Dialog in Joint Services Referral Program With AIIP.

Business Editors & High Tech Writers

CARY, N.C. & OAK CREEK, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 9, 2001

The Dialog Corporation, a Thomson business and a leading international provider of online-based information services, and the Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) today jointly announced the creation of the Dialog & AIIP Search Services Referral Program, a new business development initiative for AIIP members.

Under the program, Dialog customers will be able to request, through an automated referral service on Dialog's corporate web site, that specific online searches be conducted for them on a pay-for-service basis by a searcher possessing a high level of expertise with Dialog's online information services.

The Dialog & AIIP Search Services Referral Program will be active by the end of November 2001, Dialog said.

AIIP is a professional association comprised of owners of information-related businesses who regularly contract with client organizations to perform fee-based online information searching. AIIP members are experienced in a wide range of search systems and information applications. To be eligible to participate in the Dialog & AIIP Search Services Referral Program, AIIP members must have belonged to the association for at least two years, be experts in using Dialog online services and have a high degree of knowledge about its content resources.

"We are delighted to be working closely with our friends at the AIIP," said Libby Trudell, Dialog senior vice president, information professional market development. "This program was conceived as part of Dialog's continuing efforts to provide a range of options for accessing the breadth and depth of our content. We believe it will be a win-win for both Dialog customers and AIIP members."

Lynn Ecklund, AIIP president 2001-2002 stated: "We value our alliance with Dialog and Dialog's ongoing commitment to recognizing the value of the information professional. We welcome the opportunity for our members to participate in this alliance with Dialog. The program provides a logical match for our members who are seasoned Dialog searchers and Dialog customers who need the assistance of an information professional on a temporary or on-going basis."

ABOUT AIIP

The Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP) was formed in 1987 by 26 entrepreneurs. Although the founding member companies offered a variety of services, the common thread was their involvement with information - retrieving, organizing and analyzing it, or consulting regarding its use and management. Today, AIIP has nearly 700 members worldwide. Many members hold advanced degrees in science, law, business, medicine, library science and other disciplines. Members have combined their years of experience with entrepreneurship and operate companies that serve a wide variety of clients. AIIP members can handle both general and highly specialized questions and assignments in a timely manner. All members must uphold the AIIP Code of Ethical Business Practices.

Contact: Lynn Ecklund, AIIP President 2001-2002 [phone] or via e-mail to: [e-mail]

Association of Independent Information Professionals (AIIP), 7044 South 13th St., Oak Creek, WI 53144 USA; inquiries: [e-mail]; more information: www.aiip.org

ABOUT DIALOG

Dialog is the worldwide leader in providing online-based information services to organizations seeking competitive advantages in such fields as business, science, engineering, finance, and law. Its products and services, such as Dialog(R), Profound(R), and DataStar(TM), offer organizations the ability to precisely retrieve data from more than 800 million unique records, accessible via the Internet or through delivery to enterprise Intranets. For almost three decades, Dialog's brands have been known for their breadth and depth of content, precision searching, and speed. The Winter Corporation recently recognized Dialog for its breadth and depth of content, when they named the company the Grand Prize-winner in the Database Scalability Program 2000.

Headquartered in Cary, N.C., USA, with direct operations in 30 countries, Dialog products are used by more than 20,000 corporate customers in over 100 countries. Dialog is a subsidiary of The Thomson Corporation, a leading global e-information and solutions company in the business and professional marketplace with 2000 revenues of approximately $6 billion. The Corporation's common shares are listed on the Toronto and London stock exchanges (TSE:TOC).

For more information about Dialog, call 1-800-3-DIALOG or visit www.dialog.com. For more information about Thomson, visit www.thomson.com.

All designated trademarks used herein are the property of The Dialog Corporation or its subsidiaries. Registered marks are registered by The Dialog Corporation or its subsidiaries, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.