MZ Group Announces Organizational Restructuring to Triple Operations by 2012

NEW YORK, Dec. 20, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The MZ Group ("Company"), a leading global investor relations ("IR") consulting firm, providing financial, corporate governance, applied technology and integrated corporate communications services, hereby announces that its Board of Directors has approved an organizational restructuring to better prepare the Company for its accelerated growth in 2011, primarily in emerging markets. The Group should close 2010 with revenues of US$19 million, 15% higher than in 2009 (when the private equity fund Jardim Botanico Investments acquired 28% of the Company), and plans to reach US$57 million by 2012.

The reorganization includes the spin-off of the MZ Consult communications team into a new independent company (provisionally entitled "CCI"), focusing exclusively on integrated corporate communications and media relations, which will receive the total attention of the Board of Directors in its accelerated growth trajectory (including sector M&As). The Company believes there is an excellent opportunity for constituting a major communications firm, aiming at the development of integrated positioning and peer monitoring programs for top management.

As a result, the MZ Group has been structured into three principal areas, operating in the convergence of stakeholder relations and the creation of shareholder value: (i) investor relations; (ii) integrated corporate communications; and (iii) governance and boards of directors.

With these changes, Rodolfo Zabisky ceases to be President of MZ Consult and becomes CEO and Chairman of the MZ Group (holding), focusing on the development on new businesses, M&As and the expansion of MZ's one-stop-shop model to other emerging markets. Bruce Ledesma leaves his position as head of MZ Consult technology area and moves to the MZ Group (holding), taking over as Chief Integration Officer. Ricardo Eguchi, MZ Consult's CFO/CIO/HR and Chief Planning Officer will now accumulate these posts in the MZ Group's other operational companies.

Tereza Kaneta will be President and partner of MZ Latin America, with the task of strengthening support for companies intending to go public on the BM&FBOVESPA – "IPO Journey". MZ believes that there should be at least 20 IPOs in 2011 in Brazil, twice the 2010 figure, and by 2015, BM&FBOVESPA estimates that approximately 200 IPOs will take place. The new integrated corporate communications unit (provisionally entitled "CCI") will be headed by Andreza Taglietti, while the governance and board of directors advisory services unit ("CORP Board Advisory Services") will continue under the leadership of Valter Faria.

"With our renowned innovation DNA and total commitment to client satisfaction, once again we have proved our vocation by providing companies a unique and convergent offering, comprising a comprehensive portfolio of outstanding products and services and highly-qualified professionals. Within the next three weeks we will share more exciting news with our clients and partners, ratifying our DNA and our focus in the growth and perpetuity of the MZ Group," declared Rodolfo Zabisky, the Group's CEO and Chairman.

The Group also created MZ North America in order to strengthen and expand MZ's operations in the United States, especially in the market intelligence, non-deal roadshow and applied technology areas, which will have Enzo Villani, previously one of the MZ Group's three independent Board members, as President and partner. In Asia, where the Group will continue to invest, Kevin Yu moves from being head of MZCAN (a company merged into the MZ Group in April 2010 and the IR technology leader in Greater China) to President and partner of MZ Asia/Pacific.

The challenges and opportunities in Asia are enormous, and the MZ Group is determined to replicate the same unique business model that conquered its clients in Latin America. In the first nine months of 2010, 70% of share offerings took place in the BRIC countries, 328 of which in China/Hong Kong, 43 in India, 8 in Brazil and 6 in Russia. By 2015, MZ Asia/Pacific, under the leadership of Kevin Yu, should achieve at least double the revenue of MZ Latin America, while the MZ Group should be sufficiently large to hold its own IPO.

About MZ Group (www.mz-ir.com): MZ Group (www.mz-ir.com) is a leading global consulting firm providing integrated investor relations, financial services, technology and integrated communication services. Established in 1999, MZ Group focuses on innovation and customized client service with its unique "one-stop-shop" IR model. With offices in New York, São Paulo, Hong Kong, Beijing and Taipei, MZ Group currently has 220 professionals serving more than 400 clients in 10 countries. MZ Group's services include: planning and implementing global investor relations programs; structuring companies for IPOs; market intelligence; IR applied technology, corporate communications and two exclusive programs worldwide: IR Global Rankings (www.irglobalrankings.com) and Online General Meetings (www.onlinegeneralmeetings.com).

SOURCE MZ Group