IMAP Ranks First in Completed M&A Transactions in Eastern Europe, the Nordic Region and Turkey

SARASOTA, FL--(Marketwire - May 26, 2009) - IMAP, an exclusive global organization of leading merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory firms, announced today that it ranked first in completed M&A transactions in Eastern Europe, the Nordic region and Turkey, according to Thomson Reuters League Tables. IMAP also announced plans for its Global M&A Symposium in Istanbul, Turkey, in October 2009, a location where IMAP completed a record number of M&A transactions last year.

For the first quarter of 2009, IMAP ranked first in Eastern Europe for transactions completed with values up to $500 million, improving its fifth place ranking from 2008. IMAP also retained its first place ranking from 2008 in the Nordic region for transactions completed with values up to $500 million. Additionally, IMAP ranked first in Turkey in 2008 for transactions completed with values up to $500 million.

"Year over year, IMAP has successfully increased its number of closed M&A transactions in the emerging markets of Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe and the Middle East," said Søren Nørbjerg, Partner at IMAP's Denmark office, Advizer. "We believe that it is very important to continue to grow our presence in these regions, as we anticipate they will experience a wealth of economic growth in the coming years. We are very excited to announce that Istanbul has been selected as the destination for IMAP's next Global M&A Symposium, and are confident that the city's location, cultural history and global importance will draw prospective attendees."

IMAP's Global M&A Symposium will be held on Friday, October 23, and will cater to private equity groups, corporate development personnel and global M&A attorneys. With access to IMAP's more than 500 advisers, the symposium offers attendees an opportunity to participate in high-level exchange, generate new opportunities and develop relationships with industry professionals on a global scale. More details on the symposium will be announced in June.

"Business relationships are vitally important in Turkey and our neighboring countries," added Sevket Basev, Managing Partner at IMAP's Istanbul office, 3Seas Capital Partners. "As an IMAP partner, we are committed to developing strong relationships with our fellow IMAP advisers across the globe. These relationships allow us to offer our clients an international set of resources, which are essential to successfully navigate the current M&A market."

Thomson Reuters League Tables are based on a single set of globally consistent criteria, submission guidelines, transaction classifications and eligibility rules, allowing interested parties to accurately analyze transactions from around the world.

About IMAP

IMAP is an exclusive global organization of leading merger and acquisition advisory firms. Formed in 1973, IMAP is composed of 55 offices in nearly 40 countries throughout North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, Australia and Asia. In 2008, IMAP advisers completed 252 transactions, with an aggregate transaction value of more than $13 billion. IMAP advisers provide strategic merger, acquisition, divestiture and related corporate finance services. Sellers of mid-size companies and corporate acquirers alike rely upon IMAP for essential local market knowledge and industry expertise delivered with unparalleled global reach. Every business day, somewhere in the world, an IMAP advisor is completing an M&A transaction. More information is available via the Internet at www.imap.com.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: For IMAP: Sara DeNio (312) 780-7223 sdenio@dresnerco.com For IMAP: Jennifer Jameson (312) 780-7241 jjameson@dresnerco.com