DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., June 16, 2005 - Carolyn Vesper Bivens has been named commissioner-elect of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and will become the first female and only seventh commissioner in the organization's 55-year history when she assumes the role next month. Bivens, 52, is currently president and chief operating officer of Initiative Media North America, the largest media services company in the United States and part of the Interpublic Group of Companies. She was unanimously elected by the LPGA Board of Directors, which had formed a search committee in January to work in concert with Heidrick & Struggles, a global executive recruiting firm. Current LPGA Commissioner Ty M. Votaw announced his resignation on Jan. 7 but will remain with the LPGA to ensure an orderly leadership transition.

"The LPGA is experiencing tremendous growth and success, and the organization is very pleased to have unanimously identified a proven, dynamic leader who will continue to build on this unparalleled momentum, as well as create new and prosperous opportunities for the LPGA," said Rae Forker Evans, chairwoman of the LPGA Board of Directors and co-chair of the commissioner search committee. "Over the past several months, we have undergone an intense and thorough search for the best candidate to lead the LPGA, and through the unprecedented interest by hundreds of applicants, Carolyn was the obvious choice for all involved in the process. Given her impressive background as a consummate senior business executive in sales, media, television and business, she is uniquely qualified to bring the LPGA unmatched success."

"Becoming commissioner of the LPGA, one of the most successful, recognizable and well-respected sports organizations in the world, is truly one of the highest honors of my professional life," said Bivens. "I have long considered the commissionership as a top career aspiration and am thrilled about the opportunity to work with the some of the most extraordinary athletes and golf professionals in the world to continue the organization's upward momentum."

"Carolyn's expertise in the media and sales industry will be a tremendous asset to our association," said Heather Daly-Donofrio president of the LPGA Tour Executive Committee and co-chair of the commissioner search committee. "I have been impressed by the quality and quantity of the candidate pool, and am proud that we have found such a promising fit in Carolyn. She has the desire and capacity to not only handle the position of commissioner, but to excel at it."

Bivens joins the LPGA at a time of exponential growth, increased media exposure and extraordinary competitive achievements by LPGA Tour players. Since the launch of the organization's five-year Fans First strategic business plan in 2002, consumer demand for the LPGA is on the rise with attendance and network television viewership having increased 20 percent and 26 percent, respectively, from 2001 to 2004. Fueled by the historic performances of Annika Sorenstam, as well as the great play of emerging stars and seasoned veterans such as Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr, Juli Inkster, Meg Mallon, Grace Park, Jennifer Rosales and Lorena Ochoa, the awareness level of the LPGA has never been higher. Most recently, the association unveiled the next major initiatives in its Fans First plan, the most significant for the LPGA and professional golf in recent history: LPGA Playoffs at The ADT, a new year-long competitive structure featuring a $1 million first-place prize, the largest in the history of women's golf; and These Girls Rock, a brand platform that will further contemporize the LPGA. Both programs are designed to fortify the LPGA's competitiveness in the sports entertainment marketplace, energize the brand and benefit all of the organization's stakeholders.

Bivens joined Initiative Media North America, at the time a burgeoning media consulting firm, in June 2000 as managing director of its western region. One year later, she was tapped as its president and chief operating officer for North America. Over the past five years, Bivens and her team have developed a business model and infrastructure for Initiative Media North America that allowed the company to grow successfully. Today, Initiative Media North America has 22 offices across the U.S. and Canada, more than 1,000 employees, and billings in excess of $10 billion in North America. Bivens also leads Initiative Media North America's Executive Committee, overseeing all client accounts and providing counsel to senior-level executives on media strategy and planning across all platforms.

Prior to joining Initiative Media North America, Bivens enjoyed an 18-year career with USA Today. She joined the "Nation's Newspaper" in 1982 as part of the original launch team, and subsequently held various roles including Director of National Sales, Vice President of National Circulation Sales, and for nine years, Senior Vice President and Associate Publisher. Bivens' career began at Xerox Corporation where she served in various sales and marketing positions.

"I am confident that Carolyn will be an invaluable asset to the LPGA as commissioner," said Votaw. "As I've said numerous times throughout the process, I believe the LPGA's foundation is the strongest it has ever been in its 55-year history, and Carolyn's background, relationships and proven business savvy will most certainly encourage continued growth and realization of the LPGA's full potential."

"Carolyn is a businesswoman, just like the more than 1,100 businesswomen who make up the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) membership," said Patti Benson, national president of the LPGA T&CP membership. "She is intelligent, driven and well-respected throughout her industry, and I look forward to working with her to increase opportunities for both the Tour and Teaching and Club Professional memberships as she brings her unrivaled relationships, knowledge and perspective to our organization."

Bivens is active on the Board of Directors for the Ad Council and National Steppenwolf Theatre and is a member of the American Association of Advertising Agencies Media Policy Committee. In addition, she is the Chairman of the Board of Governors for Children's Miracle Network. Also in 2002, Electronic Media magazine named her one of the most powerful women in television. Bivens, who is passionate about women's golf, is an avid golfer herself and belonged to Congressional Country Club for 22 years.

Bivens currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Bill. She plans to transition to Daytona Beach, Fla., over the coming months and will assume the duties of commissioner-elect by the end of July.

Bivens becomes the seventh commissioner in the LPGA's 55-year history. Her predecessors are: Ray Volpe, 1975-82; John D. Laupheimer, 1982-88; William A. Blue, 1988-90; Charlie S. Mechem Jr., 1991-95; Jim Ritts, 1996-99; and Votaw, 1999-present.

The commissioner search committee members included: co-chairs Daly-Donofrio and Evans; LPGA Board Members Benson, Dawn Hudson and Mechem, commissioner emeritus of the LPGA; and LPGA Tour players Beth Daniel, Laura Davies, Lorie Kane and Deb Richard. LPGA Tournament Sponsors Association President Jack Benjamin and LPGA Tour member Judy Dickinson served in ex-officio non-voting capacity.

About Ladies Professional Golf Association
Featuring the world's best women golfers, the LPGA's membership includes touring, teaching and club professionals. The LPGA Tour in 2005 features 34 events, with total prize money of $45.1 million. Since 1981, the LPGA and its tournaments have raised approximately $160 million for charity. From the dreams of its 13 founders in 1950, the LPGA has evolved into the world's preeminent women's professional sports organization. The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. The LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) membership boasts a total of nearly 1,200 women golf professionals who serve as teachers, golf professionals, club managers and coaches. Through the LPGA T&CP membership, the LPGA is working to increase the involvement of women and youth in golf, as well as contribute to the growth of the sport overall. The LPGA is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Fla. For more information on the LPGA, log on to www.LPGA.com.

About Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc.
Heidrick & Struggles International, Inc. is the world's premier provider of senior-level executive search and leadership consulting services, including talent management, board building, executive on-boarding and M&A effectiveness. For more than 50 years, we have focused on quality service and built strong leadership teams through our relationships with clients and individuals worldwide. Today, Heidrick & Struggles leadership experts operate from principal business centers in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. For more information, please visit www.heidrick.com.
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Contact: Connie Wilson, LPGA, 386-274-6200