Timothy Straker Joins Fitch as Managing Partner, Client Services

    COLUMBUS, Ohio--Aug. 17, 2001--Fitch, the world's preeminent brand design firm, has appointed Timothy Straker as Managing Partner, responsible for daily operations, including client satisfaction and bottom-line fiscal responsibility, at the Fitch Americas headquarters in Columbus, Ohio.
    Mr. Straker will also be Partner in charge of Client Services, expanding the function through additional staff and a renewed cultural focus on achieving the highest levels of client relationship management, operational efficiency, and brand stewardship.
    Mr. Straker brings thirteen years of account management experience to Fitch. Most recently, Straker served as Managing Director of Client Services at Resource Marketing, an Internet marketing company located in Columbus, Ohio. In addition to managing client relationships and revenues at Resource, Straker was responsible for integrating workflow methodology across multiple service offerings, developing client planning systems, and creating channel marketing strategies.
    Prior to joining Resource, Mr. Straker held various account management and creative positions with Fahlgren, Inc., Paul Werth Associates, and HMS Partners, Inc. His professional career has enabled him to develop strong relationships with such clients as Apple Computer, Adobe Systems, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, McDonald's, and Nationwide Insurance.
    About joining Fitch, Straker says, "In today's business environment, service is the most important differential feature for most companies. Fitch enjoys a great reputation for inspiring design, so creating a more formal client service offering will only enhance the solutions we create for our clients."
    Fitch North American CEO Bill Faust said of Tim's new role, "As the flagship firm for all branding and design services offered by our parent company, Cordiant Communications Group, Fitch is in a position to seek only partner relationships with our clients, and these require the utmost in client service. Though our brand design approach to achieving client objectives is far more integrated than many of our competitors' offers, we can only make product and identity and environment come together, in the end, with strong, consultative client service. We are thrilled Mr. Straker has joined us, and I am confident he can help Fitch exceed our clients' expectations."