Andersen changes name

JAKARTA (JP): Andersen Consulting said on Friday that the global management and technology consulting agency would change its name to Accenture.

The company said it would cease operating under the name Andersen Consulting as of midnight Dec. 31.

"We are a very different organization today than we were when we formed Andersen Consulting back in 1989, so adopting a new name and brand identity is a logical next step in our growth strategy," said Joe W. Forehand, managing partner and CEO of Andersen Consulting.

He said the name change followed an independent arbitrator's August ruling in favor of Andersen Consulting in its arbitration with Andersen Worldwide and Arthur Andersen.

Under the term of the ruling, Andersen Consulting was excused from any further obligations to Andersen Worldwide and Arthur Andersen, including any obligation to make termination payments, and given until Dec. 31 to adopt new name,

Accenture was selected after an intensive three-month research and analysis process involving thousands of prospective names, Forehand said. (hen)