Annual Consumer Goods Technology Magazine Reader's Choice Survey Again Ranks Clarkston Consulting #1 for Customer Experience

Business Wire, Feb 9, 2006

DURHAM, N.C. -- Clarkston Consulting, a global management and technology consulting company, today announced that the company has been ranked #1 in Customer Experience within the top ten global consumer products consulting firms by Consumer Goods Technology Magazine's Sixth Annual Reader's Choice survey.

Executed by an autonomous third-party firm on behalf of CGT Magazine, the survey analyzes and reports on feedback from over 150 influential global consumer goods executives representing the best companies and brands. Readers ranked 2005 top-performing consumer goods focused consulting companies based on customer service, performance, ROI, service offerings and industry expertise.

"Clarkston Consulting has continually ranked near the top in our Reader's Choice issue and their achievement in reaching this number one ranking two year's in a row is a testament to their commitment within the consumer goods market and their dedication to their clients," said Steve Rosenstock, Publisher, Consumer Goods Technology Magazine.

Clarkston continues to be recognized as a premier provider of industry solutions with a 2005 rating of 99% as measured by another independent source, The Conference Board. Clarkston is proud to be recognized by numerous objective third party companies in being the top services firm to the industries we serve.

"Having the validation from multiple objective satisfaction surveys demonstrates the special relationship we have with our clients and our passion to deliver their most strategic initiatives to improve their business performance," stated Tom Finegan, co-founder and CEO. "Being focused on two core industry segments, consumer products and life sciences, allows us to invest in building our intellectual capital and service capability that is uniquely positioned to address the challenges facing these clients."

Clarkston also moved up in their rankings as a top overall provider of consumer products consulting services in CGT Magazine's survey reflecting continued success in the global consumer goods marketplace. As the market continues to look for ways to increase top-line growth and bottom-line profits, Clarkston executes effective consumer-driven solutions including the real-time integration of demand and supply, business analytics and trade promotion, ERP implementation and optimization, and innovation strategies linked to faster and more effective new product launches.

Thomas Bornemann, Managing Partner, Consumer Products, at Clarkston, added, "We are extremely excited about the highest ranking in the customer experience category. Our consumer products team continues to grow with the steady additions of key industry experts coupled with our strong foundation of business consultants. Delivering brilliant and unique client service will continue to be our guiding principle."

About Consumer Goods Technology

Consumer Goods Technology, an Edgell Communications publication, is the leading industry magazine dedicated to helping consumer goods firms improve business performance through information technology. Located in Randolph, New Jersey, Edgell Communications publishes four additional technology magazines and four merchandising magazines, and produces several national technology conferences. For more information about Consumer Goods Technology magazine or the Consumer Goods Information Technology Conference, visit our Web site at www.consumergoods.com or call 973-252-0100 x 331.

About Clarkston Consulting

Clarkston Consulting is a leading management and technology consulting firm that provides strategic business solutions for clients within the life sciences and consumer products industries worldwide. These market leaders turn to Clarkston to help them bridge the gap between strategy and execution to sustain a competitive advantage. Clarkston is a sought-after business partner because of its recognized industry thought-leadership and superior client relationships, as measured by The Conference Board's survey on client satisfaction. For more information, visit www.clarkstonconsulting.com.