Definitive Additional Materials

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.      )

 

Filed by the Registrant x                            Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

¨   Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨   Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

¨   Definitive Proxy Statement

 

x   Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨   Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

 

Applied Materials, Inc.

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

 

  

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

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¨   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

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The following was posted on the Applied Materials, Inc. internal website on February 13, 2008.

Electronic Proxy Available for Stockholders

In preparation for Applied Materials’ Annual Meeting of Stockholders on March 11, 2008, the company will make the proxy materials available electronically to all employees. Online availability makes these documents easily accessible and reduces costs.

A brief overview of the electronic proxy process is described below.

 

Q: What is included in the proxy materials?

 

A: The proxy materials include the Annual Report, Form 10-K and Proxy Statement. As in previous years, a shorter version “10-K wrap” of the Annual Report will be bound together with the Form 10-K into a single document to save costs.

 

Q: What proposals are contained in the Proxy Statement?

 

A: Stockholders are being asked to elect 11 directors and to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as Applied’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2008 fiscal year.

 

Q: What is the electronic proxy?

 

A: The electronic proxy refers to the electronic availability of the company’s proxy materials.

 

Q: Why is Applied distributing proxy materials electronically?

 

A: Electronic distribution of the proxy materials reduces the cost of printing and mailing, and also reduces the number of proxy packages that are sent to employees who hold company stock in 401(k) accounts and/or in separate brokerage accounts.

 

Q: Who will receive a proxy card in the mail?

 

A: If you (1) hold company stock in a 401(k) account, (2) purchased company stock through the ESPP that is now held with UBS Financial Services, or (3) are a registered holder, you will receive an e-mail, but you will not receive a proxy card by mail. If you hold company stock in a separate brokerage account and have consented to receive the proxy materials electronically, you will receive an e-mail, but you will not receive a proxy card by mail. If you hold company stock in a separate brokerage account and have not consented to receive the proxy materials electronically, you will receive a proxy card and the proxy materials in the mail.

 

Q: How does an employee vote?

 

A: Employees who were Applied stockholders as of January 18, 2008, the record date for the Annual Meeting, may vote on the two proposals mentioned above. Employee stockholders may vote over the Internet or by telephone. If an employee holds company stock in a separate brokerage account (as discussed above), a properly executed proxy card may be submitted.

 

Q: Is it possible to obtain hard copies of the proxy materials?

 

A: Employees may request a hard copy of the proxy materials by contacting Noe Gil Ochoa in the Investor Relations department in Santa Clara via Lotus Notes.

 

Q: When will the proxy materials be available?

 

A: On or about February 13, 2008, employees who were Applied stockholders as of January 18, 2008 will receive e-mail notification on where to view the proxy materials and instructions on how to vote over the Internet or by telephone using a unique control number for security purposes.

Q. Are the proxy materials available to employees who are not Applied stockholders?

 

A. Employees who were not Applied stockholders as of January 18, 2008 may access the proxy materials by visiting the company’s Web site.

Contributed by Corporate Legal Affairs