OfficeMax Marketing Campaigns Tap SPSS Predictive Analytics; Direct Mail Sales Climb 24 Percent

Business Wire, April 18, 2005

CHICAGO -- To better understand its customers, leading office supplies distributor OfficeMax(R) Incorporated (NYSE:OMX) selected SPSS (NASDAQ:SPSS) predictive analytics software for recent direct mail marketing campaigns. The customer insight data has helped direct mail sales climb 24 percent.

OfficeMax chose SPSS(R) for Windows(R), SPSS' statistical analysis and data management software, to help target and reach its large and varied customer base in a more cost-efficient, results-driven basis.

In order to gain a single view of each customer, OfficeMax collects and analyzes behavioral data. After the analysis is complete, each customer receives a score based on purchase history. The retailer then sifts scores categorically to create groupings that are then developed into customer-focused promotional campaigns.

"With SPSS we were able to determine which customers behave similarly to each other and use the information to predict customer preferences," said John Hassman, customer research manager at OfficeMax. "We can target our customers with unique offers at all points of communication, whether it's direct mail, phone, or the Internet."

"Retailers are increasingly challenged to implement more strategic sales and marketing campaigns that engage customers quickly and cost efficiently, rather than using a hit-or-miss approach," said SPSS President and CEO Jack Noonan. "SPSS predictive analytics takes the guesswork and risk out of marketing, enabling campaigns to be more effective and profitable."

Twenty-one of the top 25 retailers worldwide use SPSS predictive analytics software, for such applications as reducing shrink, analyzing fraud, and improving direct mail and online marketing programs.

About SPSS

SPSS Inc. (NASDAQ:SPSS) is a leading worldwide provider of predictive analytics software and solutions. The company's predictive analytics technology connects data to effective strategic action by drawing reliable conclusions about current conditions and critical future events. More than 250,000 commercial, academic, and public sector customers rely on SPSS technology to help increase revenue, reduce costs, improve important processes, and detect and prevent fraud. More than 95 percent of the Fortune 1000 companies are SPSS customers. Founded in 1968, SPSS is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. For additional information, please visit www.spss.com.

About OfficeMax(R) Incorporated

OfficeMax(R) Incorporated is a leader in both business-to-business office product solutions and retail office products. OfficeMax delivers an unparalleled customer experience - in service, in product, in time savings, and in value - through a relentless focus on its customers. The company provides office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products and solutions, and furniture to large, medium and small businesses and consumers. OfficeMax customers are served by more than 40,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, Internet and nearly 1,000 superstores. OfficeMax trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OMX. To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX or more information can be found at www.officemax.com.

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