Cognito Announces Details of US Expansion

• New clients include Highland Financial, Linedata and Scivantage
• Cognito US on track for 250% annual revenue growth in 2006

New York, 1 December, 2006 – Cognito, a leading PR and marketing firm for the financial and financial technology industries, today announced details of its New York expansion, including new clients, a new office and new staff.

Among the ten new clients won by Cognito in 2006 are Linedata, a Euronext-listed global asset management solutions provider and Highland Financial Holdings, a billion dollar hedge fund focussing on the MBS and ABS markets. In addition, Cognito has continued its successful work in 2006 with clients such as Lord Abbett, one of the oldest money managers in the US with over USD109 billion AUM. The new client wins put Cognito US on track for 250% annual revenue growth in 2006.

To help service the expanded client base and prepare for future growth, there have also been a number of new hires. Most recently, Loretta Mock, former head of Financial and Professional Services practice at The Hamilton Group and Vice President of Citigate's Corporate/Financial Practice, and Andrew Graham, formerly with IGB Group and Brainerd Communications, have both joined Cognito.

Dan Simon, Vice President, Cognito Americas, comments: “We have made a real impact on the market this year, and I’m very pleased with the results. Our rapid growth in the US is a testament to the fact that, both in Europe or the US, Cognito offers a deep pool of financial services expertise coupled with a results-focused approach and total commitment to client service. We look forward to seeing even stronger results in 2007.”

Tom Coombes, Managing Director, Cognito, also feels very positively about the growth: “The New York office has done some excellent work this year and we intend to build on this over the coming months. By supporting the growth with a new, larger office and new hires, we are ensuring that we will be able to support new and existing clients into the New Year and beyond.”