Universal Press Credentials issued by A.I.N.S. meet the requirements of most press officials and law enforcement around the world. Securing the extremely important issuing information protects A.I.N.S. Correspondents from identity theft. It also keeps the successful design and content of the A.I.N.S. credentials safer from the "wanna be upstarts" who plan to succeed by copying our highly reputable program. The new Universal Credentials are the result of 21 years of development using vital input from our experienced press photographers in the field.

1. The first and most important purpose is to create a visual image that matches our current name recognition. To do that we have to make sure that all of our photographers present exactly the same credentials no matter where they show up in the world to cover an event. Long term that will create a lasting visual impression that will elevate our name recognition even higher which is key to the future success of A.I.N.S. Correspondents.

2. Universal issuing information is imperative but it must be secured because of problems with identity theft. The new design adds height, hair and eye color. However, the pertinent information such as date of birth and place of birth is still available to press officials and law enforcement but is no longer visible to the potential identity thief.

3. Three totally new items, the armband, the personally coded auto press badge and the new embroidered AI Patch are included based on popular demand from photographers in the field. All are useful and will certianly contribute to the long term goal of higher visual impact.

• The new A.I.N.S. logo, which appears throughout the credentials, is emblazoned with the influence of the original American Image logo yet it is designed to distinguish the credentials with its broader message and scope. AI represents the stature of a news service with broader impact and is the result of carefully reviewing almost every "gain access" situation experienced over the past 21 years to achieve markedly increased results across the board, for all kinds of events, around the world.
  
• SECURE ISSUING INFORMATION is extremely valuable for gaining access in those particularly tough situations when credentials are being scrutinized for every piece of validating information.. Nationality, sex, date and place of birth plus height, hair and eye color add verifiable information often required by uniformed officials in law enforcement, fire and emergency, the military, customs and immigration.
  
• CLASSIFICATION continues to be based on a full 4-tier range of publishing credits starting at A for yet-to-be published photographers and reaching to AAAA for those who are published frequently.
  
• COMPLETE BUNDLE of all credentials and Internet Verification service is automatically shipped to anyone enrolled in the AI Universal Press Program. A.I.N.S. Correspondents no longer have to decide which style of credential works better for a particular event or whether covering weekend or after-hours events warrants the Internet Verification option or not. It's all there.
  
• EXPIRATION DATE: AI credentials are issued for 3 years. Credentials that are more than three years old are considered to be expired. Out of date credentials are the most likely reason for denied access, especially if the photos are outdated. A.I.N.S. Correspondents will be able to renew their credentials every 3 years.

TO MAINTAIN THE HIGHEST SECURITY, IMAGES OF THE CREDENTIALS CANNOT BE SHOWN

1. The A.I.N.S. appears throughout the credentails. The Seal distinguishes you as an accomplished press photographer.

2. ISSUING INFORMATION has been added to the credentials which is extremely valuable for gaining access in those particularly tough situations when credentials are being scrutinized for every piece of validating information. Nationality, sex, date and place of birth along with height, hair color and eye color add verifiable information often required by uniformed officials in law enforcement, fire and emergency, the military, customs and immigration. Issuing Information can be checked against other identification like driver's license or your passport.

3. CLASSIFICATION is now based on a full 4-tier range of publishing credits starting at A for yet-to-be published photographers and reaching to AAAA for those who are published frequently.

4. COMPLETE BUNDLE of all credentials and Internet Verification is automatically shipped to those who enroll in the A.I.N.S. Program. Members no longer have to decide whether the Badge style or Passport style credential works better for photographic opportunities they cover or whether covering weekend or after-hours opportunities warrants the Internet Verification option or not. You get it all.

5. INTERNET VERIFICATION All A.I.N.S. Photographers will be assigned a verification code printed on the face of all the credentials. This code can be used to verify your status with the A.I.N.S. Home Office by officials 24 hours a day EVERY day from anywhere in the world. The Internet Verification site is at www.aipress.com/ains.

6. VERIFICATION UPDATES Now you can go online using your Verification Code and update your own Assignment Verification record. You can change your mailing address, add an email address or change other contact information in seconds.

7. PUBLISHING CREDITS Now you can actually display the names of the publications that have published your photos right on your Internet Verification site so officials can see your breadth of experience. And... you can use your Verification Code online and update your list of publishing credits as often as you like, without having to call the A.I.N.S. Home Office.

8. RECENT ASSIGNMENTS Now you can display your recent assignments on your Verification site so officials can see what kind of photographic opportunities you've been covering. And... you can use your Verification Code online to update your display of recent assignments as often as you like.

9. EXPIRATION DATE The expiration date is one of the most important parts of the A.I.N.S. Credentials. "No expiration date" is the single largest reason for problems being accepted by officials, not to mention that photos become outdated. A.I.N.S. Credential holders will be able to renew their credentials every 3 years to keep them current, and they will get a whole new set with each renewal.

How to Order the Universal AI Press Credentials:

Use the On-Line Order Form or the order form in Today/s Photographer magazine (page 47) or call TOLL FREE 1-800-654-9557 with your credit card.

When ordering, order code # UNIV-W. You must be an IFPO Member and a member of the IFPO Press Program or vbe an IFPO Member and have experience as a Press Photographer. Give your member number with your order.

amount..#item...description

$199.00..#UNIV-W..UNIVERSAL PRESS CREDENTIALS
$. 9.00..#FIRST..First class mail shipping/handling
_______
$208.00..TOTAL AMOUNT

If you are not an IFPO member, add your membership to this order:

$.68.00..#770L..IFPO Lifetime Membership

 

ATTENTION!

Personalized Email Addresses now available.

Example: yourname@ainewsservice.net, only $49 for one year.

enroll at: http://www.ifpo.net/email1/emailorder.html or call 1-800-654-9557.

[IFPO Home Page] [Gold Press Credentials] [IFPO Membership]

Current GMT Date/Time: Friday, May 09, 2008 / 13:07:49