ATLANTA, Dec. 11, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Armagh Group, Inc. (OTCBB:AMGH) today announced the signing of a service agreement between its recently acquired SmartVideo unit, a leading provider of video distribution to the dial-up and broadband Internet user, and ProNetwork.TV, one of the nations top Internet vertical-market broadcasting companies.
ProNetwork.TV offers its subscribers the capability to view training, public and private content as well as informational programs, live and on-demand, over the Internet using SmartVideo's SvBroadcast.
"We began using SmartVideo's SvBroadcast in March 2002, which allows us to reach viewers 24/7 coast to coast. We began with select subscribers and as a result have grown 600%," said Ruth King, President of ProNetwork.TV. "Our contractor subscribers, pay an average of three-hundred dollars a month for access to ProNetwork.TV content and we have also had explosive growth with corporate clients and sponsors and this segment who contribute tens of thousands of dollars more each month."
ProNetwork.TV was a SmartVideo trailblazer as a beta test site. Most of their customers have 28K dial-up connections and that fact was critical to their choice to use SmartVideo's technologies. ProNetwork.TV produces 30 to 60 hours of new programming each month.
"At present, ProNetwork.TV has developed 1800 hours of content and they haven't found another resource that can do what SvBroadcast has the flexibility to do. This technology combines the ability to reach national and international audiences, in any language with tools that support slides and graphics, `Larry King style' live call-ins, and instant messaging," said King.
"Programs are available on-demand and about a third are broadcast live. During live programs viewers can pick up the phone and call-in or chat-in on their computers, whichever they prefer," said Julianna Hall, Director of ProNetwork.TV Broadcast Services. "This gives our programs tremendous interactivity, as one viewer said, 'it's like being there.'"
"We've combined SmartVideo's capabilities for reliable delivery of rich media content on the web, with creative talent, broadcast expertise and our Studio 415 facilities, to deliver a cost-effective viewing experience worthy of our clients' brand reputations," said King. "It's been a hit for corporate communications, product launches, quarterly earnings announcements, press conferences, Infomercials and tradeshows."
"Demand for timely, effective communications, to wide ranging viewing audiences, by businesses is increasing. SvBroadcast is an extremely effective way to reach distributors, dealers, employees, customers and the general public. We are pleased to be a part of ProNetwork's growth," said Richard Bennett, President of SmartVideo.
About SmartVideo
SmartVideo designs, develops, sells, and markets video compression and processing technology that delivers full-motion video content to a web browser using an Internet connection. SmartVideo uses its proprietary technology to offer services that enable full-motion video content to be viewed via both dial-up and broadband Internet connections. These technologies enable live video broadcast, with viewer interactivity, to more than 95% of all Internet users. SmartVideo addresses the increasingly important role that delivery of rich media content plays in Internet communications. SmartVideo products and services deliver, live or pre-recorded, rich media content, combining traditional web-based text, graphics, and hyper-links with smooth, real-time video, and high-quality audio.
Companies around the world are looking to harness the power of video and audio on their websites and in other corporate applications. SmartVideo believes that the demand for, and use of, its services will grow at a faster rate than most other Internet applications. More information and application Demos can be found at SmartVideo's website: http://www.smartvideo.com. Additionally, any prospective clients or shareholders can log into the SmartVideo website on most Thursdays at 1 p.m. EST to see live demos of the SmartVideo application.
SmartVideo is based in Norcross, Ga., a suburb of Atlanta.
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Words such as "intends," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, future events or performance and assumptions and other statements that are not statements of historical fact. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove correct.