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!
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