UST Global awarded new contracts from three entertainment firms to lower IT costs

Companies Look to UST to Increase Efficiency Through Cost-Effective Application Support, Development and Infrastructure Services

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - December 16, 2008 - The rapid emergence of new technologies, changing customer preferences, and the drive to reduce operational costs have made the media and entertainment industry highly volatile. With devices and distribution formats changing continually, many media companies have been forced to invest heavily in new applications to support digital distribution, direct to consumer sales channels and back office applications such as rights management. Heavy investment in these new areas has created pressure to reduce typical IT costs such as application operations and maintenance. These pressures, coupled with a downturn in ad spending, have forced media companies to look at cutting costs. Companies are looking at areas that will have a positive impact on their bottom line while freeing up knowledgeable staff to work on key business initiatives. Three Los Angeles-based media and entertainment companies have signed agreements with UST Global® (UST), a leading provider of IT services and solutions for Global 1000 enterprises, for ERP, legacy application conversions, infrastructure migration and product development services for these firms. With the addition of these clients to the UST media portfolio, UST now services the home entertainment, theatrical release and digital entertainment divisions of major companies in the media market. Chris Antonius, Senior Director, UST Global, said, "With ad revenues and earnings down, media companies are under incredible pressure to reduce expenses. UST Global has the media expertise and services to help, no matter the economic conditions." There is a compelling reason why media and entertainment companies are increasingly turning to UST and the myriad of services it offers. The well-respected IT research firm, Gartner Inc., surveyed U.S.-based media companies to capture IT spending trends and IT investment priorities for 2008 across hardware, software and IT services. In an August 2008 User Survey Analysis: U.S. Media and Entertainment IT Spending Priorities Gartner found that "The media industry has utilized outsourcing services in application maintenance and management and in packaged application implementation. In our respondent base, 48% are currently outsourcing application maintenance and management and 44% are outsourcing packaged application implementation, and these areas will see continued uptake."1 Known as a "go-to IT services provider" in the media industry, UST has been providing excellent quality and affordable IT services to three of the top six Los Angeles-based media companies for going on five years.

The new clients were intrigued by UST’s reputation in the media industry and its client-centric Global Engagement Model. While conducting their due diligence, UST’s new clients found that typical offshore vendors lacked the necessary media expertise and the Big 5 were very expensive. UST won these contracts as a result of its: Media and entertainment vertical focus Innate understanding of the marketplace and the creative nature of the media business Flexibility US-centric delivery model with senior, on-site account managers supported by an off-site team "Media and entertainment firms are high touch environments that want senior level, U.S.-based personnel to manage their IT service needs," continued Antonius. "Their needs have always aligned well with UST’s offerings, which is why we’ve been able to grow our media and entertainment practice."

About UST Global UST Global® is a leading provider of end-to-end IT services and solutions for the Global 1000 market. UST Global offers a client-centric Global Engagement Model that provides the optimal mix of senior local resources with the cost, scale and quality advantages of offshore operations for each client. The company is known for its relentless focus on clients, flexibility, and commitment beyond contract. Headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, UST Global has more than 6,000 employees operating on four continents. For more information visit: www.ust-global.com 1 Gartner Research "User Survey Analysis: U.S. Media and Entertainment IT Spending Priorities, 2008"