October 8, Tokyo, Japan -- World-leading technology PR specialist Text 100 Group plc today announced the opening of its new office in Tokyo to meet the growing demand for its services from international clients. The new office complements the company's existing Australian office, which opened in February 1998, and a new Singapore office to start up later this month. Combined they offer regional and international clients an integrated agency approach in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. For Japanese technology companies, the new Tokyo office opens the door to global PR services via London-based Text 100's network of 23 wholly owned offices, in 11 countries, spread over four continents.

Text 100 is already a key player in the global technology PR market. The company, by focusing on organic growth, continues to go against the current trend of entering markets through acquisition. In Tokyo the company locally hired Stuart Baker, an American with more than 7 years PR experience in Japan, to run Text 100 Japan, and an experienced Japanese account manager with a with strong technology background. Both have undergone training at the Company's London headquarters.

Text 100 CEO Tim Dyson, currently in Tokyo to celebrate and officially inaugurate the new office, commented "We have spent 12 months planning our entry into APAC and talking to existing customers has been key. We are realistic about the situation in Asia, but our research and discussions show that there are great opportunities that make now a good time to invest in offices for these countries."

Text 100 is the first independent technology PR specialist to move into the APAC market on this scale. This proposition has been further enhanced by the formation of an APAC regional headquarters, based in Sydney. This separate office will focus on securing regional accounts, ensuring consistency of approach and implementing Text 100's model of 'flexible PR'. The regional office will be established in December and headed up by Text 100 International Board Director Matthew Ravden.

Flexible PR is Text 100's unique approach to matching global skill-sets to client requirements. It works on the principles that consistent culture, methodologies and techniques can be used to build a pool of transportable, global, PR skill-sets. While PR campaigns will always be implemented upon the specific needs of the local markets, there will be instances where consultancy may be sourced from other countries within the Text 100 group. Furthermore, people with specific skills may be seconded to different countries to help implement local projects - an approach that has worked successfully in the past. The key differentiator is the consistency that results in an organic group of offices, working in the same way, as opposed to a network of agencies with different heritage and working practices.

About Text 100

Text 100 Group plc is a global PR consultancy serving the technology industry. The company's clients include Microsoft, BT, Compaq, Orange, Samsung, The Document Company Xerox and Gateway. Text 100 was founded in 1981, employs over 240 people and has offices situated throughout Europe, Africa, South Asia, Australia and USA. Additional information about Text 100 and its services can be found at www.text100.com.

For further information, please contact:

Stuart Baker or Aki Takeuchi, Text 100 Japan
Tel: 03 3359-6651
Fax: 03 5269-1232
Email: stuartb@text100japan.com or akit@text100japan.com
HAL 21, #101
Ichigayadaimachi 7, Shinjuku-ku 162-0066

John Kerr, Text 100 Singapore
Tel: +65 320-8461
Email: johnk_text100@hotmail.com

Emma Bowen-Davies, Text 100 Group plc
Tel: +44 181 242 4215
Email: emmabd@text100.co.uk

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