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R.L. Polk and Acxiom Corporation Expand Relationship Agreement

12 October 2000

R.L. Polk and Acxiom Corporation Expand Relationship Agreement; Industry Leaders Combine Forces to Provide Automotive Industry with New Breed of Solutions

    SOUTHFIELD, Mich. & LITTLE ROCK, Ark.-- Oct. 12, 2000--R.L. Polk & Co. and Acxiom(R) Corporation today announced they have entered into an expanded, long-term relationship, covering technology sharing and data processing services that greatly enhance their service capabilities and joint business opportunities.
    The highlights of the agreement surround several major areas of the long-time strategic relationship between Polk and Acxiom. "Since our inception in the 1920's, Polk has built a reputation for meeting the needs of the automotive industry with our expertise in collecting and interpreting data to provide comprehensive solutions to the complex issues within the industry," said Stephen R. Polk, President and Chairman of R. L. Polk & Co. "This move to adopt the industry leading solution is the next logical step in rounding out our offerings in the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) field".
    With the new agreement, Polk will adopt Acxiom's AbiliTec(TM) software for use as its Customer Data Integration (CDI) standard. Additionally, the alliance agreement calls for Polk to offer Acxiom's AbiliTec software to its unparalleled roster of automotive clients. The companies will also jointly develop and market innovative new products for automotive clients to leverage Polk's leadership in automotive industry data and Acxiom's revolutionary CDI software.
    "The continued, close working relationship between Polk and Acxiom will bring great value to the automotive industry," said Acxiom Company Leader Charles D. Morgan. "The combined data, technology and industry expertise will further enable companies to achieve a higher level of enterprise-wide CRM and a true competitive edge. It is truly a significant day for Acxiom when a long-time strategic partner with the reputation and caliber of Polk announces it has adopted AbiliTec and introduces the software as a key component of its CRM solution".