Industry Veterans Anja Verheij and Saskia Kreuzer Join Pleon Management Team.

Pleon, Europe’s leading communications consultancy, today announced the appointment of Anja Verheij as Managing Partner, Belgium and Dr Saskia Kreuzer from Vienna as European partner, responsible for Pleon Hungary. The appointments reflect the growing importance of Europe on the international communications stage and mark another step in Pleon’s policy to provide communications expertise in key European countries. Verheij and Kreuzer will be responsible for driving strategy and business in their respective territories. The appointments are effective as of October 1, 2005.

“Pleon prides itself of being the largest communications consultancy in Europe and it was critical to us to find the right – and best – people for these key appointments. Anja and Saskia are proven leaders and strategic counsellors whose energy and enthusiasm have already contributed significantly to the success of Pleon and will continue to do so moving forward,” said Rainer Zimmermann, CEO, Pleon. “Their broad range of experience in many communications disciplines will be invaluable as we continue to expand throughout Europe and meet increased demand for our expertise in areas such as media relations, public affairs, corporate and investor relations and marketing.”

As Managing Partner for Pleon Belgium Verheij will be responsible for driving performance, reputation and business development. She will also provide specialist consultancy to domestic government, non-profit and technology accounts. She brings to the role many years of experience and a wide range of skills including public relations, crisis communications, issue management and corporate communications.

“Considering the importance of Brussels, both on the international stage as the capital of Europe and home of European headquarters for many multinationals, I am thrilled to be taking this position,” said Verheij. “I am looking forward to supporting Pleon as it continues to expand its European network and leveraging our unique expertise in business, politics and communications to enhance client service still further.”

Kreuzer, who will continue her current roles as partner of Pleon Publico in Vienna and Managing Director of Pleon Budapest, will now have the additional responsibility of of representing Pleon Hungary and supporting Central and Eastern Europe divisions. Kreuzer has a distinguished career in several disciplines including international and European Law, banking and public relations. Consequently, she has been able to provide a unique mix of strategic communications and government relations counsel to Pleon clients in need of political, issue advocacy and media strategies to support their business and legislative goals. She is also an experienced consultant in the field of crisis communications and international account handling.

“The Eastern European region is set to play a critical role in the growth of Europe as a whole and I’m delighted to apply my experience and skills to this position in such an exciting and dynamic time in this region’s development,” said Kreuzer. “With our strong local market expertise and our national and international network, Pleon is perfectly positioned to help clients develop sustainable communications strategies for their successful expansion to Central and Eastern Europe.”

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