Despite the backing of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, photo storage and display site
Zing.com will close its doors on July 2.
“It is with the greatest regret we must inform you that as of July 2, 2001,
Zing.com will no longer be available,” said Zing Network Inc. Chief
Executive Officer David Ezequelle in a letter to customers posted to the Zing Web
site.
“We at Zing regret the inconvenience this will create for you. We have
watched the company grow from an idea to a valuable service. Unfortunately
we cannot keep it going under the current circumstances. We are saddened by
this and will miss the wonderful interaction with you, our members.”
Even though it had the support of venture capitalists like Kleiner Perkins, Zing.com was
having trouble finding steady revenue streams.
Zing will now focus its efforts on becoming a full-fledged infrastructure
provider.
That area is not wholly new to Zing. It has been hosting U.S. photo sites
for Nikon Inc.’s NikonNet and Sony Corp.’s ImageStation. That doesn’t mean
it will be easy to take on the space. Earlier this month, Nikon dropped Zing
and turned to ArcSoft Inc. to provide its infrastructure. And Sony plans to
handle its hosting internally.
Meanwhile, Eastman Kodak Co., which recently completed its acquisition of Zing competitor Ofoto Inc., plans to
be the market leader in that space.