Boutique Investment Banking Firm Marlin & Associates Strengthens Executive Team

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - January 4, 2008) - Marlin & Associates (M&A), the New York and Washington, DC-based investment boutique banking advisory and consulting firm, today affirmed its leadership in advising US and international middle-market digital information and technology firms by announcing that Jason Panzer, former Vice President of business development at FactSet Research Systems Inc. (NYSE: FDS) has joined the firm.

"Jason's combination of relevant industry experience, extensive US and international transaction expertise and long-term focus on the digital information economy strengthens several of our firm's unfair competitive advantages," said Ken Marlin, M&A's founder and Managing Partner. "He'll be a great addition to our team and we are pleased that he chose to join us."

Jason began his career in the Mergers and Acquisitions group at the leading global law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP, where he worked on dozens of public and private mergers, stock/asset acquisitions, tender offers, LBOs and private equity investments, including the bailout of Long-Term Capital Management; the Citigroup/Travelers merger; and LBOs with top private-equity firms including KKR and Soros.

Later, Jason spent three years as the Chief Financial Officer of JCF Group, the Paris-based provider of global earnings-estimates and other financial data. In 2004, Jason helped to manage the sale of JCF to FactSet, where, as an executive, he successfully led the acquisition and integration of numerous other online data and application software businesses.

Jason earned his Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School, his law degree from Fordham Law School. He is a CFA charterholder.

About Marlin & Associates

Founded in 2002, Marlin & Associates New York LLC is a boutique investment banking and strategic consulting firm focused on providing highly strategic, transaction-related services to U.S. and international middle-market firms engaged in technology, information, on-line media and business services. Marlin & Associates' professionals have advised on over 200 successfully completed transactions in the sector. The firm is based in New York City with a Washington, DC office and has been the recipient of numerous awards.

In December, Marlin & Associates was recognized as the Middle Market Investment Banking Firm of the Year. In July, the firm was acknowledged as the Middle Market Financing Agent of the Year -- Equity. The firm also has been awarded honors in multiple "Deal-of-the-Year" categories including: Financial Technology Deal of the Year; Financial Services Deal of the Year; International Cross-Border Deal of the Year; and Middle Market Financing -- Computer, Technology and Telecommunications Deal of the Year.

M&A professionals have advised on over 200 successfully completed transactions in the technology and information services sector. Recently, Marlin & Associates announced the signing of two transactions that are expected to close in early 2008: the sale of the Hemscott Group (London, England) to Morningstar, Inc. (NASDAQ: MORN); and the sale of StarMine Corporation of San Francisco to Reuters Group PLC (LSE: RTR). Marlin & Associates initiated these transactions, helped to manage the process, assisted in the negotiations and acted as exclusive strategic and financial advisor to the sellers.

Other recent transactions on which M&A has advised can be found at www.MarlinLLC.com.

Contact Information: CONTACT: Michael Maxworthy (646) 495-5141 www.MarlinLLC.com