(BEIJING, April 27 2006) – The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) announced today it has hired the global communications consulting firm Hill & Knowlton (H&K) as the communications consultancy. 

The communications agency selection process was initiated by BOCOG in February, 2005, and eight global agencies participated in the bidding process. Following a comprehensive review, BOCOG selected H&K as its communications agency partner.

H&K will help BOCOG implement the communications plans for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing by providing support for major events, communications outreach to the international media and assistance in communicating Beijing's Olympic vision.

"Hill & Knowlton will partner with us to help provide world-class services to the media and communicate the vision of the Beijing Olympic Games," said Mr. JIANG Xiaoyu, BOCOG executive vice president.  "Their expertise and capabilities will complement the resources we already have"

H&K was established in 1927 and is part of WPP Group plc (NASDAQ: WPPGY), one of the world’s largest communications services groups. It offers international communications resources and has extensive experience with the Olympic Movement including works supporting the International Olympic Committee and Athens's and London's successful bids for the Summer Olympic Games.