Rapp Collins Worldwide and the University of Missouri-Kansas City Co-Sponsor This Year's PDM Certification Program.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 13, 2001

Business and academics partner to streamline, solidify and promote

nation's one-of-a-kind direct marketing certification program

Rapp Collins Worldwide, a world leader in direct response and customer relationship management, announced today that it is co-sponsoring this year's Professional Direct Marketers (PDM) Certification program with the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). The highly comprehensive program transforms experienced professionals into savvier, more inventive and more effective direct marketers.

Rapp Collins will develop and lead a direct marketing campaign for the program, which will serve as a national launching pad. The company will also contribute expertise to the program with marketing industry professionals, who will act as course presenters, and pertinent curriculum content. UMKC maintains responsibility for the program's curriculum, certificate and academic presenters.

Rapp Collins' chairman and chief executive officer, Malcolm Speed, welcomes the partnership. "Rapp Collins is a long-time supporter of continuing education for direct marketing executives. We're confident the PDM Certification will provide many of the tools needed to engineer successful customer management programs."

"We're extremely excited about the alliance with Rapp Collins," said Dr. Gene Brown, Ph.D., director of UMKC's Center for Direct Marketing Education and Research (CDMER). Brown leads the PDM program at the university. "This co-sponsorship will help the center provide a world-class Professional Direct Marketer program. UMKC is a pioneer in direct marketing education, and Rapp Collins has proven its leadership, knowledge and service. Together we'll be able to increase direct marketing knowledge and skills beyond what has been achieved in the past."

One of a Kind

UMKC is the only place in the world that offers the PDM certification. The program is often equated with an executive M.B.A. in direct marketing, offering eligible executives a standardized curriculum, comprehensive certification, and a broad foundation of knowledge covering all aspects of direct marketing. Employers benefit from the program by building a talented pool of employees who use the latest CRM techniques to build sales, boost profits and create competitive advantage.