McCann Worldgroup to Adopt Microsoft Connected Services Framework to Break Down Barriers Across Its Network of Offices

REDMOND, Wash. — May 24, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that McCann Worldgroup, a global marketing communications company, will adopt Microsoft® Connected Services Framework to help foster collaboration among its diverse network of offices. Initially, Connected Services Framework will be used in two projects to give McCann Worldgroup employees and partners the ability to publish, browse, search and access assets from a centralized depository, as well as transfer large high-resolution files from one location to another in a security-enhanced environment.

“New technologies and mediums present a new set of challenges for the advertising industry, but also provide opportunities for McCann Worldgroup to demonstrate a leadership position in this new era of communication,” said Greg Smith, chief information officer of McCann Worldgroup. “The investment in Microsoft Connected Services Framework and service-oriented architecture will not only enable better collaboration throughout our organization, it will help us respond more quickly to the rapidly evolving dynamics of the advertising industry.”

“McCann Worldgroup’s innovative use of Connected Services Framework to bridge operations and IT, connecting isolated systems to enable dynamic workflows and data sharing, is a shining example of the many scenarios enabled through this flexible solution,” said Maria Martinez, corporate vice president for the Communications Sector at Microsoft. “Microsoft and McCann Worldgroup are leading the evolution of the advertising industry through innovations such as Connected Services Framework that help drive down costs while simultaneously enabling new service opportunities.”

Microsoft Connected Services Framework helps support the entire value chain by removing boundary restrictions between internal departments and external collaboration partners. For McCann Worldgroup, Connected Services Framework will be used in the transfer of large files between locations and in a project that creates a centralized database depository that stores final published assets in a folder-based hierarchy.

For the large file delivery system, Connected Services Framework will be used to coordinate delivery of high-resolution files as they are requested by end users. A Connected Services Framework session will manage the request, extraction and distribution of the media files. For the database depository project, Connected Services Framework will be used to upload assets to the database. As an asset is uploaded to the database, a Connected Services Framework session is initiated to take the required actions to prepare the asset for collection at the central depository.

Since its launch in February 2005, Connected Services Framework has been adopted by more than 15 companies in the communications industry, including organizations in film, broadcasting, telecommunications and, now, advertising.

About McCann Worldgroup

McCann Worldgroup, one of the world’s largest marketing communications companies, is comprised of McCann Erickson Worldwide, the world’s largest advertising agency network; MRM Worldwide (direct/customer relationship management/on-line marketing communications); Momentum Worldwide (event marketing/sponsorship/sales promotion); McCann Healthcare Worldwide (professional/dtc communications); Universal McCann (communications architecture/media buying and planning); and is aligned with Weber Shandwick (public relations) and FutureBrand (consulting/design) through The Interpublic Group of Companies.

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