CKS OPEN FOR BUSINESS IN THE CAPITAL CITY; Integrated Marketing Communications Company Will Offer Clients One Stop Shopping.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 16, 1996--CKS Partners, an integrated marketing communications company described as "Silicon Valley's hippest and most technologically savvy advertising agency," by Wired magazine, is opening a full-service office in Washington D.C.

CKS Partners' Washington D.C. office will kick off its operations with 15 employees and two high-profile clients: SHL Systemshouse, the largest systems integrator in Canada, who is drawing on CKS' new media know-how for the development of their website, and MCI, who recently designated CKS their marketing communications agency of record.

Michael Mathews, general manager of CKS Partners/Washington D.C. explained why clients are flocking to CKS. "Marketing managers appreciate the fact that we can offer objective counsel on whether advertising, direct mail or a retail promotion will best solve their marketing challenge," he said. "The `One stop shopping' approach makes their lives easier."

Leslie Jump, director of marketing communications for MCI's business market division, first hired CKS in 1994 to launch MCI's first online service, internetMCI. Jump, who was new to the realm of interactive technology, chose CKS based on their cutting-edge reputation in new media. MCI's website, created by the tech-savvy CKS, featured product information, video clips and questionnaires, and was named one of the top ten sites on the web by Interactive Age.

To Jump's delight, CKS did more than help MCI create a web presence, they also integrated the striking black and white "look" of the site into her division's software and packaging, keeping the program consistent in its message and look and feel. "CKS turned out to be just as strong in brand strategy as in new media," says Jump.

CKS Partners was built on the premise that the diverse marketing needs of clients must be met with the complete range of marketing disciplines. The result: If a client is looking for an objective marketing partner, CKS Partners can design the best solution by selecting from a full arsenal of marketing media. If a client is looking for excellence in a particular area--corporate identity, advertising, direct mail, collateral, packaging, promotions, or multimedia production-- it knows that CKS Partners will develop solutions that the client's other marketing partners can leverage in their own work.

General Manager Michael Mathews moved to Washington D.C. from CKS Partners/San Francisco where he spearheaded such accounts as MCI Telecommunications, Xerox, IBM, Zing Systems, and TV Guide OnScreen accounts. Prior to CKS, he worked as a communications manager for Intel Corporation, and as a vice president/management supervisor with BBDO, San Francisco.

The creative director for CKS Partners/Washington D.C. office is Robert Wong, former creative director for Frankfurt Balkind in New York, one of the premier integrated marketing communications shops on the East Coast. Robert's work has earned several industry awards including the Art Directors Club (Gold award), AIGA, AR100, and the Addy's. He has worked for several nationally recognized clients including The Limited Inc., Seagate Technology Inc., Adobe Systems, HBO, Lifetime, and KPMG.

CKS Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: CKSG) headquartered in Cupertino, Calif., specializes in offering a wide range of integrated marketing communications services that help companies market their products, services and messages. The integrated marketing communications services provided by the Company include strategic corporate and product positioning, corporate identity and product branding, new media, packaging, collateral systems, advertising, direct mail, consumer promotions, trade promotions and media placement services. The Company provides integrated marketing programs that utilize advanced technology solutions and new media -- which the Company defines as media that delivers content to end users in digital form, including the World Wide Web, the Internet, proprietary online services, CD-ROMs, laptop PC presentations and interactive kiosks. In addition to the Washington D.C. office, CKS has locations in Cupertino, Campbell and San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon; New York, NY; and London England.

CONTACT: Edelman Public Relations

Marivi Lerdo/Paula Fujimoto, 415/968-4033