Communispace CEO Diane Hessan Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 Award Recipient

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Communispace, creator of online customer communities for more than 100 of the world’s leading brands, today announced that CEO and co-founder Diane Hessan was named winner of the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in the Marketing Services category in New England. The prestigious global awards program, now in its 22nd year, recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

“In the past year, we've built almost 50 new private online communities for leading brands in the media, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, CPG, consumer electronics, financial services, retail and hospitality industries, as well as renewing 20 out of 21 communities for existing clients. None of it would have been possible without the tireless commitment of our employees,” said Diane Hessan, CEO of Communispace. "Our company has even loftier goals for the next few years, and we're well-positioned for success as more companies strategically use online communities to transform today's highly engaged and vocal consumers into true partners in marketing and product innovation."

As a New England award recipient, Hessan is now eligible for consideration for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2008 national program. Award recipients in several national categories, as well as the overall national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award recipient, will be announced at the annual awards gala in Palm Springs, California on November 15, 2008. The awards are the culminating event of the Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum, the nation’s most prestigious gathering of high-growth, market-leading companies.

Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year awards are pleased to have the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and SAP America as national sponsors.

In New England, local sponsors include Boston Magazine, J. Robert Scott, MARSH, Bowne, Curran & Connors, Scherzer International, UK Trade & Investment, ADP, Accounting Management Solutions, and Boston Private Bank & Trust Company.

About Communispace

Communispace Corporation is the leader in building, managing and facilitating private branded communities that deliver the voice of the customer and enable businesses to generate continuous insights, speed innovation, and drive revenue. Founded in 1999, the company has created more than 300 customer communities for industry leaders such as Kraft, Hewlett-Packard, Charles Schwab, Hallmark, Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline and Hilton Hotels. Headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, the company has offices in New York, San Francisco, London, Chicago, Austin, Atlanta and San Remo, Italy.

About Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year

Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year is the world’s most prestigious business award for entrepreneurs. The award makes a difference through the unique way it encourages entrepreneurial activity among those with potential and recognizes the contribution of people who inspire others with their vision, leadership and achievement. As the first and only truly global award of its kind, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognizing them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 135 cities in 50 countries.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 130,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve potential. For more information, please visit www.ey.com.