Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW "Fred, the I.T. Guy" Returns as CDW Launches New National Ad Campaign VERNON HILLS, Ill. - May 13, 2002 - CDW (Nasdaq: CDWC) today launches a new national television, print, online and radio advertising campaign, featuring "Fred, the I.T. Guy," whose cult status continues to grow. Breaking on television today, the commercials offer a view from Fred's eyes as well-meaning office workers pose an entirely new set of strange requests for technology help that would make anyone laugh, sigh or groan. Fred first appeared in early 2001 in a series of ads for CDW, a leading provider of technology products and services to businesses and the public sector. The unseen character, representing I.T. pros who keep workplace technology up and running, prompted an outpouring of true tech tales from people across the country who relate to Fred's experiences in the ads. In fact, late last year, CDW assembled those stories into a book called, "Welcome to I.T." "Through our depiction of Fred's world, we show how CDW understands what people responsible for workplace technology face every day," said Joe Kremer, vice president of marketing, CDW. "Our understanding and our passion for customer service are what enable us to provide our customers with a hassle-free buying experience." This new campaign is the latest move by CDW to evolve its brand image as it markets to its core customer base of small- to medium-sized businesses, government agencies and educational institutions. Created by DWP//Bates Technology of Atlanta, the new ad campaign includes CDW's first new tagline in four years - "The Right Technology. Right Away.™" "The new tagline reflects customers' experience with CDW. The company offers the best solution for each customer's needs and the ability to deliver it quickly, in most cases the next day," said Frank Donino, chairman and CEO, DWP//Bates Technology. The television commercials were produced by award-winning director Jeff Gorman, whose past work includes ads for Bud Light, Staples and Nike. The television ads will air on cable networks including CNN, Comedy Channel and Discovery Channel. The print advertising campaign includes placements in Forbes, PC World and a wide array of other magazines popular among technology decision-makers. Radio ads will air in select local markets later this month, and online advertisements will appear this month as well. Coinciding with the new ad campaign, CDW is launching "Fred's Corner," a section of the CDW.com Web site devoted to Fred. Fred's Corner includes links to view the TV ads, a place for customers to submit their own Fred stories of technology mishaps (and, in the future, to see stories submitted by others), a link to order "Welcome to I.T." (the book of true tech misadventures), and more. To visit Fred's Corner, click on the "Fred's Corner" link on the CDW.com homepage. About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC), ranked No. 414 on the Fortune 500, is a leading provider of technology solutions for businesses, government agencies and educational institutions nationwide. CDW is a principal source of technology products and services from top name brands such as Cisco, Compaq, Computer Associates, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Toshiba. CDW distributes contracts to end users for customized and standardized on-site services supplied directly by providers such as Compaq Global Services and DecisionOne 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 more than 2,800 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of approximately $4 billion in 2001. CDW's direct model offers one-on-one relationships with highly trained account managers; purchasing by fax, telephone, the company's award-winning www.cdw.com Web site or customized CDW@work™ extranets; custom configured solutions and same day shipping; flexible financing solutions; and phone and online technical support, with more than 100 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff.