Digital Imaging Will Be Big in Kodak’s Picture, Sources Say

George Fisher is about to lay down his biggest bet since becoming chairman of Eastman Kodak Co. 16 months ago.

In a marketing event to take place in San Francisco on Tuesday, Fisher will describe strategies, deals and products for developing digital imaging, something he sees as the company’s future.

“Kodak wants to put a stake in the ground and say it’s the leader in digital imaging,” said Tim Bajarian, an industry consultant with Creative Strategies.

A $1,000 digital camera, licensing pacts with personal computer makers for its PhotoCD technology, alliances with other companies, and scanners and printers will be announced at the news conference, industry sources said.

Film and camera sales have been growing slowly, and the century-old company faces competition from digital imaging, or electronic photography, which is becoming less costly and more sophisticated.

Rochester, N.Y.-based Kodak would not comment on the event other than to say Fisher and Carl Grusin, a former Apple Computer Inc. executive who now heads Kodak’s digital businesses, will give televised talks that will be carried live in New York, Washington and London and broadcast later in Sydney and Tokyo.

Industry sources said Kodak is talking to AT&T; and Sprint about using Kodak technology to carry digital images over long-distance lines but that it is unlikely any deal would be announced Tuesday.