Australia-based Role Precedes Major Expansion Drive

Sydney (November 22, 2005) — Aquent, the global firm specialising in human resources and staffing solutions for the marketing, communications and creative industries, has promoted regional CEO Greg Savage to CEO of International operations. Mr. Savage, who has been Asia Pacific CEO for the past four and a half years, will now be responsible for all Aquent’s operations outside North America, including Europe.

Savage’s promotion to the new role highlights a major expansion drive of the company’s operations outside the USA , particularly in the Asia Pacific region where the company already has offices in Australia , New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, China and Japan.

This month, Aquent opened its first office in Mainland China.

With his new role, Savage’s responsibilities now incorporate eight more markets in six countries in Europe - the UK, Spain, Germany, The Netherlands, Czech Republic and France . He will continue to be based in Sydney.

“We already have a substantial footprint in Europe and our plan is to drive ahead with a niche focus on the communications sectors including creative, PR, advertising, marketing and media,” said Savage. “In particular we see huge needs for marketing contractors and consultants in both Asia and Europe and we will be focusing on this.”

Savage said that companies in the marketing communications sectors were increasingly feeling the acute shortage of skilled talent and the situation is worsening. “The talent shortage is impacting companies’ performances and in some cases causing tension in business relationships because skilled staff cannot be found or retained. It means that company profits are threatened by an inability to attract and retain appropriate skills,” said Savage.

Aquent’s worldwide revenues currently stand at US$350 million and 25% of the company’s gross profits are from operations outside the USA . The company has been in Asia Pacific for 10 years and has created a niche positioning.

“We don’t have any competitors who offer the depth of our niche services and enormous global network that Aquent has,“ said Savage. “Aquent’s recruiters are experts in each niche they recruit for, including the marketing, advertising, PR, media and creative sectors.

“We also have the added advantage of a global network of recruiters and the world’s largest database of marketing, communications and creative talent. This type of network is becoming increasingly important as companies reach beyond borders for their talent,” said Savage.

About Aquent:

Aquent (aquent.com) is a global firm specialising in staffing solutions for the Marketing, Communications and Creative industries. Through a network of nearly 70 offices in 16 countries, Aquent services in the areas of print and Web design and Production; Advertising and Media, Marketing, Public Relations and Business Support.