New CEO Announced at Euro RSCG Life Worldwide as Global Healthcare Group Commits to Continued Excellence and Growth

New CEO Announced at Euro RSCG Life Worldwide as Global Healthcare Group Commits to Continued Excellence and Growth

November 08, 2006

    - Jim Metropoulos, MD, assumes new position from WPP's
Sudler & Hennessy -

     -- Ron Pantello moves to Chairman role after 26 years
with the group

     -- New Integrated roles for Doug Burcin and Ed Stapor
-- heads of the two 
        largest U.S. business units in Euro RSCG Life 

     -- New global management team consisting of Ron
Pantello, Jim Metropoulos, 
        Donna Murphy (COO, Euro RSCG Life Worldwide),
Michel Nakache (CEO 
        Europe/Asia, Euro RSCG Life), Doug Burcin and Ed
Stapor (co-CEO's North 
        America, Euro RSCG Life)

     -- David Jones (Euro RSCG Worldwide CEO) celebrates
new line up as one 
        that will build on Ron Pantello's success and
continue to service one 
        of the fastest growing sectors in Euro RSCG
Worldwide's global offer


    NEW YORK, Nov. 6 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- Euro RSCG Life,
the global healthcare communications network of Euro RSCG
Worldwide and Havas, Inc., announced important new
additions and structural changes in the global management
team.

    Jim Metropoulos, MD, joins the group on November 6,
2006 as the new Chief Executive Officer of Euro RSCG Life
Worldwide. He joins from Sudler & Hennessey, a division
of the WPP Group where he had been co-president since 2003.

    "Euro RSCG Life is without doubt an industry
leader and pioneer," said Metropoulos.  "Through
the process of joining the team I spent a lot of time
speaking with both Ron Pantello and David Jones, both
fantastic marketers -- and great people. I hope I can bring
a new perspective to Euro RSCG Life, continue to build on
the outstanding business that Ron has created over 26 years
and take the group forward into the future."

    Ron Pantello, Chief Executive Officer of Euro RSCG Life
Worldwide is to become Chairman Euro RSCG Life Worldwide,
effective November 1, 2006. He has been with the agency for
26 years and the new role is a natural progression,
according to Pantello. 

    "In my role as Chairman, I will focus on the
smooth transition of the day-to-day operations to our new
CEO," Pantello said. "It's been my pleasure to
serve our employees and clients for the past 26 years and I
take the Chairman role with pride and a watchful eye that
our entrepreneurial spirit and passion for our business
lives on."

    He added, "This new leadership team headed up by
Jim will be a dynamic group, building on the existing
strengths of Euro RSCG Life while adding new talent and a
fresh perspective to the organization."

    David Jones, Euro RSCG Worldwide Global CEO, said,
"I'm delighted to welcome Jim to Euro RSCG Life
Worldwide. Our healthcare business is without doubt one of
the fastest growing parts of our business and one in which
I take a great interest. It's a sector that we have
invested heavily into by acquiring and developing
outstanding talent and that has delivered successful
long-term client relationships and real growth. Having Jim
with us demonstrates that we're prepared to invest in
healthcare, demonstrates that we're a best-in-class team
and continue to deliver brilliant creative business ideas
to our clients."

    Doug Burcin (President, Euro RSCG Life Metamax) and Ed
Stapor (President, Euro RSCG Life Chelsea) will be promoted
to co-CEO's of North America for Euro RSCG Life and will
report to Jim Metropoulos. This is a clear demonstration of
the group's commitment to a strong and consultative client
service coupled with a passion for growing and developing
talent across the offer.

    The agency also announces the creation of a six-member
global management team.  Jim Metropoulos will join Ron
Pantello, Donna Murphy (Chief Operating Officer, Euro RSCG
Life Worldwide), Michel Nakache (CEO Europe/Asia, Euro RSCG
Life), Doug Burcin and Ed Stapor as part of the new
Executive Committee. Similar to the global management
committee for Euro RSCG Worldwide it will deliver
cross-market and discipline management to all of Euro RSCG
Life Worldwide's 44 offices in 22 countries.

    About Euro RSCG Life 

    Euro RSCG Life aligns the company's 44 health-focused
offices in 22 countries.  It creates a single network with
almost 1,000 employees that offers clients comprehensive
communications disciplines, including advertising, public
relations, event promotion, medical education, interactive
marketing and consulting services.  The network's client
roster includes GlaxoSmithKline, Novartis, Pfizer,
Sanofi-Aventis, Schering-Plough and Wyeth. Euro RSCG Life
is part of Euro RSCG Worldwide, a leading global marketing
communications agency, and the largest unit of Havas, the
world's fourth-largest communications group (Euronext Paris
SA:  HAV.Pa).  

    For more information, please contact:

    US/EU Business Reporters (outside France)  
     Jonathan Sanchez
     Tel:   [phone]
     [e-mail]  
    
    French Reporters
     Frederique Gallouedec
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail] 

    US Healthcare/Marketing Trade Reporters    
     Erica Gregory 
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  Euro RSCG Worldwide