NEW YORK- May 22, 2007 "“ Weber Shandwick, a leading global public relations firm, today announced an international collaboration with Cleantech Venture Network, the leading organization bringing capital together with cleantech innovation globally. The goal is to extend the reach and visibility of Cleantech Forumsâ„¢ through events in Frankfurt, Toronto, San Francisco and Beijing.

Cleantech Venture Network and Weber Shandwick will work together to further advance the Network's position of authority in the booming cleantech economy. According to Cleantech Venture Network's® most recent data, total 2006 venture capital investment in cleantech was $3.5billion in Europe and North America, representing a 45% increase over 2005.

"Cleantech is beginning to enter a more mature cycle, and there is an increasing need to differentiate through strategic communications," said William Brent, senior vice president and head of Weber Shandwick's cleantech unit. "Working with leaders like Cleantech Venture Network means Weber Shandwick will remain on the front lines of cleantech while also having a clear view of the coming horizon."

"With cleantech investment increasing across all asset classes, our forums continue to break new ground by convening global thought leaders, investors, innovators and policymakers together," said Nicholas Parker, Chairman and Co-founder of Cleantech Venture Network. "With Weber Shandwick's resources, experience and reach, the forums will be able to grow at a much faster pace."

Weber Shandwick │Cleantech draws on the firm's Consumer, Technology, Public Affairs, Web Relations and Corporate expertise to provide comprehensive communication strategies in key markets around the world. It works with established and emerging companies involved in products and services that cover renewable energy, power storage, green IT, energy efficiency, recycling, materials, green building, transportation and water.

Cleantech Forums are planned for China, Germany and Canada. Weber Shandwick will work with Cleantech Venture Network to raise the organization's profile in these key markets, building additional advocates by broadening the media mix covering cleantech, including broadcast. In addition, Weber Shandwick will assist in identifying speakers and companies to present at the Forums.

About Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is one of the world's leading global public relations firms with offices in major media, business and government capitals around the world. The firm specializes in strategic marketing communications, media relations, public affairs, reputation and issues management, and offers corporate communications counseling services. Weber Shandwick also provides specialized integrated services including Web relations, advocacy advertising, market research and visual communications. In 2006, Weber Shandwick was named Large PR Firm of the Year (PR News U.S.), European Consultancy of the Year (The Holmes Report) and Network of the Year (Asia Pacific PR Awards). The firm also won the United Nations Grand Award for outstanding achievement in public relations. To learn more, please visit www.webershandwick.com.

Weber Shandwick is a unit of The Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG), which is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies.

About Cleantech Venture Network, LLC

The Cleantech Venture Network LLC is a membership network which catalyzes investment, business opportunities, and relationships driving the growth of cleantech globally. The Cleantech Venture Network founded the cleantech investment category in 2002 and brings together stakeholders at the four Cleantech Forums per year and provides investors, executives, government agencies, and media accurate and consistent data on cleantech venture investments, M&A and IPO’s for North America, Europe, and China. The network has over 8,000 cleantech investors and 9,500 companies worldwide that take advantage of the global Cleantech Forums, comprehensive market research services and reports, online proprietary deal flow and investor directory. In addition, the Cleantech Venture Network provides timely investor information services, including the twice-a-month market intelligence newsletter, Cleantech Capital Alert and the quarterly Cleantech Investment Monitor report which tracks and analyzes all cleantech investments, M&As and IPOs in North America and Europe.

Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick

Weber Shandwick is one of the world's leading global public relations firms with offices in major media, business and government capitals around the world. The firm specializes in strategic marketing communications, media relations programs, public affairs, reputation management and issues management, and provides corporate communications counseling. Weber Shandwick also provides specialized integrated services including Web relations, advocacy advertising, market research and visual communications. Find out more at www.webershandwick.com. Weber Shandwick is a unit of The Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG), which is among the world's largest advertising and marketing services organizations.

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