For Immediate Release

LEADING SEARCH MARKETING FIRM WGI MERGES WITH WPP'S OUTRIDER

New Outrider Brand Combines Strengths of Two Premiere Search Marketing Firms

NEW YORK, NY - April 16, 2002 - WGI, a leading search marketing firm, announced today that it has merged with Outrider, another major search marketing company. Both WGI and Outrider were formerly part of the Tempus Group, which was recently acquired by WPP, Inc. By combining the depth and breadth of the Outrider brand in both North America and Europe with the successful WGI brand, the newly merged company becomes one of the premiere search marketing firms in the world. Outrider is the premiere search marketing company within the WPP family providing global search solutions. The new Outrider brand went into effect April 1, 2002.

"As the Internet matures, search marketing is moving to the forefront of online advertising options," said Chris Copeland, vice president, managing director of Outrider. "Clients are turning to Outrider for much more than top engine positioning. They are looking to us for the best return possible on the leveraging of the products and brands. Through this merger we are able to offer the highest level of service and return in the market today."

Outrider will partner with The Digital Edge (TDE), the interactive arm of WPP's Mediaedge:cia, broadening TDE's capabilities and allowing them to now offer its clients industry leading search engine optimization, e-mail marketing, comprehensive digital business planning, media campaign planning and Internet marketing.

"Search marketing is a critical component in any company's online marketing efforts, said Alan Schanzer, SVP and Managing director of The Digital Edge. "The Digital Edge is thrilled to be able to offer such an important service to our clients and we look forward to working together with the extremely talented Outrider team to enhance and expand the capabilities of The Digital Edge."

Outrider was established in 1994 as part of the Tempus Group and since then has established a reputation as an expert in the field of search marketing, offering search engine optimization and e-mail marketing among other services. Its clients include IBM, Robert Bosch Corporation. Farmer's Insurance, UBS Paine Webber, the State of Florida Tourism Department and Nestle.

The Digital Edge is a full-service media company, providing completely integrated media solutions to Web-based and traditional businesses. TDE bridges the gap between traditional and interactive media services by providing online and offline media planning and buying, convergence media consultation and testing, all under one roof. The Digital Edge was founded as a division of Mediaedge:cia and Young & Rubicam, Inc. in November 1999. The company's clients include AT&T, GSK, Accenture, Campbell's, Gallo Wines, Colgate, and Xerox. The Digital Edge is headquartered in New York City, with offices worldwide.

About Outrider
Outrider specializes in strategic consulting and integration of organic and paid search into companies’ interactive media plans, focusing on real results of brand building, increasing transactions, and maximum ROI. Outrider has provided comprehensive search engine marketing solutions to Fortune 500 clients including Sears, AstraZeneca, and Xerox since 1994. For more information, visit www.outrider.com.

About Mediaedge:cia
Mediaedge:cia is a leading media communications specialist with 199 offices in 79 countries and is part of GroupM, the world's leading full-service media investment management company, a division of WPP Group plc. Mediaedge:cia develops communications solutions for brand and corporate growth, maximizing every connection point between advertisers and their consumers on a local, regional, and global basis. Key services include: ROI analysis, econometric modeling, consumer insight, communication channel planning and implementation, full service sponsorship, entertainment marketing, one-to-one media and digital consultancies. For further information, visit us at www.mecglobal.com

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