GroupArgent Appoints Damian Voltes as Partner - Latin America

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY, Wednesday, February 10, 2010.  The Board of Directors of GroupArgent, LLC today announced the appointment of Damian Voltes as Partner – Latin America, effective January 1, 2010. 
 
Mr. Voltes will collaborate with GroupArgent’s Investment Banking Team in serving the firm’s Latin American and US Hispanic Technology and Internet clientele.
 
"Damian Voltes has reshaped the Online Marketing Industry in Latin America and, in the process, has created phenomenal shareholder value over his 14 years as an operator, executive and investor in the industry," said Pierre-Georges Roy, Partner of GroupArgent.  "He has a keen understanding of the Internet economy. Damian’s experience, judgment and independent thinking represent an important addition to our firm, and will be of tremendous value to our Partners, associates and clients."
 
Mr. Voltes is the CEO of Patagonia Ventures, an early stage venture capital firm focused on Latin America. He also is the CEO of Emerging Cast Inc. a company dedicated to the production, aggregation and syndication of "short form" videos across the Web and Mobile and TV applications.  Previously, he co-founded Digital Ventures and InZearch, two online marketing companies acquired by FOX/News Corporation in July 2007. Voltes went on to serve as FOX’s VP of Global Business Development. GroupArgent represented the shareholders of Digital Ventures and InZearch in the sale to FOX. 
 
Voltes is a serial entrepreneur who founded several successful start-ups including CuponesOnline.com Inc (Online Sweepstakes), Netkiosk S.A. (Internet Public Kiosk) and InterMarketing Group (Direct Marketing Agency).

He holds a Bachelor in Business Administration (Universidad de Belgrano), a Master in Business Administration (Universidad de Belgrano) and a Postgraduate in Telecommunications (Universidad de San Andres & ITBA).
 
GroupArgent is a merchant bank that provides a wide range of investment banking and principal investing services internationally to a substantial client base that includes entrepreneurial corporations, financial sponsors, and high net worth individuals. Founded in 2005, GroupArgent is one of the most active U.S. firms serving the Technology and Internet Industries in both the US and in Latin America. The firm is headquartered in New York and maintains offices in Buenos Aires.