PETCO Names M&C Saatchi LA as New Advertising Agency

Ad Agency Known for 'Brutally Simple Thinking' Wins Integrated National Pet Specialty Retail Account 


SAN DIEGO, July 12  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PETCO Animal Supplies Inc. (NASDAQ:PETC) today announced that it has appointed M&C Saatchi LA as its new advertising agency.

"Our priority was to find an advertising agency with broad capabilities, a track record of success and the ability to deliver fresh strategic thinking," said Dave Bolen, PETCO Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer.  "We conducted an extensive review and were extremely pleased with what we saw from M&C Saatchi during the search.  This is going to be a very productive relationship."

M&C Saatchi will be responsible for developing a fully integrated advertising and marketing program for PETCO.  The agency is expected to begin work in August.

"We are thrilled to be working with PETCO," said Huw Griffith, Chief Executive Officer of M&C Saatchi LA.  "We've taken a brutally simple approach with our thinking and creative idea, with the intent of truly differentiating and building PETCO's brand."

Bolen added, "We are expecting great things from M&C Saatchi.  We believe they will help us leverage the terrific brand we have developed and act as our strategic partner as we take the brand to the next level."

About PETCO

PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food, supplies and services.  PETCO's vision is to best promote, through its people, the highest level of well being for companion animals, and to support the human-animal bond.  PETCO generated net sales of $2 billion in fiscal 2005.  It operates approximately 800 stores in 49 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading destination for online pet food and supplies at http://www.petco.com/. Since its inception in 1999, The PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised more than $30 million in support of more than 3,700 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations around the nation.

About M&C Saatchi

M&C Saatchi was launched in 1995 and became the fastest growing agency in the history of advertising.  The agency has since grown to become one of the largest independent agency networks in the world.  Maurice and Charles Saatchi founded the agency following the split from Saatchi & Saatchi, which they had originally set up in 1970.  M&C Saatchi is committed to the principle of Brutal Simplicity of Thought.  M&C Saatchi Los Angeles was established in 2003 and has developed a variety of iconic campaigns for clients including Ketel One, Beverly Hills Convention & Visitors Bureau, US Department of Commerce, Crystal Cruises, San Diego Zoo, City National Bank and Qantas. 

DATASOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies Inc.



CONTACT:  Don Cowan of PETCO, [phone], ; or Eric

Lindbom of CarryOn Communication, [phone], , for

PETCO Animal Supplies Inc.



Web site:  http://www.petco.com/ 

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