ITSMA EUROPE ANNOUNCES ITS EUROPEAN
BOARD OF ADVISORS AND FIRST MEMBERS

ITSMA, a trusted advisor on marketing in the technology industry, has today (4 April 2001) officially launched its European operation, ITSMA Europe, based out of the UK. ITSMA is the only organisation to address the unique needs of technology services marketers. The company has also today announced its inaugural member board of advisors and first members.

ITSMA Europe's member board of advisors is made up of senior services marketing executives representing a variety of prominent firms and sectors of the technology and communications industries. They are as follows:

Charles Doyle
Global Director of Marketing & Communications
Communications & High Tech Industry Group
Accenture

Rob Biggin
Marketing Director
HP Services; Europe-Middle East- Africa Operations
Hewlett-Packard Europe

Dan Socci
Marketing & Sales Director,
Customer Services EMEA
Compaq Computer Ltd.

Rob Pearce
Director of Marketing
IBM Global Services, EMEA
IBM United Kingdom Limited

Paul Collinge
Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Business
Development
Division Global Services
Ericsson Radio Systems AB

Sara Sheppard
Enterprise Services Marketing Group Manager
Enterprise Marketing
Microsoft Limited

ITSMA Europe will work closely with this board to bring technology and communications organisations throughout Europe the most up-to-date information on technology services marketing. The board will advise ITSMA on key trends and challenges in Europe and will provide input and feedback on ITSMA's key offerings, which include member and multi-client research studies, topical events and professional development programmes

David Munn, President and CEO of ITSMA, said: "I am personally delighted to welcome some of the best services marketing minds in the industry to ITSMA Europe's board of advisors. Together, they represent some of the world's leading organisations and I am confident that their experience, knowledge and passion for technology services marketing will help us to advance the practice and to achieve ITSMA's goal in becoming the number one choice for training, research, advisory services and events on technology services marketing in Europe.

"We expect ITSMA to play an integral role not only in the marketing strategy of our European-based member companies, but also in the global marketing strategies of our North American and Asian-based member companies," Dave continues. "As more North American and Asian-based companies look to Europe for further growth, ITSMA can now help them to create high-performance marketing organisations in Europe as well."

Melanie Oakley, Manager of Value and Delivery, ITSMA Europe, commented: "By focusing on four areas - research; events; education; and advisory services, ITSMA Europe will offer its members services that are strategically important in achieving profitable growth and long-term success.

"Reflecting the continued expansion and importance of services marketing in Europe, ITSMA has responded to its members requests by providing European research, custom advisory and training services. Although the challenges in services marketing are similar to those faced by our US colleagues, we understand the very unique cultural and country differences and look forward to working with our European members with relevant and specific offerings."

ITSMA Europe will shortly announce its planned research, events and online briefings for 2001.

Ends

Should you require interviews with any of ITSMA Europe's board of advisors or further information on ITSMA please contact:

Melanie Oakley, Manager of Value Delivery, ITSMA
Tel: 01628 527691
Email: moakley@itsma.com

Claire Florey, PR Consultant:
Tel: 0118 9402452
Email: Claire@floreyc.fsbusiness.co.uk

About ITSMA
ITSMA specializes in helping companies market and sell services and solutions more effectively. As a membership organization, we work with the world's leading technology, communications, and professional services providers to generate increased demand, strengthen customer relationships, and improve brand differentiation. ITSMA members include business leaders such as Accenture, BT, Cisco, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Microsoft, SAP, and Tata Consultancy Services, among others. Our comprehensive research, consulting, and training on topics including ITSMA Account-Based Marketing ^SM, Brand Positioning, and Solutions Development provide the insight and experience companies need to improve business results. ITSMA is based near Boston, and has offices in London and Tokyo. Learn more at www.itsma.com.