Char Baxter, CEO
Char Baxter Communications
770.934.0563 ext. 221
email: cbaxter@charbaxter.com
web: www.charbaxter.com

Covast Unveils New Brand Identity with U.S. Launch

ATLANTA—July 25, 2001—Covast Corporation, a successful European applications integration company, has announced the rollout of a new branding initiative synchronized with the firm’s launch in the U.S.

“We’re excited about our new strategic positioning and the opportunity it presents to our company,” said Jim Norton, Covast’s executive vice president for the Americas. “We now have a compelling new banner under which we can unite our U.S. and European operations and grow to the next level.”

The company recently opened its U.S. headquarters in Atlanta. Founded in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Covast (formerly Esperanto) provides Web-based software that integrates existing business applications with dynamic e-commerce tools, enabling enterprises to build seamless relationships with trading partners. Covast is embarking on a rapid growth trajectory across Europe and the U.S., targeting middle market companies. It introduced the first version of its product in 1999 and now has more than 70 customers worldwide.

The new brand makes its first appearance in the marketplace this week with the launch of Phase One of a new Web site, www.covast.com. charbaxter.communications, an integrated marketing and PR agency based in Atlanta, built the site from the ground up with a new architecture, new design and content, and PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor programming that includes administrative tools for Covast to update areas of the site internally. Covast’s agency of record, charbaxter.communications also created new collateral material and a new logo and tagline as part of the branding campaign.

Freedom is the central theme of the campaign, reinforcing Covast’s new tagline, Commerce Unbound. “Covast’s Web-based eCommunity Builder helps companies integrate with trading partners and build a commerce chain that is every bit as intricate and as functional as they need it to be,” said Char Baxter, CEO of charbaxter.communications. “It’s technology that gives newfound freedom to companies in their ability to collaborate and grow. That spirit is what we wanted to capture in the Covast creative.”

C. Jean Barnes, Covast’s vice president of marketing, said the agency did an exceptional job within a tight timeframe and budget. “At our first creative review when the team presented initial concepts, I knew they had nailed it. That’s when their 10 years of experience working with technology companies like ours really came through. Even with our demanding schedule, they completed the Web site one day early, and the collateral came in right on schedule.”

About Covast

Covast Corporation, formerly Esperanto Software, Inc., is an integration broker vendor specializing in complex data transformation, document exchange and trading partner challenges. Covast provides mid-market enterprises a fast and effective way to take advantage of the world of B2B trading communities, Web markets and collaborative commerce. Covast’s speed of deployment and competitive pricing enable companies to reduce total project costs by more than 50%. The company introduced eCommunity Builder in 1999 and now has more than 70 customers worldwide including ABN AMRO Bank, ING and DaimlerChrysler. Covast received a first round investment from Gilde IT Fund of $4.5 million in February 2001. For more information, contact Covast at 404.812.7150 or visit www.covast.com.

About charbaxter.communications

With over $4 million in billings for 2000, charbaxter.communications traces its roots back to 1991. Early clients included SAP America, Deloitte Consulting and Imlay Investments. The agency continued its high-technology focus by developing award-winning branding strategies for technology leaders across North America. These included Sequent Computer Systems, Portland, OR; i-Cube, a Cambridge, MA-based company that was acquired by Razorfish; Clarkston-Potomac, Raleigh; and Atlanta-based companies such as SQL Financials (now Clarus), SynQuest, Inc., Optio Software, Manhattan Associates and o2wireless Solutions, whose integrated rebranding launch won a 2000 ADDY award for the agency. Other clients range from startups to established players including Atlanta’s Spectrum Software, Magnet Communications and The Complex Sale. The agency is a sponsor of the Technology Association of Georgia. For more information, contact Char Baxter at 770.934.0563 ext. 221, or visit www.charbaxter.com