APCO Strengthens Presence in China

Firm Invests Significantly in Developing Markets Around the World

Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2008) – Global communication consultancy APCO Worldwide continues to expand its investment in China, as President and CEO Margery Kraus announced today that three distinguished experts join the firm’s offices in Shanghai and Beijing.

Kenneth Jarrett joins APCO as vice chairman of the greater China region. Jarrett, who is based in Shanghai, has more than 20 years of experience in U.S-Chinese affairs and previously served as the U.S. consul general in Shanghai. He held a range of professional positions in the U.S. government in different locations in Asia and the United States.

Alastair Campbell is serving as vice chairman of the greater China region. Campbell, who is based in Beijing, is former executive director and head of corporate finance at the Bank of China International. He is also former president of Thomson S.A. in China, a leading provider of video solutions for the media and entertainment industries.

Sharon Ruwart joins APCO as managing director of APCO’s Beijing office. Ruwart, a former managing director for Elsevier Science & Technology, China, oversaw efforts to promote scientific inquiry among China’s research community. Prior to her position at Elsevier, Ruwart was the director of special projects at Caijing Magazine, a Beijing-based business and finance publication.

“For almost 20 years, APCO has provided investment, government relations and communication solutions to a wide variety of public- and private-sector clients in China. The country’s impressive growth makes it a crucial market for many of our clients,” said Kraus. “The global perspective and extensive local knowledge that these accomplished professionals bring to APCO will serve our clients well at a time when the global economy is more exciting – and more challenging – than ever before.”

APCO is one of the leading integrated public affairs, strategic communication and corporate advisory firms in China. The company operates from four well-established offices in greater China – in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Hong Kong.

“With these additions, our expert team in greater China is broadening and deepening its capabilities to offer high-level, forward-looking counsel to organizations looking to enter or expand in the Chinese market,” said Chris Murck, CEO of APCO’s Asia region. “And as Chinese companies now look to invest and grow their operations abroad, the connections in China that Ken, Alastair and Sharon bring, combined with the strength of APCO’s relationships worldwide, will help these enterprises navigate the global economy successfully.”

APCO is also deepening the emerging-market resources on its International Advisory Council (IAC) with two new members: Eugene Lawson, former president and founder of the U.S.-Russia Business Council and founder of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade; and Lalit Mansingh, former Indian ambassador to the United States and the United Arab Emirates and former Indian high commissioner to the UK and Nigeria. These individuals will provide in-depth counsel to clients informed by their knowledge of these increasingly influential economies.

“The IAC elevates APCO’s work by providing counsel from professionals who have ‘sat in the seats’ of our clients and those with whom they seek to communicate,” said Kraus. “As the IAC expands to include such experts as Gene and Lalit, the group will build upon its ability to offer the strategic counsel that is so valuable to our clients in today’s global economy.”

About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. APCO was named 2007 PR Agency of the Year by PRNews; 2006 Agency of the Year by PRWeek; 2007, 2006 and 2005 European Consultancy of the Year by Public Affairs News; and 2004 Public Affairs Agency of the Year by The Holmes Report. Clients include corporations, governments, industry associations and nonprofit organizations. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO includes among its clients seven of the top 10 companies on Fortune’s Global 500. Core services include corporate, investor and internal communication; crisis management; issue management; government relations; litigation communication; media relations; coalition building; opinion research; market entry; corporate responsibility; and online communication. APCO is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.

About the International Advisory Council

APCO’s International Advisory Council is a dynamic group of former senior members of government, the media, the diplomatic corps, academia, the business community and nonprofit organizations who work hand-in-hand with APCO’s professionals to counsel clients on a broad range of issues.

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Contacts:
Diana Chow
+852.2866.2313
dchow@apcoworldwide.com

Elizabeth Wolf
+202.778.1470
ewolf@apcoworldwide.com