The Hoffman Agency: In The News



	COMMWORKS NAMES THE HOFFMAN AGENCY AS GLOBAL PR COUNSEL Global Infrastructure and Telecom Expertise Were Key Determining Factors for CommWorks’ Selection of Hoffman MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. -- May 10, 2001 -- CommWorks Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of 3Com Corporation (Nasdaq: COMS) serving the telecommunications service provider market, today named The Hoffman Agency (HA) as public relations counsel for three of its four worldwide sales and marketing regions, North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia-Pacific Rim. HA also is responsible for managing public relations activity supporting CommWorks carried out elsewhere in the world by other agencies. Created in December 2000, CommWorks Corporation contains 3Com’s former Carrier Networks Business. CommWorks builds Internet Protocol (IP) networks that allow telecom service providers around the world to deliver Internet, enhanced data and voice services to their end users through wired and wireless access. HA is carrying out its role as lead worldwide agency and supporting CommWorks in North America with a team based primarily at its worldwide headquarters in San Jose, Calif., and its new office in New York, N.Y. Members of the team supporting CommWorks in Asia-Pacific are based at all five HA offices in the region. Members of the team supporting CommWorks in Europe/Middle East/Africa are based at HA’s European headquarters in Egham, Surrey, near London, England, and at its office in Munich, Germany. “We’re enthused about the opportunity to help CommWorks build its brand across the globe,” said Lou Hoffman, CEO, The Hoffman Agency. “By combining our international expertise and capabilities, industry knowledge and results-driven mentality, we can truly serve as an extension of CommWorks’ marketing team.” “CommWorks has a great story to tell,” said Tim Buchholz, director of worldwide marketing, CommWorks Corporation. “Sixteen of the world’s 20 largest telecommunications service providers, such as NTT Communications, AT&T, SBC, WorldCom, Verizon, British Telecom and Telefonica, and scores of other customers use CommWorks hardware and software in their networks. This has made us a leader in remote access systems, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless data access systems and carrier-class IP telephony softswitch equipment.” Buchholz continued, “We are in a highly competitive market where change is rapid and constant. CommWorks selected The Hoffman Agency to help us communicate with clarity, consistency and differentiation largely due to its global reach and its depth of telecom expertise. Those two factors been instrumental in Hoffman hitting the ground sprinting in North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa and Asia-Pacific, as well as in its role as worldwide lead agency.” About CommWorks Corporation Headquartered in Mount Prospect, Ill., CommWorks Corporation supplies network service providers around the world with access infrastructures and IP services platforms that open new business opportunities and help them establish unique positions in a competitive marketplace. With flexible multi-service hardware platforms and modular software components, the comprehensive CommWorks‚ architecture makes it possible for service providers to integrate their existing infrastructures with innovative technologies to deliver an array of next-generation IP-based enhanced services to their customers. For further information, visit www.commworks.com. About 3Com Corporation 3Com simplifies how people connect to information and services through easy-to-use connectivity products and solutions for people and businesses. The company also provides access infrastructures and IP services platforms for network service providers. For further information, visit www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox. About The Hoffman Agency The Hoffman Agency (http://www.hoffman.com) is an international technology and Internet public relations firm. Leveraging 13 years of PR experience, HA offers clients the best of both worlds: knowledge of the IT and Internet industries as well as the ability to localize PR on a country-by-country basis and build a company’s story beyond borders. HA’s worldwide headquarters is in San Jose, CA. Other US offices are located in New York, Denver and McLean, VA. Hong Kong serves as Asia-Pacific headquarters, with offices also located in Japan, Korea, Singapore and mainland China. The presence in Europe includes the headquarters is Egham, Surrey, near London, England, and an office in Munich, Germany. ### 3Com and CommWorks are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. Editorial Contact: Simone Souza The Hoffman Agency (408) 975 3090 ssouza@hoffman.com