Impress Expands Life Sciences Capability with Key Appointments

Industry Veterans Andrew Wood and Richard Kerns Join Impress in
the U.K.
PHOENIX--(Business Wire)--
Impress Public Relations, Inc., a leading business-to-business PR
agency specializing in the high-technology and life sciences
industries, today announced the addition of Andrew Wood and Richard
Kerns to the agency to support its growing capabilities in the life
science and fine chemicals industries. The move also expands the
agency's presence in the European Union, with both based in the United
Kingdom, adding direct service in an important global market.

Wood and Kerns will each have responsibility for supporting
existing agency accounts across the spectrum of fine chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, life sciences and bioscience industries, as well as
driving business development for the agency in these areas.

"Our philosophy is simple; to be the best you have to hire the
best," said Dave Richardson, President of Impress. "Entering this
market and extending our markets served, we believe we have managed to
attract the level of talent that allows us to make an immediate impact
in the market. It creates a very strong base for growing our offerings
to ensure the best possible results and value for our clients."

Wood joined Impress in early 2008, bringing over 20 years of
experience in journalism, PR and strategic communications for the
chemical, pharmaceutical and science sectors. Prior to joining
Impress, Wood worked at The Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Mich.,
where he held a senior global corporate PR position. Before Dow, he
spent 17 years in New York City at Chemical Week, holding the position
of editor-in-chief during his final two years, a role that included
chairing and speaking at industry conferences around the world. Wood
was also the markets editor at European Chemical News, now ICIS
Chemical Business, having started with the publication as an assistant
editor. He graduated with a degree in chemistry from the University of
York.

Kerns came to Impress in May 2008, also bringing over 20 years
experience in PR and marketing, both in-house and in
business-to-business agency positions. He entered the fine chemicals
market over 15 years ago, while supporting ICI Specialties during its
transition into Zeneca. In 1995, he established Northern Exposure PR
with a client base focused on the fine chemicals and biotech markets.
Kerns is very well known in the latter sector, having supported a
number of companies, including SAFC, Zeneca Laporte, ChiroTech, Dow,
Peakdale, Synetix Great Lakes, Excelsyn and Codexis. He also handled
media relations for CMPi on its CPhI, P-MEC and ICSE group of
exhibitions, plus InformexUSA and InformexChina.

"Both Andrew and Richard give Impress access to tremendous
resources in terms of experience, market understanding and
industry-specific media relations," added Richardson. "Andrew is
highly accomplished both as an editor and marketing communications
expert to major corporations in the fine chemicals and related
industries. He brings to Impress a tremendous competitive edge as we
expand into these markets. Richard brings a wealth of experience in
his own right, both in media relations and agency management. His
understanding of the public relations trade will be a key component to
our growth in the region."

About Impress Public Relations

Impress Public Relations is a fast growing international
business-to-business public relations agency specializing in micro-
and nano-electronics, life sciences, fine chemicals and related
industries. The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, with
offices in San Francisco, California; Portland, Oregon and Providence,
Rhode Island. Impress also offers in-house PR services for China and
Taiwan, and global support through strategic partners in Munich,
Germany; Seoul, Korea and Tokyo, Japan. Impress combines more than 100
years of experience in high-tech marketing, public relations,
journalism and publishing. The agency's mission is to use public
relations as an integrated marketing approach to help shape
perceptions and create positive lasting impressions. For more
information, please visit www.impress-pr.com.

Impress Public Relations
Dave Richardson, +1-415-994-1423
dave@impress-pr.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008