Becomes the Largest Creative Staffing Company in Houston

Houston (April 11, 2000) — Aquent today announced it is acquiring Houston Creative Connections, Inc. (HCC), an agency that provides complete creative services to a host of industries ranging from oil and gas to publishing. The acquisition unites two companies with a combined 30-year history in the Web, Graphics and Design industries and makes Aquent’s talent agency the largest creative staffing firm in Houston. Together, Aquent and HCC will continue their commitment to making the best matches between clients and talent.

“We are two like-minded companies coming together to strengthen our dedication to the creative community,” said John Chuang, Aquent’s cofounder and CEO. “Aquent’s extensive portfolio of services and expertise in the creative industry perfectly complement HCC’s in-depth knowledge of the local market.”

Through the acquisition, Aquent gains a broader client and talent base that will give it the opportunity to work with a wide range of assignments, from entry level to high-end design work. Aquent will continue to offer training, software assessment, and financial and insurance services to all talent and a 110 percent money-back guarantee if clients are dissatisfied with any professional placed by Aquent.

“I’m looking forward to working with the pioneering professionals within Aquent and know that our clients and talent will be well served by Aquent’s unmatched reputation for quality in the creative industry,” said Sue Jackson, HCC’s president.

HCC has served the local creative community since 1985 and its president, Sue Jackson, is a distinguished member of the Houston business arena. For the past four years, Jackson has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Houston Women Business Owners, and HCC has won numerous awards including the 1999 National Award for the American Advertising Federation. Established in 1991, Aquent’s Houston office surpassed $3.2 million in sales this year.

Aquent, formerly MacTemps, Inc., is a $100+ million dollar company with a proven, 13-year track record of supporting Independent Professionals (IPs). Headquartered in Boston, Aquent leverages both the Internet and a network of 58 offices around the globe to provide IPs access to work, professional training and the same insurance, retirement, and cash-flow management benefits enjoyed by traditional W-2 workers. Aquent’s talent agency specializes in providing both contract and permanent experts in the areas of Design and Creative, Production, Web Development, Systems Administration. Aquent has placed more than 25,000 professionals in more than 32,000 client companies worldwide. Access Aquent’s comprehensive portfolio of IP services at www.aquent.com/