Boris Beker extends his shares in the CEE agency Chapter 4

VIENNA, March, 2012 - Parallel to giving up the joint office location at Loquaiplatz, Chapter 4 and Ecker & Partner have decided to dissolve the 20% participation of Ecker & Partner in Chapter 4. Boris Beker, who already holds 5%, will take over the 20% of shares held before by Ecker & Partner.

Agency founder Severin Heinisch remains the majority owner with 75% agency shares.

The separation from Ecker & Partner took place in mutual agreement and will be carried out until mid of March, 2012. The agencies will work further together on common projects, while remaining linked to each other through the Affiliation with Burson-Marsteller. Chapter 4 is the exclusive Affiliate partner of Burson-Marsteller in 11 CEE/SEE countries and acts as the B-M Agency Hub for the region.

Chapter 4 will have more room for business in the Austrian market this way. „We have become more attractive for Austrian agencies, who want to access our specific know-how in CEE/SEE“, said Severin Heinisch, CEO, Chapter 4. „I am glad that my business partner Boris Beker takes the opportunity to increase his shares. As a Consultant and Proxy Holder, he has vitally contributed - through his special cultural, linguistic and technical competence - to the success of Chapter 4 in Southeast Europe.“

Chapter 4 - which has again recently underlined its position as a leading Austrian agency network in CEE/SEE with the establishment of Chapter 4 Romania - works for international companies in the region: HP, Lufthansa, Reed Exhibitions Austria, Shell, Heineken and many others. „Above all, our customers appreciate the professional control of the PR Agenda via our Headquarters in Vienna“, says Boris Beker. „We combine the local expertise of our teams with the demands and needs of international companies, while securing an efficient implementation of activities, consolidated and central reporting and consistent and quick project realization.“

Axel Zuschmann, Executive Director of Ecker & Partner, adds: „We stronger focus on our core business in Austria, as well as the development of new products. Hence, we have decided to continue the cooperation with Chapter 4, but to give up our shares. This makes sense for both sides“.