OfficeMax Taps Into the Trend of Personalization

ITASCA, Ill., Aug. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- With a new school year just around the corner, OfficeMax(R) is responding to the Gen Y "Customization Generation," offering a new line of customized back-to-school supplies allowing students to express their unique personalities.

OfficeMax locations nationwide now include a "Creation Station(TM)," where students can create their own customized notebooks. The "Creation Station" is stocked with a variety of notebook covers in a variety of textures, colors and finishes, as well as papers and dividers, offering students the opportunity to take the most ordinary school supply -- notebooks -- and make them extraordinary in a way that fits their personality best. Custom notebooks are professionally bound at the OfficeMax Print & Document Service counter located in-store. While binding notebooks, students and parents can also explore the complete range of personalized printing available, including business/greeting cards for students to share email addresses or cell phone numbers.

"From cell phones to MP3 players to back-to-school supplies, students today are looking for unique ways to personalize everything they own," said Bob Thacker, senior vice president of marketing and advertising at OfficeMax. "OfficeMax's new line of customized notebooks and innovative back-to-school products will make it much easier for students to take personalization to the next level and make going back to school much more fun!"

From Gloomy to Groovy!

Don't forget the lockers! OfficeMax has also teamed up with personalization expert, Kelley Moore, author of "Cube Chic: Take Your Office from Drab to Fab," to offer tips and suggestions to students on how to create their own unique space at school by designing lockers that fit their active lifestyles and reflect their personality. "The way a locker looks can tell so much about an individual," said Moore. "From athletes to musicians to skateboarders, OfficeMax offers just about anything to tailor student's lockers."

Supplies that are sure to help students get their lockers ready for the 2006-2007 school year include:

-- The mini beanbag chair -- no more searching for your cell or MP3 player, students will always know where their handheld devices were left resting, comfortably. -- LockerMate(R) Adjust-A-Shelf -- these stackable shelves can easily be inserted into school lockers to create extra storage space and keep students organized. Shelves come in an array of colors to fit any student's personality. -- BigBoards -- Write On Magnetic Message Boards -- pick from a selection of surfboards, snowboards and skateboards to keep "immediate to-do's" top of mind. -- Case It Zipper Binder -- perfect for busy students on the go -- these unique organizers feature pockets for sorting papers, compact discs and photographs.

The full line of personalized notebooks and all other customized back-to- school supplies are available exclusively in nearly 900 OfficeMax stores around the country, or online at http://www.officemax.com/ .

Parents Can Get Involved Too!

The OfficeMax "Creation Station" can also offer the opportunity for a parent to raise funds for their child's after-school groups by acting as a team leader for a "Build-a-Book Party." A team leader will need to coordinate and manage the event. On the day of the party, the students will create one- of-a-kind notebooks to sell to family, friends and neighbors. Each notebook retails at $5.99 and 10 percent of each notebook purchased will be allocated to the school group. For full details, groups can log on to http://www.officemax.com/fundraising to coordinate an event today.

About OfficeMax(R) Incorporated

OfficeMax is a leader in both business-to-business and retail office products distribution. OfficeMax delivers an unparalleled customer experience -- in service, in product, in time savings, and in value -- through a relentless focus on its customers. The company provides office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products and solutions, and furniture to large, medium and small businesses and consumers. OfficeMax customers are served by more than 35,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, Internet and nearly 900 superstores. OfficeMax trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol OMX. More information can be found at http://www.officemax.com/ .

OfficeMax Media Contact DomeHK Contact William Bonner Tracy Straub 630 438 8584 312 836 2913