Kelly Schwager, USWeb/CKS, 408-987-3287 or
[email protected]
Investor Contact: Kate Wagner, USWeb/CKS, 408-987-3268 or
[email protected]
USWeb/CKS Expands Into Switzerland
International expansion continues with acquisition of Geneva-based IT services and marketing communications firm
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - February 23, 1999 - USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB), a leader in strategic Internet and marketing communications services, announced today the acquisition of BI Business Information and BI Interactive Marketing of Geneva, Switzerland. BI Business Information is an IT services firm specializing in application development, systems integration and user support. BI Interactive Marketing specializes in marketing communications leveraging the Internet and multimedia.
"USWeb/CKS is pleased to further expand our global presence with the addition of BI Business Information and BI Interactive Marketing in Geneva," said Toby Corey, president and chief operating officer for USWeb/CKS. "With expertise in Internet and traditional IT services, as well as online and multimedia marketing, the skill-sets of BI further round out the capabilities of our Pan-European offices-providing us with a local presence to serve the Swiss and Eastern European markets."
About BI Business Information and BI Interactive Marketing
BI Business Information is an IT services firm with strong expertise in the banking and financial, manufacturing and services sectors. Strengthened by the skills of over 60 employees, BI leverages Internet and multimedia technologies to improve the competitive advantage of its clients and deliver them innovative business solutions. BI has expertise in Internet application development, systems integration and user support. BI Interactive Marketing complements BI Business Information with creative and graphic skills, as well as marketing and communications strategy expertise.
BI is a Microsoft Solution Provider Partner, Oracle Alliance Partner, Sun Software Partner, Sybase System Integrator, Software AG Business Partner, IBM Net Team Partner, CiscoPro Premier Reseller, 3COM Networking Partner, Optika Imaging Systems Business Partner, and Ascent Kofax Certified Reseller. Clients include: United European Bank, Morgan Stanley, Capital International, Royal Bank of Canada, Credit Commercial de France, Merril Lynch Bank, Hewlett Packard, Philip Morris, Nestl�, Bobst, Andr� & Cie, Orange Telecommunication, and H�pitaux Universitaires Genevois.
In November 1998, BI was rewarded for its innovation and outstanding management. A panel of industry leaders led by Daniel Borel, Logitech's founder, and sponsored by Arthur Andersen, Deloitte & Touche and Ernst & Young, awarded the STRATEGIS award to the managing directors of BI: Christophe Martin and Yann Merenda.
"The Internet is transforming the way companies are doing business throughout Europe," said Christophe Martin, managing director of BI. "With our strong reputation and foundation in IT and marketing services, we believe that we can help USWeb/CKS in its goal of becoming a leader."
About USWeb/CKS
USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB) is a professional services firm that works with companies to define strategies and implement innovative ways to build their businesses by combining the expertise of strategy, Internet technology and marketing communications. USWeb/CKS helps clients differentiate their products and services, strengthen customer relationships, leverage human capital, and improve business efficiency in the new electronic economy. With more than 2,000 professionals, USWeb/CKS has helped hundreds of businesses advance their marketing communications programs as well as traditional IT and Internet systems-everything from brand development and advertising to business process automation and e-commerce solutions. The Company is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Additional information about USWeb/CKS is available by calling 408-987-3200.