Giuliani and Aon to Provide Corporate Crisis Management

Business Wire, Oct 16, 2002

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2002

Giuliani Group LLC and Aon Corporation announced today the formation of a strategic alliance to provide crisis management services to major corporations around the world.

Giuliani Group is a management consulting firm, founded by former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and staffed by his team of senior executives, many of whom served with him during his eight-year tenure as Mayor. Aon, under the direction of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Patrick G. Ryan, is a world leader in risk management, retail insurance brokerage, reinsurance brokerage and specialty and wholesale insurance brokerage, claims management, specialty insurance services, and human capital consulting services.

In addition to Aon's internal crisis management capabilities, the alliance will draw upon the management expertise of former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his colleagues in running the largest city in the United States. These include former NYC Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, former NYC Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen and former director of the NYC Office of Emergency Management Richard Sheirer. Specifically, Giuliani Group will provide corporations with short and long-term crisis management solutions, aid in the development and implementation of comprehensive crisis operations protocols and advise on internal and external emergency communications procedures.

The alliance will offer an array of services, including:

- Planning for preservation of corporate reputation / shareholder value

- Crisis management and risk reduction planning

- Planning for continuity of business operations

- Pre-incident crisis communications consulting, including planning and training

- Consulting on design and creation of fully-integrated crisis response centers

- Threat assessments and security consulting

- Litigation settlements and buyouts

"We look forward to working with Pat Ryan and the senior executives at Aon in this important strategic alliance," said Giuliani, Chairman and CEO of Giuliani Group. "There is tremendous need for corporations to prepare for any type of major crisis - from a physical disaster to a product recall to sabotage. This innovative partnership will enable companies to tap into the expertise of Giuliani Group's executives, while benefiting from Aon's global reach and corporate consulting knowledge."

"Companies today must prepare for what was previously inconceivable," said Patrick G. Ryan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aon Corporation. "Aon is already a global leader in consulting and risk management. Merging our expertise with that of Rudolph Giuliani, whose leadership skills have set a crisis management standard for the world, made perfect sense."

Aon will draw upon its global crisis management and business consulting experience and capabilities. Since 1997, Aon's Special Risks Counter-Terrorism Team (SRT) has combined both military and insurance experience to provide risk transfer and risk management solutions for clients exposed to the peril of terrorism. The following year, Aon began developing unique integrated risk management and insurance solutions in the event of terrorist use of chemical, biological and radiological agents.

In 1999 Aon founded its Crisis Management Practice, offering comprehensive crisis management, crisis communications and business continuity planning services to corporations worldwide. The Practice marshals all of Aon's client consulting services to address not only terrorism issues, but also to guard against any identified or unanticipated potential crisis that may affect human life, or corporate operations, profitability and reputation. The Practice's services are available within the United States and overseas through Aon's global consulting network.

About Giuliani Group

Giuliani Group is led by former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani and a number of senior executives from his administration. With Mr. Giuliani as Chairman and CEO, the firm draws upon its experiences and expertise in innovative financial management, public safety, emergency preparedness and leadership during crises.

About Aon Corporation

Aon Corporation (www.aon.com) is a holding company that is comprised of a family of insurance brokerage, consulting and insurance underwriting subsidiaries.