Ira Kasoff, Asia Trade Expert, Joins APCO Worldwide's Growing Asia Practice

Washington, D.C. (November 9, 2010) – Dr. Ira Kasoff, former deputy assistant secretary for Asia at the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, joins APCO Worldwide as a senior counselor and member of the company's International Advisory Council, APCO Founder and CEO Margery Kraus announced today. He will be based in APCO's Washington, D.C., office.

"Ira is a well-known and highly respected expert on Asia's growing markets, particularly in China and Southeast Asia, and we are thrilled that he's chosen APCO as a place to continue his already successful career," said Kraus. "His experience in helping companies do business in the region will be an invaluable asset to a growing number of clients examining their 'China-plus-one' strategies, and he will be an important link to our teams on the ground and to other key points in the region like Japan and Korea."

Before assuming his most recent position with the Commerce Department in Washington, Kasoff served in several commercial affairs roles in Asia, including principal commercial officer in Shanghai, commercial counselor in Tokyo and senior commercial officer at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Boston Consulting Group, the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and as the Beijing representative for the Fuqua World Trade Corporation.

APCO has been operating in Greater China since 1989 and has assembled a team of well-recognized experts, including:

• J. Norwell Coquillard, former chairman and president of Cargill Investment (China) Limited
• Greg Gilligan, former general manager of corporate affairs and senior director of operations for McDonald's China
• Patrick Horgan, director of programmes for the British Council China and counsellor with the British Embassy in Beijing
• Kenneth Jarrett, former U.S. consul general in Shanghai and chairman of the steering committee for the USA Pavilion to the 2010 Shanghai Expo
• Murray King, former trade commissioner for the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
• James McGregor, veteran reporter for The Wall Street Journal and author of One Billion Customers: Lessons From the Front Lines of Doing Business in China
• Gao Weijie, former chairman of China Ocean Shipping Company (COSCO) America
• Sukyi Yau, former co-managing director for Citigate Dewe Rogerson in Greater China

"I am excited to bring my knowledge and experience to APCO and its clients," said Kasoff. "APCO will offer me an opportunity to continue to serve the interests of businesses as they expand globally and most especially in Asia. I look forward to working with my new colleagues, who include some of the most experienced consultants both in the region and around the world."

About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and seven of the top 10 companies on Fortune's Global 500. APCO offers services related to business, industry and finance; media, public opinion and society; and government and public policy. The firm 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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Contact:
Elizabeth Wolf
202.778.1470
ewolf@apcoworldwide.com