American Express Business Travel announced a series of recent new customer wins and contract extensions across a broad range of industry groups and geographies. To further capitalize on its early first quarter sales acquisitions momentum and to ensure that client needs continue to be met on every level, the Company also announced key reinforcements to its leadership structure, effective immediately.

During the first 60 days of 2008, new sales wins and renewals (signed contracts and letters of intent) increased 73 percent, compared to the same period of the previous year.

Contributing to the strong sales growth through new contracts or extended agreements are well-known household name companies and various public sector organizations.  These include Bentley, Bobcat Company and GEA Dutch Holding from the automotive and manufacturing sectors; Rabobank a full-range financial services provider; Cadbury from the food industry; global IT services provider CGI Group, Inc.; Medical Counsel of Canada; Rip Curl, a French clothing manufacturer; Manpower, a global staffing agency; Conseil de l’Europe, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, and Swedish Prison and Probation Service & Transport Service from the public sphere; and GSM Association from the wireless industry.
                                              
“We are seeing that in today’s environment, businesses across various industry sectors and geographies recognize the value of our brand and turn to us to provide the technology, expert insight and customer service they need to generate cost savings and optimize their business travel investment,” said Charles Petruccelli, president of American Express Global Travel Services.  “Although economic stresses have placed pressure on the bottom-line for corporations worldwide, business travel remains an essential component of effectively managing and growing a business.  Companies can keep travelers on the road by managing travel costs in a smart and careful way.”

Leadership alignment supports growth initiatives

American Express Business Travel has aligned its senior leadership team to provide a continued focus on growth while enhancing existing customer and supplier relationships. Additionally, the team will focus on continued innovation to set the pace in this dynamic marketplace. As a result, the following key appointments have been made:

Priyan Fernando, Chief Operating Officer also becomes President overseeing the Customer Group, reporting to Petruccelli. In addition to retaining his current responsibility for leading Global Operations, Fernando now adds Client Management and Advisory Services to his portfolio.

Andy McGraw is appointed to the newly created position of senior vice president and general manager, Worldwide Sales. In this role, McGraw will lead the American Express Business Travel sales organization across all regions, markets and industry segments worldwide.

Lisa Durocher is promoted to senior vice president, Marketing and Innovation. She will continue to lead all Marketing, Innovation, Product Management and Online strategy.

Andrew Winterton retains his role as senior vice president and general manager, Global Supplier Relations, Partner Network and Latin America and the Caribbean.

“The new alignment of our senior leadership team will fuel our growth potential and position us to achieve our target goals in 2008 and beyond,” commented Petruccelli. “Organizing our leadership this way allows for greater focus on innovation, acquisition and outstanding customer service and speaks to the competitive differentiation in our value proposition and the benefits we provide to our customers.”