London, 22 November 2002 – Hotwire, the European technology public relations consultancy, today announced that it has been appointed by Palmtop Software, Europe´s largest software developer for handheld computers and mobile phones, to launch the company´s new range of TomTom branded products.

Palmtop Software publishes a range of innovative travel related products and services including city maps, dictionaries and foreign language tools under the TomTom brand. The company has been designing powerful and easy-to-use applications since 1991.

Hotwire´s initial focus will be to promote the launch of TomTom Navigator, the only GPS personal navigation system that is compatible with all the leading Pocket PC devices such as the Compaq IPAQ and the Xda from O2. Hotwire will be embarking on an aggressive product review and features programme focusing on the motoring, lifestyle and broadcast media. Hotwire will also be involved in raising awareness of the Amsterdam based company on a corporate level in both the UK and France.

“The TomTom brand is leading the way in providing useful and affordable applications that enable consumers and business professionals to travel with ease,” said Harold Goddijn, CEO of Palmtop Software. “Our partnership with Hotwire in the UK and France will allow us to take advantage of their consumer technology expertise, to help transform and enhance the public´s perceptions of the quality, performance and cost of personal navigation systems.”

Sian Gaskell, head of Hotwire´s consumer technology practice in the UK, will be responsible for leading the campaign, with Bernard Cazelle, regional partner for Hotwire in France heading up the French programme.

“The demand for mobile and handheld software applications is taking off in Europe,” commented Sian Gaskell, senior partner and head of Hotwire´s UK consumer technology practice. “Our efforts will focus on enhancing the company´s reputation through awareness of the TomTom products, as well as highlighting its expertise in the software applications market.”

Palmtop is Europe’s largest software developer for handheld computers and mobile phones. Palmtop has published under the TomTomÓ brand a wide range of travel related software including travel guides, personal navigation software and dictionaries. The company was founded in 1991 in The Netherlands. For information, please visit www.tomtom.com.

Hotwire is a European technology public relations consultancy established to provide the technology industry with progressive PR services.

Since its foundation, Hotwire has won a number of prestigious awards across Europe. The accolades include the French Public Relations Top Com d’Or Trophée in the Corporate Business category. Hotwire has also been recognised by the International Public Relations Association when it was awarded Best Business-to-Business Campaign in 2003 for its work with Scottish telecoms company THUS.

Hotwire is headquartered in London with offices in Paris and Frankfurt. The company has six client practice areas: applications & services, consumer technology, digital media, enterprise & electronics, telecommunications, and banking & finance.

For more information about Hotwire, please visit www.hotwirepr.com.