Lincolnshire, IL, November 14, 2006
Frequently described as the quiet heroes of business, administrative professionals have few opportunities to compare notes and seek out peer advice on handling the multi-tasking skills inherent in serving as an office manager or administrative professional. Recognizing the importance of this interaction among their core customers, Quill Corporation has created Office Living, a new online community with content to help office professionals manage their professional and personal lives.

“Since it began 50 years ago, Quill has been dedicated to helping people do their jobs better, providing tools like newsletters, tip booklets and commissioning a book called Working Smarter, Not Harder, all to provide assistance to these hard-working professionals,” said Kyle Anderson, vice president and chief marketing officer, adding, “Seeing our business shifting more and more to the Internet from the catalogs that launched Quill, we decided to create a vehicle that adds value for those shoppers using the technologies they themselves use daily.”

“As we expand our interaction with customers online, they are telling us what they want to see, and we are refining the content of Office Living to match their requests -- everything from ways to advance their careers, to quick and easy dinner recipes, to charities they should know about. As more and more of our sales activity is generated through online commerce, this sharing of information online complements this approach. In the future, we really want this to become a forum where office admins can speak directly to one another,” said Quill Director of Customer Development Laura Tarsitano.

Office Living is divided into eight major themes:

• Working Savvy – this month’s features include increasing productivity, stretching your paycheck, periodically review new books
• Supply Cabinet – this month offers insights into purchasing a digital camera, suggests a gift-giving guide and sheds light on how to select paper appropriate to business needs
• Just A Minute – covers quick and simple recipes, as well as a “one-minute survey”
• Business Spotlight: Sharing Success – a monthly profile of a featured business partner
• Charity Profile – a monthly profile of a women- or family-oriented nonprofit organization that is not widely known. This month’s profile is Ascension Place, which provides women in crisis with solutions
• Hear it Here –  a place to voice opinions and share ideas
• Pen Pal – an online version of a monthly newsletter with “news you can use” as well as information about careers, health, and other valuable tips
• Cleaning and Breakroom Tips – this section covers topics from everything necessary to hold a successful, cost-effective office party to finding the right product container for a specific need

“We are extremely encouraged by the responses we’ve received from readers,” said Tarsitano, adding, “Many of them have long sought out this type of forum, designed specifically for the office professional, and are delighted to have found one now that fits their needs.”
           
Office Living can be accessed from the Quill Web site at www.quill.com/officeliving
           
Founded in 1956 and headquartered in Lincolnshire, IL, Quill Corporation is the nation’s premier business-to-business direct marketer of office products, custom printing, furniture and technology supplies.  Quill maintains 11 regional distribution centers, located strategically throughout the United States, to facilitate speedy order delivery. Renowned for its outstanding customer service, Quill reaches customers through direct marketing, telemarketing, outside sales and online at www.quill.com.

Instituted in 1996, Quill.com was one of the first successful online launches in the office products industry and is consistently ranked as one of the best online merchants by Bizrate.com. Quill Corporation has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Staples, Inc., since 1998.

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