Rogers to provide in-store small business specialist at 157 retail locations across Canada

Reliable communications technology support allows small business owners to focus on their core business

TORONTO, May 12 /PRNewswire/ - The vast majority of small business owners (86 per cent) say reliable communications technology support is "essential" in allowing them to focus on their core business, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Rogers Communications Inc. To help them focus on what matters, Rogers has launched Small Business Specialist, an innovative Canada-wide business assistance initiative that gives small business owners direct access to in-store trained specialists across the country who can advise them on all of their business solutions needs.

"Our small business customers have told us they want to conduct business locally with a partner who understands their unique needs," says John Boynton, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, Rogers. "With the support of a Small Business Specialist, our customers can focus time and resources on undertakings that will drive growth and success in their business."

The survey additionally suggests that support for communications technology including smart phones, Internet and websites could potentially help small businesses to thrive:

• On average, Canadian small business owners spend 6.9 hours a week managing communications technology
• Eight in ten (79 per cent) agree that communications technology support is as important to their business as other professional services they use (i.e. legal, accounting, etc.)
• Eight in ten (80 per cent) small business owners say that customer service makes or breaks their choice of a telecommunications partner

"As a Realtor, my time is very important - I'm always on the go and need to be available and connected to clients," says Susan Gucci, Royal LePage real estate agent.  "The opportunity to have a one-on-one meeting with an expert means that I can resolve issues efficiently, allowing me to focus on growing my business."

Small Business Specialist provides small business owners with information on the latest devices, services and solutions for their business. From smartphones, mobile data plans and roaming options to business-grade office phones, Internet and TV services, these certified experts provide one-on-one consultation by phone or in person at one of 157 dealer locations.

Small Business Specialist builds on the Live Agent^TM experience, which provides small business customers with immediate, direct access to a live representative when calling for support. This value-added service enables small businesses to connect with a Rogers representative who will manage their experience with the company, which will streamline communication and reduce time-to-resolution.

For additional details about Small Business Specialist, please visit www.rogers.com/specialist.

About the Survey
These are some of the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted between April 29 and May 5, 2011, on behalf of Rogers. For this survey, a sample of 1,027 adults who own/operate a small business from Ipsos' Canadian online panel was interviewed online. A survey with an unweighted probability sample of this size and a 100% response rate would have an estimated margin of error of +/-3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

About the company:
Rogers is a diversified public Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com.

SOURCE Rogers Communications Inc.