Top Lobbying Firms BKSH & Associates and Timmons & Company Announce Merger

WASHINGTON--(Business Wire)--
Prominent DC lobbying firms, BKSH & Associates Worldwide and Timmons and
Company, announced today that they will merge to form Prime Policy Group
(www.prime-policy.com). With a 34 year history in the corporate counsel and
public policy business, these two premier government relations firms come
together to create a single leading bi-partisan firm that will offer a
team-oriented approach to strategic thinking and execution, built on a
distinguished record of delivering results for clients - in Washington and
around the globe.

Prime Policy Group leadership includes Chairman, Charlie Black, President and
CEO, Scott Pastrick, Vice Chairman, Larry Harlow, and Executive Vice President,
Marty Paone (see bios attached).

R. Scott Pastrick, President and CEO of Prime commented, "This is an exciting
time for us as a firm. Bringing together these two talented, bipartisan teams
means expanding our service offerings to our clients. Having strategic
counselors that provide key intelligence, trusted advice and effective advocacy
can provide a decisive competitive edge for business and private-public
entities. This new configuration makes us a logical, primary choice for clients
when they are seeking strategic counsel or representation."

Larry Harlow, Vice Chairman of Prime said of the merge, "The foundation for
every professional and personal relationship is trust and integrity. And
throughout America, success is based upon accepting the challenges of hard work.
All the women and men associated with Timmons and Company and all my many
friends at BKSH embody these qualities on every level and meet those challenges
daily. Our clients know it, officials in government know it; and even those with
whom we`ve been on the other side of issues know it. Our dynamic new firm will
continue to reflect these high standards. We all are excited to enter into this
new partnership and look forward to many years of continued success."

The founding partners of both firms, Charlie Black and William E. Timmons, Sr.,
are seen as giants in the government relations and public policy industry - they
were among the first to pioneer the full service, bi-partisan lobbying firm
model, that is now the industry standard. BKSH & Associates and Timmons and
Company are trusted names in representing interests in Washington and around the
world. Prime Policy Group will carry the integrity, stellar reputation and track
record of results that have been a hallmark of both the BKSH and Timmons`
brands.

The name Prime Policy Group was inspired by the pioneer nature of Timmons and
Black when they started the firms in 1975 and 1980 respectively. It also speaks
to the mission of the firm in treating client interests as a primary focus of
their business.

Both BKSH & Associates and Timmons and Company are WPP owned firms. Prime Policy
Group is a subsidiary of Burson-Marsteller, a global public relations company
with 42 offices worldwide.

Howard Paster, former Timmons and Company Senior Partner and current Executive
Vice President of WPP, the worldwide parent company for Prime Policy Group, said
"This merger will align some of Washington's most expert political and policy
professionals around the enhancement of strategic counsel and the execution of
corporate advocacy. Prime Policy Group will seamlessly redefine the landscape
bringing integrated services to private and public clients worldwide."

For Prime Policy Group
R. Scott Pastrick, 202-530-0500
or
Bryce L. Harlow, 202-530-0500

Copyright Business Wire 2009