Proxima and NCN Partnership Brings Cinema Advertising Into Digital Age

SAN DIEGO -- June 25, 1999 -- Over the last seven decades, movie special effects have made time travel, space travel and virtually anything imaginable as an on-screen reality.

American movie patrons almost take for granted the same special effects that astounded viewers only a few years ago. So it is little wonder that when National Cinema Network (NCN) decided to update its delivery of in-theater entertainment and advertising to reflect the growing sophistication of movie audiences, the company called upon Proxima Corp., a global leader in the multimedia projection industry.

"NCN selected Proxima for the various technologies they are involved with, and because they have established relationships with leading technology partners," said Shawn Whitcomb, vice president of technical operations at NCN. "With the flexibility Proxima offers, NCN will be able to move into diverse in-theater digital venues."

Innovation and cutting edge projection technology: a perfect fit

NCN, with Proxima, created a Digital Theater Distribution System(TM) (DTDS(TM)) using industry standards to display dynamic entertainment and advertising content within the movie theater environment.

NCN and Proxima are currently in the testing and implementation phase of the new system, on 80 movie screens. Over the course of the next few years, NCN and Proxima representatives are confident that the new system will be adopted throughout the country. There are more than 34,000 movie screens in the United States.

Using a Proxima projector enables NCN to digitally feed entertainment and advertising images to the movie theaters through a satellite, then into NCN's DTDS(TM), which saves both time and money. From there, the signal will be fed to the Proxima projector, and then onto the movie screen. Since the content is digital, it can contain motion, dynamic graphics and audio. It can also be changed via computer at a moment's notice -- an attractive option for NCN's advertising clients.

NCN selected Proxima's LS1 projector to play digital content because it provides clear, crisp, top-quality images that fill the movie screen, with automatic zoom and focus. The LS1 met and exceeded NCN's requirements for providing the best quality for the best price.

Said Werner Heid, Proxima's president: "The Proxima/NCN partnership is a fantastic opportunity for both companies. We are proud to be on the leading edge of the digital revolution. The implications of this partnership reach far beyond advertising. We anticipate there being a point when movie trailers -- even movies themselves -- are projected digitally. It's very exciting for everyone involved."

NCN and Proxima were introduced through the efforts of Janice Bartell of Business Media, one of Proxima's dealers. Business Media is based out of Overland Park, Kan.

About National Cinema Network

Based in Kansas City, Mo., NCN is the premier cinema advertising company, representing more than 10,000 movie screens in the nation's top theater circuits. NCN has offered local, regional and national advertisers innovative media to reach captive audiences of teen and adult consumers since 1985.

Companies like Ford, CBS, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, GTE, Kodak, Mercedes-Benz and McDonald's, among other market leaders, have used NCN to reach desirable consumers. With film, slides, print, audio and promotional products, NCN has the broadest selection of cinema media available. NCN can be reached at 800/SCREEN1 or 800/727-3361. The Web site address is www.NCNinc.com.

About Proxima

Founded in 1982, Proxima is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ask Proxima ASA of Norway (Oslo:ASK). Proxima is committed to delivering the right product, to satisfy customer needs, at the right price. Proxima develops, markets and sells world class presentation solutions to benefit corporate enterprises, work groups, mobile professionals, trainers, and professional public speakers.

Proxima award-winning multimedia projectors include ultraportable, desktop and fixed-installation professional projectors that increase the efficiency and productivity of business meetings, on-the-road electronic presentations, training, and interactive work group sessions. Proxima's Web site is located at www.proxima.com. Proxima also sponsors Presenters' University with tips, tools and techniques for presenters at www.presentersuniversity.com.

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CONTACT:

Proxima Corp.
Tom Yerkes, 619/638-2734
tyerkes@proxima.com

or

National Cinema Network
Christine Brantley, 703/931-6011
cbrantley@NCNinc.com

or

Moore Media Relations
Xenia Moore, 858/274-5959
xenia@moorepr.com

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