MZ Group Becomes Multinational and the World's Largest Independent Investor Relations Consulting Firm

NEW YORK, BEIJING and SAO PAULO, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- MZ Group (www.groupmz.com), a multinational company and the world's largest independent investor relations consulting firm, providing one-stop-shop financial, corporate governance, applied technology and integrated corporate communications services, today announced that its subsidiary MZCAN Ltd. (Hong Kong) has merged with Beijing Joinn Alliance Investment & Consultancy ("AICC"), a leading Chinese financial and public relations firm. The transaction marks the first ever M&A in China's financial PR industry initiated by a multinational entity. AICC was renamed MZ China (www.mz-ir.com/china) and remains under the leadership of its founder Wellson Shen.

In addition, the Group's subsidiary MZIlios LLC (www.mzilios.com) has acquired substantially all of the assets of Ilios Partners LLC, a premier shareholder identification and investor targeting firm. In connection with this acquisition, Ilios Partners' research analysts and managers have joined MZIlios and will help to serve over 500 clients globally, offering a premier collection of integrated corporate communication services, IR tools and technology, and award winning capital markets intelligence and shareholder analytics. Enzo Villani, President of MZ North America, will serve as MZIlios' CEO, and Nick Trikolas has joined MZIlios as President and will serve as Managing Director of Capital Markets Intelligence for MZ Group.

Rodolfo Zabisky, Chairman of MZ Group, said, "We are excited to combine MZIlios' premier team in shareholder identification and stock surveillance with the reach of MZ Group, both in the U.S. and in emerging markets. Meanwhile, MZ China makes for a great combination of entrepreneurship, expertise, products, services and geographic footprint, underpinned by a shared commitment to continuous growth and client satisfaction and the unique one-stop-shop business model in Asia."

Furthermore, subsequent to its organizational restructuring announced on December 20, 2010, MZ Group has promoted the spin-off of its communications, competitive positioning, media relations, crisis management, media training, events, annual report and sustainability areas by creating BRIC Integrated Corporate Communications (www.bric-com.com). Offering integrated communications solutions, the agency has global operations, a solid digital-media background supported by a technology platform (CMS) and own offices on three continents.

"BRIC, with its own entrepreneurial management team within MZ Group, is a clear demonstration of our strong commitment to innovate and revolutionize the integrated corporate communications industry. We have a much broader reach than any other communications agency in emerging markets and a solid technological capability to launch premium online newsrooms and blogs, all automatically linked with social media networks. With our characteristic culture, perseverance and determination, we expect to grow very fast in this business," added Rodolfo Zabisky.

MZ Group posted proforma revenue in 2010 of US$25 million and currently has a net cash position of US$12 million (after all acquisitions), which makes it the world's largest independent investor relations consulting firm and leaves it well positioned to lead consolidation in the industry worldwide. The revenue expectations for 2012 and 2015 for MZ Group consolidated are US$60 million and US$150 million, respectively.

About MZ Group (www.groupmz.com): MZ Group is a multinational company and the world's largest independent investor relations consulting firm, providing one-stop-shop financial, corporate governance, applied technology and integrated corporate communications services. Established in 1999, MZ Group focuses on innovation and customized client service with its unique IR business model. With offices in New York, Chicago, Sao Paulo, Hong Kong, Beijing and Taipei, MZ Group currently has over 250 professionals serving more than 500 clients in 10 countries. MZ Group's services include: planning and implementing global investor relations programs, market intelligence and database, structuring companies for IPOs, IR applied technology, corporate governance practices, corporate communications and the exclusive Online General Meetings (www.onlinegeneralmeetings.com).

About MZ China (www.mz-ir.com/china): MZ China, formerly AICC, is an MZ Group subsidiary focusing on the China market. Founded in 2000, MZ China was one of the first financial PR consulting firms established in Mainland China. MZ China's commitment to premium services is based on its one-stop-shop business model, which includes planning and execution of financial events (IPO, secondary stock offering), integrated investor and media relations programs and a commitment to creating value for its clients' shareholders (liquidity, shareholder ID and surveillance, investor targeting, board and financial advisory services and complete technology infrastructure). MZ China has already served 200 Chinese companies listed on the main board, SME board and second board that span across more than 50 industries in 28 provinces.

About MZIlios (www.mzilios.com): MZIlios is a provider of capital markets intelligence and shareholder analytics. With a relentless focus on accurately identifying shareholders for publicly traded companies on a dynamic basis, MZIlios quickly delivers to its clients detailed and accurate shareholder ownership information. MZIlios combines a leading proprietary database developed for accurately tracking shareholder movements, a robust network of investor contacts, seasoned research analysts with an average of 10 years of industry experience in navigating the nuances of shareholder identification, and an award winning database and CRM tool (irNavigator – www.irnavigator.com) that is fast and intuitive.

About BRIC (www.bric-com.com): BRIC Integrated Corporate Communications is a wholly owned subsidiary of the MZ Group created in January 2011 from the spin-off of the communications, competitive positioning, media relations, crisis management, media training, events, annual report and sustainability areas of MZ Consult. The agency has global operations and solid digital media background with technology platform (CMS), with own offices in Sao Paulo, New York, Chicago, Hong Kong, Beijing and Taipei, and offers integrated communication solutions. By respecting the cultures of each organization, BRIC gains an understanding of the challenges and opportunities companies face at various levels (board of directors, financial and communications areas, employees and suppliers, among others) when dealing with opinion makers and other social agents.

SOURCE MZ Group