BONN, Germany, August 23, 2006 – The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced today that it has selected Edelman as its global Public Relations Agency.

Edelman will work as a pro bono partner of the Germany-based IPC, the international governing body of Paralympic Sport. The IPC reviewed proposals from several firms for this assignment.

Edelman will support the IPC by leveraging its expertise in sports marketing, corporate reputation, consumer and multicultural marketing in its offices in Hamburg (Germany), New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Beijing, Toronto and London. Edelman will coordinate efforts from Hamburg and New York, focusing on the development of a global PR program and implementation in key countries.

The Paralympic Games take place shortly after the Olympic Games in the same city and using the same venues. Upcoming Paralympic Games will be held in Beijing in 2008, Vancouver in 2010 and London in 2012.

“We opted to partner with Edelman because of the firm’s unique sport marketing and Games expertise, as well as their global reach,” said Xavier Gonzalez, IPC Chief Executive Officer. “The IPC is proud that Edelman recognizes the value and potential of the Paralympic Movement and has committed to help us promote our important mission to inspire others through sport, empower athletes and make the world better for all people with a disability.”

Peter Land, Global Managing Director of Edelman’s Sports & Sponsorship Practice, said “This relationship means a great deal to Edelman for a variety of reasons. Our Olympic teams around the world were seeking to contribute something back to their communities through sports; we will be able to deepen Edelman’s leadership position within the Games environment; and anyone who has been to a Paralympic event or met one of its talented athletes, understands the power and passion of the Paralympic Games. We believe our global network will help strengthen the profile of the Paralympics.”

Since 1984, Edelman has worked on every Olympic Games through numerous clients including corporate sponsors, national governing bodies, organizing committees, bid cities and athletes. For the Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, Edelman worked for three worldwide Olympic partners – including GE and Samsung, which also became a Worldwide Partner of the IPC this year.