Geoff Kerr, USWeb/CKS, 415/369-6723
[email protected]
USWeb/CKS Highlights Integration of Operations Following Mitchell Madison Group Acquisition
Bob Clarkson Promoted to Chief Operating Officer; Five New Regional Executive Partners Named; Tom Steiner, President, to Focus on Strategy and Planning
San Francisco - November 15, 1999 - Furthering its rapid integration of Mitchell Madison Group, acquired in September of this year, USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB) announced it has appointed a number of leaders from both companies to new management positions in operations. Bob Clarkson, previously executive partner for the Northwest Region for the company, has been appointed to the position of chief operating officer, and five partners from Mitchell Madison Group will join four partners of USWeb/CKS with regional management responsibilities. Effective immediately, Clarkson will be responsible for global operations with all nine regions worldwide reporting to him.
�We have an amazing pool of talent here within the company,� said Robert Shaw, CEO of USWeb/CKS. �We believe in leveraging our best assets � our people. It makes sense to tap into our talent base to help lead the company.�
For the last six months Clarkson served as executive partner for the Northwest Region for USWeb/CKS and before that as executive partner for the pan-European region. �Bob was instrumental in driving the integration process when USWeb and CKS merged a year ago. His excellent track record of bringing together the multidisciplinary pool of talent in creative, strategy and technology provides deep insight into our organization and our people,� said Robert Shaw, CEO. �He has an intuitive understanding of how our business operates and how to leverage our resources to deliver services that continue to improve the quality of our work and build longer term relationships with clients.�
Tom Steiner, president, who successfully led the integration process between USWeb/CKS and MMG, will now focus on formulating the strategic framework and planning process for USWeb/CKS. Clarkson will focus on the day-to-day operations for the company. This allows the Company to put more emphasis on strategic direction in addition to global operations.
Five partners formerly of Mitchell Madison Group were identified to run specific regions. Thomas Metz will be responsible for pan-European operations. John Pries will be in charge of the North region. In New York, Vikas Kapoor will join Nancye Green, co-founder of Donovan and Green and Executive Partner of USWeb/CKS, with shared responsibility for the region. Russ Nash will run the Southwest region. Merrill Burns will be responsible for USWeb/CKS� newly formed Latin America and Asian region. In addition to Green in New York, Don Maurer and John Boog-Scott will remain regional executive partners for USWeb/CKS. Maurer is responsible for the Southeast and Boog-Scott is in charge of the Central region. The Company intends to announce soon a replacement for Clarkson as the executive responsible for the Northwest region.
�We have assembled a balanced world-wide regional management team demonstrating true synergy between what were once independent companies,� said Clarkson. �We are committed to moving fast and remaining nimble � you have to in this market in order to stay out in front.�
About USWeb/CKS
USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB) seeks to transform businesses in the digital economy and create sustainable market leadership for its clients. As the leading Internet professional services firm, USWeb/CKS has created a new standard for success in the digital economy � Time-to-Value. Time-to-Value means USWeb/CKS applies its extensive insight, experience and scale to deliver breakthrough results quickly. The Company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with more than 4,000 professionals in 13 countries around the world. Additional information about USWeb/CKS is available by calling 415/284-7070.