Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Wins BtoB Award For Best TV Commercial VERNON HILLS, Ill. - January 14, 2004 - CDW (Nasdaq: CDWC), a leading provider of technology products and services for business, government and education, today announced one of its current TV spots, "Manuals," has been named by BtoB magazine as 2003's best TV commercial for the business-to-business market. CDW's spot was selected over entries by Microsoft and IBM, who received runner-up and honorable mentions. "Manuals" is a humorous depiction of a CDW account executive whose devotion to understanding technology products leads her to read technical manuals in the bubble bath, at the dentist, and to her daughter as a bedtime story. The message is that CDW professionals are knowledgeable and passionate about information technology, to the benefit of their customers. "Our research has shown that CDW customers have come to expect more from us than quality products and fast delivery," said Diane Primo, chief marketing officer for CDW. "CDW customers value our passion and our counsel. 'Manuals' and our overall campaign connect with customers on these levels by way of humor. It's an effective way to reach our audience." CDW's winning commercial is part of a larger campaign launched in spring 2003 highlighting its core differentiator, a better technology buying experience. Ad agency J. Walter Thompson Technology, previously known as DWP//Bates, Atlanta, developed the campaign with CDW. It features advertisements in TV, radio and print, as well as outdoor and interactive ads. The campaign leverages network sports and targeted cable programming, business and IT publications, and opt-in email, banner ads and e-newsletters. This is the second consecutive year BtoB magazine, a sister publication to Advertising Age, has recognized CDW. In 2002, the magazine named CDW's work "Integrated Campaign of the Year." The campaign also won a Gold EFFIE from the American Marketing Association and a Silver ICON Award for excellence in technology marketing. "It's an honor to be recognized by BtoB for the second year in a row," said Ridge White, president, J. Walter Thompson Technology. "It was our goal to help CDW show what makes them the choice of so many customers." About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 381 on the FORTUNE 500, is a leading provider of technology products and services for business, government and education. CDW is a principal source of technology from top name brands such as APC, Apple, Cisco, HP, IBM, Microsoft, Sony, Symantec, Toshiba and ViewSonic. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services supplied directly by providers such as HP Services and Unisys and for training programs provided by firms such as KnowledgeNet and Productivity Point International. CDW was founded in 1984 as a home-based business and today employs approximately 3,700 coworkers. In 2003, the company generated net sales of approximately $4.7 billion. CDW's direct model offers one-on-one relationships with knowledgeable account managers; purchasing by telephone, fax, the company's award-winning CDW.com Web site, customized CDW@work™ extranets, CDWG.com Web site and macwarehouse.com Web site; custom configured solutions and same day shipping; and pre- and post-sales technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com.