Receive a Technology Makeover with PENTAX’s Family Connections Contest

Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Patty thought her nephew in Boston must be getting big -- probably about 5 years old now.

He's 12. My, how time flies when you don't keep in touch.

Now, PENTAX, The Official Digital Camera of the Internet, is helping to bring geographically challenged families closer together.

On Sept. 1, 2004, PENTAX will launch Family Connections, an essay contest designed to find America's Least Connected Family. The contest, which asks the simple question "Why is your family the least connected family in America?" aims to help one far-flung family re-connect by awarding it with a technology makeover that will enable family members to share photos and memories online.

"The reality of modern America is that families have moved farther apart and aren't keeping in touch as much as they did in the past," said Lorri Avery, marketing communications manager for PENTAX. "PENTAX's new line of Internet-friendly cameras makes it easier for families to connect. By launching PENTAX Family Connections, we hope to show people that a high- quality camera and a tiny bit of computer skill is all you need to stay close to the people you care about."

The grand prize winner will receive a Family Connections prize pack containing four PENTAX Optio digital cameras, four desktop computers, four Epson photo printers, four one-year subscriptions to a broadband Internet service and four one-year subscriptions to an online photo service. Four runners-up will each receive four PENTAX Optio digital cameras.

PENTAX is introducing Family Connections to help promote its new line of easy-to-use, Internet-friendly digital cameras. This new line, called Optio, prompted PENTAX to stake its claim as "The Official Digital Camera of the Internet." The compact size and innovative technology of PENTAX digital cameras allows users to take photos anywhere and upload them from a digital camera to the Internet within seconds.

Families can enter online at www.pentaximaging.com/familyconnections , at participating retail locations or by mailing a 3" x 5" piece of paper indicating the entrant's name, complete address (including zip code), daytime phone number and e-mail address. Then, in about 150 words on a plain piece of 8 1/2" x 11" paper, entrants must answer the question "Why is your family the least connected family in America?" Affix entry with sufficient first-class postage and send to: "PENTAX Family Connections," c/o Carmichael Lynch Spong, 1200 17th Street, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80202. Entries must include the entrant's address and phone number and must be postmarked by Oct. 14, 2004.

Entries will be accepted between Sept. 1, 2004, and Oct. 15, 2004. On Nov. 1, 2004, a panel of Family Connections judges will select five finalists who will be posted on www.pentaximaging.com/familyconnections. Between Nov. 1, 2004, and Nov. 14, 2004, visitors to the Web site can voice their opinions on which entry should win the Family Connections contest. The judging panel will make the final selection and the grand prize winner will be announced on Nov. 15, 2004.

Source: PENTAX