London, U.K.—11 October 2001—European technology marketers, currently facing issues of reduced company valuations, resultant lower budgets and the challenge of re-branding following changes of company focus, mergers or acquisitions, are turning to trusted advisor, ITSMA, for the skills their organisations need to survive and grow in today's market.

ITSMA is already the leading global advisor in IT services marketing and sales to over 150 of the world's leading technology companies, including industry leaders such as Accenture, Cisco Systems, Ericsson, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, and Siemens. Over the past few months, ITSMA has been listening to its members' key marketing issues as they continue to operate in a challenging European marketplace. Most significantly, in a time of reduced investment, many technology marketers are tasked with the need to design and bring successful new services and solutions into the market and generate short-term revenue.

Today, technology service marketers need a blend of skills to balance short-term revenue generation programmes with longer-term issues such as building a strong brand and reputation, launching new solutions, or improving client satisfaction and retention.

To strengthen service marketing practice in the European market, ITSMA will hold a focused, three-day 'Client-Centric Marketing Programme' in the UK, on 12-14 November 2001. Uniquely built on ITSMA research, supported with best practice case studies and presentations, and delivered in conjunction with Cranfield School of Management, the programme is designed to help technology marketers build and maintain the skills they need to help their companies survive and grow.

Dave Munn, Chairman and CEO of ITSMA, commented "Technology service marketers in Europe have asked for support from ITSMA as they face challenging targets and expectations. No other organisation is currently meeting their need for skill development in this area. In response, ITSMA has brought together its leading experts in the USA and UK to design and deliver a tailored learning programme in Europe. Together with Graham Clark, a senior lecturer in service operations at Cranfield School of Management, we will run a unique programme that increases the impact of service marketing activities for companies in Europe."

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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.