Panasonic Extends Open Access to Its Plasma Concierge Service as Consumers Look to Upgrade for the Big Game

Panasonic Extends Open Access to Its Plasma Concierge Service as Consumers Look to Upgrade for the Big Game

For Sports, Panasonic High Definition Plasmas Provide Crystal Clear, Fast-Moving Action, Outstanding Viewing Angles, and Realistic Colors

SECAUCUS, N.J., Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, a market and technology leader in Plasma TV, announced today that it is extending its offer for all consumers to access its Panasonic Plasma Concierge(TM) toll-free information service this holiday season through February 4, 2007. Usually only available for Panasonic HD Plasma owners, the free support program helps consumers cut through the clutter to make educated choices when buying a flat panel HDTV to watch the big game.

Panasonic initially opened the Plasma Concierge service to all consumers during the holiday season and its decision to extend it is based on the popularity of the service and the interest in flat panel TVs during the football playoffs and championship games.

In addition to answering basic and technical questions, Panasonic Plasma Concierge experts will work with consumers who contact the service to create a customized, flat screen profile, which takes into account key factors, such as lifestyle, viewing habits and room design/dimensions, to help them find the type of flat panel television that best suits their needs.

"The profile can be very helpful in determining viewing habits such as if the person watches sports and content that has fast-moving scenes like action movies," said Andrew Nelkin, Panasonic's Display Group Vice President. "This would be an important factor to note because most LCD televisions can have a blurring effect during high-speed imagery and fast moving action scenes, which certainly wouldn't be the best technology for a sports fan."

In addition to producing crisp, smooth action in high-speed scenes found in sports and movies, Panasonic Plasma HDTVs offer sports fans a superior viewing angle than most large screen LCDs and is optimal for living room use and parties where family members or friends need to share the screen at various angles. Panasonic Plasma HDTVs also enhance sporting events through its ability to produce a full range of natural colors and deep, rich blacks for exceptional contrast and striking image quality.

"As a maker of both plasma and LCD flat panels, we know that many consumers are confused about flat panels and HDTV for many different reasons," said Nelkin. "By extending the open access to our Panasonic Plasma Concierge Service, consumers can ask questions and gather facts from our experts to ultimately select the HDTV that best suits their needs."

Consumers can access the service by calling 1-888-777-7134 Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, where they will be connected to a Panasonic Concierge expert. Consumers also can find tips, facts about flat panel television and a guide, What2Look4, which highlights the ins and outs of shopping for a flat panel at http://www.panasonic.com/plasmacentral.

About Panasonic

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE:MC) and the hub of Panasonic's U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic products is available at http://www.panasonic.com/. Additional company information for journalists is available at http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

Source: Panasonic

CONTACT: Chris De Maria, +1-201-348-7182, demariac@us.panasonic.com, or
Jeff Samuels, +1-201-392-4571, samuelsj@us.panasonic.com, both of Panasonic;
Adam Paige of Cohn & Wolfe for Panasonic, +1-212-798-9833,
adam_paige@cohnwolfe.com

Web site: http://www.panasonic.com/plasmacentral
http://www.panasonic.com/

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