McQuerter PR & Marketing Hires Powerhouse Team to Develop Integrated Strategies for Global 2000 Clients.

Business Editors

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2002

Russell Quinan Spearheads Marketing Business Unit Initiatives From

the Agency's Bay Area Office

McQuerter, a global high tech marketing communications firm, announced today the hire of three advertising and interactive media specialists in its Bay Area office to develop integrated marketing programs for Global 2000 technology companies.

Russell Quinan, senior vice president of advertising and interactive media, will lead the agency's integrated marketing business units, manage interactive business development for the West Coast, and oversee operations in McQuerter's Bay Area offices. Erick Betancourt, director and executive producer, will manage all production. Bart Dority, design director and associate creative director, will help drive creative direction on integrated accounts.

"We looked for a team that will support our integrated strategic direction for 2002 and this team is it," said Greg McQuerter, Chairman & CEO of McQuerter. "Russell, Erick and Bart have the best possible skill set, both wide and deep, ranging from traditional big-media-buy advertising to very targeted ROI-based interactive programs. They provide the dynamics of success to deliver programs for our Global 2000 clients."

Quinan comes to McQuerter with over 11 years of online and offline experience including managing traditional marketing activities for Sony, Nikon, Gallo, Janus Mutual Funds, AT&T and Sun Microsystems. Most recently Quinan spent four years as both the director of account services and director of business development with SF Interactive in San Francisco. As one of the principals and part of the firm's senior management team, Quinan managed numerous groundbreaking and award-winning interactive efforts including Snapple, CBS MarketWatch, HP, Vail Ski Resort and Sun Microsystems.

Quinan also helped grow the staff from seven people in one office to nearly 200 specialists in four cities. SF Interactive was named the region's fastest growing company from 1997 to 1999 by the San Francisco Business Times, and recognized as a top-tier interactive advertising agency by Adweek and AdAge magazines.

"The work I'm really attracted to is helping technology-oriented clients utilize both offline advertising and coordinated online programs to build brand while delivering measurable results," said Quinan. "Add to that McQuerter's PR capabilities, and you have an organization that can manage the whole purchase continuum for a client -- from awareness through retention."

Erick Betancourt comes to McQuerter with over nine years of experience in software and online development. Erick Betancourt joined McQuerter from Doremus, where he was Interactive Director on notable accounts such as Hitachi Data Systems and Commerce One. Before Doremus, Betancourt served as Director of Production for Tribal DDB supervising production for the San Francisco and Vancouver Tribal DDB offices for clients such as BASOC and multiple Clorox brands. Betancourt has setup and managed international development resources in Vietnam and Canada and launched multiple projects for companies such as Hewlett Packard, Verisign, Discover Brokerage (a.k.a. MSDW), McDonalds, SEGA, Nike, Snapple, Got Milk, Netcentives, NASCAR, Swatch, and other industry leaders. Betancourt has also been awarded more than 20 advertising and industry-related honors for Web development projects during his career.

Bart Dority comes to McQuerter with more than nine years of management, design, and animation experience. Previously, Dority was VP, Creative Director at Dynamind, where he oversaw the creative development of major web presences for fortune 100 companies like AIG, Amerada Hess, and TDK. He developed corporate identities and websites for exceedingly successful high tech firms including Ascend Communications, Akamai Technologies, MindBox, Next Venue, Predicitve Networks, Intira, and Xevo. Dority holds a BFA from the prestigious Pratt Institute School of Art and Design in New York.

McQuerter opened its Bay Area operations last May as part of its global PR and Marketing strategy. The agency is headquartered in San Diego, and also has offices in Thames Valley tech corridor just west of London.

About McQuerter:

McQuerter is a global marketing communications firm specializing in the telecom, IT, Internet and consumer technology sectors. The agency offers tightly integrated end-to-end marketing services that incorporate strategic positioning, market planning, PR, advertising and online program development. McQuerter develops programs for Global 2000 companies that progressively attract, engage and inform prospects through the point-of-sale and beyond -- to follow-on purchases and long-term brand loyalty. The 21-year-old firm has offices in several rapid-growth tech regions, including San Diego's Telecom Valley, the Bay Area and the Thames Valley tech corridor just west of London. For more details, visit http://www.mcquerter.com.