Panasonic Extends Its Exclusive Concierge Service to Both Plasma and LCD Owners

Panasonic Extends Its Exclusive Concierge Service to Both Plasma and LCD Owners

Newly Renamed VIERA Concierge(TM) Service Links All HDTV Customers with Technical Experts to Answer Vital Questions

SECAUCUS, N.J., July 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Panasonic, a market and technology leader in High Definition televisions, announced today that it has extended its unique and successful Plasma Concierge(TM) free customer support program to both Panasonic Plasma and LCD HDTV owners and renamed it Panasonic VIERA Concierge(TM). Previously only available for Panasonic HD Plasma owners, the exceptional service, which includes a toll-free customer support line, provides Panasonic HDTV owners with quick access to technical experts via phone, web or in-home service for answers to a broad range of questions. One unique privilege is access to Panasonic's HDTV loaner program, which makes HDTV loaners available at no charge to customers who have a Plasma or LCD undergoing repair.

Panasonic VIERA Concierge customers can get advice on set-up, operation, integration of their VIERA HDTV with other home entertainment components and support-related activities including troubleshooting issues. The VIERA Concierge service also includes priority scheduling for in-home service visits, if necessary, with most repairs completed in two days.

"As a maker of highly rated Plasma and LCD flat panels, Panasonic is equally committed to all of our VIERA HDTV products," said Robert Perry, Senior Vice President, Panasonic Display Group. "By extending the VIERA Concierge Service to include our LCD displays, all of our HDTV customers can benefit from the award-winning technical support that distinguishes Panasonic from its competitors."

As part of the VIERA Concierge service program, Panasonic HDTV owners receive a Concierge Benefits Card providing a customer ID and dedicated toll-free telephone number which entitles them to a range of valuable privileges within the United States.

Launched in June 2006, the VIERA Concierge program is administered by Panasonic's Customer Call Center in Chesapeake, VA, which has been recognized as a Certified "Center of Excellence" by the Center for Customer-Driven Quality(TM) at Purdue University. This highly respected certification ranked Panasonic's Call Center in the top 10 percent of the 20,000 call centers studied throughout North America.

"The Panasonic VIERA Concierge program is an industry first and has provided tremendous value to our Plasma customers," said Mr. Perry. "By constantly speaking with consumers to understand their lifestyle needs and concerns, Panasonic's VIERA Concierge experts continuously improve their abilities to solve the needs of our customers while providing peace of mind that Panasonic is standing behind its products. Now both our Plasma and LCD customers have access to our experts and advanced support capabilities, and have a chance to experience Panasonic's commitment to their satisfaction firsthand."

Consumers can find tips, ask questions and gather facts from VIERA Concierge experts about "What to Look For" when shopping for an HDTV at www.panasonic.com/VIERAcentral.

About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company

Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC), a market and technology leader in High Definition television, 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 www.panasonic.com. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

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;
or Alix Dunn, +1-212-798-9795, alix_dunn@cohnwolfe.com, of Cohn & Wolfe

Web site:

http://www.panasonic.com/
http://www.panasonic.com/VIERAcentral
http://www.panasonic.com/pressroom

-------
Profile: intent