Contact:

Jennifer Schwegman, KC Associates

651.247.6640

jennifer@kc-associates.com

Minneapolis, June 27, 2005—KC Associates (KCA)—the only marketing consulting and communications organization in Minnesota focused exclusively on business-to-business information technology (IT) products and services—announced today that it was selected by national IT market analyst firm IDC (Framingham, Mass.) to conduct broad, in-depth market surveys. To date, KCA has provided the survey data for two studies: a national study aimed at improving commercial software needed to help key U.S. industries remain competitive, and a global study on the high-performance computing requirements of major industries.

According to IDC Research Vice President Earl Joseph, “We chose KCA to help us with important survey work on an ongoing basis because their interviewers are sophisticated, organized, persistent, and they’re experienced at talking directly with IT industry leaders. KCA has met our demanding expectations by supplying our analyst team with the extensive, high-quality data they need.”

KCA Principal Kirsten Chapman noted, “We’re excited about our new relationship with a global IT industry leader like IDC. Through our telemarketing group, we’ll continue to provide IDC with world-class survey and telemarketing services.”

KC Associates’ services extend beyond those offered by traditional marketing agencies to include events management and prospect database development as well as telemarketing-based lead qualification and pipeline management.

About IDC
IDC is the premier global market intelligence and advisory firm in the information technology and telecommunications industries and is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. IDC analyzes and predicts technology trends to help clients make strategic, fact-based decisions on IT purchases and business strategy. Over 775 IDC analysts in 50 countries provide local expertise and insights on technology markets. Business executives and IT managers have relied for 40 years of IDC's advice through individual research documents, more than 500 subscription research services, one-on-one relationships with IDC's industry experts, custom consulting engagements, and world-class conferences and events.

About KC Associates
For more than 15 years, KC Associates has provided marketing consulting and communications services for B2B information technology (IT) companies. Unlike traditional firms and agencies, KC Associates is a virtual organization comprised of seasoned information technology-specific marketing professionals, each with 10 or more years’ experience in the IT industry. KC Associates’ services are affordable and span the entire market development spectrum–market planning and product marketing consulting to marketing communications, public relations and event management.

KC Associates appears on The Business Journal‘s 2004 list of the top 25 Twin Cities public relations firms and is the only company listed that focuses solely on the IT products and services sector.

Clients have ranged from two-person service organizations, to mid-sized software firms such as Magenic Technologies and ShowCase Corporation, to multibillion-dollar companies, including Deluxe Corporation and Lucent Technologies. For more information about KC Associates, visit www.kc-associates.com.