SAN JOSE, Calif.--May 14, 2003-- Adobe Systems Incorporated, the leader in network publishing, today announced the appointment of Pierre Van Beneden as vice president, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), a new position responsible for driving the company's business in the region. In addition to maximizing growth opportunities in its traditional creative professional, digital imaging and digital video markets, Adobe is continuing its push into the enterprise market with its ePaper solutions. Van Beneden, who is based in London, is responsible for developing business opportunities, forging strategic alliances and increasing Adobe's customer focus in EMEA. His leadership will strengthen Adobe's pan-European presence and enable Adobe to support business and technology initiatives driven by the European Commission. "The EMEA region represents one of Adobe's largest business opportunities," said Bruce Chizen, CEO of Adobe Systems Incorporated. "Pierre's extensive experience in international business management, combined with his solid enterprise background, gives Adobe the executive leadership necessary to support this critical market." Most recently, Van Beneden was president of Critical Path, a U.S.-based software firm. From 1995 to 2000 he held a variety of executive level positions with IBM, including Vice President of Software sales, IBM EMEA; and General Manager and Senior Vice President, Lotus EMEA. Before joining IBM, Van Beneden spent nearly 10 years with Oracle Corporation in France. He holds a doctorate in business management from Paris University, a master's in business management from Paris Dauphine and is a recognized expert on international economic and business affairs. "Adobe's two key strengths -- its people and its technology -- are what attracted me to the company," said Van Beneden. "I believe that Adobe is well positioned to execute its strategy in the coming years and tap the significant potential of the enterprise market in EMEA."