PR Newswire Appoints Veteran Communications Executive, John Williams, To Head Operations in China

PR Newswire Appoints Veteran Communications Executive, John Williams, To Head Operations in China

		PR NEWSWIRE LOGO PR Newswire logo. (PRNewsFoto)[AG] NEW YORK, NY USA

		PR NEWSWIRE ASSOCIATION JOHN WILLIAMS Veteran communications executive John M. Williams, 58, has been appointed to head PR Newswire's operations in China as Executive Vice President of Asia Markets, a new position that emphasizes PR Newswire's commitment to help companies communicate more frequently and effectively, on a global basis, the company announced today. (PRNewsFoto)[AS] NEW YORK, NY USA

NEW YORK, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Veteran communications executive John M. Williams, 58, has been appointed to head PR Newswire's operations in China as Executive Vice President of Asia Markets, a new position that emphasizes PR Newswire's commitment to help companies communicate more frequently and effectively, on a global basis, the company announced today. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000306/PRNLOGO Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030814/NYTH021 ) A veteran of the commercial wire service industry with more than 22 years experience, Williams has been at the forefront of many, if not most, of the major innovations this industry has experienced and can be credited with creating many customer-focused services that have helped shape the business, according to Charles Gregson, CEO of PR Newswire. "John has been and will continue to be one of the most influential and inspirational executives in this industry," said Gregson. "His passion and expertise have been the impetus behind some of our most successful products, such as our entry into broadcast and facsimile services and several Internet- based products that helped propel our growth through the 1990's. John's interest in China has grown over the past couple of years and under his direction and his unique view as both a businessman and former journalist, we are confident in the success of this initiative." Williams joined PR Newswire in 1986 as Senior Vice President responsible for the Company's sales and marketing efforts. In 1998, Williams was appointed Executive Vice President of Global Markets responsible for PR Newswire's entrance into new markets, and soon became the force behind PR Newswire's initial investments and involvement in China. In his new role, Williams will be dedicated to overseeing the sales, marketing, personnel and operations of Xinhua PR Newswire, the company's venture with Xinhua Financial Network in China. "With all of the recent changes in China such as its acceptance into the World Trade Organization, there is enormous opportunity for the communications industry," said Williams. "PR Newswire saw this early on and is now in a position to help companies, both in China and worldwide, connect with their key audiences to communicate their messages and seek new investment opportunities. This is a true passion of mine, and I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to dedicate myself to the success of it." Xinhua PR Newswire, launched in late 2002, has secured numerous partnerships with leading news organizations and is in the process of introducing Chinese corporations to the many services that will help them communicate their messages to the Western world. The company has developed a new product line that includes: distribution circuits that enable Chinese corporations to reach the Western media, financial community and general public; distribution circuits into China that help multinational companies target their messages to audiences in China; and a North America Chinese media distribution circuit, enabling both Chinese companies and multinationals to reach the Chinese-speaking population in North America. About PR Newswire Association LLC PR Newswire Association LLC (http://www.prnewswire.com) provides electronic distribution, targeting and measurement services on behalf of some 40,000 customers worldwide who seek to reach the news media, the investment community and the general public with their up to the minute, full-text news developments. Established in 1954, PR Newswire has offices in fourteen countries and routinely sends its customers' news to outlets in 135 countries in 27 languages. Utilizing the latest in communications technology, PR Newswire content is considered a mainstay among news reporters and investors as well as increasing numbers of private individuals. PR Newswire is a subsidiary of United Business Media plc of London. About Xinhua PR Newswire Xinhua PR Newswire is a venture created by Xinhua Financial Network and PR Newswire. Xinhua PR Newswire assists companies, public and private, in writing and distributing financial news releases to the media, financial community and general public in China and around the world. Xinhua PR Newswire is the result of a blending of complementary expertise, relationships and experience to enable both Chinese and international companies seeking foreign investments and achieving PR/marketing goals. About Xinhua Financial Network Xinhua Financial Network (XFN) is an independent financial service and media company based in Hong Kong providing financial information and unique access to Chinese and Asian markets. XFN provides real-time coverage of the Chinese and Asian equity markets and the corporate and economic news that moves them, delivering an integrated platform of indices, financial news feeds, credit ratings and investor relations services to global financial institutions and re-distributors via leased line, Internet and satellite technology. Early this year, the company acquired AFX-Asia Pte Ltd. and became immediately one of the leading financial news services in Asia, providing information from twelve bureaus throughout Asia and Australasia, for the professional investment community and the investing public. Founded in 2000, XFN is backed by a select group of partner investors and is managed by a team of international business professionals recognized for their industry knowledge and proven leadership. The company is owned by a group of international shareholders including PR Newswire, informa, Xinhua News Agency, Nippon Venture Capital, REFCO and Funai Venture Capital. XFN is a Hong Kong corporation, with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and North America. For more information, see http://www.xfn.com. Contact: Rachel Asche, Director of Public Relations, PR Newswire at 212.282.1929 or rachel.asche@prnewswire.com.