THE MARKET Plantronics products are designed to meet the communication requirements of market segments ranging from home to business users, across a variety of applications such as computers as well as mobile and specialty devices.

Office and Contact Centre The office market comprises Plantronic’s largest revenue stream. Products catering to this segment include a broad range of communications headsets, audio processors and telephone systems. The contact centres segment, the second largest revenue contributor and the most mature market, is expected to continue to grow as companies adopt VoIP technology to improve productivity and reduce costs.

Mobile The largest market by unit volume, this segment presents significant growth opportunities with the mobile applications and the introduction of Achievements transition from corded to products for hands-free legislation for cell phones. Plantronics Mexico (PLAMEX), the company’s manufacturing facility, has received ISO 9001, Entertainment and Computer Audio ISO 14001, CTPAT, FAST, PAPS, DOT and The convergence of telephony and CHP accreditations. It has also received numerous entertainment continues to drive the demand awards and commendations for excellence in for PC-compatible headsets. Going forward, environmental conservation, community work, Plantronics headsets will be Personal Computer (PC), cell phone and MP3-compatible to allow customer satisfaction and work safety. They include users to switch seamlessly between interactive the Mexico Quality, Mexico Export, Mexico on-line gaming, phone calls and music. Technology and Mexico Labour awards; the Federal Ministry of Labour’s Safe Industry Home and Home Office Certificate; PROFEPA’s Clean Industry Certificate; Telephone usage in these environments often the PROFEPA/CNIME Environmental Award requires mobility, the performance of multiple tasks, (EPA/National Maquiladora Council); the 2005 and work-at-home lifestyles; which is where mobile Asia-Pacific International Quality Award; the 2005 headsets come in handy. Iberoamerican Quality Award; the 2005 Century International Quality Era Award; and the 2008 Latin American Quality award. In Hong Kong, Plantronics has received many awards including Super Brands for HIM 2006 and 2007 and Capital’s Best of the Best Award 2007 and 2008. In 2007, Plantronics was named the number one best-selling brand in Hong Kong by GfK Marketing Services for Bluetooth headsets of HKD 600 and above.

SUPERBRANDS VOLUME V History Plantronics was founded in 1961 to design, develop and manufacture specialised aircraft electronics, but an accident in the fledgling NASA space program in 1962 created the opportunity that would take the company’s earliest design higher than anyone imagined. During the second manned Mercury mission, “Gus” Grissom had to scramble out of his capsule when the hatch detonated prematurely, sinking the capsule in water and destroying Grissom’s communications system. Realising the need for a lightweight astronaut-worn emergency communications system, NASA commissioned the development of a new system, which included the MS50 headset – the first headset developed by Plantronics. The headset caught the eye of astronaut Walter Schirra, who contacted Plantronics and asked if the • Ergonomic relief from repetitive stress injuries Promotion MS50 headset could be adapted to fit inside his and discomfort associated with placing In addition to placing regular print helmet, instead of being just the back-up. So on a telephone handset between the shoulder advertisements, Plantronics also places advertising 3 October 1962, Schirra wore the first Plantronics and neck on public buses. It erected a first of its kind headset in outer space as he travelled six orbits • Enables Unified Communications (UC) around the Earth. outdoor sign advertisement near the Cross integration and PC and VoIP applications, -Harbour Tunnel, one of the most congested Back at Plantronics, a new division was created including speech recognition, Internet telephony roads in the world. In October 2009, Plantronics to manufacture headsets specifically for the space and gaming launched an advertising campaign that featured program – SPENCOM: SPace ENvironmental COMmunications. Shortly thereafter, Plantronics • Convenient means for connecting between the Discovery 975 Bluetooth Headset on Cathay became one of the few independent manufacturers various applications and voice networks Pacific’s in-flight magazine, ‘Discover the Shop’. identified by name as a NASA supplier. In the • Greater privacy than speakerphones Globally, Plantronics constantly seeks out 48 years since, the company has harnessed its product placements opportunities in films; technological expertise to expand its product lines Recent developments in particular those that feature the use of to include communication products for business In May 2009, Plantronics launched the Voyager sophisticated gadgets or technology. In Hong and consumer use. PRO Bluetooth headset, the successor to the Kong, this marketing approach is tied in with the hugely popular Plantronics Voyager 510. Like its giving away of free tickets to the movie with the The product predecessor, the Plantronics Voyager PRO is purchase of Plantronics products. Plantronics headset products enhance designed for mobile professionals who need all-day wearing comfort and excellent audio communications by providing the following Brand values benefits: wherever they are working. Whether for mission or business-critical • Better sound quality that provides clearer Plantronics’ flagship model – Discovery 975 purpose, Plantronics is dedicated to audio was launched in Hong Kong in September 2009. conversations on both ends of a call through excellence and has a rich heritage of providing noise-cancelling , Digital Signal It features a striking, minimalist design with the highest quality products, customer service and Processing and other technologies the simplicity of one-touch controls, and support for its customers. • Wireless freedom that allows people to make dual- AudioIQ² and WindSmart calls without being restricted by cords technologies to keep conversations clear, even in harsh conditions. THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT • Frees a user’s hands to allow multi-tasking PLANTRONICS • Allows a motor vehicle operator to talk on a With the increasing adoption of UC, the use cell phone hands-free for greater road safety of headsets in the office looks set to increase in tandem. UC refers to an array of applications The famous words uttered by Neil • Voice command functionality that makes the and hardware that integrate voice, video and Armstrong, “That’s one small step human-electronic interface more natural and data. Provided by many different vendors, these for man, one giant leap for mankind”, convenient which was broadcast to Earth as he technologies allow employees first stepped onto the moon, was made to become more efficient and through a Plantronics headset. productive through collaboration. As enterprises roll out UC Plantronics Bluetooth and office headsets applications, they require an have been featured in many Hollywood interface with a business grade blockbuster movies including recent releases voice-video application, an area such as GI Joe, Star Trek, 17 Again and Plantronics specialises in. The Iron Man. company sees great opportunity in providing high-quality headsets, Plantronics is the best-selling Bluetooth speakers, USB handsets and other headset brand in the popular Hong devices that enable the PC, notebook, Kong chain store Fortress for the smartphone or any other UC host device to year 2009. function as a communications tool. Plantronics Bluetooth headsets can be spotted being worn by many celebrities including movie stars, supermodels and famous jockeys.

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