TELEMARKETING FIRM TO CREATE 250 JOBS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 8, 1996

TELEMARKETING FIRM TO CREATE 250 JOBS
IN
HAGERSTOWN

HAGERSTOWN, MD. ---- SOMAR, Incorporated -- a division
of TeleSpectrum
Worldwide, Incorporated, a fast-growing marketing company based in
King of Prussia, Pa. -- today announced that it will open a
state-of-the-art telemarketing center in Hagerstown, creating 250
jobs.

The new Hagerstown facility is scheduled to open between November 1996
and February 1997. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic
Development and Bell Atlantic helped bring SOMAR to the state.

SOMAR provides telephone-based sales and customer service for Fortune
500 companies such as J.C. Penney, Lowe's, American Express, Discover
Card and Bank One. SOMAR is one of the nation's largest, and
fastest-growing, teleservices companies. The company operates four
telemarketing centers in North Carolina, and it has opened four
telemarketing centers in West Virginia over the past 18 months.

The company has centers and operations employing more than 2,000
people in North Carolina and West Virginia.

SOMAR chose Hagerstown to take advantage of the area's high-quality
work force and Maryland's progressive climate for business
development.

"The State of Maryland, Washington County and the Hagerstown
community
have made a great case for our company to locate here," said SOMAR
President Greg Alcorn. "We're eager to open SOMAR's first call
center
in Maryland -- our ninth center overall."

"The addition of 250 family-supporting jobs to Maryland, and
specifically Washington County, is great news for the citizens of
Western Maryland," said Governor Parris N. Glendening.
"Clearly,
Maryland's telecommunications infrastructure of which Bell Atlantic is
a force, Maryland's strategic location and highly-qualified work force
were key factors in SOMAR's decision to locate its first Maryland call
center in Washington County. We look forward to working closely with
SOMAR to ensure their success and growth in our state."

"Hagerstown, Washington County and all of Maryland welcome SOMAR
aboard," said Casper R. Taylor, Jr., Speaker of the House of
Delegates
of the Maryland General Assembly. "We look forward to working with
SOMAR in the following weeks and for a long time to come."

Alcorn cited SOMAR's experience with Bell Atlantic as a factor in its
decision to come to Hagerstown. "We worked closely with Bell
Atlantic
when we first considered locating our expansion in West Virginia, and
we've continued that relationship with Bell Atlantic-Maryland. In our
eyes, Bell Atlantic has proven its commitment to economic development
in the areas it serves."

In addition to working with the state to attract new business to
Hagerstown, Bell Atlantic also has created a top-notch
telecommunications infrastructure in Maryland that will enable
companies like SOMAR to effectively do business in the state.

"We're happy to help SOMAR find a home in Hagerstown," said Dan
Whelan, president and CEO of Bell Atlantic-Maryland.
"Hagerstown has
gained a world-class company, and SOMAR has gained a world-class
community."

The jobs at the Hagerstown center will be full-time positions, with
pay ranging from $15,000 to $22,000 a year and a full benefits
package, including paid vacation, medical, 401[k] savings plan and
continuing education support. The Maryland Department of Labor,
Licensing and Regulations will coordinate the hiring process.

"SOMAR is committed to be the top producer from our clients'
perspective," said SOMAR founder Dick Virtue. "We also are
committed
to provide a quality work experience for all our associates with
full-time, challenging job and career opportunities."

####

Media contacts:

SOMAR: Greg Alcorn, 704-647-6011

State of Maryland: Darlene Frank, 410-767-6319

Bell Atlantic: Sandra Arnette, 410-393-7109