NEW YORK, March 1, 2001  -- Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) today introduced the Printing Innovation with Xerox Imaging (PIXI) Awards, a program that recognizes innovation and excellence in digital color printing applications. The grand prize is a trip to the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. The PIXI Award program was created in response to changes in the printing industry unleashed by the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of high-speed digital color printing. From short-run color applications to the most complex one-to-one marketing fulfillment programs, digital printing allows precise document quantities with immediate turnaround times. "This program recognizes the 'Heroes of The New Business of Printing' - creative directors, marketing personnel, database managers, photographers, and printers, who collaborate to develop a spectrum of value-added services to their customers," said Linda Becker, vice president and general manager, Xerox Color Solutions Business Unit. "Today, printers and creative teams do more than put ink on paper. They have evolved into multimedia publishers of high-value content." There are two primary award categories: One-to-One Marketing Communications and Short-Run Digital Printing. The top three entries in both categories will receive an award and prize package. Two additional awards will be presented: an award for color reproduction excellence and a grand prize will honor the most outstanding entry throughout all categories. The client, printer and a member of the creative team of the grand prize entry will join their Xerox sales representative at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Any contributor on a project may submit entries on behalf of the team from April 1 to July 1. Applications printed on a Xerox digital printer are eligible for submission - from direct mail to marketing pieces, digital books to Web-fulfilled personalized printing, point-of-purchase displays to bills and statements. Entries will be judged on overall aesthetics, business effectiveness, use of digital technology and degree of innovation. A panel of industry leaders representing key segments of the digital printing world will judge the PIXI Award entries. Winners will be announced Sept. 6 at the Print '01 show in Chicago. Complete rules and regulations for entry will be available by March 20, with a panel of judges announced later this spring.