Jan Lakin, USWeb/CKS, 212/989-4050
[email protected]
James Espinas, USWeb/CKS, 415/369-6717
[email protected]
USWeb/CKS to Unite New York City Offices into Silicon Alley Location
Move Enhances Time-to-Value Delivery for Clients; Location is Magnet for Talent
New York - November 29, 1999 - USWeb/CKS (Nasdaq: USWB), the leader in Internet professional services, today announced it has net-leased a four-story office building located in the burgeoning Silicon Alley-Union Square district. The company intends to move the majority of its New York City employees into the building in May 2000. The co-location signals the final step in integrating USWeb/CKS employees from various disciplines in a single building in order that they may collaborate more effectively and be supported uniformly by the company�s operations team.
While the new location is expected to enhance USWeb/CKS� stature in the city as a leading firm with first-rate talent, the New York region is already drawing top professionals to join its ranks. (See �USWeb/CKS Deepens Expertise In New York City Region� also announced today.)
Currently, USWeb/CKS� nearly 600 professionals in New York City are located in six existing offices, including those from Mitchell Madison Group. The new office building, located at 107 East 17th Street, will house strategy, creative, and technology teams alongside business development and operations. This integrated approach mirrors that of corporate headquarters in San Francisco, and is part of the operational strategy supporting USWeb/CKS� Time-to-Value proposition.
�Our clients are facing critical business issues based on the rapid creation of the digital economy,� said Robert Shaw, CEO of USWeb/CKS. �By combining our unique competencies and collaborating effectively, we believe we can offer our clients break-through solutions that can strategically impact their businesses.�
�The clients we serve in New York City represent some of the biggest brands in the largest industries in the country and the world,� said Nancye Green, an executive partner for the New York region. �Co-locating employees in the city allows us to continue to build a strong Internet professional services presence here in Manhattan.�
The 122,000 square-foot, four-story office building, leased by The Related Companies, has space for over 500 of USWeb/CKS� billable and operations professionals.
�We�ll be occupying a truly iconic building,� said Michael Donovan, managing partner at USWeb/CKS in New York City. �As a classic example of the International Style of architecture, it is both historically significant and visually distinctive. On the outside, it is a symbol of leadership among top Internet companies in New York�s business-technology community. On the inside, we�ll be designing an environment that fosters our philosophy of collaboration and integrating disciplines for greater innovation and client value.�
USWeb/CKS worked with Colliers ABR real estate company to locate and secure the 15-year lease. Colliers also assisted in negotiating $4.5M (net present value) in tax incentives from New York City and the State of New York based on the company�s planned growth in the area during the terms of the lease.
The New York region also announced today three top management professionals to support the company�s growth and professional development efforts in Silicon Alley and the rest of the region. The partners � Cate Boeth, Jim Longo, and Jack Moses � have been hired to lead the areas of regional operations, business development and human resources respectively. USWeb/CKS currently occupies space at 9 West 57th Street, 71 Fifth Avenue, 641 Avenue of the Americas, 733 Third Avenue, 292 Madison and 588 Broadway. Some of that space will be retained.
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.