PEABODY, Mass., - December 17, 2001 - ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT), a leading supplier of imaging, speech and language solutions, today announced that Robert Weideman has joined the executive team as Vice President of Worldwide Marketing. Weideman brings more than 15 years of experience to ScanSoft and delivers senior expertise in branding, product strategy, channel marketing and strategic business alliances. In his new role, Weideman will oversee global marketing, public relations, and e-commerce and will also be responsible for building brand equity, strengthening market share and driving revenue.

“Robert is a valuable addition to our executive team and an important investment in support of our growth plan,” said Paul Ricci, ScanSoft’s chairman and CEO. “We are confident in his strategic approach to products and markets, and impressed with what he has accomplished for other organizations. Robert’s skills combine a unique mix of technical and marketing expertise with a customer-centric approach, which will certainly work to accelerate ScanSoft’s position as a global brand.”

Prior to joining ScanSoft, Weideman led the marketing and product management teams for Cardiff Software, an Adobe portfolio company, from 1999 until 2001. While at Cardiff, he developed Cardiff's product management and product marketing organizations from the ground up. He also played an instrumental role in the creation of Cardiff’s LiquidOffice eForm Management System and in the formation of an eForm Alliance with Adobe Systems. From 1991 to February 1999 he was Vice President of Worldwide Marketing for TGS.com, and held senior product marketing management positions at Computer Associates International from 1984 to 1991. He began his career as a software engineer for ISSCO, a leading data visualization vendor based in San Diego.

“If companies are measured by their people and the ability to build a loyal customer base, then it is easy to understand why ScanSoft has been so successful,” said Weideman. “I appreciate the confidence placed in me and I share the enthusiasm of the team and its vision for ScanSoft. This is truly a unique company.”

Weideman has been a contributing columnist and author for various industry publications, and is a frequent requested speaker at industry and technical forums worldwide. Weideman holds a B.S. in Business Administration, Computer Information Systems from San Diego State University. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force.

About ScanSoft, Inc.

ScanSoft, Inc. (Nasdaq: SSFT) is the leading supplier of imaging, speech and language solutions that are used to automate a wide range of manual processes - saving time, increasing worker productivity and improving customer service. For more information regarding ScanSoft products and technologies, please visit www.scansoft.com.

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