FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Web Consulting, Inc. Acquires Vector Marketing’s Digital Printing Research and Consulting Business

Vector Marketing’s Internet Business Renamed Vector Usability

Boston, MA (December 2, 2003) — Web Consulting, Inc., the Boston-based US office of global digital printing and imaging consultancy Web Consulting, has signed an agreement to acquire the market research, industry reporting and consulting business operations of Vector Marketing, Inc., the Orlando-based market research firm specializing in the wide format digital graphics, sign, and screen print industries. Under the Agreement, Vector’s President, Marcia Price, will pursue a dual role ­ both as a Consulting Partner for Web Consulting, Inc. and as President of Vector Usability, a new business venture offering internet website usability, internet strategy development and e-marketing business consulting originally developed within Vector Marketing. While Web Consulting and Vector Usability will remain separate companies, they have agreed upon a long-term plan to support each other’s future business activities and development.

This addition will immediately enhance Web Consulting’s industry report offerings and capabilities to expand their service offerings to the US digital imaging industry. “We are very excited about this opportunity and the additional resources it brings to the global Web Consulting organization,” said Michael Flippin, newly promoted to Vice President of Web Consulting, Inc. “This added primary market research capability at both the end user and vendor / manufacturer levels complements our strategic analysis and consulting to the digital and analog printing industries.”

According to Marcia Price, president and founder of Vector Marketing, “Vector Marketing’s end-user based research methodology for primary market research and consulting business in the US dovetails perfectly with Web Consulting’s research on manufacturers and suppliers of printer hardware and inks, and its end-user research in Europe and Asia. Our customers will greatly benefit from this new partnership.” Effective December 1, Web Consulting assumes the management of Vector Marketing’s employees in Orlando, FL and Orange County, CA. Web Consulting will also take over Vector Marketing’s schedule of US-based wide format industry reports for 2004 and beyond, which will be co-branded as part of the global offerings of Web Consulting.

Stewart Partridge, Managing Director of Web Consulting Ltd’s UK headquarters, is delighted with the new Agreement. “Marcia Price has established a US-based digital research and consulting service second to none, and we are delighted that she is staying on board with the new group, and intends to maintain key client relationships. The experience and obvious high caliber of her employees also makes them valuable new assets to Web Consulting, Inc.”

This Agreement continues the growth and worldwide expansion of the Web Consulting organization, which earlier in 2003 opened an office in Shanghai, and founded Web Consulting, Inc. in Boston. This latest agreement means that Web Consulting, Inc. will now additionally operate offices in Orlando, FL and Orange County, CA. According to Michael Flippin, “The Web Consulting organization is going through a period of sustained global growth to meet our customers’ changing needs. Having strong management teams sited in local offices worldwide is a key element to further expanding our responsiveness to customers.”

Web Consulting

Originally founded in 1993, Web Consulting (www.webconsulting.co.uk) is a leading global consultancy to the digital and analog printing and imaging industries. The company provides primary market research, technology information, merger and acquisition support, strategic analysis, and supporting services such as implementation, training and project management. The company specializes in graphics, textiles and industrial applications for digital and analog printing and decoration. Global and regional manufacturers of machinery and consumables for the digital printing, screen-printing, sign making and photo industries rely on Web Consulting for strategic advice and analyses.

Vector Marketing

Vector Marketing (www.vecmarketing.com) was established in 1999 and has provided independent and confidential market research and strategy development services for organizations within the sign and graphics industry. Vector Marketing has also offered a wide range of internet development and website usability services, including access to fully equipped lab facilities for end user website testing. These services will be rebranded under Vector Usability.

Web Consulting Ltd

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Phone: +44 1235 821771
Fax: +44 1235 821775
E-Mail:
Website URL: Julie.hyde@webconsulting.co.uk