LONDON, April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MINDS International, the global association of digital news agencies, has expanded its reach with the addition of four news agencies to its network. At a recent General Meeting in London, MINDS announced its newest members as Australian Associated Press (AAP), Danish Ritzaus Bureau, Swedish Tidningarnas Telegrambyra (TT) and the South Korean Yonhap News Agency.

In addition, MINDS has also announced the appointment of Clive Marshall, CEO of the UK's Press Association, as its new chairman. The decision was reached as part of the election of a new board comprising Peter Kropsch (CEO Austria Press Agency/Austria), Kakuya Ogata (Deputy Managing Director Kyodo/Japan) and Bernard Maissen (Editor-in-Chief Schweizerische Depeschenagentur/Switzerland). Paulo Nogueira dos Santos (Technical Director Lusa/Portugal) has also been elected to the role of Deputy Chairman.

MINDS International was founded by 11 news agencies in 2007, following an earlier EU-funded project, and has since amassed a membership of 22 leading news agencies from all over the world. The association helps its members to access international markets and encourages development and innovation across mobile, online and digital services. MINDS' members are encouraged to share their research and development experiences, creating a pool of knowledge for the benefit of the group.

Wolfgang Nedomansky, Managing Director of MINDS International, commented: "We are very happy about this important enlargement of our group, which demonstrates the global significance MINDS has established over the past three years. Ritzau and TT complete our network in Europe and AAP and Yonhap's memberships strengthen our position in the Far East and Oceania".

Clive Marshall, new chairman of the MINDS board and CEO of the UK's Press Association, commented: "I am delighted to have been appointed MINDS International's new chairman and look forward to working closely with the new board. I would also like to welcome our four new agency members who make great additions to our network. Each one holds a prominent position in its own national media market and their insight into innovative approaches to services and technology will make a valuable contribution to the success of the MINDS community".

Notes to editors:

About MINDS International

MINDS International is a global network of leading news agencies collaborating in the digital development of the media. The MINDS network gives its members access to valuable know-how and innovative products for their media clients. MINDS acts as a research and development unit for its partners by centrally pooling knowledge and coordinating strategic projects within the network. MINDS cross-links senior managers from all areas of its member agencies, including CEO's, Editors-in-Chiefs, Commercial Directors and IT Managers.

Mission Statement: MINDS International is a global network of equal news agencies sharing ideas and exchanging knowledge to put business concepts forward in order to raise revenues and save costs in digital markets.

    Website http://www.minds-international.com
    A list of all current MINDS member agencies
    - Australian Associated Press (Australia)
    - Agence France-Presse (France)
    - Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (The Netherlands)
    - Associated Press (United States)
    - Austria Presse Agentur (Austria)
    - Belga News Agency (Belgium)
    - Czech News Agency (Czech Republic)
    - Deutsche Presse-Agentur (Germany)
    - EFE (Spain)
    - Kyodo News (Japan)
    - Lusa (Portugal)
    - Magyar Tavirati Iroda (Hungary)
    - Norsk Telegrambyra (Norway)
    - Polska Agencja Prasowa (Poland)
    - Press Association (United Kingdom)
    - RIA Novosti (Russia)
    - Ritzaus Bureau (Denmark)
    - Schweizerische Depeschenagentur (Switzerland)
    - Suomen Tietotoimisto (Finland)
    - Swedish Tidningarnas Telegrambyra (Sweden)
    - TM News (Italy)
    - Yonhap News Agency (South Korea)

SOURCE MINDS International