Acxiom, AZ Bertelsmann Direct Join Forces To Serve Multinational Clients in Europe.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

LONDON and GUETERSLOH, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2000

Two industry leaders - AZ Bertelsmann Direct and Acxiom(R) Corporation (Nasdaq: ACXM) - have signed an alliance agreement to deliver international marketing data and information management solutions to multinational clients operating in the major European markets.

The alliance will combine the complementary geographic market strengths of Bertelsmann operations in Germany and Austria with Acxiom operations in the United Kingdom. The alliance also will leverage the complementary market services of each company, notably the international data content assets of Bertelsmann and the international Customer Relationship Management, Customer Data Integration, and data access and delivery solutions offered by Acxiom.

The alliance will be an important step towards introducing AbiliTec(SM) as the industry standard for Customer Data Integration across Europe. AbiliTec is the revolutionary data integration tool launched by Acxiom in the United States in 1999, already adopted by several major U.S. companies to help them create a single view of their customers across the enterprise. The introduction of AbiliTec to the European market will be accelerated and enhanced by Bertelsmann's exceptional access to high quality data content.

Acxiom has identified significant growth opportunities in Germany and nearby countries, and partnering with Bertelsmann provides immediate access to these markets. Bertelsmann gains a similar entry to the UK through Acxiom's market leadership. Both companies have existing operations in France and Spain, which will be strengthened by the alliance.

"Acxiom and Bertelsmann share a tremendous commitment to provide clients with consistent, high quality data management and marketing solutions across Europe," said Hartmut Ostrowski, CEO of Bertelsmann Services Group. "The combination of skills and geographic coverage provided by AZ Bertelsmann Direct and Acxiom will present unequalled level of service for clients throughout Europe."

Acxiom Company Leader Charles D. Morgan said Acxiom was fortunate to have a partner with the tremendous reputation of Bertelsmann. Morgan added that more opportunities exist for the alliance to expand in Europe. "When you compare what AbiliTec delivers - real-time, tremendously accurate Customer Data Integration - to the growing needs of the European marketplace, the potential is enormous," Morgan said.

The alliance already is working for shared multinational clients in the financial services and packaged goods fields. Individually, Acxiom and Bertelsmann each serves many of the world's leading blue-chip companies, and the alliance makes it possible to better serve their growing multinational needs.

As a result of the alliance, AZ Bertelsmann Direct will become a service provider to Levante, the global alliance between Acxiom and Ogilvy One. Levante is designed to serve global accounts with integrated data management and relationship marketing solutions in more than 20 countries.

About AZ Bertelsmann Direct

AZ Bertelsmann Direct provides a wide range of direct marketing services in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain and either owns or has access to substantial consumer and business data. Its market approach is a full range offer combining high quality reference and marketing data (both consumer and business), large scale information management solutions and fulfilment services. AZ Bertelsmann Direct is a part of the Bertelsmann Services Group, which provides global solutions for the flow of information, goods and payments.

About Acxiom Corporation

Acxiom Corporation is a global leader in real-time Customer Data Integration and Customer Relationship Management by offering innovative database marketing services, advanced technologies and premier data content. Acxiom enables businesses to develop and deepen customer relationships by achieving a single view of customers across the enterprise. Founded in 1969, Acxiom Corporation is based in Little Rock, Ark., with operations throughout the United States and in the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Australia. Acxiom revenues were $918 million in the 12 months ended December 31, 1999. For more information, please visit www.acxiom.com.

The discussion in this release regarding Acxiom Corporation contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including risks detailed from time to time in the company's SEC reports. Actual results may differ materially. Acxiom undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revision to any forward-looking statement to reflect any future events or circumstances.