Sonic Foundry to Offer Mediasite Presentations Via Podcasting

ORLANDO, FL — (InfoComm Booth #741; Educomm Booth #4853 ) – Sonic Foundry® Inc. (NASDAQ: SOFO), a leader in automated rich media communications technology, today previewed the ability for presentations recorded with its Mediasite™ system to be distributed as podcasts for convenient playback on handheld devices like the popular iPod. In line with enhanced search features recently launched on Mediasite.com, the first and only search site dedicated exclusively to publicly available online presentations, Sonic Foundry continues to expand the reach of web communications for education, business and government applications.

As the demand for podcasting communication grows, especially among college students, Mediasite audio presentations will be as easily downloadable as popular music or digital movies, enabling immediate access to classroom lectures, on-demand training and expert speeches. Podcasting broadens the accessibility of these Mediasite presentations, allowing people to listen and learn even while away from their computer. The Mediasite podcasting solution will convert presentations in designated Mediasite catalogs into an audio format (MP3) available for subscription and download to iTunes or similar media player software. Listeners can then playback the audio versions of their Mediasite presentations directly on their PC or they can synchronize their MP3 player to take their content anywhere.

“Customers across all industries have asked for this capability as they seek to deliver rich media to their organizations in the most flexible ways possible,” said Darrin Coulson, senior vice president of worldwide field operations for Sonic Foundry. “Our customers will have the ability to capture knowledge and vital information as it is shared in traditional Mediasite fashion, including full audio, video and graphics, and then provide users the flexibility to either view the full rich media version or to download the portable audio version to listen to at a time and place that is most convenient for them.”

Mediasite’s new podcasting capability offers a number of benefits:

• Portability – Conversion to audio format makes Mediasite content convenient for on-the-go listening.

• Ability to stay up-to-date – Allows students, remote field staff and busy executives to stay current with important information, regardless of location or schedule.

• Learning reinforcement – With the ability to playback instruction anytime, podcasting enhances retention.

"At the University of Pittsburgh, we've been creating audio and video podcasts from Mediasite captures for over six months" said Nick Laudato, associate director of the Center for Instructional Development and Distance Education (CIDDE) at the University of Pittsburgh. "They have allowed us to reach our faculty in new and effective ways. To date, we've created the podcasts manually, but Sonic Foundry’s new automatic podcasting of Mediasite content will help us to efficiently provide both faculty and students with the convenience of using popular hand-held entertainment systems to enrich their educational experience.”

Laudato says faculty and students will appreciate the ease and flexibility of Mediasite’s podcasting capabilities. “Now, they can access audio versions of online course content, anytime, anywhere via their favorite MP3 player,” he explained. “It also helps professors by offering yet another communication channel that reinforces the teaching done in the classroom. It should definitely help boost student achievement.”

Sonic Foundry’s Mediasite is a transformational communication medium for delivering critical information and sharing knowledge. The Mediasite web communication and content management system automates the capture and delivery of presentations and lectures via the web.

Mediasite’s podcasting solution will be available in fall 2006.