Press release: Business network XING opens subsidiary in Milan

Cipriano Moneta appointed new Country Manager for ItalyMilan, March 3, 2009 – The publicly listed XING AG (O1BC) – operator of Europe’s leading network for business contacts – is continuing on its clear course of international expansion. The opening of a new subsidiary office in Milan means that XING AG is now present at a local level for the thriving online community in Italy. The Company has appointed Cipriano Moneta (45), an internationally renowned Internet Manager, with the aim of driving forward member growth and B2B operations in Italy with increased impetus. Born and brought up in Milan, Moneta previously held the position of Managing Director at jobpilot Italia Srl, where he played a key role in turning the career website into the national market leader. In his subsequent post as Vice President at Monster Worldwide Deutschland GmbH, he assumed overall responsibility for pan-European marketing of the high-profile website. In recognition of his achievements, Moneta was voted “Manager of Excellence” in 2005 by the leading manager consortium “Manager Italia”.

“Business networking is crucial to an individual’s professional success – particularly during periods of economic uncertainty. XING is by far the best address to utilize this potential on a pan-European scale. Every day, more and more Italians are discovering the invaluable benefits that a professional network has to offer. The business networking market is set to grow significantly over the years to come as a result. And I am very much looking forward to building up our local team and establishing XING as the clear market leader in Italy’s business capitals as well,” said Moneta.

Italy gets networking: Across borders, on their cell phones and at events
In Moneta’s view, XING has three key competitive advantages that will make it a success: “nowhere else in Europe is the ratio of cell phones to people greater than in Italy. XING’s mobile applications – such as the iPhone application – therefore enjoy particularly high demand from our members. Networking across Europe and getting to know new contacts on a personal, offline basis at events is also particularly important in many business sectors. The number of events organized on XING by members for members grew by around 25 percent last year to more than 55 thousand events in total,” Moneta continued. “The platform also makes it remarkably simple to forge new strategic partnerships with regional business partners.” With other offices already operational in Barcelona, Istanbul and Beijing, XING AG anticipates that activity and recommendation levels will continue to grow along with the local, tailored member support throughout the Mediterranean region. XING AG has also hired Business Press, a leading Italian PR agency specialized in Internet communications, with a view to boosting the public perception of XING still further. About XING
XING is the leading network for business contacts in Europe. Far more than a directory of business contacts, XING makes your professional network an active part of your life, enabling members to discover professional people, opportunities and privileges through its unique discovery capability and advanced contact management tools.
With the successful IPO of XING as the first Web 2.0 company to go public, XING AG has had a long-term impact on the social networking trend amongst professionals. By focusing on the target group 'business people worldwide', the company is able to offer tailored features, thereby making networking and contact management simpler. Besides Headquarters in Hamburg, XING AG is also represented with offices in Barcelona, Milan, Istanbul and Beijing.
XING. Powering Relationships.