Kodak Response to TMY-2 Comments

[Trius]

A little while ago I sent an email to a Kodak marketing person (Audrey J.) with whom I'd had some contact about my reaction to TMY-2, referencing my blog and some shots on flickr. When Audrey returned to the office, she apparently forwarded my email to Mary Jane Hellyar, President of the Film, Photofinishing & Entertainment Group, and Mary Jane wrote a lovely note in response. Thought I'd share it here, partly as an indication that EK isn't just stone cold silence. 😉

Dear Earl,
Audrey [J] forwarded your email of January 30 to me and I want to thank you personally for your unwavering support of our Kodak film. I am proud to be able to lead a strong team effort at Kodak that harnesses the brainpower and enthusiasm so many of us have...and always will have...for film. Indeed, it mirrors the passion of the many professional photographers who tell us how much they rely on our film to achieve their special photographic look and feel. Nothing is more gratifying than positive feedback from our most discerning customers..

The recent introductions of improved professional films such as our new TMAX 400 and Portra color negative films are especially exciting when we get strong support from experts like yourself. I was delighted to read in your Flickr.com January 19 entry alonngside the image of "Highland Park 2007 - 11 Gnarly Tree" that you declared our new TMAX 400 a "smashing success."

Thank you again, Earl, for taking the time to send your email and for your ongoing support of Kodak film.

Best wishes,
Mary Jane​

 

[Honus]

Cool. It's nice to know that Kodak is actually listening. As long as they keep producing Tri-X and Xtol, I will be a happy camper.

 

[photogdave]

That was nice of her to take the time to write a personalized letter to you. I can't wait to get my hands on some of this film too!

 

[peterc]

Now, if only they'd give it to stores so people could buy it.

 

[Keith]

A little while ago I sent an email to a Kodak marketing person (Audrey J.) with whom I'd had some contact about my reaction to TMY-2, referencing my blog and some shots on flickr. When Audrey returned to the office, she apparently forwarded my email to Mary Jane Hellyar, President of the Film, Photofinishing & Entertainment Group, and Mary Jane wrote a lovely note in response. Thought I'd share it here, partly as an indication that EK isn't just stone cold silence. 😉

Dear Earl,
Audrey [J] forwarded your email of January 30 to me and I want to thank you personally for your unwavering support of our Kodak film. I am proud to be able to lead a strong team effort at Kodak that harnesses the brainpower and enthusiasm so many of us have...and always will have...for film. Indeed, it mirrors the passion of the many professional photographers who tell us how much they rely on our film to achieve their special photographic look and feel. Nothing is more gratifying than positive feedback from our most discerning customers..

The recent introductions of improved professional films such as our new TMAX 400 and Portra color negative films are especially exciting when we get strong support from experts like yourself. I was delighted to read in your Flickr.com January 19 entry alonngside the image of "Highland Park 2007 - 11 Gnarly Tree" that you declared our new TMAX 400 a "smashing success."

Thank you again, Earl, for taking the time to send your email and for your ongoing support of Kodak film.

Best wishes,
Mary Jane​

Wasn't 'Mary Jane' the coloquial or slang term for cannabis ... ?

... the plot thickens and it could explain why they want to stick with film! 😛

 

[BillBingham2]

Trius,

Good job. I'm hoping that Kodak realizes that film can live forever. This stuff sounds like a great step in that direction. I'm hoping that Mary Jane can keep the silly MBA types from saying they can make more money else where. Kodak has the heart and sole of film and if they stay the course, the film/paper division will be fine.

B2 (;->

 

[Trius]

B2: So far, they're not really making too much money anywhere else. 😉

As far as paper goes, b&w paper is gone, so only colour materials survive. There's still a strong market for print materials.

I had coffee Sunday morning with a retired Kodaker who point-blank asked Perez why b&w paper had been discontinued. His answer was that they had expected the market in Brazil, China, Africa and other emerging economies to be big consumers of those materials, but those countries leapfrogged to digital. Why the swells at Kodak didn't see that coming is beyond me. It's a well-known phenomenon. Had they considered that, they might have had enough lead time to reduce fixed costs in b&w paper enough to allow it to survive. At least the chemicals are still there.