One of the most enjoyable parts of my job that makes me smile is the ability to witness the role that Kodak plays in people's work and in their lives. Here's an example. Recently Kodak partnered with the Steve Harvey Morning Show and sponsored the Best High School category at the 7th Annual Hoodie Awards in Las Vegas, NV.  I had a chance to meet and spend time with many of the Steve Harvey Morning Show team.  We were able to capture them on video using our new Kodak Zi8 HD Pocket Video Camera. As always, I was extremely impressed by Steve and his team's commitment to the community and how much they believe in the Hoodie Awards. It shows in this video clip, captured on the Kodak Zi8, with Nephew Tommy and Carla from the Steve Harvey Morning show.

The video was shot on a Kodak Zi8

Our partnership with the 7th Annual Hoodie Awards was quite involved.  We are the Official Image and Print Partner of the 7th Annual Hoodie Awards.

As a major supplier to the commercial printing industry we used our customers to print the souvenir book and many other display materials at the event.

We have also partnered to help create, and by using printing solutions from Kodak, print the official Annual Hoodie Award Photo Book. It's filled with spectacular photographs of the Hoodie Awards weekend including the Steve Harvey Morning Show live broadcast, Freedom Friday Party, Midnight Comedy Jam, Celebrity Blue Carpet, Hoodie Awards Ceremony (with a special section for Hoodie Award winners), and the late-night After Party. Portions of the proceeds will benefit the Steve Harvey Mentoring Weekend.  All who were actually at the event, and even those who were only there in spirit, could upload their personal pictures and be a part of their own special Commemorative Book.  Take a look at the Official Hoodie Awards Photo Book. 

We wanted to be sure that all category winners were able to capture and share their memories of the Hoodie Awards weekend. Kodak donated some great new products to all 12 Category Winners of the Hoodie Awards; the M380 Easy Share Digital Camera, the Zx1 Pocket Video Camera, the W820 Kodak Easy Share Digital Frame as well as the ESP-5 All-In-One-Printer. The total valued was over $700 per category winner.

As you saw in the Video above, Kodak had a FREE Picture Taking and Sharing Zone at the Freedom Friday Party where we took professional quality pictures using a life size cut-out of the Steve Harvey Morning Show.  Kodak also allowed folks to print pictures from their digital cameras for FREE using Kodak Kiosks. 

The line was non-stop all night long, from 6:00pm-2:00am.  It was absolutely phenomenal.  We also provided the opportunity for more pictures with the "crew" on Saturday.

Essie, Carla, Steve, and Shirley

Our very own, Ms. Essie Calhoun, Chief Diversity and Community Affairs Officer, went on air with Steve on Friday, August 14th  which really made me Smile.  The two of them together always makes for a great interview.

We were able to give away some great products to many of the presenters who visited the Special VIP Gifting Suite backstage during the show.  I know my colleagues Jerusha and Jonathan were very excited and were smiling about the opportunity to meet so many of today's cultural icons.  Jonathan helped me capture all of the video footage that we have, and Jerusha and her team helped provide great photos to all who attended

Gifting Suite with Jonathan, Jerusha and Eduardo

As Kodak's Director, Multicultural Marketing, I spent 4 days in Las Vegas during the course of the Hoodie Awards Weekend, and helped many of those attendees learn about our products and experience our products first hand.  What has given me the greatest sense of satisfaction is our Sponsorship of the 'Best High School Category".  High school is where the young first find their voice, discover how to make a difference and begin developing a picture of their future.

I was especially overjoyed when winner of the Best High School Category went up on stage and accepted the award on behalf of the Students at Cass Technical High School in Detroit as presented by Terrance J and Roxy.

My eyes welled with tears of joy as I saw how elated she was.  "Ms. Essie" (as Steve and his team affectionately call Essie Calhoun) and I took a picture with the winner, and you can see how happy we all were.

Eduardo, Cass HS Principal and Essie

I am so excited about the opportunity to continue the relationship with Cass Technical High School.  Kodak has quite a few surprises planned, and we look forward to sharing these surprises with the school very soon.

I must say, there's no better feeling than knowing that you have been a part of something big and influential in the community.   I'm very grateful and proud that Kodak played a significant and everlasting part in this year's 2009 Hoodie Awards, and am especially grateful to Steve Harvey and Rushion McDonald for creating this event over 7 Years ago. I can't wait until next year!

I recently had the opportunity to serve as a Kodak ambassador aboard the Disney Wonder for one of the Disney Channel Summer at Sea cruises. My family was able to join me and we had a fantastic time! Here's me and my daughter, Mara, all smiles at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. If we look a little warm, that's because it was 98 degrees!



Kodak and Disney have enjoyed a long partnership, since the days of George Eastman and Walt Disney. So it was really rewarding to work closely with the Disney team; they are a great group of people! I met cast members from around the world who all have a passion for making people, young and old, smile. I also interacted with many of the guests aboard the ship - taking group photos, answering questions, demonstrating new gadgets from Kodak and sharing lots of Kodak moments.

One of the best experiences I had on the ship was getting to know some of the Disney Channel stars. Kodak hosted several events with Corbin Bleu; Tiffany Thornton, Brandon Smith and Doug Brochu from Sonny with a Chance; Roshon Fegan from Camp Rock; and Radio Disney's Next Big Thing Jonnie & Brookie. Everyone was so friendly, laughing and joking with each other and the crew. Corbin Bleu and Jonnie & Brookie rocked the ship during the Kodak Party with the Stars and also later in the evenings with jam sessions and karaoke. Corbin even did a touching tribute to Michael Jackson.

All the stars were on board with their families, enjoying spending quality time together. It was fun to see Corbin hanging out with his sisters and meeting Jonnie and Brookie's parents at dinner. All the stars were sporting new Kodak Zi6 pocket video cameras and were capturing some great moments. Some of my favorites include Brandon's shot of Roshon dancing during the Party with the Stars, Roshon's dad shooting his son getting mobbed by fans, and Jonnie and Brookie recording the crowd during one of their performances. Everyone kept telling me how much they love the Zi6 and we just love to hear that at Kodak! Check out this video on YouTube where Jonnie & Brookie give Kodak a shout-out (at 2:10) and then capture the crowd going wild on deck.

We were missing a member of our family, our thirteen year old niece, Hannah. Since she couldn't be there in person, we took pictures of "Hannah" all over the ship. Here's a great shot of Walt & "Hannah."



All the stars were happy to help me out by taking a picture with "Hannah" and signing autographs for her. Jonnie & Brookie even gave me a cd... but it's so good I'm tempted to keep it for myself!

It was a wonderful trip and we are still reliving moments as we share our pictures and videos with friends. I'm putting together a photo album for Mara. She still walks around saying "Mickey, Mickey, Mickey." I've got a recording of her and need to figure out how to put it in the book so it plays as you open the album. That should be twenty minutes of entertainment for an 18-month old!
 

If you caught The Tonight Show last night you saw the hiliarious moments of Conan introducing the Kodak M380 and then taking it to the beach for some picture taking with Andy Richter.

If you missed it never fear! Here is the clip for your viewing enjoyment.