London, 24 October 2002 – Hotwire, the European technology PR consultancy, has announced that it has been appointed by US company Belkin, the world´s leading manufacturer of computer retailing products, to handle its media relations in the UK.

Belkin produces and supplies innovative products including KVM switches (keyboard, video and mouse), computer cables, PDA accessories, gaming and USB connectivity devices. The products are available throughout a network of major distributors, retailers and mail-order companies. Belkin is also a design specialist having recently won two Business Week-sponsored Industry Design Society of America global 2002 Industry Design Excellence Awards for its products.

Hotwire will continue to support Belkin´s PR campaign to promote the company´s development and introduction of products to the market. Federica Monsone, head of Hotwire´s enterprise computing practice, will lead the UK team.

“Belkin has an impressive range of products that are market-leading in both design and functionality. We look forward to working with Belkin to create further awareness of the company and its products to the business and trade media,” commented Federica Monsone.

About Belkin
Founded in 1982, Belkin is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of computer cables, UPS and surge protection products, FireWire and USB connectivity devices products. The company’s product portfolio also includes standard and customised cables, KVM switches, manual and automatic peripheral sharing devices, Local Area Network (LAN) cabling and networking hardware and accessories, cellular/PCS and PDA accessories, high-end
audio-visual cables and components for the desktop and notebook computer user.

Belkin’s success in both the European and US markets in 2001 and 2002 has been acknowledged with a record number of awards at RetailVision, the leading IT retail channel event organised by Gartner. Belkin’s European operational headquarters are in Northampton, UK with sales and marketing offices in Schiphol-Rijk, Netherlands and Munich, Germany. Belkin products are available through a network of major distributors, retailers and mail-order companies throughout Europe. For more information, visit the company's website at www.belkin.co.uk.

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.