IBM INTRODUCES COLORFUL PROGRAM
By Adnews Staff
U.S.-based International Business Machines Corp. launched a new CD-ROM to the North American market this week that allows children to learn visual and spatial skills while creating colorful, three-dimensional images. Called the Crayola Magic 3D Coloring Book, the CD-ROM is the first in a planned series of interactive multimedia products from IBM and Crayola. Children using the new product can select an image from one of seven coloring books contained in the CD-ROM's library. Each coloring book contains ten images depicting a wide variety of objects including dinosaurs, farms, flying machines, insects, sea creatures, wild animals and teddy bears. After finding a suitable image, children move to the coloring workshop where they can choose from several Crayola colors, textures and tools to color the image. As the child colors, the drawing is automatically given realistic shadowing, giving it a life-like, three-dimensional image. If a child prefers to color an image themselves, they can print off a black and white image and color it by hand. In addition to touting the new release as a great consumer product, IBM is promoting it as a useful classroom tool. The company says the program is ideal for enhancing visual communication and early computer literacy skills. IBM officials could not be reached to comment on possible advertising plans for the CD-ROM. Goodman Communications Inc. of Toronto is supporting the launch with PR. Advertising for IBM Canada Ltd. of Markham, Ont. is handled by Ogilvy & Mather (Canada) Ltd. of Toronto. The Crayola brand is a division of U.S.-based Binney & Smith, which produces children's markers, colored pencils, activity kits and other art products.