Compaq South Pacific appoints new director

Media Release

Compaq South Pacific appoints new director, integrated marketing communications

- New Zealand executive promoted to international position.

- Sydney role becomes Auckland-based.

Auckland, March 14, 2001 - Compaq New Zealand has reversed the brain drain with the promotion of another local executive to an international position. Compaq has appointed Peter Wogan as Director, Integrated Marketing Communications for Compaq South Pacific. The former Sydney-based role will now be run out of Auckland at Wogan's request.

Russell Hewitt, Managing Director Compaq New Zealand, says this is what companies will have to do to compete internationally in the knowledge economy. "It shows that you can run international operations out of New Zealand using Internet and communications technology without any real disadvantages. Moving this international position to New Zealand means we can retain our best people and offer local staff international opportunities."

Wogan's appointment is the latest in a series of international appointments for Compaq New Zealand staff. Last year, Sue Leikis, Director of Commercial Personal Computing Group became Director, Channels Development for the Asia-Pacific region; Hugh Scott, Public Relations Manager accepted a position as Corporate Communications Manager for Compaq Australia They join New Zealanders like Former Digital New Zealand General Manager, Robyn West, who now has senior responsibility for the Commercial Group at Compaq Corporate headquarters in Houston, USA.

Wogan is responsible for Compaq's branding in Australia and New Zealand through all marketing communications disciplines, which include brand, advertising, public relations, direct marketing, events, sponsorships and employee communications.

"Following the success of Compaq's global re-branding campaign last year, it is vital that we continue building on the company's reputation as the leading provider of innovative technology solutions," said Wogan. "Compaq South Pacific has an excellent marketing communications team and I look forward to using its expertise to continue to develop the Compaq brand."

Wogan has more than nine years international experience with Compaq in the communications area. Previously he was the marketing communications director for Compaq New Zealand and has also held communications roles with Compaq in the UK and Ireland. Prior to this, Wogan directed the Compaq New Zealand account while working at a public relations company.

Wogan will work across Compaq's offices in Sydney and Auckland and will report jointly to Paul Brandling, vice president and managing director, Compaq South Pacific and Tommy Chan, vice president and managing director, Compaq Computer Asia Pacific.

Wogan takes over from Bill Merrick who has returned to the advertising industry as a regional director for Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific.

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: Pamela Bonney Public Relations Manager Compaq Computer New Zealand Tel: 09- 918-9278 Mob: 021-914-990 pamela.bonney@compaq.com

Stephen Knightly Manager - Client Service Consultus New Zealand Ltd Tel: 09- 913-1833 Mob: 021-656-063 sknightly@consultus.co.nz

COMPANY BACKGROUND Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is a leading global provider of technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures, and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, and communications products, commercial desktop and portable products, and consumer PCs that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at www.compaq.co.nz.

Compaq and the Compaq logo Registered U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Product names mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective companies. This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially include: component shortages, delays in the implementation of changes in delivery models, increased competitive environment and pricing pressures, delays in product rollout schedules, slow acceptance for new form factors, employee retention, disruptions related to restructuring actions, the financial condition of resellers, delays in new systems implementation, operational inefficiencies related to sales cycles, equity investment volatility, and emerging market political or economic instability.

Issued by Consultus NZ Ltd on behalf of Compaq Computer New Zealand.

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