Aquent VP Randy Ricker to Appear on American Marketing Association Webcast, April 13, 2005

Aquent VP Randy Ricker to Appear on American Marketing Association Webcast, April 13, 2005

Program Will Focus on Current Trends in Marketing Careers

BOSTON, March 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Randy Ricker, Aquent's vice president and regional manager for the northeast and central United States, will be the sole guest on the American Marketing Association's (AMA) Internet radio program, "Marketing Matters, LIVE!" at http://www.wsradio.com/marketingmatterslive/ at 11:00 a.m. CT, Wednesday, April 13, 2005. During the hour-long broadcast, Ricker and AMA radio hosts Tim Riesterer and David Kinard will discuss current trends in marketing careers and, equally significant, how trends in marketing are impacting those careers. Listeners can e-mail questions prior to the show to AskRandy@aquent.com. The program will be available after the broadcast at http://www.wsradio.com/marketingmatterslive/archive.htm for on-demand listening for up to one year.

The industry is experiencing tremendous growth in the use of interim marketing professionals and consultants. "We believe this is due to the explosion of new challenges facing today's marketing organizations," says Ricker. "Globalization and the rapid expansion of new media channels and microsegmentation, for example, are demanding so much from marketing communications organizations that they are virtually scrambling to catch up." According to Ricker, understanding the value, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of bringing on interim marketing professionals is the first step toward relieving staff members and allowing them to focus on strategy instead of forcing them into reactionary positions. "This opens new opportunities for all levels of expertise, from branding executives to product managers to communications directors and more," he adds.

Ricker will also cover the current premium being placed on specialization and specialty niches, both in terms of industry and product vertical marketing and in terms of functional expertise, and how this trend impacts both marketers and marketing organizations.

A 12-year Aquent veteran, Ricker has served the company in a variety of roles, including managing Aquent's largest city operations in Los Angeles and New York and as director of training for the company's worldwide operations. Currently he manages Aquent's offices in 14 cities and works closely with the company's senior leadership to develop and implement business initiatives and strategies for the Marketing and Creative Services business unit. During his tenure with Aquent, he has worked with hundreds of companies and has interviewed and placed thousands of candidates across North America.

About Aquent

For nearly 20 years, Aquent has led the way in helping businesses master the ability to generate marketing and communications from within. From its inception in 1986, this marketing services company has pioneered consulting, outsourcing, and staffing solutions that enable clients to build their internal marketing and communications capabilities. Providing unmatched resources and expertise through its network of nearly 70 branches worldwide, Aquent today helps thousands of companies make the most of their people, processes, and technology. Aquent, www.aquent.com, is headquartered in Boston.

Source: Aquent

CONTACT: Judith King, Tel/Fax, +1-818-985-7186, jking818@adelphia.net, for Aquent

Web site: http://www.wsradio.com/marketingmatterslive

Web site: http://www.wsradio.com/marketingmatterslive/archive.htm

Web site: http://www.aquent.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Mary Anne Hailer, +1-617-535-5072 or mhailer@aquent.com, or visit www.aquentmarketing.com.

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