(Hamilton, Bermuda, January 29th, 2004) – The Ministry of Tourism, Telecommunications and E-commerce today announces that it has appointed Bermudian companies Aardvark Communications and Troncossi Public Relations to market Bermuda as an e-business destination in the UK and USA. The companies have been awarded the $800,000 contract for two years after beating six other local firms.

Together the award-winning companies will provide a fully integrated strategic marketing programme which incorporates advertising, direct mail, market research, online marketing and public relations. The Bermuda based agencies will be working with The Horn Group in the USA to leverage their market knowledge and contacts.

Minister for Tourism, Telecommunications and E-commerce, the Hon. Renee Webb, JP, MP, said: “E-Business is an important growth area for Bermuda and the appointment of two highly competent Bermudian companies to communicate our messages about Bermuda’s skills and services will ensure we are rightly recognised as a leading e-business destination around the globe.”

Ben Fairn, Managing Director of Aardvark, says: “Once we have completed our initial research to find out how the international and local business community perceives Bermuda as an e-business destination, we look forward to showing the Ministry how we can successfully market our opportunity. Via a strategic and creative communications campaign we will help businesses in the USA to understand Bermuda’s sophisticated and competitive e-business capabilities and consequently encourage the growth of e-business in Bermuda.”

Elizabeth Tee, Managing Director, Troncossi, says: “We will spend the next few months planning and working with the Ministry, BIBA and private sector companies on the island to develop our key messages before going out into the market. We look forward to influencing our media contacts around the world to position Bermuda as the foremost offshore jurisdiction for secure e-business, and to improving the status of Bermuda in the e-business world. We also wish to increase the awareness of the sophistication of businesses already operating in Bermuda and to position Bermuda as thought leaders in a number of e-business areas.”

E-Commerce Consultant Nigel Hickson says: “The e-Bermuda marketing team has been developed because of its experience in the e-business industry, having worked for companies such as Cable & Wireless, Motiva, Agile Software, as well as local companies such as AT&T Wireless, Quo Vadis and Ignition. Each of the marketing partners knows the relevant media and audiences inside and out. As a team, they have an excellent network of partners and contacts to work with for the purposes of the programme, and we look forward to seeing their work come to fruition. Aardvark and Troncossi were chosen after an extensive tender process last year which saw six Bermudian companies submit proposals.”