Netcom Appoints Vice President of Sales; Leading Internet Service Provider Appoints 20 Year Veteran to Head Sales in Individual User Market
SAN JOSE, Calif. — April 26, 1996 — NETCOM On-Line Communication Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: NETC) today announced the addition of W.D. "Spike" Bloom to its executive team. Bloom will fill the Vice President of Sales position vacated by Don Hutchison, who is now heading the Company's strategic efforts in the Cable, Telco, and Wireless arena. Starting May 1, 1996, Bloom will be responsible for driving sales in the individual user market through direct, retail, OEM, education, and affinity channels.
"Spike's proven success selling integrated solutions to individuals through a multitude of channels will be a tremendous asset to NETCOM," said David Garrison, chairman and chief executive officer for NETCOM. "We expect he will effectively leverage his decades of sales leadership in highly competitive industries ranging from PC products for home and business to personal communications products targeted at mobile professionals to ensure continued growth for NETCOM."
Bloom joins NETCOM with over 20 years of sales experience including positions at Radius, Inc., EO, Inc., Apple Computer Inc., and Eastman Kodak Company. His ten years at Kodak included sales and marketing experience in the mass market consumer products division. Bloom also held multiple sales and channel management positions over an eight year period at Apple Computer. At EO, as Vice President of Sales, Bloom developed a sales organization from the ground up to provide targeted direct sales, tele-sales, and national market coverage through indirect channels. Most recently, as Vice President of Sales for Radius, Bloom was responsible for all sales and channel marketing of Radius products in the US and Canada, generating revenue of over $200 million annually.
"I am very pleased to hear that Spike Bloom, a long-time, recognized leader in sales and marketing in the micro-computer industry, has joined NETCOM," said John Venator, Executive Vice, President and CEO of the Computing Technology Industry Association, a Lombard Illinois-based not for profit industry-wide trade association representing 6,700 member companies including major manufacturers of software and hardware to national and international distributors, retailers, VARs, and system integrators. "Spike has played a leadership role in our association, serving on our advisory board and active in a number of committees and task forces. I am sure that this industry-wide leadership role coupled with Spike's strong sales and marketing background in the industry will make a measurable impact on NETCOM's business objectives."
"The most exciting, fast paced high growth and rapidly changing environment today is the Internet industry. The opportunity to join a pioneer and innovator in the direct Internet access and services arena is outstanding," said Bloom. "I look forward to becoming part of one of the industry's strongest management teams and to bringing 20 years of experience from the consumer and personal computer industries to this emerging market."
Reporting to Garrison, Bloom will manage all sales efforts in the area of individual accounts, which currently number over 400,000. Bloom holds a BS in Marketing from Western Illinois University.
NETCOM
San Jose, California-based NETCOM On-Line Communication Services, Inc. is a leading international Internet service provider with years of network experience. Leveraging its own high-speed nationwide TCP/IP-based network, NETCOM provides a range of value-priced Internet services for individuals and businesses. NETCOM's complete Internet service offering includes Personal Services, value pricing, software options, local access, and 24 hour person-to-person customer support. Internet users can learn more about the company on-line at: http://www.netcom.com/.
Certain of the above statements are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially as a result of a variety of factors, including competitive developments, and risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports.
NOTE: NETCOM On-Line Communication Services is a registered trademark of the Company. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.
CONTACT:
Jeannie Slone of NETCOM, 408-556-3211, or [email protected];
or
Curt Kundred of Fleishman-Hillard, 415-356-1020, or [email protected]