JAKARTA, November 3, 2006 – Global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller today announced the opening of a new office in Jakarta, Indonesia. The operation is headed by Mr. Sahala Sianipar, who joins as Indonesia Market Leader and Director for South Asia.

“This is a significant step for our Asia Pacific operations,” says Bill Rylance, President and CEO, Asia Pacific. “With a population of more than 220 million, Indonesia represents a huge growth opportunity for our firm. Our multinational clients are eager to expand in this important market and Indonesian firms are also poised for global expansion. With our regional and global strength we believe we offer companies a level of strategic counsel that is currently not available”.

Burson-Marsteller’s team in Indonesia is led by former Burson-Marsteller employee, Sahala Sianipar who joins following an eight-year absence. Mr. Sianipar previously worked for Burson-Marsteller in Jakarta from 1996 to 1998 when he led the company’s corporate and financial communications practice. In his new role, he will report to Regional Managing Director South Asia, Christine Jones, who is based in Singapore.

“I am pleased to be back at Burson-Marsteller to oversee our growth in Indonesia,” says Sianipar. “Indonesia was named among the top emerging economies in a recent report by Goldman Sachs and presents us with some exciting opportunities to support private and public institutions in the country as they deal with the changing political, business and social environment.

“Indonesia’s rising middle class in Southeast Asia’s largest economy presents significant growth potential for companies in several key sectors, including infrastructure, financial services, energy, telecommunications and healthcare sectors – all of which we are well qualified to serve.”

Burson-Marsteller has co-located with sister agency, Young & Rubicam, which opened its office in Jakarta in early 2005. The address and contact details of Burson-Marsteller Jakarta are as follows:

Sahala Sianipar Burson-Marsteller Indonesia Market Leader and Director for South Asia

Menara Jamsostek, Gedung Utara, Floor 12A
Jln. Jend. Gatot Subroto Kav. 38
Jakarta 12710, Indonesia
Tel: 62-21 250 1614 ext 121
Fax: 62-21 250 1583
Email: Sahala.Sianipar@bm.com

About Burson-Marsteller

Burson-Marsteller (www.burson-marsteller.com), established in 1953, is a leading global public relations and public affairs firm. It provides clients with strategic thinking and program execution across a full range of public relations, public affairs, advertising, and web-related services. The firm's seamless worldwide network consists of 57 wholly-owned offices and 44 affiliate offices, together operating in 58 countries across six continents. Burson-Marsteller is a part of Young & Rubicam Brands, a subsidiary of WPP Group plc (NASDQ: WPPGY), one of the world's leading communications services networks.

For the third time in five years, Burson-Marsteller’s Asia-Pacific team was named “Network of the Year” at the 2005 annual Asia Pacific PR Awards, the industry’s top award recognizing outstanding public relations work across the region. Burson-Marsteller Australia’s work for Novartis’ Elidel was named Campaign of the Year at the same awards. The company was also top-ranked in Media Magazine’s 2005 Asia Pacific Consultancy Report Card.

For all media inquiries, please contact:
Christine Jones
Regional Managing Director, South Asia, Burson-Marsteller
Email: christine_jones@sg.bm.com
Tel: 65-6829 9318

Sahala Sianipar
Director South Asia and Indonesia Market Leader
Email: Sahala.Sianipar@bm.com
Tel: 62-21 252 4905

Mary Devereux
Burson-Marsteller Hong Kong
Email: mary_devereux@hk.bm.com
Tel: 852-2963 6772