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J.D. Power and Associates Names New Partners

9 July 1998

J.D. Power and Associates Names New Partners to Support Expanding Business Initiatives

     Recent Company Growth, Outstanding Contributions lead to Promotions

    AGOURA HILLS, Calif., July 9 -- In response to recent company
growth, expanding business initiatives and outstanding performance, J.D. Power
and Associates announced today the appointment of seven new partners:
    * Paul Ballew, who is responsible for domestic and international
automotive forecasting, strategic planning and serves as the company's senior
advisor to automotive industry constituents, including manufacturers,
government agencies and financial institutions;
    * Frank Forkin, who oversees several key automotive customer business
relationships, directs supplier services and provides proprietary and
syndicated market research services;
    * Patricia Hogan, who leads a team providing market research and other
information support services for a leading international automotive
manufacturer;
    * Zaiba Nanji, who manages proprietary and syndicated research studies of
customers in the wireline, wireless and cable/satellite TV industries in the
United States, United Kingdom and Canada.
    * Chance Parker, who manages research and forecasting initiatives for U.S.
and Canadian markets in areas such as initial vehicle quality, dependability
and consumer appeal of vehicle features and design.
    * Patricia Patano, who oversees the firm's marketing efforts for
automotive products and services and manages syndicated studies, special
reports and automotive industry publications including The Power Report,
PowerGram and U.S. Monthly Sales Report.
    * David Sargent, who manages the annual U.K. Car Customer Satisfaction
Study as well as proprietary quality studies for automotive and non-automotive
customers.  Sargent also is responsible for coordinating global research
activities for European clients.

    "These individuals bring a wealth of management knowledge and experience
to their respective areas," said Steve Goodall, president and chief operating
officer of J.D. Power and Associates.  "Their expertise significantly enhances
the company's core management team as we continue our strong growth by
providing global marketing information services."
    J.D. Power and Associates is an international firm best known for its
marketing information services in key business sectors including market
research, forecasting and customer satisfaction.  Headquartered in Agoura
Hills, Calif., the firm also has U.S. offices in Torrance, Calif., Michigan,
and Connecticut.  International locations include Japan, Korea, United
Kingdom, Canada and Brazil.
    J.D. Power and Associates can be accessed through the World Wide Web at
http://www.jdpower.com.  Media e-mail contact: john.pepitone@jdpower.com.