PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (March 17, 2006) -- Karen C. Francis, chairman and chief executive officer of advertising agency Publicis & Hal Riney, has been elected to the Executive Women’s Golf Association (EWGA) Board of Directors. She will serve as the board’s business and industry representative for a two year term.

“Karen’s business acumen and extensive marketing experience complement the diverse talents and expertise of our board,” says Penny Hulbert, president of the EWGA Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to have her join our association’s board as we continue the growth of our organization.”

Prior to joining San Francisco based Publicis & Hal Riney in 2004, Francis was vice president of Ford Motor Company and president and chief executive officer of ConsumerConnect, responsible for global e-business strategies, customer relationship management, and export operations. Previous positions include managing director and chief marketing officer at publicly-traded Internet holding company Internet Capital Group and general manager of General Motors’ Oldsmobile division, where she was responsible for the company’s PGA relationship and oversight of the Oldsmobile Scramble. Her accomplishments at General Motors led her to being named the