Alex Norman appointed CEO of LiveWorld - WPP Joint Venture
WPP Veteran to lead Social Networking/Online Community Services Joint Venture
London, New York and Los Gatos, Calif. (Oct. 17, 2006): - WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY) a world leader in communications services, and LiveWorld, Inc. (OTC Pink Sheets: LVWD.PK), a world leader in online customer community marketing services, today announced the appointment of Alex Norman as Chief Executive Officer of their recently formed joint venture, LiveWorld-WPP.Mr. Norman brings a wealth of experience to LiveWorld-WPP, including multiple positions in the
WPP Group, and an extensive background in integrated marketing communications. While working within the WPP Group at Ogilvy and Young & Rubicam, Mr. Norman led integrated teams for advertising, interactive, direct marketing, PR, and events to drive innovation and business growth for some of the worlds top brands, including Lincoln Mercury, Jaguar, Sony, Mattel, LG, Campbell's, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He comes to LiveWorld-WPP from his most recent assignment at Endeavor Marketing, where he played a key role in crafting talent and content solutions for American Express global brand and card product initiatives.
"Alex has the perfect combination of experience to lead LiveWorld-WPP. He is skilled in delivering successful interactive marketing campaigns for many of the world's major brands and has in-depth knowledge of the WPP network. He is a great asset that positions LiveWorld-WPP for success," said Peter Friedman, Chairman and CEO of LiveWorld.
"We have already seen very positive response to the joint venture from our agencies and clients. Multiple new projects are in place and under discussion," said Mark Read, Strategy Director, WPP and CEO of wpp.com. "With Alex's outstanding track record and WPP history, he will be an excellent ambassador and evangelist with WPP agencies for our clients."
Mr. Norman's office will be in New York City.
About WPP
WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY) is one of the world's leading communications services groups, providing national, multinational and global clients with advertising; media investment management; information, insight & consultancy; public relations & public affairs; branding & identity, healthcare and specialist communications.
Our worldwide companies include JWT, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, Y&R, The Voluntarily United Group, Grey Worldwide, MindShare, MediaCom, Mediaedge:cia, Millward Brown, Research International, KMR Group, OgilvyOne Worldwide, Wunderman, 141 Worldwide, Hill & Knowlton, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Burson-Marsteller, Cohn & Wolfe, CommonHealth, Sudler & Hennessey, Ogilvy Healthworld, Enterprise IG, Landor and Fitch among others.
Our companies provide communications services to clients worldwide including more than 330 of the Fortune Global 500; over one-half of the NASDAQ 100 and over 30 of the Fortune e-50. Collectively, WPP employs more than 92,000 people in 2,000 offices in 106 countries.
For further information, visit www.wpp.com
About LiveWorld, Inc.
LiveWorld (Pink Sheets:LVWD - News; www.liveworld.com) is the leading interactive marketing agency specializing in online customer communities and social networking for Fortune 1000 companies. LiveWorld creates, operates, and manages custom customer communities based on its unique community applications and moderation platform. LiveWorld solutions enable companies to strengthen customer relationships, increase revenues, and reduce costs. With twenty years of experience, an extensive applications platform, over 1 Million hours of delivered moderation and nearly $10 Million in revenue, LiveWorld is the trusted partner of leading brands worldwide. Clients include America Online, A&E; Television Networks, AOL UK, BEA Systems, eBay, The Campbell Soup Company, Discovery Communications, Dove, HBO, Intel, MacWorld & PC World, MINI Cooper USA, Land Rover, MTV, QVC, Tulane University and TV Guide. LiveWorld is headquartered in Los Gatos, California and deploys its services in over 30 country-language combinations.
For further information, visit www.liveworld.com
Safe Harbor Statement Under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act:
This press release may include forward-looking information concerning LiveWorld’s future expectations and prospects. These statements include those regarding LiveWorld’s current or future relationships. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward looking statements made as a result of, among other things, the state of the economy, LiveWorld’s ability to successfully deliver upon its contractual commitments, clients continuing their ongoing relationships with the Company, LiveWorld’s ability to acquire new customers, changing accounting treatments, and other risks applicable to the Company. (See the Company’s Q3, 2002 10Q filing for a list that includes other possible risk factors.) LiveWorld recently announced that it has resumed auditing its financials and expects to begin releasing audited results Q3 of 2006.
WPP Contacts
PR Contacts: Kevin McCormack, WPP (USA), kmccormack@wpp.com, Tel: +1 (212) 632 2239 or Feona McEwan, WPP, fmcewan@wpp.com, Tel: +44 20 7318 0108
LiveWorld Contacts
PR Contact: Betty Taylor, bettyt@krause-taylor.com , Ph: 408-918-9080
IR Contact: Brinlea Johnson: The Blueshirt Group, for LiveWorld, 212 867-2593