 (PRN), and Royal Gold 100.

Thanks for the help, Ron -- I hadn't noticed the pointer to pro films
on the page you recommended.

Hi Frank,

I am glad you let me know your thoughts, as it they are valued to me. I do
share on what I read and see, and I do understand the issue of how Kodak is
perceived. So, thanks for sharing. Quite honestly, the people at Kodak do
care, and care a lot. In these days of change, we are trying to make the
difference and change things they way 'you' want them to change. The only
way to do that is to listen. We have been for a long time. Good or bad, it
does help.

Talk to you soon Frank, I am here if you need me.

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company


Ron,

It's good to see that there are people from Kodak following this group.
One of the
frustrations I've had with using Kodak film and chemistry has been the
feeling I got
that nobody from Kodak was listening or cared about the users of their
product.

I hope that you read the posts from people venting against Kodak and
Kodak's problems
that you understand that most of it the result of frustration felt toward
a company
that people want to succeed.



: Greetings Bill,

: If you go to the Kodak home page and click on the Film and Processing
link
: to the left side of the page you will be taken to a page with many
choices
: for Kodak general use films. Very good pages and lots of detail. For
the
: professional films, the page you note is your best bet. I am not aware
of
: one page that overlaps all films, i.e. general and professional. I will
: take that request to our web team for review, however, as feedback like
this
: is important. Thanks!

: Talk to you soon, Bill, let me know if you have any specific questions.

: Ron Baird
: Eastman Kodak Company

Hi Frank,

I am glad you let me know your thoughts, as it they are valued to me. I do
share on what I read and see, and I do understand the issue of how Kodak is
perceived. So, thanks for sharing. Quite honestly, the people at Kodak do
care, and care a lot. In these days of change, we are trying to make the
difference and change things they way 'you' want them to change. The only
way to do that is to listen. We have been for a long time. Good or bad, it
does help.

Talk to you soon Frank, I am here if you need me.

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company


Ron,

It's good to see that there are people from Kodak following this group.
One of the
frustrations I've had with using Kodak film and chemistry has been the
feeling I got
that nobody from Kodak was listening or cared about the users of their
product.

I hope that you read the posts from people venting against Kodak and
Kodak's problems
that you understand that most of it the result of frustration felt toward
a company
that people want to succeed.



: Greetings Bill,

: If you go to the Kodak home page and click on the Film and Processing
link
: to the left side of the page you will be taken to a page with many
choices
: for Kodak general use films. Very good pages and lots of detail. For
the
: professional films, the page you note is your best bet. I am not aware
of
: one page that overlaps all films, i.e. general and professional. I will
: take that request to our web team for review, however, as feedback like
this
: is important. Thanks!

: Talk to you soon, Bill, let me know if you have any specific questions.

: Ron Baird
: Eastman Kodak Company

Hi Frank,

I am glad you let me know your thoughts, as it they are valued to me. I do
share on what I read and see, and I do understand the issue of how Kodak is
perceived. So, thanks for sharing. Quite honestly, the people at Kodak do
care, and care a lot. In these days of change, we are trying to make the
difference and change things they way 'you' want them to change. The only
way to do that is to listen. We have been for a long time. Good or bad, it
does help.

Talk to you soon Frank, I am here if you need me.

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company


Ron,

It's good to see that there are people from Kodak following this group.
One of the
frustrations I've had with using Kodak film and chemistry has been the
feeling I got
that nobody from Kodak was listening or cared about the users of their
product.

I hope that you read the posts from people venting against Kodak and
Kodak's problems
that you understand that most of it the result of frustration felt toward
a company
that people want to succeed.



: Greetings Bill,

: If you go to the Kodak home page and click on the Film and Processing
link
: to the left side of the page you will be taken to a page with many
choices
: for Kodak general use films. Very good pages and lots of detail. For
the
: professional films, the page you note is your best bet. I am not aware
of
: one page that overlaps all films, i.e. general and professional. I will
: take that request to our web team for review, however, as feedback like
this
: is important. Thanks!

: Talk to you soon, Bill, let me know if you have any specific questions.

: Ron Baird
: Eastman Kodak Company

"Ron Baird" wrote in message ...

Ron:

Kodak have several problems:

1. Many products are being discontinued citing 'declining demand', but
Kodak have not supported or marketed many of these products very well.
Kodak's marketing is horrible, to be blunt.

Examples:

Elite B&W paper
Opal paper
Ektalure Paper
Polydol developer
Kodabromide paper
Royal Pan sheet film
Ektapan sheet film
Professional Copy sheet film

among many others.

2. Kodak used to publish very nice, detailed books on films and
techniques. These are gone, so far as I can tell. Throwing up a web
site does not suffice to replace them.

3. Kodak have too many Ektachrome films, and not enough Kodachrome
films, which have not been updated. Does anyone really buy 400X (EPL)?

4. Kodak's marketing is simple-minded and insulting so. The supposedly
'professional' examples shown are amateurish or bizarre. There is
little pizzazz or style in Kodak's packaging or advertising, something
Fuji seems to have in abundance.

5. Kodak's advertising in the past, both print and TV, was superb. The
'turn-around' TV ads from the 60's were classy and emotionally
involving. Today, Kodak's ads are basically worthless and show signs
of creative desperation. One that comes to mind is of a young man
taking digital photos (of various things he's going to buy for dinner,
such as fish, etc.) which he e-mails to his girlfriend. This ad is
pathetic, to say the least. It is memorable only for its awfulness.
What brain-dead 'genius' thought that one up? Who approved it? Why did
it ever see air time?



Hi Frank,

I am glad you let me know your thoughts, as it they are valued to me. I do
share on what I read and see, and I do understand the issue of how Kodak is
perceived. So, thanks for sharing. Quite honestly, the people at Kodak do
care, and care a lot. In these days of change, we are trying to make the
difference and change things they way 'you' want them to change. The only
way to do that is to listen. We have been for a long time. Good or bad, it
does help.

Talk to you soon Frank, I am here if you need me.

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company


Ron,

It's good to see that there are people from Kodak following this group.
One of the
frustrations I've had with using Kodak film and chemistry has been the
feeling I got
that nobody from Kodak was listening or cared about the users of their
product.

I hope that you read the posts from people venting against Kodak and
Kodak's problems
that you understand that most of it the result of frustration felt toward
a company
that people want to succeed.



: Greetings Bill,

: If you go to the Kodak home page and click on the Film and Processing
link
: to the left side of the page you will be taken to a page with many
choices
: for Kodak general use films. Very good pages and lots of detail. For
the
: professional films, the page you note is your best bet. I am not aware
of
: one page that overlaps all films, i.e. general and professional. I will
: take that request to our web team for review, however, as feedback like
this
: is important. Thanks!

: Talk to you soon, Bill, let me know if you have any specific questions.

: Ron Baird
: Eastman Kodak Company

"Ron Baird" wrote in message ...

Ron:

Kodak have several problems:

1. Many products are being discontinued citing 'declining demand', but
Kodak have not supported or marketed many of these products very well.
Kodak's marketing is horrible, to be blunt.

Examples:

Elite B&W paper
Opal paper
Ektalure Paper
Polydol developer
Kodabromide paper
Royal Pan sheet film
Ektapan sheet film
Professional Copy sheet film

among many others.

2. Kodak used to publish very nice, detailed books on films and
techniques. These are gone, so far as I can tell. Throwing up a web
site does not suffice to replace them.

3. Kodak have too many Ektachrome films, and not enough Kodachrome
films, which have not been updated. Does anyone really buy 400X (EPL)?

4. Kodak's marketing is simple-minded and insulting so. The supposedly
'professional' examples shown are amateurish or bizarre. There is
little pizzazz or style in Kodak's packaging or advertising, something
Fuji seems to have in abundance.

5. Kodak's advertising in the past, both print and TV, was superb. The
'turn-around' TV ads from the 60's were classy and emotionally
involving. Today, Kodak's ads are basically worthless and show signs
of creative desperation. One that comes to mind is of a young man
taking digital photos (of various things he's going to buy for dinner,
such as fish, etc.) which he e-mails to his girlfriend. This ad is
pathetic, to say the least. It is memorable only for its awfulness.
What brain-dead 'genius' thought that one up? Who approved it? Why did
it ever see air time?



Hi Frank,

I am glad you let me know your thoughts, as it they are valued to me. I do
share on what I read and see, and I do understand the issue of how Kodak is
perceived. So, thanks for sharing. Quite honestly, the people at Kodak do
care, and care a lot. In these days of change, we are trying to make the
difference and change things they way 'you' want them to change. The only
way to do that is to listen. We have been for a long time. Good or bad, it
does help.

Talk to you soon Frank, I am here if you need me.

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company


Ron,

It's good to see that there are people from Kodak following this group.
One of the
frustrations I've had with using Kodak film and chemistry has been the
feeling I got
that nobody from Kodak was listening or cared about the users of their
product.

I hope that you read the posts from people venting against Kodak and
Kodak's problems
that you understand that most of it the result of frustration felt toward
a company
that people want to succeed.



: Greetings Bill,

: If you go to the Kodak home page and click on the Film and Processing
link
: to the left side of the page you will be taken to a page with many
choices
: for Kodak general use films. Very good pages and lots of detail. For
the
: professional films, the page you note is your best bet. I am not aware
of
: one page that overlaps all films, i.e. general and professional. I will
: take that request to our web team for review, however, as feedback like
this
: is important. Thanks!

: Talk to you soon, Bill, let me know if you have any specific questions.

: Ron Baird
: Eastman Kodak Company

Greetings Mike,

Thanks for the review.

Actually, the discontinuance of these products is likely due to declining
demand as noted. The discontinuance of a product is really based on you, the
consumer/user. I have used all of the papers you have mentioned and sadly
miss them especially Ektalure. The films will be missed as well.

But, to be fair here, please understand the way film is made requires a
certain amount of volume to be prudent in business. If it simply is not
there, then the costs rise to the point where it is not practical to
continue to make it any longer. The manufacturing process does not allow
for little special small runs. I believe Kodak tried that with other films
by creating the minimum amount of film and then store and release as best it
could. Worked for some but not others and those went down hard after many
years. I can tell you that a great deal of effort was put into the
decisions to discontinue. In my 42 years at Kodak I have seen a lot of
films, papers, and chemicals come and go or get changed.

Back in the early 90's Kodak sold the priced publications to the Silver
Pixel Press - now owned by Tiffen. If you want to review their offerings
check them out. Not the same in the amount of detailed product information,
but that is also available on our website (I used to work on some of them as
an editor). I agree that they were amazingly good publications and were
excellent resources.

Ektachrome vs Kodachrome ?? The dilemma there is again what the customer
wants. Where do you put your money in the research and development process.
I am sure if you were a businessman you would put your efforts where they
made a difference for your customers. Like you I also loved Kodachrome 25,
but it was you and I, and a few others that made up the buying public. Not
enough to support the costs involved, just not possible.

The ads you see are the result of a lot of research on the part of large
advertising firms. As you might guess, you are not going to please all of
the people all of the time, but you should please the majority, and it is
felt that they are doing that. For me, personally, I always felt that Turn
Around was the best ad we ever made. I am sure others feel differently.

Believe me, Mike, there is not one single person at Kodak that is not doing
all they can to bring you the best imaging products possible. Like I said,
we want to know what you think, so please know that your comments are on the
way to those that make the decisions about the issues you have noted.

Talk to you soon,

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company



Ron:

Kodak have several problems:

1. Many products are being discontinued citing 'declining demand', but
Kodak have not supported or marketed many of these products very well.
Kodak's marketing is horrible, to be blunt.

Examples:

Elite B&W paper
Opal paper
Ektalure Paper
Polydol developer
Kodabromide paper
Royal Pan sheet film
Ektapan sheet film
Professional Copy sheet film

among many others.

2. Kodak used to publish very nice, detailed books on films and
techniques. These are gone, so far as I can tell. Throwing up a web
site does not suffice to replace them.

3. Kodak have too many Ektachrome films, and not enough Kodachrome
films, which have not been updated. Does anyone really buy 400X (EPL)?

4. Kodak's marketing is simple-minded and insulting so. The supposedly
'professional' examples shown are amateurish or bizarre. There is
little pizzazz or style in Kodak's packaging or advertising, something
Fuji seems to have in abundance.

5. Kodak's advertising in the past, both print and TV, was superb. The
'turn-around' TV ads from the 60's were classy and emotionally
involving. Today, Kodak's ads are basically worthless and show signs
of creative desperation. One that comes to mind is of a young man
taking digital photos (of various things he's going to buy for dinner,
such as fish, etc.) which he e-mails to his girlfriend. This ad is
pathetic, to say the least. It is memorable only for its awfulness.
What brain-dead 'genius' thought that one up? Who approved it? Why did
it ever see air time?



Hi Frank,

I am glad you let me know your thoughts, as it they are valued to me. I
do
share on what I read and see, and I do understand the issue of how Kodak
is
perceived. So, thanks for sharing. Quite honestly, the people at Kodak
do
care, and care a lot. In these days of change, we are trying to make
the
difference and change things they way 'you' want them to change. The
only
way to do that is to listen. We have been for a long time. Good or
bad, it
does help.

Talk to you soon Frank, I am here if you need me.

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company

Greetings Mike,

Thanks for the review.

Actually, the discontinuance of these products is likely due to declining
demand as noted. The discontinuance of a product is really based on you, the
consumer/user. I have used all of the papers you have mentioned and sadly
miss them especially Ektalure. The films will be missed as well.

But, to be fair here, please understand the way film is made requires a
certain amount of volume to be prudent in business. If it simply is not
there, then the costs rise to the point where it is not practical to
continue to make it any longer. The manufacturing process does not allow
for little special small runs. I believe Kodak tried that with other films
by creating the minimum amount of film and then store and release as best it
could. Worked for some but not others and those went down hard after many
years. I can tell you that a great deal of effort was put into the
decisions to discontinue. In my 42 years at Kodak I have seen a lot of
films, papers, and chemicals come and go or get changed.

Back in the early 90's Kodak sold the priced publications to the Silver
Pixel Press - now owned by Tiffen. If you want to review their offerings
check them out. Not the same in the amount of detailed product information,
but that is also available on our website (I used to work on some of them as
an editor). I agree that they were amazingly good publications and were
excellent resources.

Ektachrome vs Kodachrome ?? The dilemma there is again what the customer
wants. Where do you put your money in the research and development process.
I am sure if you were a businessman you would put your efforts where they
made a difference for your customers. Like you I also loved Kodachrome 25,
but it was you and I, and a few others that made up the buying public. Not
enough to support the costs involved, just not possible.

The ads you see are the result of a lot of research on the part of large
advertising firms. As you might guess, you are not going to please all of
the people all of the time, but you should please the majority, and it is
felt that they are doing that. For me, personally, I always felt that Turn
Around was the best ad we ever made. I am sure others feel differently.

Believe me, Mike, there is not one single person at Kodak that is not doing
all they can to bring you the best imaging products possible. Like I said,
we want to know what you think, so please know that your comments are on the
way to those that make the decisions about the issues you have noted.

Talk to you soon,

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company



Ron:

Kodak have several problems:

1. Many products are being discontinued citing 'declining demand', but
Kodak have not supported or marketed many of these products very well.
Kodak's marketing is horrible, to be blunt.

Examples:

Elite B&W paper
Opal paper
Ektalure Paper
Polydol developer
Kodabromide paper
Royal Pan sheet film
Ektapan sheet film
Professional Copy sheet film

among many others.

2. Kodak used to publish very nice, detailed books on films and
techniques. These are gone, so far as I can tell. Throwing up a web
site does not suffice to replace them.

3. Kodak have too many Ektachrome films, and not enough Kodachrome
films, which have not been updated. Does anyone really buy 400X (EPL)?

4. Kodak's marketing is simple-minded and insulting so. The supposedly
'professional' examples shown are amateurish or bizarre. There is
little pizzazz or style in Kodak's packaging or advertising, something
Fuji seems to have in abundance.

5. Kodak's advertising in the past, both print and TV, was superb. The
'turn-around' TV ads from the 60's were classy and emotionally
involving. Today, Kodak's ads are basically worthless and show signs
of creative desperation. One that comes to mind is of a young man
taking digital photos (of various things he's going to buy for dinner,
such as fish, etc.) which he e-mails to his girlfriend. This ad is
pathetic, to say the least. It is memorable only for its awfulness.
What brain-dead 'genius' thought that one up? Who approved it? Why did
it ever see air time?



Hi Frank,

I am glad you let me know your thoughts, as it they are valued to me. I
do
share on what I read and see, and I do understand the issue of how Kodak
is
perceived. So, thanks for sharing. Quite honestly, the people at Kodak
do
care, and care a lot. In these days of change, we are trying to make
the
difference and change things they way 'you' want them to change. The
only
way to do that is to listen. We have been for a long time. Good or
bad, it
does help.

Talk to you soon Frank, I am here if you need me.

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company

"Ron Baird" wrote in message ...
Greetings Mike,

Thanks for the review.

Actually, the discontinuance of these products is likely due to declining
demand as noted.

....caused by poor marketing, I believe....

The discontinuance of a product is really based on you, the
consumer/user. I have used all of the papers you have mentioned and sadly
miss them especially Ektalure. The films will be missed as well.


Kodak sales reps used to call on pros, as well as people working in
technical fields at hospitals and univerities, and educate them about
products...the very produts we are talking about...Kodak does not, to
the best of my knowledge, have field reps anymore. Probably someone
thought they could 'save money'.


But, to be fair here, please understand the way film is made requires a
certain amount of volume to be prudent in business.

I know this.

If it simply is not
there, then the costs rise to the point where it is not practical to
continue to make it any longer.

The demand isn't there because of poor marketing over the last 15
years. Cost-cutting. Short-sightedness. You name it.

The manufacturing process does not allow
for little special small runs.

I know this.


I believe Kodak tried that with other films
by creating the minimum amount of film and then store and release as best it
could. Worked for some but not others and those went down hard after many
years. I can tell you that a great deal of effort was put into the
decisions to discontinue. In my 42 years at Kodak I have seen a lot of
films, papers, and chemicals come and go or get changed.

Back in the early 90's Kodak sold the priced publications to the Silver
Pixel Press - now owned by Tiffen. If you want to review their offerings
check them out. Not the same in the amount of detailed product information,
but that is also available on our website (I used to work on some of them as
an editor). I agree that they were amazingly good publications and were
excellent resources.

So, Kodak's decisions have no impact on Kodak's success?

Ektachrome vs Kodachrome ?? The dilemma there is again what the customer
wants.

If he has a REAL choice. Take that choice away by refusing to keep
products advancing and closing labs, and you can predict what the
reaction will be.

Where do you put your money in the research and development process.
I am sure if you were a businessman you would put your efforts where they
made a difference for your customers. Like you I also loved Kodachrome 25,
but it was you and I, and a few others that made up the buying public. Not
enough to support the costs involved, just not possible.

Poor marketing.

The ads you see are the result of a lot of research on the part of large
advertising firms.

I could do better.

As you might guess, you are not going to please all of
the people all of the time, but you should please the majority, and it is
felt that they are doing that. For me, personally, I always felt that Turn
Around was the best ad we ever made. I am sure others feel differently.

You made TONS of money from that ad, I assure you.

Believe me, Mike, there is not one single person at Kodak that is not doing
all they can to bring you the best imaging products possible.

I know you BELIEVE that, but.......

Like I said,
we want to know what you think, so please know that your comments are on the
way to those that make the decisions about the issues you have noted.

Talk to you soon,

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company



Ron:

Kodak have several problems:

1. Many products are being discontinued citing 'declining demand', but
Kodak have not supported or marketed many of these products very well.
Kodak's marketing is horrible, to be blunt.

Examples:

Elite B&W paper
Opal paper
Ektalure Paper
Polydol developer
Kodabromide paper
Royal Pan sheet film
Ektapan sheet film
Professional Copy sheet film

among many others.

2. Kodak used to publish very nice, detailed books on films and
techniques. These are gone, so far as I can tell. Throwing up a web
site does not suffice to replace them.

3. Kodak have too many Ektachrome films, and not enough Kodachrome
films, which have not been updated. Does anyone really buy 400X (EPL)?

4. Kodak's marketing is simple-minded and insulting so. The supposedly
'professional' examples shown are amateurish or bizarre. There is
little pizzazz or style in Kodak's packaging or advertising, something
Fuji seems to have in abundance.

5. Kodak's advertising in the past, both print and TV, was superb. The
'turn-around' TV ads from the 60's were classy and emotionally
involving. Today, Kodak's ads are basically worthless and show signs
of creative desperation. One that comes to mind is of a young man
taking digital photos (of various things he's going to buy for dinner,
such as fish, etc.) which he e-mails to his girlfriend. This ad is
pathetic, to say the least. It is memorable only for its awfulness.
What brain-dead 'genius' thought that one up? Who approved it? Why did
it ever see air time?



Hi Frank,

I am glad you let me know your thoughts, as it they are valued to me. I
do
share on what I read and see, and I do understand the issue of how Kodak
is
perceived. So, thanks for sharing. Quite honestly, the people at Kodak
do
care, and care a lot. In these days of change, we are trying to make
the
difference and change things they way 'you' want them to change. The
only
way to do that is to listen. We have been for a long time. Good or
bad, it
does help.

Talk to you soon Frank, I am here if you need me.

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company

"Ron Baird" wrote in message ...
Greetings Mike,

Thanks for the review.

Actually, the discontinuance of these products is likely due to declining
demand as noted.

....caused by poor marketing, I believe....

The discontinuance of a product is really based on you, the
consumer/user. I have used all of the papers you have mentioned and sadly
miss them especially Ektalure. The films will be missed as well.


Kodak sales reps used to call on pros, as well as people working in
technical fields at hospitals and univerities, and educate them about
products...the very produts we are talking about...Kodak does not, to
the best of my knowledge, have field reps anymore. Probably someone
thought they could 'save money'.


But, to be fair here, please understand the way film is made requires a
certain amount of volume to be prudent in business.

I know this.

If it simply is not
there, then the costs rise to the point where it is not practical to
continue to make it any longer.

The demand isn't there because of poor marketing over the last 15
years. Cost-cutting. Short-sightedness. You name it.

The manufacturing process does not allow
for little special small runs.

I know this.


I believe Kodak tried that with other films
by creating the minimum amount of film and then store and release as best it
could. Worked for some but not others and those went down hard after many
years. I can tell you that a great deal of effort was put into the
decisions to discontinue. In my 42 years at Kodak I have seen a lot of
films, papers, and chemicals come and go or get changed.

Back in the early 90's Kodak sold the priced publications to the Silver
Pixel Press - now owned by Tiffen. If you want to review their offerings
check them out. Not the same in the amount of detailed product information,
but that is also available on our website (I used to work on some of them as
an editor). I agree that they were amazingly good publications and were
excellent resources.

So, Kodak's decisions have no impact on Kodak's success?

Ektachrome vs Kodachrome ?? The dilemma there is again what the customer
wants.

If he has a REAL choice. Take that choice away by refusing to keep
products advancing and closing labs, and you can predict what the
reaction will be.

Where do you put your money in the research and development process.
I am sure if you were a businessman you would put your efforts where they
made a difference for your customers. Like you I also loved Kodachrome 25,
but it was you and I, and a few others that made up the buying public. Not
enough to support the costs involved, just not possible.

Poor marketing.

The ads you see are the result of a lot of research on the part of large
advertising firms.

I could do better.

As you might guess, you are not going to please all of
the people all of the time, but you should please the majority, and it is
felt that they are doing that. For me, personally, I always felt that Turn
Around was the best ad we ever made. I am sure others feel differently.

You made TONS of money from that ad, I assure you.

Believe me, Mike, there is not one single person at Kodak that is not doing
all they can to bring you the best imaging products possible.

I know you BELIEVE that, but.......

Like I said,
we want to know what you think, so please know that your comments are on the
way to those that make the decisions about the issues you have noted.

Talk to you soon,

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company



Ron:

Kodak have several problems:

1. Many products are being discontinued citing 'declining demand', but
Kodak have not supported or marketed many of these products very well.
Kodak's marketing is horrible, to be blunt.

Examples:

Elite B&W paper
Opal paper
Ektalure Paper
Polydol developer
Kodabromide paper
Royal Pan sheet film
Ektapan sheet film
Professional Copy sheet film

among many others.

2. Kodak used to publish very nice, detailed books on films and
techniques. These are gone, so far as I can tell. Throwing up a web
site does not suffice to replace them.

3. Kodak have too many Ektachrome films, and not enough Kodachrome
films, which have not been updated. Does anyone really buy 400X (EPL)?

4. Kodak's marketing is simple-minded and insulting so. The supposedly
'professional' examples shown are amateurish or bizarre. There is
little pizzazz or style in Kodak's packaging or advertising, something
Fuji seems to have in abundance.

5. Kodak's advertising in the past, both print and TV, was superb. The
'turn-around' TV ads from the 60's were classy and emotionally
involving. Today, Kodak's ads are basically worthless and show signs
of creative desperation. One that comes to mind is of a young man
taking digital photos (of various things he's going to buy for dinner,
such as fish, etc.) which he e-mails to his girlfriend. This ad is
pathetic, to say the least. It is memorable only for its awfulness.
What brain-dead 'genius' thought that one up? Who approved it? Why did
it ever see air time?



Hi Frank,

I am glad you let me know your thoughts, as it they are valued to me. I
do
share on what I read and see, and I do understand the issue of how Kodak
is
perceived. So, thanks for sharing. Quite honestly, the people at Kodak
do
care, and care a lot. In these days of change, we are trying to make
the
difference and change things they way 'you' want them to change. The
only
way to do that is to listen. We have been for a long time. Good or
bad, it
does help.

Talk to you soon Frank, I am here if you need me.

Ron Baird
Eastman Kodak Company