McLean, VA, USA (June 29, 2005) – Octagon announced today that The Black Widow, Jeanette Lee, will have surgery in August to repair her back from chronic problems as a result of her lifelong battle with scoliosis.

Lee has been playing with significant pain in her back for the last several months, and after consultation with highly regarded spinal specialist Dr. Terry Trammell, it has been determined that the surgical procedure is required for a long term resolution to her back pain. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Trammell, a partner in Orthopaedics Indianapolis, on Thursday, August, 11, 2005 in Indianapolis.

In the meantime, she will continue with her regular schedule which includes competing on the WPBA Tour, defending gold for the U.S. at the 2005 World Games in Germany and her tour of United States Naval bases, both here in the U.S. and in Europe. Lee’s last competition will be the WPBA Midwest Classic in Peoria, Illinois that will take place August 3-7. She is expected to return to the billiards circuit in late 2005.

“Jeanette has been dealing with scoliosis for her entire life, yet she continues to impress me on how she handles herself throughout the adversity,” said Octagon’s Senior Marketing Executive Tom George. “We look forward to her pain-free return to billiards that will allow her to compete at the high level we have all come accustomed to with the Black Widow.”

The former World #1 and Player of the Year, Lee holds more than 20 national and international titles and is consistently ranked as one of the Most Powerful People in the sport by Billiards Digest. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Women’s Sports Foundation and serves as a national spokesperson to the Scoliosis Association.

She has had three previous back procedures related to the scoliosis.

Dr. Trammell is a highly respected partner in Orthopaedics Indianapolis, a multi-specialty orthopaedic group of more than 50 physicians, where he specializes in the care of spinal deformities (scoliosis) neck, low back injuries and problems, spinal tumors and trauma as well as racing injuries. Dr. Trammell has been involved in motorsports for more than 20 years and is one of the founding members of the International Council of Motorsports Sciences. Known as the “Orthopaedist to the Stars”, his patients have included many of racing’s greatest drivers including Dario Franchitti, Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt and Jason Priestly.

Octagon is the world’s leader in sports and entertainment marketing with global expertise in consulting, athletes & personalities, event management, property representation, marketing solutions, licensing and merchandising, talent procurement and television rights and production. As part of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), one of the world’s leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services, Octagon employs more than 1,000 people in 60 offices around the world. For further information please visit: www.octagon.com. The Black Widow Scheduled for Back Surgery in August
Jeanette Lee Continues Battle with Scoliosis That Requires Back Operation

McLean, VA, USA (June 29, 2005) – Octagon announced today that The Black Widow, Jeanette Lee, will have surgery in August to repair her back from chronic problems as a result of her lifelong battle with scoliosis.

Lee has been playing with significant pain in her back for the last several months, and after consultation with highly regarded spinal specialist Dr. Terry Trammell, it has been determined that the surgical procedure is required for a long term resolution to her back pain. The procedure will be performed by Dr. Trammell, a partner in Orthopaedics Indianapolis, on Thursday, August, 11, 2005 in Indianapolis.

In the meantime, she will continue with her regular schedule which includes competing on the WPBA Tour, defending gold for the U.S. at the 2005 World Games in Germany and her tour of United States Naval bases, both here in the U.S. and in Europe. Lee’s last competition will be the WPBA Midwest Classic in Peoria, Illinois that will take place August 3-7. She is expected to return to the billiards circuit in late 2005.

“Jeanette has been dealing with scoliosis for her entire life, yet she continues to impress me on how she handles herself throughout the adversity,” said Octagon’s Senior Marketing Executive Tom George. “We look forward to her pain-free return to billiards that will allow her to compete at the high level we have all come accustomed to with the Black Widow.”

The former World #1 and Player of the Year, Lee holds more than 20 national and international titles and is consistently ranked as one of the Most Powerful People in the sport by Billiards Digest. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Women’s Sports Foundation and serves as a national spokesperson to the Scoliosis Association.

She has had three previous back procedures related to the scoliosis.

Dr. Trammell is a highly respected partner in Orthopaedics Indianapolis, a multi-specialty orthopaedic group of more than 50 physicians, where he specializes in the care of spinal deformities (scoliosis) neck, low back injuries and problems, spinal tumors and trauma as well as racing injuries. Dr. Trammell has been involved in motorsports for more than 20 years and is one of the founding members of the International Council of Motorsports Sciences. Known as the “Orthopaedist to the Stars”, his patients have included many of racing’s greatest drivers including Dario Franchitti, Mario Andretti, AJ Foyt and Jason Priestly.

Octagon is the world’s leader in sports and entertainment marketing with global expertise in consulting, athletes & personalities, event management, property representation, marketing solutions, licensing and merchandising, talent procurement and television rights and production. As part of The Interpublic Group (NYSE:IPG), one of the world’s leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services, Octagon employs more than 1,000 people in 60 offices around the world. For further information please visit: www.octagon.com.