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Location: Switzerland+

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Draft: October 10, 2006

Management Consultancy Marakon Associates Opens

Continental European Office in Switzerland

NEW YORK, October 17 – Marakon Associates, a leading strategy and management consultancy, has opened its first Continental European office in Zurich, reports Mario Brossi of the Swiss Foreign Investment Agency Location: Switzerland. A team of local hires and relocated consultants from Marakon’s London office comprise the Zurich staff, Mr. Brossi said.

Marakon’s regional managing partner for Continental Europe, Mike Baxter, said the company decided on Switzerland because of the country’s location at the heart of Europe, its proximity to other big consulting markets, the firm’s already strong Swiss network and Zurich’s concentration of large multinational companies. “Other reasons included Zurich’s role as a major financial center and a motivated, multilingual workforce that facilitates doing business across Europe,” he said.

Founded nearly 30 years ago, Marakon helps Global 1000 companies achieve superior performance and long-term value growth by working with their senior management to improve capabilities in strategy development, execution, growth and decision making. The firm has been serving Continental Europe for over two decades. CEO Brian Burwell, who himself has worked extensively in Switzerland and throughout Europe, commented: “Having a local presence in Zurich will enable us to serve clients better and connect with new companies that could benefit from our services.”

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Contacts:

Marakon Associates: David Fondiller +212 377-5016 or dfondiller@marakom.com

Location: Switzerland: John Williamson +908 730-9622 or johnhwilliamson@earthlink.net