Industry expert and former managing partner of Brodeur Communications returns to leading European communications agency.

Baar, 22. July 2005. Pleon, the leading European communications consultancy, today announced that it has strengthened its Swiss executive management team with the appointment of Burkhard Böndel. Böndel will bring a unique blend of expertise to his new role through his deep understanding of technology, management and the Swiss market. This will be key in moving Pleon forward in Switzerland and Europe as a whole. Böndel will also head the Swiss technology team. "In the near future, Switzerland is set to play a far bigger role in Europe than it has done in the past – not least as a location for European headquarters," said Böndel. "I am excited to be strengthening the relationship between Pleon Europe and Switzerland at this exciting and dynamic time."

Böndel started his career as a journalist in the high tech sector, working for top tier publications such as Wirtschaftswoche. A decade ago he decided to found his own communications agency which enjoyed many successes and an illustrious client list - IBM was its first customer. In 1996 he joined Brodeur Communications as a managing partner. Following the downturn in the communications market at the beginning of the new millennium, Böndel decided to operate independently once more. However, with the subsequent foundation of Pleon and the cooperation of the Swiss partner the relationship has been rejuvenated. "Pleon is a powerful magnet in the European communication market - for both customers and professionals," said Böndel. “For the first time there is a real and viable alternative to the US-driven communication networks, and I am proud to be taking a hand in building that up from a Swiss perspective."

About Pleon

Pleon (www.pleon.com) is an international consulting firm with European roots, which creates and implements strategies for private and public sector organisations around the world. With deep understanding of business, politics and communications, Pleon is uniquely placed to devise compelling solutions that deliver measurable and tangible results. Pleon is part of the Brodeur/Pleon Worldwide network and has a presence throughout the US, Asia Pacific and Latin America. Pleon represents the merger of Brodeur agencies in France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and UK with the ECC Group, including market leaders ECC KohtesKlewes in Germany and Belgium, and ECC Publico in Austria. Pleon and Brodeur (www.brodeur.com) are part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) (www.omnicomgroup.com), a leading global marketing and corporate communications company.

For more information, please contact:

Pleon
Dr. Stephanie Altemoeller
Tel: +49-211-9541-2124
Fax: +49-211-9541-2200
E-Mail: Stephanie.Altemoeller(at)pleon.com
Web: www.pleon.com