San Francisco, CA - April 23, 2002 -- High-tech strategic communications agency Loomis Group has been tapped by Olympus Integrated Technologies America, Inc., to provide research and strategic guidance for introducing its brand to the U.S. semiconductor industry. Olympus-ITA, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan, based in San Jose, Calif., is an emerging semiconductor equipment supplier focused on inspection and metrology, offering custom solutions based on Olympus technologies and working with third-parties, such as suppliers and manufacturers, to create new products.

"As we enter such a well-established market, it is critical that we understand where there are opportunities and how we can best take advantage of them. Loomis Group’s detailed research and strategic insight will give us a clear idea of what we need to succeed and help us reach our goal of becoming a significant partner to other companies in the U.S. semiconductor industry," said Mike Golden, vice president, sales. "We look forward to working with Loomis Group in developing a brand message that truly articulates the value we can offer both partners and customers."

"Working with a company that is connected to a legacy of great technology while committed to doing things in new ways presents a particularly appealing opportunity for us, and we look forward to helping Olympus-ITA define its value in this crowded marketplace," said Jeff Loomis, president and CEO of Loomis Group. "Our comprehensive branding methodology, from research to strategic recommendations, along with our long history of semiconductor industry expertise, will give Olympus the information they need to successfully build and redefine the Olympus name in the U.S."

About Olympus-Integrated Technologies America
Olympus Integrated Technologies America, Inc. of San Jose provides technical and product development support for Olympus optical inspection and defect review products and OEM Optics in the U.S. market. Olympus-ITA is an emerging semiconductor equipment supplier with the backing of Olympus Corporation, Japan, an eighty- year old, $4 billion dollar organization. Additional information is available at www.olympus-ita.com.

About Loomis Group
Founded in 1987, Loomis Group is a high-technology strategic communications agency with offices and key affiliates worldwide. The company builds integrated marketing campaigns for clients in the semiconductor materials and capital equipment, emerging technologies, and medical technologies industries. Headquartered in San Francisco, the company maintains offices in Austin, Boston, and Paris, with key affiliates in Seoul, Taipei and Tokyo. Additional information is available at 1.415.882.9494 or www.loomisgroup.com.