Adobe Makes Investment in New Orleans Community With $50,000 Product Donation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2004
(New Orleans) Adobe Systems Incorporated, one of the largest software companies in the world, is investing in the New Orleans region with a product donation aimed at entrepreneurs in the film and video industry. Twenty local entrepreneurs will be selected by The Idea Village to receive the Adobe® Video Collection, a comprehensive Windows® based video production suite for film, video, DVD, or the Web.
"Adobe's generous contribution validates what GNO, Inc., the City of New Orleans and The Idea Village have worked together to create for the entrepreneurial community over the past three years,” said Tim Williamson, President of The Idea Village . “Adobe's products are a valuable asset to help New Orleans ' entrepreneurs build their businesses that will in turn create jobs and revenue for our community. We look forward to working with Adobe to make New Orleans a world-class entrepreneurial community.”
The Idea Village will announce the 20 Adobe® Video Collection software recipients at its October 8th “Big Idea” fundraiser event to be held at The Renaissance Arts Hotel. In addition to the product donation, 200 guests at The Idea Village 's 2 nd annual fundraiser, will receive Adobe® Photoshop® Elements 3.0. The entire contribution has a retail value of $50,000.
"The gesture is symbolic,” says Adobe President and CEO Bruce Chizen. “I visited New Orleans earlier in the year and was impressed with its entrepreneurial spirit as well as the energy, enthusiasm and diversity of the city. I challenged them during that trip to bring me an idea and they did.”
"New Orleans has a vibrant creative community and we have been impressed with the energy, enthusiasm and diversity of the city by donating Adobe software we can look forward to some stunning video productions that reflect the city 's diversity, style and vibrant spirit , ” said Steve Saylor, vice president of Digital Video Products at Adobe. “ New Orleans video entrepreneurs will almost certainly produce some stunning video productions , and we're proud to be a small part of making that happen Thanks to tools like Adobe Video Collection, film and video entrepreneurs no longer have to purchase expensive proprietary hardware and software to deliver results that they are proud to put their name to. ”
In May of 2004, Adobe's CEO Bruce Chizen, along with over 35 public and private representatives spent an evening exchanging ideas and information over a dinner to host Richard Florida, Heinz Fellow and Professor of Economics at Carnegie Mellon University and author of the book, The Rise of the Creative Class.
"It was a powerful evening,” says Sarah Kracke of GNO, Inc. “We were able to bring together a cross section of people who represented virtually every aspect of the community—government, corporate, performing and visual arts, design—and Adobe's contribution is the byproduct of what can happen when engaged, creative and collaborative people come together.”
According to Williamson, Chizen asked if there were any entrepreneurs in New Orleans . The answer was an emphatic yes. After The Idea Village announces the 20 Adobe® Video Collection software recipients, they will provide Adobe with periodic updates of successes from these entrepreneurs. Williamson looks forward to giving these talented entrepreneurs access to a world-wide company and having the opportunity to showcase the impact of the partnership with GNO, Inc. and the City of New Orleans .
"Our greatest asset is our people,” said Mayor Nagin. “We thank Adobe for its most generous gift in that it recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit intrinsic to our city.”
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe helps people and businesses communicate better through its world-leading digital imaging, design and document technology platforms for consumers, creative professionals and enterprises. Adobe's revenue in its last fiscal year exceeded $1.2 billion. For more information about Adobe, visit www.adobe.com.
About The Idea Village
The Idea Village is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation that generates economic development in the New Orleans region by accelerating the growth of entrepreneurial companies. The Idea Village assists emerging entrepreneurs by providing in-depth business guidance, including setting operational goals, advising and consulting on strategic business matters, serving as a coach for the entrepreneur, and by facilitating access to capital sources and professional services. For more information, visit www.ideavillage.org.
About Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Greater New Orleans, Inc. is a public/private partnership formed to spearhead economic development for the ten-parish Greater New Orleans region. In collaboration with government, business and industry and civic leaders, professional economic development staff work with volunteer leaders to create jobs in Southeast Louisiana , market the parishes to companies seeking to expand or relocated, and retain and grow existing businesses. The mission of Greater New Orleans, Inc. is to create 30,000 new jobs and $1 billion in new payroll over the next five years.
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