Eastman Kodak Co.

More than 125 in-plant managers attended the main in-plant event of the year, the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association conference. IPG was there.

A glimpse of the excitement and bustle of Graph Expo, with interviews of some of the in-plant managers in attendance.

Eastman Kodak Company named Jon Bracken as Vice President of Marketing and Channels, Workflow and Prepress Equipment (WPE) for its Graphic Communications Group (GCG).    In his new role, Bracken is responsible for all WPE marketing initiatives, including product launches, advertising, branding and customer development. Bracken most recently served as Director of Product Management for Unified Workflow solutions. Prior to that, he spent the last 16 of his 21 years in the graphic communications industry in various product management and marketing roles within the former Creo organization, including leadership positions in the workflow, computer to film and computer to plate businesses for Scitex in Europe.

Canon U.S.A. has formed a unique partnership with Arizona State University that will not only support ASU’s office copier program and copy centers with the latest technology, but will advance the Tempe-based university’s digital infrastructure. The goal is to build a “sustainable digital university” that is mindful of the needs of future generations and does not use resources faster than they can be replenished. With that in mind, Canon is replacing ASU’s existing copiers and multifunction devices with the latest digital equipment, and opening a Canon digital showroom on campus. ASU will become a test laboratory for Canon digital technologies (even non-print technologies, like security

To drive home its conference theme, “Digital in Demand,” the National Government Publishing Association held its most recent meeting in Rochester, N.Y., a stronghold of graphic arts technology. As the home of Xerox, Kodak and the Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester proved an ideal location. Each of those organizations hosted the NGPA group for half a day, providing seminars, tours and a close look at the latest digital equipment. The three-day conference drew 34 government attendees from 14 states. Each morning kicked off with educational sessions covering such topics as CTP, shop management software and marketing. The afternoon tours followed. In

CHICAGO—Oct. 17—Seven Kodak solutions earned “Must See ’ems” recognition at Graph Expo 2006, affirming the strength of the industry’s broadest and most innovative portfolio. Sponsored by the Graph Arts Show Company (GASC) and conducted independently by PrintCom Consulting Group, Must See ’ems recognize the industry’s most compelling products and services as selected by a panel of 15 leading industry consultants and trade magazine editors. “Every year, the Must See ’ems program highlights the latest technology trends shaping the industry,” said Jeffrey Hayzlett, Chief Marketing Officer, Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group. “We’re very happy that these graphic communications experts recognize KODAK products from across

ROCHESTER, NY—Oct. 6—As part of the celebration marking the 10th anniversary of thermal computer-to-plate (CTP) technology, Kodak demonstrates its commitment to future innovation by investing in education. Kodak is donating a complete thermal CTP solution to Arizona State University’s (ASU) Graphic Information Technology program. The thermal CTP package includes the Kodak Magnus 400 platesetter, a Kodak Prinergy workflow system, Kodak Thermal Direct non process printing plates, Kodak InSite software, and Kodak Staccato screening software. “Kodak’s generosity and its continued commitment to education are instrumental in providing our students with hands on experience with advanced thermal CTP technology,” said Dr. Thomas E. Schildgen, Chairman for

DESPITE ALL the talk in the industry of virtual proofing, Ken Johnson still thinks customers prefer a proof they can hold in their hands. “Their eyes gloss over [when proofing] on the computer screen,” says Johnson, director of Printing Services at Ball State University, in Muncie, Ind. His in-plant uses Kodak’s MatchPrint ProofPro software along with Screen USA’s Trueflow workflow. Proofs are printed on a MatchPrint ProofPro 2610 ink-jet printer. But out at Western Growers, in Irvine, Calif., Robert Delgado feels much differently. His in-plant e-mails PDF proofs to customers, and he says they have been satisfied with the arrangement. Proofs always match the

AS FALLING leaves carpet the University of Tennessee’s Knoxville campus, so has the autumn of Gary Williford’s career arrived. After 34 years at the university—30 of them in the in-plant—Williford plans to retire in a few months from his role as manager of the school’s Graphic Arts Service department. But while others might view their final days as an opportunity to kick back and coast to an easy farewell, Williford has insisted on pushing forward, preparing his 55-employee operation for the days after his departure. “I owe this organization. It’s been good to me. It’s a part of my life,” he explains. “I want

I’m in Rochester, N.Y., as I write this, attending the National Government Publishing Association conference. This being my 11th NGPA conference, I know most of the government in-plant managers here, and have enjoyed catching up with them and finding out about changes in their operations. (I did so much talking the first evening I lost my voice and have been doing a lot of whispering since then.) By holding the conference in Rochester, the headquarters of Kodak, Xerox and the Rochester Institute of Technology, NGPA is taking advantage of the expertise of the Big Three. The group is visiting one of them each day