JWT Rolls Out rmg:connect Worldwide

JWT Rolls Out rmg:connect Worldwide

Customer Relationship Marketing Operation to span 18 countries Appoints First Global CEO

NEW YORK, Dec. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Bob Jeffrey, CEO of J. Walter Thompson Worldwide, today announced the global rollout of its strategic customer relationship marketing operation, rmg:connect.

Effective January 1, 2005, Philip Greenfield (49) becomes CEO of the rmg:connect global network. He will remain CEO of OgilvyOne Europe until year's end, at which point he will relocate to JWT's New York headquarters. rmg:connect will exist as a fully integrated JWT company, offering direct marketing, interactive and promotional services for clients around the world.

In North America, JWT's existing connect@jwt unit will be rolled into rmg:connect, effective January 1, 2005. Philip Greenfield will also manage the North America operations in partnership with Mary Beth Casey (49), who becomes COO, a new position overseeing all day-to-day business in North America. connect@jwt currently offers CRM solutions to clients including US Marine Corps, HSBC, Unilever, 3M, Telus, and Orkin.

Bob Jeffrey said, "Against a background of growth in the burgeoning CRM business, clients are increasingly asking for non-traditional forms of media." He added, "As consumers become more media savvy and technologically inclined, JWT is now well-positioned to offer strategic CRM, online and offline, on a global basis."

rmg:connect was first launched by JWT in February 2002 in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region under the leadership of Nelly Andersen. In less than three years, the network has established offices in eight key markets and works for existing and new clients including Shell, Vodafone, HSBC, Pfizer, Unilever, DTC (the Diamond Trading Company), and Nestle. The worldwide rollout capitalizes on this successful model.

Commenting on his future role, Philip Greenfield said, "I am extremely thrilled to have the opportunity to build the rmg:connect network further for such a fantastic brand as JWT. The consumer is firmly in control, and clients have a need for our services. The timing is perfect."

Globally, rmg:connect will have offices in 18 markets: The US and Canada, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Germany, South Africa, the Middle East, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India. In North America, rmg:connect will operate in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Vancouver, and Toronto.

J. Walter Thompson, the world's first full service advertising agency, celebrates its 140th anniversary this year. JWT currently ranks as the largest advertising agency brand in the United States and as the fourth largest full-service network in the world. Its parent company is WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY).


Source: J. Walter Thompson

CONTACT: Samantha DiGennaro, Director of Communications for J. Walter
Thompson, +1-212-210-7309, or samantha.digennaro@jwt.com

Web site: http://www.jwt.com/


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