Please direct your media and public relations inquiries to: mediarelations@cdw.com 800-800-4CDW CDW Unveils Next Generation of Corporate Branding Campaign VERNON HILLS, Ill. - August 30, 1999 - CDW Computer Centers Inc. (Nasdaq: CDWC) is launching a collection of new ads in support of its corporate branding campaign. The advertising builds on last year's efforts, which introduced customers to CDW's personal account managers and one-stop resource direct business model. This latest campaign, which breaks today on cable television and in September issues of national business and trade publications, introduces additional members of the CDW team and reinforces the company's position as the country's leading direct solutions provider of brand name computer products. "With this campaign, CDW is strengthening its message to include the entire team of trained and talented people that support each customer," said Michael Krasny, CDW CEO. "Customers rely on us to keep them ahead of technology, and our branding efforts communicate how CDW account teams give customers a competitive advantage by allowing them to focus on helping their companies grow and succeed." With more than 90 percent of the company's sales coming from business, government and education customers, CDW has expanded its target audience. CDW's audience includes not only IT managers, but also other "influencers" such as business owners, corporate officers and divisional managers. As technology becomes more closely tied to a company's business strategy, the depth of those involved in making technology decisions grows. CDW is targeting this broader audience through print ads in high-profile business publications, such as Business Week, FORTUNE, and Forbes. The television portion of the campaign includes six different 30-second commercials, which will begin airing today on cable TV, including CNN, Headline News, MSNBC, Discovery Channel, and ZDTV. Four of the new ads showcase products from CDW's vendor partners, including Compaq, Hewlett-Packard, IBM and Microsoft. The broadcast spots illustrate how CDW account teams can make finding IT solutions easier. "We all face challenges at work. Our campaign shows that we understand these demands and demonstrates how our business model and account teams make life just a little bit easier," said Joe Kremer, vice president of marketing, CDW. "The high-tech 'look and feel' and the strong branding messages depict the energy and manpower with which CDW attacks IT challenges for customers." Additional components of the comprehensive campaign are the CDW blimp tour, which heads west in late October, as well as Internet-based branding initiatives. CDW is strengthening its brand online with brand messages on sites such as Wall Street Journal Interactive Edition, CNET and CNN, along with its newly redesigned, award-winning Web site at www.cdw.com. Enhancements include powerful new search capabilities and advanced navigational features. Successfully balancing the company's high tech/high touch approach, CDW offers businesses customized and secure extranets with its CDW@work program to help streamline IT purchasing. About CDW CDW® (Nasdaq: CDWC) is the country's leading direct solutions provider, offering complete, customized computing solutions for business and consumers nationwide. With competitive prices on a selection of thousands of brand name computer products, CDW is the No. 1 authorized direct source of Compaq, Computer Associates, IBM, Microsoft, Toshiba and other top name brands. Celebrating its 15th anniversary year, CDW was founded in 1984 as a one-man, home-based business and today employs more than 1,700 coworkers whose efforts generated net sales of $2.1 billion for the trailing twelve months ended June 30, 1999. CDW's pioneering direct model offers personalized expertise through one-on-one relationships with highly-trained, knowledgeable account managers; telephone and online purchasing; custom configured solutions; customized leasing solutions; next day shipping; and lifetime phone and online technical support, with more than 70 factory-trained and A+ certified technicians on staff. For more information About CDW's products and services, call 800-797-4239 or visit the award-winning e-commerce Web site at www.cdw.com. For media inquiries or general company information, please call CDW's media relations at 888-CDW-7040. Additional information can be found by visiting CDW.com.