Press Releases

Ritz Camera Selects Creative Channel Services to Provide Product Knowledge Training for Sales Associates Nationwide

CULVER CITY, California, February 6, 2007 – Creative Channel Services, LLC (CCS), a leading integrated retail marketing services agency, and Ritz Camera Centers, the largest nationwide retailer of photography products, have announced an exclusive partnership to provide online product knowledge training via CCS’ CyberScholar® Retail Solutions to Ritz Camera’s team of 8,000 sales associates at 1,200 stores throughout the U.S. The CyberScholar @ Ritz Camera program, utilizing a suite of e-training delivery and measurement tools, enables the retailer to formally incorporate product knowledge from key manufacturers into its employee education program, helping Ritz Camera associates increase their knowledge of the latest electronics product features, enhance customer service skills, and improve overall sales.

Digital and film camera, printing, storage and other digital imaging manufacturers are encouraged to feature their up-to-date product information on the CyberScholar @ Ritz Camera e-training site in order to directly connect their brands with the frontline salespeople who have the greatest influence on in-store consumer-buying decisions.

The CyberScholar @ Ritz Camera program runs on the same platform as CyberScholar®.com, the #1 online resource for consumer electronics sales professionals, offering information on technology categories and products as well as robust promotion, incentive and certification programs.

"In 1997, CCS pioneered comprehensive web-based product knowledge programs for the consumer electronics industry with CyberScholar.com, and our proven success in increasing salespeople’s product expertise and sales competencies has helped our CyberScholar programs grow to an annual base of over 125,000 registered users from top retailers," said Andy Restivo, President of CCS. "We are thrilled to be working with Ritz Camera to enhance the success, growth and advancement of their in-store sales team, and create a truly exceptional shopping experience for their customers."

"Ritz Camera is excited to enhance our current education initiatives with the interactive product training offered through CyberScholar," said Wade Mayberry, President of Ritz Camera. "All new and existing Ritz Camera associates from each store location will be enrolled in the CyberScholar program to receive the latest product information, ensuring our customers are assisted by highly knowledgeable salespeople, which is critical in today’s rapidly evolving digital imaging market."

About Ritz Camera
Founded in 1918, Ritz Camera is one of the largest photographic product chains in the US. Nearly 1,200 stores nationwide offer one-hour photofinishing, cameras, film, and related photographic and optical products and services. Stores operate under the Ritz Camera, CameraWorld, Kits, Wolf Camera, The Camera Shop and Inkley’s names, and the company also sells online.

About CyberScholar® Retail Solutions
Utilizing the established platform of CCS’ CyberScholar®.com, the #1 online training resource for technology salespeople, CyberScholar Retail Solutions empower major retailers to deliver electronics product knowledge from numerous manufacturers to their salespeople in one consolidated, consistent format. With interactive modules, performance evaluations and real-time reporting, CyberScholar Retail Solutions can be integrated with traditional retail associate training or e-learning programs efficiently and at low cost.

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