Rochester, NY - June 1, 2006 - PODi, the Digital Printing Initiative, today announced a new Program Associate Agreement to better support the growth of Service Provider Members and address the issues of most interest to them. This new Agreement will create regional PODi communities focused entirely on digital print service providers, consultants, marketing service providers, agencies and enterprises interested in digital print. The first regional community will serve North American Service Providers. More resources can be spent at the regional level and members will benefit from a highly focused association dedicated to their business and educational needs. The regional PODi communities will provide actionable information, networking opportunities thought events, and online tools and other resources to help service provider, affiliate and enterprise members build more profitable businesses. "PODi has been very successful in educating and growing the digital print industry, and the organization continues to evolve in response to market dynamics and membership needs. Now we recognize that in order to best serve both vendors and service providers, we must evolve in a responsive way," noted Chairman of the PODi Board and EFI Chief Technology Officer, Ghilad Dziesietnik. "This new focus will help the different member groups maximize the advantages of participation specific to their interests. Service providers can now enhance their participation in PODi at the regional level." Dziesietnik has chaired the PODi Board since 2000. He was recognized for his outstanding leadership and service to the organization In March at the PODi Applications Forum. PODi will remain a not-for-profit consortium of vendor companies focused on growing the entire digital printing ecosystem through education and standards. PODi will support the new regional communities and other markets by continuing to produce the highly acclaimed Best Practices in Digital Print reports and case study database. Executive and general members will remain under PODi, with Caslon & Company as the management company. Caslon & Company has signed the first PODi Program Associate Licensing Agreement for North America and will serve as the international Program Associate until other regional Associates are formed. This new Agreement will allow Caslon to deliver significant benefits to service provider members, and this in turn will contribute to stronger regional participation. As the community grows, the advantages of membership will increase as well.