Economic Uncertainty Drives Enterprise Risk Management Activity

Formal Risk Assessments Lead to Transparency and Improved Risk Detection


BOSTON, MA--(Marketwire - October 19, 2010) -  Recent economic uncertainty has become a key driver for risk management, according to The Executive Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Agenda, a new report from Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company (NYSE: HHS). The volatility impacting industries around the world has challenged companies to more effectively identify risks, eliminate exposure, and implement processes aligning risk management with compliance and governance. In a survey of over 210 companies worldwide, Aberdeen research finds that top performing companies are 83% more likely to be able to clearly assess the status of existing risk and 71% more likely to have transparency and clear communication of risk information, thereby building a risk-aware culture.

"With today's increased consumer and governmental scrutiny, companies must be aware of events that directly impact their brand image and their competitive position. By integrating risk information into strategic planning, capital allocation, core decision-making and performance management, top performers gained a 17% improvement in effectiveness of risk detection and assessment year over year: 7% higher than all other companies," said David Hatch, senior vice president and general manager of Aberdeen Group's research operations.

A complimentary copy of this report is made available by Aberdeen Group through November 2010. To obtain a complimentary copy of the report, visit: http://www.aberdeen.com/link/sponsor.asp?spid=30410182&cid=6598&camp=2.

Visit Research.Aberdeen.com for additional access to complimentary Financial Management and GRC Research.

About Aberdeen Group, a Harte-Hanks Company
Aberdeen provides fact-based research and market intelligence that delivers demonstrable results. Having queried more than 30,000 companies in the past two years, Aberdeen is positioned to educate users to action: driving market awareness, creating demand, enabling sales, and delivering meaningful return-on-investment analysis. As the trusted advisor to the global technology markets, corporations turn to Aberdeen for insights that drive decisions.

As a Harte-Hanks Company, Aberdeen plays a key role of putting content in context for the global direct and targeted marketing company. Aberdeen's analytical and independent view of the "customer optimization" process of Harte-Hanks (Information - Opportunity - Insight - Engagement - Interaction) extends the client value and accentuates the strategic role Harte-Hanks brings to the market. For additional information, visit Aberdeen (www.aberdeen.com) or call (617) 854-5200, or to learn more about Harte-Hanks (www.harte-hanks.com), call (800) 456-9748.

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