Overseas billings climb 7%, now representing 46% of all company billings Seoul, April 25, 2005 : Cheil Communications, one of the world's top 20 global advertising and marketing communications agencies, has announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005. Building on the company's core strengths and resources as the largest advertising agency in Korea, Cheil continued in the first quarter to pursue its long-term strategy of expanding its international business. Overseas billings were 140.8 billion Korean won, up 7% over the first quarter of 2004. This growth was driven in part by a surge in outdoor display ads, along with major exhibition projects conducted in North America and Europe. Total billings were down slightly to 300.8 billion Korean won, 3% less than the same quarter last year, largely due to continued softness in the Korean economy. Nevertheless, despite the negative business climate during the quarter, Cheil expanded its business base by acquiring new clients in Korea as well as new sports marketing programs including a major baseball sponsorship program for Samsung Electronics.