Duende Communications Signs Spaceflight Engineering Services Company Payload Systems Inc. to...

Business Editors

JAMAICA PLAIN, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 2, 2003

PR Firm Employs Its Technology Experience to Promote Advances in Spaceflight Testbeds

Duende Communications, a public relations firm specializing in the promotion of entrepreneurial technology and

consumer companies, announced today the addition of Payload Systems Inc. to its list of local high technology clients. Payload Systems is an experienced provider of specialized science and engineering systems for spaceflight and research companies across the globe. The firm has hired Duende to heighten its exposure both within the spaceflight industry and in the broader technology marketplace.

"Payload Systems has quietly built a strong reputation over the past 20 years as the place to turn when companies need superior support for unique challenges related to gravity and micro-gravity experiments," said Jennifer Laden, president and co-founder of Duende Communications. "We are cognizant of how important this brand awareness is to the maintenance of Payload Systems' current clients, as well as to the acquisition of new customers and projects. It is our job to help them ensure that the momentum they have generated continues to grow in a consistent and meaningful way. Payload Systems is working on some revolutionary technologies, and we are thrilled to have been retained to help make sure the major players in their industry know it."

In addition, Payload Systems is one of the first companies to take advantage of Duende's new Boot Camp program, designed to help emerging companies, and those that have been quiet on the public relations front, build a solid communications foundation. The Boot Camp program is an intense, three-month engagement that allows companies to "get their feet wet" with public relations activities before deciding on a long-term commitment. It is extremely scalable and includes options such as incentives and specific execution packages that can be designed by the client, ensuring targeted outreach and customized service.

"As we have grown and taken our place among our competition, we have been working with our current and potential clients to develop some unique programs and ideas that completely question and change the traditional PR firm/client relationship model," said Duende vice president Efrain Viscarolasaga. "We are not shy about saying that we want Duende Communications be known as a vanguard in our industry, and it is initiatives like the Boot Camp program, and clients like Payload Systems, that will establish us in that role."

Duende Communications was formed in 2002 to provide small to mid-sized companies with high-quality, yet cost-effective public relations services. To date, Duende Communications has seen five consecutive quarters of growth and will continue to add new, exciting companies to its client base.

About Duende Communications

Duende Communications is a full-service public relations firm that specializes in helping small to mid-sized technology and consumer businesses differentiate themselves and their products in a crowded, and oftentimes noisy, marketplace. Duende Communications integrates a variety of strategic communications programs to create consistent, cohesive, and unique identities for its clients. Through hands-on, personalized service, the firm leverages each client's corporate presence to support sales efforts and help drive revenue. To find out how you can capitalize on your company's duende, call 617-983-0560 or visit the website at www.duendecommunications.com.

About Payload Systems

Based in Cambridge, Mass., Payload Systems provides unparalleled science and engineering services for American and international spaceflight programs and for research programs ranging from human performance and cellular biology to materials science and fluid and structural dynamics. The company also provides payload development and testing, crew training and mission support services.

Payload Systems has spent nearly 20 years developing a consistent reputation for quality, speed, talent and creativity in solving unique and difficult engineering problems. It has worked with government agencies such as NASA, the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Los Alamos National Laboratory, as well as private industry entities such as Boeing, General Electric, and Lockheed Martin, and has received numerous awards from NASA and international partner organizations. For more information, visit the website at www.payload.com.