Indianapolis (October 12, 2000) — Aquent, the world’s largest talent agency for creative, Web and tech professionals, today announced its acquisition of Artisan Staffing, a company that has been providing creative staffing services in Indianapolis for over 20 years.

The acquisition broadens the company’s reach and brings a combined 34 years of staffing experience in the Web, graphics and design industries to the Indianapolis market. “This acquisition unites two companies with the common mission of better serving the creative community of Indianapolis,” says John Chuang, Aquent’s co-founder and CEO. “Artisan’s in-depth knowledge of the local market combined with Aquent’s talent agency model of operations mean that we can increase the benefits and training opportunities for the talent that we serve thereby attracting and retaining the best creative professionals.”

Through this acquisition, Aquent gains a broader client and talent base that will give it an opportunity to place creative professionals in a wide range of assignments including copywriting, graphic design, art direction, and production. Aquent will continue to offer a full range of benefits to qualified talent including comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage; long-term disability insurance; matching 401(k) plan; and free training for those interested in transitioning their skills to the Web. Aquent’s real-world skills assessments and unconditional 110% guarantee ensure that clients consistently get the right person.

“We look forward to joining forces with Aquent and continuing its innovative efforts in the world of self-employment and in providing client solutions that set it apart from temp agencies,” says Lucy Allen, Area Manager.

For the past two decades, Artisan Staffing has provided quality staffing solutions to over two thousand Indianapolis businesses. Founded in 1974 as Temporaries, Inc., the company combined several divisions including MacStaffing and CAD Staffing to form Artisan in August of 1999.

This partnership gives freelance creative professionals:

• Access to a global network of clients. Aquent has placed over 200,000 independent professionals at client companies since 1987.
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage; long-term disability insurance; and matching 401(k) plan for qualified talent.
• Unique training programs like Aquent’s Springboard program, a free workshop covering Web page production, design and programming, available to qualified candidates interested in transitioning to a Web career.
• Dedicated agents who provide career coaching and development.
• A network of more than 50 offices in 12 countries.
• Access to MyAquent, a personalized Web site where talent can update their work schedule and availability, enter timecards online, review their accrued hours for benefits and vacation pay, and receive client feedback.

Clients benefit from:

• Access to top creative talent worldwide through our network of offices and alliances with the American Institute of Graphic Artists, Adobe, the Association of Internet Professionals, School of Visual Arts, lynda.com and others.
• A talent screening process that includes face-to-face interviews, portfolio reviews, and real world skills assessments to ensure the right match.
• Great customer service that includes an unconditional 110% money-back guarantee.

Aquent (www.aquent.com), formerly MacTemps, Inc., is a $200 million specialized talent agency providing contract and permanent experts in the areas of Creative, Web and Technology. In its 14-year history, Aquent has made more than 200,000 matches at client companies worldwide. Headquartered in Boston, Aquent leverages both the Internet and a network of 60 offices around the globe to provide independent professionals access to work, professional training and the same insurance, retirement, and cash-flow management benefits enjoyed by traditional W-2 workers. Aquent was recently named the Official Talent Agency of the American Institute of Graphics Arts.

Aquent’s ties to the Indianapolis business community run deep. Aquent is the lead investor in Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com), a Indianapolis-based company that rates local home service providers.