Press Releases

CCS Offers Total Channel Marketing Solution wth the
Addition of CyberReps

Innovative Creative Channel Services, the Leader in Retail Sales Training and Channel Awareness, Introduces the CyberReps In-Store Field Sales Representation Team

CULVER CITY, CA – January 6, 2000 – Creative Channel Services (CCS) announced today that it has launched CyberReps - a premium in-store product training, merchandising and field sales force, with store visits to key national and regional accounts starting early 2000. Complementing CCS’ expertise in sales training and channel marketing services, the CyberReps program delivers a superior level of field sales representation. With CCS’ established retail sales training programs, CyberSmart® and CyberScholar®.com, and award-winning web development and creative teams, the addition of in-store services provides computer products manufacturers with a complete, integrated channel marketing source in one organization.

Designed as a consistent, cost-effective way for manufacturers to gain high quality field representation in retail outlets, CyberReps are dedicated, full time product experts that provide comprehensive field sales coverage to the nation's top retail accounts in 25 major markets, including CompUSA, Best Buy, Office Depot and Staples. Leveraging CCS' exclusive retailer relationships developed through CyberSmart and CyberScholar, CyberReps conduct formal training sessions, track sales and merchandising compliance, and present product demonstration days, allowing manufacturers to gain unparalleled access to the retail sales floor to create mindshare and influence sales.

"For manufacturers to maximize their sell-through, they need consistent presence with consumers and retail sales people alike. With CCS’ unique retail partnerships, CyberReps becomes an extension of a vendor's sales force, and is an extremely effective solution for reaching influential sales people and directly impacting sales," stated Anne Marie Mueller, president of CCS. "CCS has the synergy to give vendors one powerful partner to execute a complete package of strategic services - sales training, channel marketing, web development and now, first-class in-store representation."

CyberReps includes innovative features such as real-time reporting of inventory counts, sales tracking and valuable market feedback; account managers and dedicated client service teams; as well as exclusive monthly product certification and sales training of the representatives. CyberReps provides product manufacturers with the competitive advantage of consistent execution of their in-store sales and branding strategies with expert representation and measurable results.

To launch this new breed of quality, professional representation, CCS enlisted the expertise of Brian Buck, newly appointed vice president of field operations to lead the CyberReps team. With a decade of experience in developing, implementing, and managing field sales and marketing groups for retail giants such as Lexmark and Packard Bell NEC, Brian possesses the manufacturer background and market awareness to head the CyberReps organization.

"We are very familiar with manufacturers’ business models and sales and marketing objectives, which means we are able to provide a higher quality of service that will meet - or exceed our clients’ needs," according to Brian Buck, vice president of field operations for CCS. "CyberReps are industry veterans and certified product experts with existing relationships with store managers and retail sales people. With the measurement tools, open lines of communication and training we provide, our clients will feel connected to the CyberReps as if they employed them directly."

About Creative Channel Services, LLC
Creative Channel Services (CCS) is a leading retail marketing agency focused on helping manufacturers and retailers improve sales performance by creating influence at the point of sale. CCS' integrated solutions include field sales & marketing, training development, interactive services and promotional marketing, with a primary focus on creating brand advocacy through retail sales associates. Established in 1995 and headquartered in Culver City, California, CCS is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, digital and interactive, direct and promotional marketing, public relations and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.

For more information, contact:

Mark Boeder, Director of Marketing
Creative Channel Services
310-665-9900, ext. 345
Email Mark Boeder