Cirque du Soleil and CGI Group Inc. (CGI) today announced the signing of a 10-year information technology (IT) outsourcing contract valued at CDN $130 million. As part of this contract, 84 IT positions of the Cirque du Soleil in Montreal, Las Vegas, and Orlando will be transferred to CGI. <br><br> "We have complex needs and a requirement to be served and supported around the globe. Further to considering several options, we chose CGI as we feel that we are like-minded in being flexible yet rigorous. Cirque du Soleil and CGI Group Inc. (CGI) today announced the signing of a 10-year information technology (IT) outsourcing contract valued at CDN $130 million. As part of this contract, 84 IT positions of the Cirque du Soleil in Montreal, Las Vegas, and Orlando will be transferred to CGI.
"We have complex needs and a requirement to be served and supported around the globe. Further to considering several options, we chose CGI as we feel that we are like-minded in being flexible yet rigorous. Already, during this transition process, we have experienced first hand just how flexible and dedicated a partner they are," said Danielle Savoie, CIO of Cirque du Soleil.
Pierre Turcotte, senior vice-president and general manager, Quebec with CGI added: "We are very pleased to be partnering with such a well-known brand and international organization. This win is clear evidence of our ability to serve them wherever they are worldwide. I want to warmly welcome our new professionals to the CGI team. We look forward to working with such a creative organization."
CGI is charged with providing operation, support and evolution of the Cirque du Soleil's global technology infrastructure and applications. CGI will also be providing IT services for the Cirque du Soleil's touring shows around the world. This partnership will strengthen CGI's growing expertise within the large-scaled entertainment and sporting event sectors.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the 8th largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 25,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices in Canada, the United States of America ("US"), Europe, Asia Pacific as well as from centers of excellence in Canada, the US, Europe and India. CGI's annualized revenue run rate is currently CDN$3.6 billion (US$3.1 billion) and at December 31, 2005, CGI's order backlog was CDN$12.9 billion (US$11.1 billion), or $14.0 billion (US$12 billion) including the BCE contract extensions signed in January 2006. CGI's shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.SV.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology and MidCap Indices.
CGI Forward- Looking Statements
All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and may be "forward-looking information" within the meaning of sections 138.3 and following of the Ontario Securities Act. These statements represent CGI Group Inc.'s current intentions, plans, expectations, and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, of which many are beyond the control of the Company. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements or forward looking information. Investors are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward looking statements or forward looking information.
These factors include and are not restricted to the timing and size of contracts, acquisitions and other corporate developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; market competition in the rapidly-evolving information technology industry; general economic and business conditions, foreign exchange and other risks identified in the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in CGI Group Inc.'s 2005 Annual Report or 2005 Form 40-F filed with the SEC, the Company's 2005 Annual Information Form and in the Company's MD&A for the first quarter of fiscal 2006 filed with the Canadian securities authorities, as well as assumptions regarding the foregoing. The words "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "foresee", "plan", and similar expressions and variations thereof, identify certain of such forward-looking statements or forward looking information, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. In particular, statements relating to future performance are forward-looking statements and may be forward looking information. Except as required by law, CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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CGI:
Investor relations
Lorne Gorber
Vice-president, investor relations
Lorne.gorber@cgi.com
(514) 841-3355
Media relations
Eileen Murphy
Director, media relations
Eileen.murphy@cgi.com
(514) 841-3430
