NEW YORK, May 06, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Piper Jaffray announced it has hired Michael Bowen and James Marsh as senior research analysts to lead the investment research team's entrance into the media and telecommunications sector. The firm recently established a media, entertainment and telecommunications investment banking team to provide financial expertise for middle market and emerging growth companies in the converging industries of media, entertainment and telecommunications. Bowen and Marsh will be based in New York and provide coverage of telecommunications and media companies, respectively, to build the firm's capabilities in this sector.

Bowen joins Piper Jaffray from Rhombus Capital Management where he was previously a senior analyst and portfolio manager covering the telecom and media sector. Previously, he gained more than 10 years of experience in the telecom industry working for Friedman, Billings, Ramsey Group Inc.; Soundview Technology Group; Deutsche Bank; and Credit Suisse. In addition, Bowen has more than five years of experience in the technology industry. He earned a bachelor's degree and Master of Business Administration degree in finance from the University of Maryland.

Prior to joining Piper Jaffray, Marsh acquired more than decade of experience working for companies including SG Cowen; Robertson Stephens, Prudential Securities; and UBS where he provided coverage of media companies. Most recently, he was a co-portfolio manager with Hanover Square Capital Management. He earned his bachelor's degree in business administration from John Carroll University and a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University.

"James and Michael bring a wealth of expertise that will add to the investment research team's entrance into this sector and allow us to provide proprietary research in the dynamic industries of media, entertainment and telecommunications," says Joel Denney, head of investment research at Piper Jaffray.

About Piper Jaffray

Piper Jaffray Companies is a leading, international middle-market investment bank and institutional securities firm, serving the needs of middle-market corporations, private equity groups, public entities, nonprofit clients and institutional investors. Founded in 1895, Piper Jaffray provides a comprehensive set of products and services, including equity and debt capital markets products; public finance services; mergers and acquisitions advisory services; high-yield and structured products; institutional equity and fixed-income sales and trading; and equity and high-yield research. With headquarters in Minneapolis, Piper Jaffray has 25 offices across the United States and international locations in London, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Piper Jaffray & Co. is the firm's principal operating subsidiary. (NYSE: PJC) (http://www.piperjaffray.com)

Since 1895. Member SIPC and FINRA.

(C) 2008 Piper Jaffray & Co., 800 Nicollet Mall, Suite 800,
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-7020

SOURCE: Piper Jaffray Companies

Piper Jaffray Companies
Media Relations
Andrea Young, 612-303-6697