First Spain, and Now The United Kingdom: The KORD Group Becomes Part of The Fi SYSTEM Group

Paris (PROTEXT) - Having already moved into the Spanishmarket, Fi SYSTEM's pan-European strategy will be furtherreinforced by another external growth operation, in the UnitedKingdom. The final agreement relative to the transfer of thecontrolling stake in The KORD Group to Fi SYSTEM was confirmed inwriting in a letter of intent dated 3rd November 1999. Theacquisition, completed on 1st December 1999, was settled partlyin cash and partly through the issuing to Kord Group shareholdersof the Fi SYSTEM shares bought back by the company as a part ofits stock repurchase programme. The deal is in line with the overall approach recommended byFi SYSTEM for the implementation of Internet solutions amongclients of the group across the European market. Fi SYSTEM'sposition as a Web Agency involves three distinct services beingprovided, the three branches being Strategic Consulting,Interactive Communication and Marketing, and Web SiteEngineering. Whatever the scale of the company concerned, whetherit be a major-league player or a brand new Internet start-up, thethree skill centres can handle, from A to Z, the various aspectsinvolved in piecing an Internet project together. This kind ofoffer is the only one of its kind on the French market, and isamong the most complete available in Europe. In the words of the KORD Group Founding Members and ManagingPartners, Kurt Ozficici and Nathalie Courtney-Guy, "The mergerbetween Kord and Fi SYSTEM is very much down to our shared valuesas to the role of a Web Agency. Working with Fi SYSTEM will giveus and our clients a broader vision of the European Internetmarket along with greater technological expertise." "The British market is one of the most dynamic in Europe andincludes a number of extremely active clients. Fi SYSTEM willbenefit immensely from the KORD Group's experience of theInternet sector in the United Kingdom," Fi SYSTEM ManagingDirector Thierry Thevenet explains. He adds that "The KORD Groupincorporates the three skill centres Web Agencies are built on,namely: Strategy, New Media and Information Systems. Fi SYSTEM'sposition on the European market will be strengthened by themerger, enabling the group to become the high-level partner ofmajor European clients in their search for Internet solutions." 1999 will go down as a pivotal year in Fi SYSTEM's strategicdevelopment, as the group looks to establish high-levelpartnerships with top European clients and become recognised asone of the five leading European Web Agencies. The group'sgrowth-rate is gaining pace, strengthening Fi SYSTEM's positionon the European market: more external growth operations areplanned for the months to come, most notably in Belgium andNorthern European countries. Fi SYSTEM's UK operations have been carried out in closeconjunction with Frenger International, a leading specialist intransactions involving French and British companies. Theacquisition of the KORD Group is the first stage in Fi SYSTEM'sUK development programme, and Frenger International is now on thelook-out for other potential targets. Further information about The Kord Group(http://www.kord.co.uk) The Kord group was founded in 1991, and has become aspecialist in Web Design and Marketing solutions for majorEuropean clients. The Kord portfolio includes Brown Brothers Harriman Ltd, CNN,DB Consulting, Department of Trade & Industry, Edelman PublicRelations, Financial Service Authority, Flemings of Mayfair,Great Ormond Street Hospitals Children's Charity, HM Customs &Excise, ISIS Medical Media Ltd, LSM Partners, Leedex PublicRelations, London Aquarium, MCI Worldcom, Millbank, Tweed, Hadley& McCloy, Mobile Media Promotions Ltd, Operis Group, Pfides,Photobition Group, Polaroid Europe Ltd, QUIT, SEGAWORLD,Tangerine, Value Retail plc, UK Steel Association, UnitelCommunications Ltd. During the financial that closed on the 31stMay 1999, turnover was of 511,000 pounds sterling (pounds) withnet profits of 82,596 pounds. Further information about Fi SYSTEM (www.fisystem.fr) The Fi SYSTEM Group* is a Web Agency. Founded in 1992, thecompany is now firmly established as the favoured partner to thebiggest and most important accounts. Fi SYSTEM is involved inInternet and intranet site Consulting, Creative Design, andTechnical Implementation for major European clients. The FiSYSTEM group has teams in France (Paris, Rhone-Alpes,Mediterranean) and Spain (Barcelona), and has a portfolioincluding more than 300 Internet-related references. The groupcan provide Internet Marketing and Strategy, System TransferOrganisation and Monitoring, Interactive Design andCommunication, New Technology Engineering, Back-OfficeManagement, as a global service with guaranteed results, in orderto respond efficiently to Internet issues. The Fi SYSTEM work-force is currently 350 strong -- 400 forecast across Europebetween now and the end of 1999. Finally, since the 7th October1998, Fi SYSTEM has been listed on the Nouveau Marche of theParis Stock Exchange (sicovam code 6588). * Made up of Fi SYSTEM, Fi Iberica, Ubicco, CoPlaNet,Probase, In Fine Conseil and Stratelite For further information, please do not hesitate to get intouch with: Jerome Leroy, Head of Press Relations, of Fi SYSTEM,+33-1-55-04-03-03, or jerome.leroy@fisystem.fr ots Original TextService: Fi SYSTEM Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact:Jerome Leroy, Head of Press Relations of Fi SYSTEM, +33-1-55-04-03-03, or jerome.leroy@fisystem.fr Web site:http://www.fisystem.fr

http://www.kord.co.uk

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