DENVER, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- TeleTech Holdings, Inc., (Nasdaq: TTEC)
one of the largest and fastest growing providers of customer relationship
management (CRM) services and solutions today announced the signing of a five-
year extension to its existing contract with Telecom Corporation of New
Zealand, Ltd. in support of its leading Internet Service Provider (ISP)
offering, Xtra. The contract is one of the largest and longest customer care
outsourcing agreements ever signed in New Zealand. The relationship
underscores TeleTech's expanding global footprint and distinction as a
worldwide leader in the CRM industry.
"Companies such as Telecom New Zealand require sophisticated customer care
programs that incorporate multi-channel and specialized language customer
platforms. Telecom New Zealand's extension of our existing relationship
demonstrates its belief in our ability to consistently deliver these
services," said Scott Thompson, chief executive officer and president,
TeleTech. "Our clients see the value of our combined technology and
operational expertise in the CRM industry. We've proven that our solutions
deliver improved customer retention and satisfaction, consistently across our
global markets, enabling us to continue to build long-term relationships with
leading brands around the globe."
From its Internet-enabled customer interaction center in Auckland, New
Zealand, TeleTech will provide technical support and billing services, as well
as online customer registration, customer acquisition and loyalty programs for
Telecom New Zealand's ISP, Xtra. The Xtra ISP service includes dial-up,
analog and DSL access services for a rapidly growing consumer customer base of
more than 330,000 customers. TeleTech operates 49 such points of presence
across the globe, leveraging world-class CRM practices and specializing in
worldwide capability.
"TeleTech's outstanding customer support has played a vital role in making
Telecom New Zealand the largest and leading Internet service provider in New
Zealand and we want to continue this momentum," said Graham Mitchell, general
manager, Telecom New Zealand, Xtra. "We understand the value of leveraging an
industry leader and global presence like TeleTech."
Support solutions and blended capability help companies unify the quest
for better customer services, no matter where those customers exist. In
Singapore or San Diego, on the Internet or the telephone. Gartner Dataquest
reports that the total worldwide opportunity in the CRM services market will
surpass $50 billion by 2004. TeleTech has established global operations in
11 countries, servicing 25 languages and commonly supports Global 1000 clients
with multinational needs.
TeleTech Profile
Founded in 1982, TeleTech is the leading provider of integrated customer
relationship management (CRM) solutions for global organizations predominantly
in the telecommunications, financial services, technology, government and
transportation industries. TeleTech has operations in eleven countries which
include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico, New Zealand,
Singapore, Spain, the U.K. and the U.S. TeleTech's eCRM capabilities,
including B2B electronic channel management and database management, help
companies inform, acquire, service, grow and retain their customers throughout
the entire relationship lifecycle. Through 45 customer interaction centers in
the Americas, Europe and Asia. Information regarding TeleTech Holdings can be
found on the Worldwide Web at http://www.teletech.com.
In New Zealand, TeleTech employs over 350 staff, in three customer
interaction centres located in Auckland and Christchurch. TeleTech services
some of New Zealand's largest government departments, telecommunications,
financial, insurance, and utility companies in New Zealand.
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements
that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In accordance with the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, following are important
factors that could cause TeleTech's actual results to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements: lower than
anticipated customer interaction center capacity utilization; the loss or
delay in implementation of a customer management program; TeleTech's ability
to build-out facilities in a timely and economic manner; greater than
anticipated competition from new entrants into the customer care market,
causing increased price competition or loss of clients; the loss of one or
more significant clients; higher than anticipated start-up costs associated
with new business opportunities and ventures; TeleTech's ability to predict
future revenues and associated costs, as well as the potential volume or
profitability of any future technology or consulting sales; TeleTech's
agreements with clients may be canceled on relatively short notice; and
TeleTech's ability to generate a specific level of revenue is dependent upon
customer interest in and use of the Company's clients' products and services.
Readers are encouraged to review TeleTech's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K ,
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, for first, second and third quarters 2000, and
other publicly filed documents which describe other important factors that may
impact TeleTech's business, results of operations and financial condition.
TeleTech undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements
after the date of this release.
SOURCE TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
CONTACT: Elizabeth Johnson, Media Relations, 303-813-4229,
elizabethjohnson@teletech.com, or Erika Barnes, Investor Relations,
720-947-6390, erikabarnes@teletech.com, both of TeleTech Holdings, Inc./
