EURO RSCG Worldwide Acquires a Majority Stake in the Tyee Group - a Leading Direct Response Television Advertising Agency.

Business Editors & Advertising Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 29, 2000

Tyee to Become Part of The Sales Machine, EURO RSCG's Branded

Marketing Services Group

Bob Schmetterer, Chairman and CEO of EURO RSCG Worldwide, today announced the acquisition of a majority stake in The Tyee Group - a leading direct response television advertising agency in Portland, Oregon. The group will be known as Tyee Euro RSCG and will become part of Euro RSCG's branded marketing services operation, The Sales Machine.

"As we position Euro RSCG for the new century, we believe the future of our business is based on the recognition that branding and selling are at the very center of business strategy for clients around the world," said Mr. Schmetterer. "Tyee, long at the forefront of DRTV, will play an important role as we continue to evolve the global offerings of The Sales Machine, our branded marketing services group."

"As TV becomes more of a high-bandwidth marketing tool, it is believed that the future of all broadcast advertising will involve a direct response component," commented Daniel Morel, CEO of The Sales Machine. "DRTV expertise will be in greater demand as corporate marketers seek out ways to direct market through electronic media, and Tyee is perfectly positioned to provide clients with effective new media direct response campaigns."

Established in 1988, The Tyee Group is the industry leader in providing direct response and long-form television advertising services to Fortune 1000 companies. The Tyee Group produced seven of the top 25 DRTV spots and shows listed in a recent Jordan Whitney Report (a DRTV monitoring service). The agency is headed by Spencer J. Brown, 47, President and CEO, who will continue to run the company. With 1999 billings of over $60 million and 70 employees, The Tyee Group's current client roster includes Philips Consumer Electronics, GTE, Target, The Home Depot and Mirro Wearever. Tyee's media division has grown to become one of the largest and fastest growing DRTV media agencies in the United States.

Tyee is known for creating highly effective and innovative long-form television advertising programs, and pioneering formats such as the storymercial. One of its most successful campaigns introduced Philips Magnavox's WebTV Internet Terminal. The extremely successful long-form program explained a complex new product, significantly drove retail sales, and sold product directly via telephone and a web site. Because of its comprehensive services, high-end production value, and emphasis on upholding brand image, Tyee has been selected by numerous Fortune 1000 clients for their entry into direct response and long-form television advertising. Such clients over the years include Philips, Apple, Sears, Hewlett-Packard, Ponds, Corning and Panasonic.

Capitalizing on its talent as a leader in direct response television advertising, Tyee is continuing to expand its services as television evolves into an interactive medium.

"On behalf of everyone at Tyee, we're thrilled to be joining Euro RSCG," said Mr. Brown. "With our expertise in direct response and long-form advertising, we look forward to collaborating with other Euro agencies to create unique marketing solutions for our clients," he added. "Euro is one of the largest and most respected agency networks in the world, as well as a leader in developing new media marketing and advertising services. As the worlds of communication and technology evolve, Tyee shares Euro RSCG's commitment to bridging the traditional to the digital."

The Sales Machine is Euro RSCG Worldwide's branded marketing services network, headed by CEO Daniel Morel in New York. It is comprised of 76 agencies in 40 countries, offering consulting; direct marketing; sales promotion; event marketing; sales force motivation; and database marketing.

Euro RSCG Worldwide is the fifth largest agency network in the world. With 200 agencies in 72 countries, EURO RSCG Worldwide provides advertising, marketing services and interactive solutions to global, regional and local clients. The network's client roster includes Intel Corporation, MCI WorldCom, Philips Electronics, Group Danone and Louis Vuitton. EURO RSCG is a unit of the Paris based Havas Advertising Group, the world's sixth largest communications group.

The Tyee Group is a specialized agency with more than a decade of experience creating direct response and long-form television advertising for Fortune 1000 companies. Over the past 12 years, Tyee has developed over 200 direct response campaigns and helped its combined clients attain over three billion dollars in sales. Tyee provides a complete range of integrated services - including research, creative, production, and media - as well as business affairs through its affiliated corporation, Big Catch, Inc. A multi-award winning company, The Tyee Group is responsible for several of the top grossing direct response television campaigns of the 1990s.