Adobe and VeriSign to Transform Distribution
of Rich Media Online
Companies to Enable Delivery of Flash Video for Media And Entertainment
Companies
SAN JOSE, Calif. and LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Jan. 8, 2007 — VeriSign,
Inc., (NASDAQ: VRSN) and Adobe Systems Incorporated (NASDAQ: ADBE),
today announced their intent to collaborate on integrating Adobe® Flash®
technologies with VeriSign’s peer assisted content distribution technology,
setting a new standard in the delivery of high-quality video content.
Both companies plan to integrate existing products and services and
jointly develop new technologies that help media and entertainment companies
bring content online. The first phase of the expected collaboration
consists of VeriSign incorporating Adobe Flash Media Server 2 into its
new globally deployed Intelligent Content Delivery Network (CDN), enabling
publishers to deliver high fidelity video on-demand and MP3 audio streaming
services across a high-performance, more secure and reliable CDN.
The two companies expect to work together to integrate
future versions of next generation media technologies leveraging VeriSign's
Kontiki peer-to-peer technology and Adobe's award winning Flash Video
software. The combined services will allow companies to deliver customized
interactive Flash Video experiences, including movies, TV shows, broadcast
media, and user interface technologies. Through Adobe Flash Player,
the ubiquitous cross platform client runtime installed on more than
700 million connected PCs and devices worldwide, users are able to instantly
view video content. Publishers are expected to be able to lower their
development, quality assurance, and customer support costs because the
combined Flash/VeriSign service reduces the problems of deploying video
on-demand applications across multiple platforms and browsers.
"VeriSign's global reach and leadership in intelligent
infrastructure services will give content providers the ability to deliver
truly innovative and more secure Flash Video experiences to the widest
possible audience worldwide,” said Bruce Chizen, chief executive officer
at Adobe. “The ubiquity and power of Adobe Flash, combined with
advanced streaming and media technologies from VeriSign, fundamentally
changes how rich media content is deployed to consumers.”
Adobe's Emmy award winning Flash Video technology
is profoundly impacting the way video is distributed over the Internet.
Today, television shows like Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy
and Friday Night Lights are being delivered online with Flash Video,
while the technology also powers the video capabilities of social networking
sites such as YouTube and MySpace.
“With its technology and products reaching hundreds
of millions of installations on PC and Mac platforms, Adobe has established
an incredible reach on a global scale,” said Stratton Sclavos, chief
executive officer at VeriSign. “By combining forces, we will offer customers
a simpler, more cost effective way to create, manage and distribute
high-quality, long form video content, revolutionizing the creation
and distribution of rich media content online.”
VeriSign launched its breakthrough Intelligent CDN
last month, offering content publishers the ability for the first time
to combine both traditional CDN services, such as video streaming and
clientless download with advanced peer to peer technology for long form
content delivery. This allows media and entertainment companies to deliver
the right viewer experience for every piece of content, while taking
advantage of VeriSign’s trusted, secure and scalable global infrastructure.
Adobe and VeriSign plan to make specific product and
service introductions later in 2007.
About VeriSign
VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSN), operates intelligent infrastructure services
that enable and protect billions of interactions every day across the
world’s voice and data networks. Additional news and information about
the company is available at www.verisign.com.
About Adobe Systems Incorporated
Adobe revolutionizes how the world engages with ideas and information
– anytime, anywhere and through any medium. For more information, visit
www.adobe.com.
Sandra Nakama
Adobe Systems Incorporated
415-832-4053
snakama@adobe.com
Cara E. Porchia
A&R Edelman
650-762-2802
cporchia@ar-edelman.com
Lisa Malloy
VeriSign Media Relations
202-270-7600
emalloy@verisign.com
Allison Flerl
VeriSign Media Relations
650-452-4867
aflerl@verisign.com
Nancy Fazioli
VeriSign Investor Relations
650- 426-5146
ir@verisign.com
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© 2007 Adobe Systems Incorporated. All rights
reserved. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Flash, are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or
other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective
owners.
Forward Looking Statement
Statements in this announcement other than historical data and information
constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. These statements involve risks and uncertainties
that could cause VeriSign's actual results to differ materially from
those stated or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential
risks and uncertainties include, among others, the uncertainty of future
revenue and profitability and potential fluctuations in quarterly operating
results due to such factors as the risk that VeriSign's announced strategic
relationships, including the relationship described herein, may not
result in additional products, services, customers, profits or revenues;
and increased competition and pricing pressures. More information about
potential factors that could affect the company's business and financial
results is included in VeriSign's filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2005 and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
VeriSign undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking
statements after the date of this press release.