startle Gets Service On Track With Informix;Production Music Goes Online With 'pound'2m...

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

IBC 2000

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--8 September 2000

The production music industry is set for a shake-up with the imminent launch of an online service, providing access to over 70,000 digitised tracks from the world's

startle online, which will be unveiled on September 27, 2000, has selected Informix(R)'s Media360(TM) asset management system as the foundation for its service. The technology allows startle online to store digitised tracks, together with a sophisticated classification system based on meta data, in one central repository.

Aimed at producers within broadcasting, production and allied industries such as advertising and new media, this advanced technology allows users to make complex searches, select, change to audition, and license music from a library of over 70,000 digitised production music tracks, all via the Web.

startle online replaces startle's award-winning M.A.R.S service with the brand new search and retrieval system. (1)

"Our service is set to revolutionise the music licensing industry. With Informix's Media360 media asset management solution, producers will have easier access to a huge database of production music tracks and will be able to undertake quite detailed searches in order to find the music that best meets their needs," said Barry Watts, startle's CEO. "Allowing users to license and download the selected track via the Web helps to speed up the whole production process."

According to David Johnson, general manager at startle online, the company went through an extensive tender process with the leading suppliers before selecting Informix's Media360 media asset management solution.

"Informix proved that it could provide the type of solution we were looking for within very tight deadlines. Not only does Media360 media asset management solution conform to our specifications but Informix showed a deep understanding of our requirements as well as those of our customers," he continued.

"The Internet is speeding up the business world and time to market is key," said Peter Gyenes, president and chief executive officer, Informix Software. "Media360 has been adopted by media companies world-wide. This meant we could provide startle online with a strong foundation for its new service, within the original deadlines set."

Full details and a demonstration of startle online will be available from September 27, 2000.

About Informix

Informix (Nasdaq:IFMX) is the technology leader in software infrastructure and solutions for the Internet. Informix brings a focused set of products and services that integrate e-business and business intelligence on an Internet infrastructure. Informix's highly scalable database engines, in addition to its business intelligence, content management and e-commerce solutions, helps customers to succeed in the new economy. For more information, contact the nearest sales office or visit the Web site at www.informix.com.

About startle online

startle online is the new identity and product version of M.A.R.S and will be launched on September 27, 2000. The new improved offering provides the broadcast and communications industry with a comprehensive and easy-to-use source of music for soundtracks and background music.

For enquiries about startle online, please contact: James Butler, marketing manager, startle plc

Telephone: +44 (0) 207 341 0999 Email: james.butler@startle.com Fax: +44 (0) 207 341 0877 Web site: www.startle.com

Gabby Wilson or Eva Sogbanmu at Band & Brown Communications

Telephone: +44 (0) 207 419 7000 Email: gabby@bbpr.com Fax: +44 (0) 207 419 6969 Web site: wwwbbpr.com

The following are trademarks of Informix Corporation or its affiliates, one or more of which may be registered in the U.S. or other jurisdictions: Informix(R), Media360(TM).

(1) Multimedia Archive and Retrieval System (M.A.R.S) was awarded the 'Interactive Marketing Award for Innovation in Business to Business' in association with Net Profit at the 1999 BT eBusiness Innovation Awards.

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