Press Releases

CompUSA Names Creative Channel Services Exclusive
E-Learning Provider

CCS’ comprehensive “E-Learning” platform delivers new level of customizable product and sales training to the computer industry’s premier nationwide retailer.

CULVER CITY, CA – June 1, 2001 – Building on a successful 5-year corporate partnership, the #1 computer retailer CompUSA has named CCS as their exclusive “E-Learning Solution.” This strategic alliance was announced in conjunction with the recent launch of the new and improved “CompUSA Online Team Member Training” program hosted at CCS’ CyberScholar®.com, providing product manufacturers with unprecedented access to the superstore’s 19,000 member sales force through the customized Learning Management System (LMS).

“CompUSA is committed to providing our employees with first rate training,” said Larry Mondry, President of CompUSA Stores and COO. “CCS and CyberScholar present our sales force with a valuable forum for receiving product information and sales instruction. These programs deliver hands-on how-to-sell methods, and have helped our associates become more effective sales people. CCS has enhanced our many training efforts by developing this network of educational and informative programs.”

The CompUSA Team Member Training Program, hosted at CyberScholar.com, utilizes CCS’ unique blend of unparalleled retail sales training expertise and web development capabilities. The revolutionary “e-training” program delivers dynamic content publishing tools, state-of-the-art reporting mechanisms, real-time curriculum management, and comprehensive career development courses for CompUSA’s Team Members. Designed by CCS, the integrated LMS connects the entire organization by providing CompUSA’s corporate-, regional- and store-level management, as well as manufacturer partners, with a comprehensive training solution.

“The expansion of our partnership with CompUSA underscores the emergence of CyberScholar.com as the definitive e-learning platform for retail sales training,” said Andy Restivo, CCS’ Senior Vice President of Business Development. “CyberScholar.com offers retailers the ability to administer, deliver and track all training initiatives, while CCS’ partnerships with leading computer product manufacturers ensure that CompUSA employees can easily access a wide breadth of high quality online product education.”

As the leading provider of sales training and product education programs for the retail channel since 1995, CCS’ innovative training platforms include the CyberScholar.com online product education website and CyberSmart face-to-face training seminars, which combine to reach tens of thousands of retail professionals each month. CCS’ CyberReps in-store sales, training, merchandising and marketing force delivers unparalleled coverage to major retailers nationwide, as well as program advocacy for CyberScholar.com and CyberSmart. These training programs, along with CCS’ proven web application development and program reporting capabilities combine to provide the highest quality forums for facilitating interactive sales training and promoting the ongoing sharing of information and mind share between reseller partners and product manufacturers.

About CompUSA
CompUSA, Inc., a Dallas-based company, is one of the nation's leading retailers and business resellers of technology products and services. CompUSA currently operates more than 225 locations in more than 90 major metropolitan markets across the United States and Puerto Rico. In addition, CompUSA's Web site offers an assortment of more than 80,000 items. Visit them at www.compusa.com.

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