Connet & Company Lands Direct Marketing Industry Leader as CEO of Responsys.com.

Business/Technology Editors

MENLO PARK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2000

Most Recent Recruiting Success Demonstrates Power of Executive

Search Firm's Strategic Search Methodology

Connet & Company (www.connetcompany.com), a new breed search firm focused on quickly fulfilling the leadership needs of New Economy companies, today announced a successful executive placement that demonstrates how the firm's strategic approach to the search process can help clients succeed in today's tight market for executive talent. Connet & Company has placed George Wiedemann, formerly founder, chairman and CEO of Grey Direct Worldwide, a wholly owned subsidiary of Grey Global Group, as President and CEO of Responsys.com (www.responsys.com). Responsys.com is a leader in the emerging online direct marketing industry, which promises to revolutionize how companies acquire and retain customers.

"We were chartered with finding a direct marketing thought leader for Responsys.com, which in this case led us to George, who is considered one of the most brilliant marketers of our time" said Mel Connet, co-founder of Connet & Company. "The Board was very demanding in its expectations for this position, and sought an experienced, statured executive who had a proven track record building businesses. George was by far the most qualified person in the nation to lead Responsys.com; he is simply an outstanding executive."

"Connet & Company helped us find an individual with the depth of industry experience and market leadership to take Responsys.com to the next level of growth and client service," said Anand Jagannathan, founder and Chairman of Responsys.com. "Mel did a great job in helping us close a candidate of George's caliber."

With demand for senior-level talent outpacing the supply of strong candidates, the competition among Internet companies for a chief executive has become intense, causing executive search timeframes to balloon. Connet & Company's methodology combines a thorough analysis of the client's needs with a strategic approach to candidate identification in order to quickly come to a solution, usually within 90 days. In the case of Responsys.com the search took 118 days, although the placement was identified and introduced to the client within the first 45 days.

ABOUT THE PLACEMENT

Wiedemann founded Grey Direct in 1979, building it to 35 offices in 28 countries with annual billings of $1 billion, and a client list that includes Procter & Gamble, Glaxo Wellcome, Mars Inc., Chase Manhattan Bank and Nokia. He is also immediate past chairman of the Direct Marketing Association (DMA) and is a current Board member. Prior to Grey, Wiedemann held senior marketing positions with Wunderman Cato Johnson, a customer relationship management company now named Impiric, and CBS Publishing. In 1976, he became president of Claritas, a database management firm that was acquired by VNU, a leading publishing and information group. He also served as worldwide circulation marketing officer at Time Magazine, culminating his ten-year career at Time, Inc. From 1967 to 1969, he served with the 11th Special Forces, Airborne, of the U.S. Army. Wiedemann holds a B.S. degree in economics from Trinity College.

"George is a true pioneer in the field of direct marketing. To attract this level of CEO we needed the very best search firm to manage the project," said Tim Haley, Partner of Redpoint Ventures. "We selected Connet & Company, and this is yet another example of the value they bring to their clients. They have truly operated as a strategic partner in this process."

ABOUT RESPONSYS.COM

Responsys.com provides the premier platform for online direct marketing that gives businesses the speed, control, flexibility and cost effectiveness to quickly optimize the lifetime value of their customers. Over 180 customers, including Chadwick's of Boston, iEntertainment Network, Lands' End, Medsite, MotherNature.com, and VeriSign have deployed the Responsys(R) solution to effectively integrate permission-based email communications into their overall e-commerce strategy. Privately held, Responsys.com is based in Palo Alto, Calif., and is backed by investors including Accel Partners, Foundation Capital, Redpoint Ventures and executives from leading Internet companies. The company is TRUSTe certified. For more information, visit www.responsys.com, email [e-mail] , or call [phone].

ABOUT CONNET & COMPANY LLC 

Connet & Company is an executive search firm focused solely on high impact, officer level searches for technology and New Economy clients on a global basis. The firm combines the advantages offered by the big, 'mega' search firms with the responsiveness, quality and short cycle times typically associated with the best sole practitioners or boutiques. The firm's innovative organizational design and culture is attractive to many of the best search consultants in the industry, and creates a high performance environment that encourages partnership and sharing. With a focus on delivering high quality results very quickly, the firm's methodology significantly reduces the client's risk when they have a mission critical position to fill. For additional information, visit www.connetcompany.com, call 650-331-3880 or send email inquiries to [e-mail].

Connet & Company and "Real results - in real time" are trademarks of Connet & Company. All other product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners, and are hereby recognized.