Centro Ranked Number 91 Fastest Growing Company in North America in Deloitte’s 2009 Technology Fast 500

CHICAGO, October 20, 2009 – Centro, the leader in local online display advertising, today announced that it ranked number 91 on Technology Fast 500™, Deloitte LLP’s ranking of 500 of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America. Rankings are based on percentage of fiscal year revenue growth during the five year period from 2004–2008. Centro grew 1,433 percent during this period.

Centro’s founder and president, Shawn Riegsecker, credits the company’s incredible staff, proprietary technology and forward-thinking clients with the company’s 1,433% revenue growth over the past five years. He said, “It is an honor and a privilege to be recognized by Deloitte and listed among other fast-growing technology companies.  Centro’s hard-working staff and the technology we’ve created has allowed us to serve our clients and grow at a rapid pace.  The intelligence, passion and determination of this team continues to map our success for the future.”

“Technology Fast 500™ recognizes innovative companies that have broken down barriers to success and defied the odds with their remarkable five-year revenue growth,” said Phil Asmundson, Vice Chairman and U.S. Technology, Media and Telecommunications leader, Deloitte LLP. “We congratulate Centro on this accomplishment.”

“With its impressive five-year growth, Centro has earned its position among the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America,” said Mark Jensen, Managing Partner, Technology and Venture Capital Services, Deloitte & Touche LLP. ”Deloitte is proud to honor Centro for its achievement.”

Centro was created to streamline online media buying and planning for ad agencies and publishers.  In 2008, Centro helped 213 agencies develop and execute successful online advertising on behalf of 456 advertisers and currently has more than 10,000 media companies indexed in Transis, its proprietary software.  With just over 100 employees, Centro continues to experience growth after the 1,433% growth rate from 2004 to 2008.

This is Centro’s first year on Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500 list.  The company was also named number 119 on the Inc 500 list of fastest growing companies in September of this year.

Overall, Technology Fast 500™ award winners for 2009 had growth rates ranging from 212 to 146,050 percent over five years. 

Technology Fast 500™ Selection and Qualifying Criteria

Technology Fast 500™ provides a ranking of the fastest growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences and clean technology companies in North America. This ranking is compiled from nominations submitted directly to the Technology Fast 500™ website, and public company database research conducted by Deloitte. Technology Fast 500™ award winners for 2009 are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth during the five year period from 2004 to 2008.

Deloitte’s 2009 Technology Fast 500TM Media Guidance 4

In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500™ recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of the company’s operating revenues. Using other companies’ technology or intellectual property in a unique way does not satisfy this requirement. Consulting companies, professional service firms, etc. are not eligible unless they have proprietary technology that contributes to a significant portion of their operating revenues.

Technology Fast 500™ award eligibility requirements also include base-year operating revenues of at least $50,000 USD or CD, and current-year operating revenues of at least $5 million USD or CD. These revenues must have more than doubled between 2004 and 2008. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of five years, and be headquartered within North America.

About Centro

Centro enhances the success of advertising agencies by helping them develop and execute comprehensive local digital solutions.  Using its proprietary technology platform, Centro streamlines the complex process of buying and selling online advertising among hundreds of national and regional agencies and thousands of local online publishers. With eleven offices across the US, the Chicago-based firm services more than 450 advertisers through its respective agencies and has more than 10,000 digital media companies indexed in Transis, its automated media buying and execution software.  For more information, please visit www.centro.net.

About Deloitte

As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries.

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