Yankee Group Acquired From Reuters By Monitor Clipper Partners Led Investor Group

Acquisition Allows the Yankee Group to Reaffirm Its Leadership Role in Communications and Networking Research

BOSTON (BUSINESS WIRE) May 13, 2004 -- The Yankee Group, the world's largest research and advisory firm focused exclusively on communications and networking, announced today that it has been acquired from Reuters by Monitor Clipper Partners and a group of private investors.

Founded in 1970, the Yankee Group was the world's first research technology dvisory firm. For more than 34 years, the Yankee Group has set the industry standard by helping clients go to market and deploy technologies successfully. "We could not be more pleased with the outcome of this acquisition and our new partners," said Brian Adamik, Yankee Group President and CEO. "Throughout this process we focused on achieving the best outcome for our customers and employees. With access to the resources and relationships made available to us by these investors the Yankee Group has the ability to expand its world class customer service and product portfolio."

"The Yankee Group has become a premier global brand by establishing a leadership position in its dynamic and constantly evolving market space," said Mark Thomas, Managing Director of Monitor Clipper Partners. "As a result, Yankee Group is well situated to grow; both by addressing the ongoing needs of its existing customers for faster, more useful and relevant information, as well as by extending its product reach to serve new markets. Brian and his entire team are creative, talented and ready to roll. We believe there is extraordinary untapped potential here and we are delighted to partner with this team in building the Yankee Group's future." Among the group of private investors is Ted Philip, the former President, COO and CFO of Lycos, Inc. Mr. Philip intends to play an active role in this investment, including serving on the board of directors.

About the Yankee Group
The Yankee Group is the global leader in communications & networking research and consulting. The company helps businesses understand the opportunities, risks, and competitive pressures of developing, deploying, and consuming products and services that drive communication or information exchange. Now in its fourth decade, the Yankee Group is based in Boston with offices throughout North America and Europe.

About Monitor Clipper Partners
Monitor Clipper Partners ("MCP") is a private equity firm formed in 1997 by principals of The Clipper Group, an experienced private equity firm, and Monitor Group a leading international strategy advisory and investment firm founded in 1983 with nearly 1,000 professionals in 25 offices worldwide. Monitor Clipper targets growth-oriented businesses with strong management teams that can benefit from the firm's proprietary relationship with Monitor Group to generate superior risk-adjusted returns. MCP sponsors management buyouts, recapitalizations and late-stage growth equity investments. MCP recently raised its second investment fund with $800 million in total commitments, bringing their total equity under management to over $1.5 billion.