Swatch announces new Swatch smart watch that delivers exclusive entertainment information and more via Microsoft's MSN Direct
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Indication: A picture will be sent by Photopress through the Keystone
satellite network (www.phootopress.ch)"Paparazzi" Offers Free Content and Chance to Meet Celebrities
Swatch, the innovative, trend-setting watch brand from Swatch Group, the leading global watch corporation from Switzerland, has joined with MSN Direct, a division of Microsoft Corp., to launch a stylish and colorful new watch known as "Paparazzi." With four new multi-colored styles, Paparazzi offers wearers exclusive entertainment information and the opportunity to meet celebrities. In addition, Paparazzi owners can access the MSN® Direct service to receive personalized information - including news, sports, weather, horoscopes, stock quotes and more.
The velvet rope just disappeared for Swatch Paparazzi wearers. Paparazzi owners will be in the know before everyone else thanks to "Swatch City," the new, specialized content provided by Time Out that offers tips on hot bars, cool clubs, hip locales, free events around town. Also unique to Swatch Paparazzi is the opportunity to register to win a "Swatch Meet A Celebrity" package.
Swatch Paparazzi enables consumers the chance to meet a celebrity from the worlds of business, sports and film/entertainment. The 'Swatch Meet' sweepstakes unfolds over the next six months and is available to buyers and non-buyers alike. The first celebrity meetings featured in the 'Swatch Meet' sweepstakes include: a tour of the Consumer Electronics Show in January 2005 with Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates; a training session with Olympic Gold Medalist Carl Lewis; and a visit to the set of the O.C. with star Mischa Barton. More information about 'Swatch Meet' is located at www.swatch.com.
Swatch Paparazzi represents the first Swatch Smart Watch offering automatic content out of the box. The following content is available to every Swatch Paparazzi buyer upon purchase: 'Swatch City' (entertainment news and national news headlines); local weather highs and lows; major stock indexes; Swatch Meet and Swatch News, which relates brand happenings.
Nick Hayek, Jr., Swatch Group CEO, said, "Communication is very powerful. The information you share is one part and the way you communicate it is the other. Swatch Paparazzi offers a lifestyle of communication that is original and fun - clearly a plus for the wearer."
MSN Direct - Sophisticated Technology
MSN Direct offers Paparazzi wearers the ability to customize various channels of information, including news, sports, weather, horoscopes, personal messages, calendar appointment reminders, stock quotes, lottery information and more. Subscribers to MSN Direct choose only the information they wish to receive on their watch by visiting the MSN Direct Web site at www.msndirect.com. Since MSN Direct was launched at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January of this year, the amount of content offered by the service has doubled, and subscribers can choose from a range of pricing options to best fit their needs.
"The introduction of the Swatch Paparazzi watch represents a major milestone for Smart Watches and MSN Direct. We are thrilled to work with an industry leader like Swatch to offer specialized content and stylish watches specially tailored for Swatch customers," said Bill Mitchell, corporate vice president of the Mobile Platforms Division at Microsoft.
Swatch Meet
Of all the functions provided by Paparazzi, perhaps the most evocative is the opportunity to meet a celebrity. Through the sweepstakes called "Swatch Meet" wearers can register to win the chance to spend time with one of four celebrities representing the worlds of business, sports, music and film/entertainment. The sweepstakes is scheduled to start on October 20 and will run for six months. One winner every six weeks will be selected at random and flown to meet the celebrity of the month - courtesy of Swatch.
About Swatch Paparazzi
The Swatch Paparazzi is available in four vivid colors including orange, red, black and blue/beige, and all sport a silicon strap (with adjustable length). The traditional Swatch plastic case comes in a new chunky design and an X-large size. Five function buttons recessed into the case allow the wearer to navigate and control the watch functions. The Swatch Paparazzi is waterproof and comes with a lithium-ion rechargeable battery and a 2-year warranty. Swatch Paparazzi retails for $150 at all 40 Swatch stores and online at www.swatch.com.
About MSN Direct
MSN Direct, part of the Smart Personal Objects Technology initiative, is a specialized wireless service that combines technology and fashion to deliver customized and personalized information to people. Those interested in learning more about MSN Direct can visit http://www.msndirect.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
About Swatch
Swatch is a member of the Swatch Group, the world's largest watch producer and distributor, with over 157 production sites in Switzerland. The Swatch Group is the official timekeeper and data-handling operator for the Olympic Games in Athens, Turin, Beijing and other cities.
Microsoft and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft® Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft's corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft's Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp.
Contact:
Carmen Daetwyer
Swatch Int'l PR Department
Tel. 0041/32/343'97'28
E-Mail: carmen.daetwyler@swatch.com
Dave Hanon or Rapid Response Team
Waggener Edstrom for MSN Direct
Tel. 001/425/638-7000 or 001/503/443-7070
E-Mail: daveh@wagged.com or rrt@wagged.com