OMX Officemax Incorporated

Retailer's Annual Product Knowledge Training Video Uses Humor to Teach Associates About New Products ITASCA, Ill., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- OfficeMax(R) (NYSE:OMX), one of the nation's largest office supply distributors, proved that humor is among the best training tools by recently winning a Bronze Telly Award in the category of "Best Use of Humor in a Video." The internal training video was created to educate more than 4,000 OfficeMax associates and retail managers about how to most effectively demonstrate key products to customers. The Telly Awards annually recognize the best work of advertising agencies, production companies, television stations, cable operators and corporate video departments around the world. This year, nearly 12,500 entries were submitted. The winning OfficeMax associate training video incorporated a theme based on the board game Clue(R) and the Pink Panther(R) character, Inspector Clouseau. The humorous board game theme was also part of interactive audience segments that followed the video. Produced as part of a series of videos for OfficeMax product knowledge training, the winning video focused on tips to talk to customers about a new hands-free telephone. "Humor is a powerful learning tool. It engages audiences so information is better retained," said John Gonos, director of retail training for OfficeMax. "Everyone benefits when our associates are more knowledgeable about products and vendors -- especially our customers." The video debuted at OfficeMax's 2004 product knowledge training seminar, and helped the seminar earn the highest associate approval rating in the history of the training program. OfficeMax worked with BI Media and Events, based in Minneapolis, Minn., to produce the videos. Brave New Workshop, a comedy troupe also in Minneapolis, provided the talent. About OfficeMax(R) Incorporated OfficeMax(R) Incorporated is a leader in both business-to-business office products solutions and retail office products. OfficeMax delivers an unparalleled customer experience -- in service, in product, in time savings, and in value -- through a relentless focus on its customers. The company provides office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products and solutions, and furniture to consumers and to large, medium and small businesses. OfficeMax customers are served by approximately 40,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, the Internet and approximately 950 superstores. OfficeMax trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OMX. To find the nearest OfficeMax, call 1-877-OFFICEMAX. For more information, visit http://www.officemax.com/ . About the Telly Awards Founded in 1978, the Telly Awards is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional, and cable television commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. The 26th Annual Telly Awards received a record 12,500 entries from all 50 states and a number of countries. For more information about the Telly Awards visit http://www.tellyawards.com/ . OfficeMax Contact Media Contact Bill Bonner Nicole Miller, Bader Rutter & Associates 630 438 8584 262 938 5425 DATASOURCE: OfficeMax(R) Incorporated CONTACT: Bill Bonner of OfficeMax, +1-630-438-8584; or Media, Nicole Miller of Bader Rutter & Associates, +1-262-938-5425 Web site: http://www.officemax.com/ http://www.tellyawards.com/

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