Avid Technology Will Appoint Daniel Langlois, founder of SOFTIMAGE to its Board of Directors.

TEWKSBURY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 1998--Avid Technology Inc. (NADSAQ:AVID), the leading provider of computer-based video, film and audio solutions for information and entertainment, today announced that Daniel Langlois, founder of SOFTIMAGE, Inc., will join Avid's board of directors after the completion of the acquisition of SOFTIMAGE by Avid.

On June 15, 1998 Avid announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the SOFTIMAGE subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT). The acquisition will strengthen Avid's presence in the television market by allowing Avid to offer its customers comprehensive solutions for television finishing and will add leading 3D animation technology to Avid's product line.

"We are very fortunate to have Daniel Langlois join our board," said Bill Miller, chairman and CEO of Avid Technology. "We look forward to the opportunity to benefit from his experience and expertise. As a filmmaker, entrepreneur and industry visionary, his experience working with the entertainment and animation communities will be of great value to us as we continue to offer our customers comprehensive solutions for film, television and video production."

"I am very excited to take a key new role with Avid," said Daniel Langlois, founder of SOFTIMAGE. "As an active member of the board, I will be in a strategic position to continue to influence the vision and future development of the SOFTIMAGE product line. With the release of SOFTIMAGE|DS last year, we opened new doors to creativity and introduced the non-linear production paradigm for the creation of high-end digital video content. Today, the acquisition of SOFTIMAGE by Avid represents a logical evolution for SOFTIMAGE. We believe that by joining forces, the two companies will be in a leadership position to push even further the development of new technology for the digital media creation industry."

Daniel Langlois is founder of SOFTIMAGE, Inc., a world leader in the development of advanced digital media creation technology, especially in the field of 3D computer animation. Since the company's inception in 1986 he has served as President, Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer. SOFTIMAGE went public on NASDAQ and was acquired by Microsoft Corporation in 1994. Since 1990, most of the worldwide blockbuster special effects films such as Godzilla, Titanic, Jurassic Park, and The Mask heavily utilized SOFTIMAGE software technology.

Prior to SOFTIMAGE, Mr. Langlois worked as a film director, animator and designer; both independently and for the National Film Board of Canada. During that period, Mr. Langlois was a major contributor to the field of computer graphics, notably for the creation of the first stereoscoping 3D computer animation in IMAX film format presented at the 1986 World's Fair in Vancouver and for the film Tony de Peltrie which he co-directed in 1985. This year, Mr. Langlois was the recipient of a Scientific and Engineering Award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for the Actor component of SOFTIMAGE|3D, which has made a significant technological impact on the film industry.

About Avid Technology

Avid Technology, Inc., is an international, industry-leading provider of digital audio and video tools for creating content for information and entertainment applications. Avid products are used by customers ranging from communications professionals to film, television and interactive content producers to broadcast news organizations. For more information, visit Avid's World Wide Web site at www.avid.com.

Avid is a registered trademark of Avid Technology, Inc. All other trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners. (c) 1998 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.

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