DUBAI , November 13, 2006 - Global public relations firm Burson-Marsteller today announced an exclusive affiliation agreement with Dubai-based JiWin Public Relations (JiWin). Under the agreement, JiWin will work with Burson-Marsteller clients across the United Arab Emirates, Gulf Cooperation Council States (GCC) and the Levant, while Burson-Marsteller will support JiWin clients as they seek to expand to global markets.

JiWin Public Relations is the public relations arm of the Dubai Press Club, the region’s largest media network. Launched in February 2006 by well-known, senior practitioners, Ms. Mona Al Marri, CEO, and Mr. Ma’moon Sbeih, Managing Director, JiWin has recruited nearly 50 professionals; representing 12 nationalities and including 7 Emirati staff. More than two-thirds of JiWin’s staff are Arabic speakers. Since launch, the firm has also lined up an impressive array of clients, including Dubai Holding, Dubai Aerospace Enterprise and ‘du’, the new telecom operator in the UAE.

“The GCC is becoming an increasingly important region for our industry,” says Bill Rylance, President and CEO, Burson-Marsteller Asia Pacific. “There is a growing requirement for world-class communication support for multinationals and domestic companies expanding in the region. Equally important is the need for GCC and Middle East regional governments and corporations to clearly differentiate themselves on the world stage, as they pursue diversified overseas investment opportunities.”

“JiWin is an Arabic name of a rare pearl – and the firm is well named, having already become a key industry player in just 10 months since launch,” continues Rylance. “The quality of JiWin’s leadership excites us, as well as its ability to offer clients a clear understanding of the region’s commercial, regulatory and legislative issues.”

JiWin believes companies in the UAE and the Middle East are increasingly looking for more sophisticated and strategic corporate communications counsel. “We are ideally placed to understand the dynamics of both regional and international issues, provide strategic advice on market entry and access, and set new standards for the public relations industry in the region,” says Al Marri.

“Working with Burson-Marsteller, we can also help governments and corporations in the region realize their global ambitions by drawing up on the expertise, experience and reach of the world’s leading public relations firm.”

JiWin also seeks to foster the professionalism of the region’s communications industry. “This partnership agreement has come at a significant juncture in the development of the region’s industry,” says Sbeih. “We are committed to supporting the development of the local public relations industry by hiring and training professionals to become the best practitioners in the region.” JiWin and Burson-Marsteller will partner on their first major training course in late November, with a two-day Burson-Marsteller University program for all JiWin staff.

“We are excited about our new partnership with JiWin and welcome them into our global network,” said Mark J. Penn, Worldwide President & CEO, Burson-Marsteller. “The UAE, GCC and the Levant all hold compelling prospects for our business and our clients and we look forward to further expanding our broad range of public relations services into this region.”

Bill Rylance (President and CEO, Burson-Marsteller Asia Pacific) and Mona Al Marri (CEO, JiWin Public Relations) at Signing Ceremony

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.

First established in Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo in 1973, the Burson-Marsteller network in Asia Pacific includes offices in Bangalore, Beijing, Chennai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Hyderabad, Jakarta, Kolkata, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, Seoul, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo; with affiliates in Auckland, Bangkok, Dubai, Islamabad, Karachi, Manila, Taipei, and Wellington.

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.

About JiWin Public Relations
Headquartered at Dubai Media City, JiWin Public Relations offers clients a full range of communications support including communications strategy development, brand marketing, event management, media relations, media training, crisis management, along with a strong emphasis on public affairs and government relations. JiWin also has in-house research capability that provides local market intelligence and bespoke analysis for clients seeking to better understand their stakeholder base and raise brand awareness.

For more information, please contact:

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

JiWin Public Relations
Nicholas Labuschagne
Email: nicholas.labuschagne@jiwin.ae
Tel: 971-4-3613333