ioko and VeriSign’s Kontiki Forge A First
for British Film
LONDON, 18 MAY 2006—ioko, a specialist in digital and on-demand
media, and Kontiki, which was recently acquired by VeriSign, Inc. (Nasdaq:
VRSN) the leading provider of intelligent infrastructure services for
the Internet and telecommunications networks, have partnered with the
BBC to build and launch the BBC Film Network (www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/).
The Film Network is an interactive showcase for new British filmmakers
and gives viewers access to high-resolution short British film downloads
from the website to watch on their personal computers (PCs).
The service, which is free to the first 10,000 subscribers,
allows emerging British filmmakers to showcase their work online and
gives viewers up-to-the-minute access to the latest short film releases.
Fearghal Kelly, media solutions director, ioko, said,
“The digital media space is developing at a rapid rate, especially in
the UK. It is with great pleasure that we continue to support this initiative
that is geared toward promoting British film and taking UK talent and
video content to the next level.”
The interactive online service which has been developed
and managed by ioko, uses VeriSign’s Kontiki Delivery Management System
(DMS). By providing licensed distributed online media content, users
now have access to entertainment that was previously limited to television
and cinema channels. It brings an advanced level of quality screening
to UK film lovers via PCs and enables British producers and film makers
to distribute DVD-quality short films to a broader audience.
After subscribing to the service, viewers can receive
email alerts on the three latest short films as they are released and
when downloads begin. Subscribers automatically receive new films, eliminating
the need to search for them. Once downloaded to a PC, films can be viewed
repeatedly for 28 days, after which time files are automatically removed
from the hard drive. Windows Media Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology
is used to grant a user license once the film commences playing and
then monitors the usage period.
VeriSign’s Kontiki platform was chosen because security,
speed, value and ease-of-use were key business objectives for the service.
Fast download speeds are ensured through legitimate, secure and managed
P2P delivery technology, with an average download time of a short film
taking 15 minutes using a one-megabit broadband connection.
“Working with the BBC for the last few years has been
a great experience for our company. It is pushing the innovation
envelope by offering customers exciting new services that feature compelling,
high-quality video content,” said Scott Sahadi, vice president of marketing
and business development, VeriSign.
The network launched in April with: ‘How To Tell If
A Relationship Is Over,’ a 90-second race through the tell-tale signs
of a relationship meltdown featuring The Mighty Boosh’s Julian Barratt;
‘Fishy,’ the appropriately named aquatic romance starring Shirley Henderson,
a joint runner up in the BBC's Talent awards; and the award-winning
Chris Shepherd animation, ‘Dad’s Dead.’
###
About ioko
ioko was established in 1996 to help commercial organisations apply
cutting-edge technologies to create new, but practical, business solutions
and applications. For ten years ioko has been working very successfully
with some of Europe’s best known companies, applying its technical knowledge
and skills to design, build and run high quality IT systems. ioko has
worked with media companies since its inception, mainly as a provider
of systems integration services, but also providing managed services
for customers like EMI, Channel 4 and Sky. ioko has worked with Sky
for the last five years, managing the company’s entire Internet platform
including all web sites, video streaming services and customer portals.
ioko is also the leading implementer of Kontiki software in Europe.
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.
Media Contacts
Ioko
John Griffin: Sales and marketing director
H.O: +44 (0) 1904 438 000
Mobile: +44 (0) 77 1074 0789
Email: John.Griffin@ioko.com
BBC
James Hedges: BBC publicity
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8008 5294
Firefly
Rozzyn Boy: account director
Direct: +44 (0) 20 7386 1490
Mobile: +44 (0) 77 9917 8996
Email: Rozzyn.Boy@fireflycomms.com
Suzanne Miller: account executive
Direct: +44 (0) 20 7386 1404
Mobile: +44 (0) 78 8158 5373
Email: Suzanne.Miller@fireflycomms.com
VeriSign Inc.
Lori Sinsley: Senior Corporate Communications Manager
Direct: +001 650 426 4716
Mobile: +001 650 799 3993
Email: lsinsley@verisign.com
Trademarks
VeriSign and other trademarks, service marks, and logos are registered
or unregistered trademarks of VeriSign and its subsidiaries in the United
States and in foreign countries. Copyright © 2006 VeriSign, Inc. All
rights reserved.
Forward Looking Statements
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 inability of VeriSign to
successfully develop and market new products and services and customer
acceptance of any new products or services; the possibility that VeriSign’s
announced new services may not result in additional 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.
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