OGILVIE JOINS EDELMAN

Global Marketing Executive to Lead San Francisco Office

May 02, 2006, San Francisco -- Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations firm, announced today the appointment of Catherine Ogilvie to Executive Vice President and General Manager of its San Francisco office, merging over twenty years of global marketing expertise into a growing Bay Area operation.

Ms. Ogilvie has executed successful marketing and communications programs around the world. A British national, her experience spans a range of industry sectors including food, retail, telecommunications, entertainment and high tech. She has worked in global markets for such companies as Harrods, Motorola, Napster and, most recently, as Director, Global Marketing and Communications for the Almond Board of California, an Edelman client. While there, Ms. Ogilvie oversaw a $22 million annual marketing effort designed to promote almond consumption worldwide.

“Catherine’s strong aptitude to lead marketing efforts for such a diverse set of multinational companies is proof of her enterprising management style,” said Patrick McGuire, co-president of Edelman’s Western Region. “Her global sophistication makes this the perfect move for our office in San Francisco, a city that has traditionally valued world-class ideas and diversity.”

Catherine is assuming the responsibility for leading an office that is integrated into Edelman’s West Coast region which saw its billings increase by 17% in 2005. Edelman San Francisco represents Charles Schwab, Clorox, Transamerica , the Almond Board of California and the U.S. Mushroom Council among others. Ms. Ogilvie will report to Patrick McGuire and Gail Becker, co-presidents of Edelman’s Western Region.

“I was attracted to Edelman’s independent and entrepreneurial culture,” said Ms. Ogilvie. “As a client, I experienced the firm’s dedication to understanding the challenges and issues that businesses face in a rapidly evolving global communications environment. I wanted to be a part of that pioneering spirit and creative thinking. This is a wonderful opportunity.”

Prior to joining the Almond Board, Ms. Ogilvie was the director of global marketing for software company Mindjet LLC. She has also worked as senior director of marketing for Napster, the pioneering peer-to-peer file sharing company. From 1995 to 2001, Ms. Ogilvie ran an eponymous management consultancy based in Munich that specialized in telecommunications, media and retail. The firm’s major projects included the development of digital television channel for Universal Studios and technology communication strategy for Kirsch Group on digital television.

Ms. Ogilvie has also held marketing positions with Motorola, Harrods and The Rank Organization. She is a native of Great Britain, fluent in German and can converse in French.

About Edelman
Edelman is the world’s largest independent public relations firm, with 2,000 employees in 45 offices worldwide. The firm was named PRWeek’s Large Agency of the Year for 2006. AdvertisingAge recently named Edelman as the best PR firm in its 2005 “Best Agencies” issue while PR Week awarded the firm its “Editor’s Choice” distinction at the start of 2006. Edelman’s network includes four specialty firms - Blue (advertising), First&42nd (management consulting), StrategyOne (research) and BioScience Communications (medical education and publishing) - making it possible to provide clients with a comprehensive spectrum of communications services. Visit us at www.edelman.com for more information.

For further information contact:

 

Paul Cordasco paul.cordasco@edelman.com