NEW YORK, June 17, 1997 — Today at PC Expo, Microsoft Corp. announced a nationwide summer retail promotion of Microsoft® Office 97, Small Business Edition. The multimillion-dollar promotion includes gifts valued up to $139 for users who get Office 97, Small Business Edition, in-store product demonstrations at major retailers, merchandising displays at more than 1,700 retail outlets, and an extensive newspaper and radio advertising campaign.
To take advantage of the promotion – running now through Aug. 31, 1997 – customers who acquire Microsoft Office 97, Small Business Edition can obtain a coupon at participating retailers redeemable for one of three gifts:
-
Timex DataLink watch (estimated retail price: $139). Enables users to wirelessly download schedule, contact and task information from the Microsoft Outlook
™
desktop information manager (included in the Small Business Edition), so they can take it with them wherever they go. -
BizPlan
Builder
Interactive from JIAN (estimated retail price: $99). The top-selling business-plan software (according to PC Data 1997) to help small businesses develop their strategy, raise capital and create a plan for growth. -
Office 97, Small Business Edition Training Kit from Microsoft Press
® (estimated retail price: $115). Includes all of the resources users need to quickly become proficient with Office 97, Small Business Edition applications. Includes interactive training materials, books from Microsoft Press, a video and more.
To support the promotion and showcase this new version of Office 97, more than 330 retail outlets will host weekly demonstrations of the Small Business Edition throughout the summer. Participating retailers include CompUSA, Computer City, Elek-Tek, Micro Center, Fry’s, J & R, Software City West, Egghead and Future Shop.
“This promotion represents an exceptional value for the small-business customer,”
said Dennis Tevlin, director of marketing of the desktop applications division at Microsoft Corp.
“Office 97, Small Business Edition is the first Office suite tailored to the needs of small businesses and, coupled with one of these special offers, provides an excellent set of tools for small businesses looking to use technology for competitive advantage.”
Launched March 17, 1997, Office 97, Small Business Edition is part of the world’s best-selling line of office suite applications. The result of more than 25,000 hours of research and more than 1,000 interviews with small-business owners, the Small Business Edition helps small companies organize, grow and promote themselves. Included in the suite are Word 97, Microsoft Excel 97, Microsoft Publisher 97, Microsoft Outlook, Small Business Financial Manager 97, Automap® Streets Plus and the Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser.
More information on Microsoft Office 97, Small Business Edition and the promotion – including a downloadable coupon and in-store demonstration locations and times – is available online at http://www.microsoft.com/office/sbe/ .
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Press and Automap are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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