Basketball superstar Michael Jordan joins The WorldCom, Inc. marketing team

JACKSON, Miss. (December 18, 1995)-- WorldCom, Inc., a leading international telecommunications company, today announced that Michael Jordan, three-time world champion basketball star and business entrepreneur, will help promote the company's long distance voice, data and video products and services.

"The signing of Michael Jordan is a momentous event for LDDS WorldCom," said Bernard J. Ebbers, president and chief executive officer. "This announcement demonstrates that LDDS WorldCom is serious about its long-term strategy to aggressively compete in the hotly contested telecommunications industry." Ebbers said Jordan and WorldCom, Inc. -- one of the country's fastest-growing long distance telephone companies -- are a perfect match. 

"Michael's outstanding achievements and his dedication to winning mirror LDDS WorldCom's commitment to our customers, shareholders and employees to be unrivaled in quality and performance," Ebbers said. "Michael is also a successful businessman off the court. That gives him an edge when it comes to communicating the value of our telecommunications offerings to our customers and prospects." Ebbers said the company's multi-year agreement with Jordan calls for him to play a key role in a variety of sales and marketing initiatives, all designed to sustain and accelerate the company's growth in the U.S. and abroad. 

"We expect our relationship with Michael to be especially valuable in our efforts to increase our already strong position in the consumer debit card market, improve our penetration in the small- to medium-sized business environment and heighten our visibility and growth overseas." Jordan said he is looking forward to being part of the LDDS WorldCom team. "I am very pleased to join LDDS WorldCom in its efforts to grow its business throughout the United States and the world," Jordan said. "As someone who knows what it takes to win and understands the merits of teamwork, I'm convinced that LDDS WorldCom has the people and resources to be a leader in the telecommunications industry." One of the four largest long distance telecommunications companies in the United States, WorldCom, Inc. offers domestic and international voice, data and video products and services to business customers, other carriers and the residential market. The company operates a nationwide digital fiber optic network and has worldwide network capacity. 

The common shares of WorldCom, Inc. trade on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol WCOM.