MANDRAKE EXPANDS RETAIL PRACTICE 

TORONTO, December 22, 2000 - Stéfan Danis, President and CEO of Mandrake, is pleased to announce that Donna Pearl has joined the firm as a Consultant heading up the Retail Practice. 

Donna has over 25 years experience in the retail marketing and advertising industry. Most recently, Donna worked at Generator where she was responsible for the Retail division and new business plan. Donna has also held senior positions at the agencies Bates O'Rourke and McDonnell Haynes. In addition, Donna spent over 12 years at Saffer Advertising as Senior Vice President responsible for the agency's largest retail client, as well new business development. 

Donna's other accomplishments include implementing the "Strategic Alliance Group", an organization that instituted multi-faceted marketing programs between retailers and their vendors. The Strategic Alliance Group was used by every agency Donna worked for. As well, Donna has extensive abilities in the training and development of sales and marketing management. 

"I look forward to bringing the best of both the client and candidate sides of the retail business to all my projects at Mandrake," said Pearl. 

"Donna brings a wealth of experience to Mandrake's Retail practice," said Danis. "I am honoured to have her join the firm." 

Established in 1970, Mandrake's services include Executive Search, Mergers & Acquisitions, Strategic Alliances and Organizational Consulting. With offices in Toronto, Montréal and Calgary, and affiliates worldwide, practice areas include Marketing, Sales, Advertising and Communications, Creative Services, Finance, Retail, Healthcare, Information Technology, and Interactive and Emerging Technologies. 

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For more information contact: Donna Pearl, (416) 922-5600 ext. 281, pearl@mandrake.ca; or Julie Argles, Marketing Communications Coordinator, (416) 922-5600 ext. 350, argles@mandrake.ca.