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Roll Call Group Acquires Capitol Advantage for $43 Million

WASHINGTON, D.C. — (Aug. 1, 2008) -- Roll Call Group, an Economist Group business, announced today that the company has acquired Capitol Advantage of Fairfax, VA, a pioneer of online and offline grassroots and advocacy tools.

“Capitol Advantage is the perfect partner for Roll Call Group. This acquisition will enable us to provide an even greater range of services for people whose business it is to understand the workings of Congress,” said Laurie Battaglia, Managing Director and Executive Vice President of Roll Call Group. “Its market leading products used by nearly 2,000 corporations, nonprofits, associations, educational institutions, media portals, and other organizations will complement those of Roll Call and GalleryWatch. The expanded Roll Call Group is now a one-stop-shop for organizations seeking to understand the processes of government, track the legislative agenda, mobilize grassroots support and manage their interactions with policy makers.”

Capitol Advantage is made up of three core products: Congress at Your Fingertips, CapwizXC and Knowlegis. First published more than 20 years ago, the Congress At Your Fingertips congressional directory is the leading source of information on members of congress and their staff. CapwizXC, an award-winning online advocacy solution employed by more than 1,700 web sites, empowers organizations to influence legislation by educating and mobilizing their grassroots supporters. Knowlegis is a suite of innovative online tools that provide legislative data necessary to manage relations with key policymakers.

Capitol Advantage also powers Congress.org, which provides “politically engaged” citizens information about key issues facing the United States, lets them identify their state and federal representatives, and send emails directly to these representatives.

“We see the combination of Capitol Advantage’s product set and Roll Call’s strong market position creating an important strategic opportunity.” said Bob Hansan, Founder and President of Capitol Advantage. “This partnership will enhance our customers’ ability to promote their issues and will give a huge boost to Capitol Advantage’s original mission of helping individuals and organizations develop an effective and powerful voice on Capitol Hill and with the nation's state legislatures.”

Notes to Editors

About The Economist Group

The publications and services delivered under The Economist brand are The Economist newspaper, Economist.com, Economist Intelligence Unit, Economist Conferences, The World In and Intelligent Life. The Group’s other global brands include: CFO, a publication for senior finance executives (CFO, CFO Europe, CFO Asia, CFO China, CFO.com); EuroFinance Conferences, a cash and treasury management event business; and Roll Call and European Voice (aimed at decision-makers on Capitol Hill and Brussels respectively). The Economist Group is a private company.

About Roll Call Group

Founded in 1955, Roll Call Group is the leading news source for coverage of the people, politics and process that shape the legislative landscape. From our daily Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, to our legislative wire service, CongressNow, to our centralized policy intelligence service, Briefing Room, and our comprehensive legislative-tracking service, GalleryWatch, Roll Call Group provides its readers with the tools, data and access to understand and influence Congress.

About Capitol Advantage

Founded in 1986, Capitol Advantage helps organizations politically empower citizens through market leading online and offline products including the Congress At Your Fingertips congressional directory, the CapwizXC online grassroots advocacy suite, and Knowlegis, a collection of online tools providing legislative data designed to help organizations manage their relationships with key policy makers.
www.capitoladvantage.com