Aegis Group plc : Harold Mitchell AC, Executive Chairman of Aegis Media Australia and New Zealand, to retire from Aegis Media on 10 August 2013

Aegis Media, the world's leading media and digital specialist, today confirmed that Harold Mitchell AC, Executive Chairman of Aegis Media Australia and New Zealand, is to retire from the business on 10 August 2013. Mr. Mitchell steps down after a long, successful and distinguished career in media, to focus on his other business interests, in addition to his community and charity activities.

Mr. Mitchell joined Aegis Group plc in November 2010 as part of Aegis's acquisition of his business, the Mitchell Communication Group, Australia's leading marketing communications group.  On 15 December 2010 Mr. Mitchell was appointed to the Aegis Group plc Board and he remained a plc Board Director until Aegis merged with Dentsu Inc. on 26 March 2013.

Mr. Mitchell started his business Mitchell & Partners in 1976.  He grew the company into Australia's largest media and communications group, with a growing presence in New Zealand and across the Asia Pacific region.  Beyond the Mitchell Communication Group Mr. Mitchell is a leading figure in Australia's media industry as well as in Australia's arts, sports and health sectors where his charitable work has been recognised on numerous occasions including being appointed Companion of the Order of Australia in 2010 for eminent service to the community through leadership and philanthropic endeavours.

Jerry Buhlmann, CEO of the Dentsu Aegis Network and Aegis Media said: "I have had the honour of working with Harold since Mitchell's became part of Aegis Group back in 2010.  The business Harold built is an example of one of the finest and most innovative media businesses in the world and together we have made a great success of the acquisition by bringing our businesses, people and products together.  Harold is a man of great vision and I would personally like to thank him for his contribution to Aegis and his friendship. He leaves the business in excellent health, with a strong management team in place and well positioned for continued solid growth in one of the most dynamic regions in the world."

Harold Mitchell, AC said: "From my first meeting with Jerry Buhlmann, it was clear that he and the Aegis Group were the perfect fit for the Mitchells companies in Australia. He knew the importance of the new digital market and the exploding growth of Asia.

'The combination of Aegis and Mitchells has put Aegis in the number one position in yet another country and the final tie up with Dentsu, has made it the major force in media and digital in the world.

"It has been a great partnership."

Luke Littlefield, who was appointed CEO of Aegis Media Australia and New Zealand in May 2011, will continue in that role and report directly to Nick Waters, CEO of Aegis Media Asia Pacific.  The role of Executive Chairman, Aegis Media Australia and New Zealand, will not be replaced.

Aegis Media also confirmed that the Mitchell brand will remain, alongside Aegis Media's other brands, Carat, Vizeum, Isobar, iProspect and Posterscope.

ENDS

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About Aegis Media

Aegis Media is a leading, global media and digital communications specialist whose vision is to Reinventthe Way Brands are Built. Through its five global network brands of Carat, Vizeum, Isobar, iProspect and Posterscope, Aegis Media helps clients reach their consumers and achieve their goals through communications services that include digital creative execution, media planning and buying, brand tracking, social media activation and marketing analytics. Aegis Media's operations worldwide are overseen by Dentsu Aegis Network Ltd., a governance body headquartered in London. This governance body also oversees the operations of Dentsu Network, which manages all of Dentsu's other global business operations outside of Japan. www.aemedia.com