# EXHIBIT 10.9

# EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS
AGREEMENT (Agreement), made and entered into as of the 26th day of November,
2003, by and between DAVID SUTTON (hereinafter referred to as Employee), and
INFORTE CORP., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware
(hereinafter referred to as the Company). In consideration of the premises and
the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto, intending to be
legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

| | Section
1.     Scope of Employment.
| | -----------------------------------

1.1    
Employment, Duties. Subject to the terms hereof, the Company hereby agrees to
employ Employee to render services to the Company as President and Chief Operating
Officer, and Employee hereby accepts such employment. In his capacity as President and
Chief Operating Officer of the Company, Employee shall perform such duties consistent
with such position as are customarily performed by the president and chief operating
officer of comparable enterprises or as may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer of
the company or Board of Directors of the Company (the Board), including, but
not limited to the following responsibilities:

| |  | Profit
and loss responsibility for all operations in the company, presently U.S., Europe and
India (planned);
| | - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Providing
the strategic vision, planning expertise and operational leadership required to set and
         accomplish company operating goals;
| | - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Expanding
the Companys capabilities in delivering strategy, process, change management and
offshore engagements, with specific focus on enhancing the Companys strengths in
the areas of business intelligence, marketing automation and marketing strategy;
| | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Monitoring
revenue and expenditure trends, and making recommendations for cost-effective operations;
| | - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Developing
and managing annual budgets for the organization and performing periodic cost and
         productivity analyses;
| | - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Designing,
establishing, and maintaining an organization structure and staffing to effectively
accomplish the organizations goals and objectives; recruits, employs, trains,
supervises, and evaluates direct leadership team;
| | - | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Actively
driving and participating in business development activities, with the potential of
owning relationships at the Companys most strategic accounts; and
| | - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Structuring
programs and delegating authority to ensure effective communication and efficient
operations throughout the Company.
| | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Employee shall report directly to the
Chief Executive Officer of the Company. All delivery and functional areas of the Company
will report directly through the Employee. At the request and in the discretion of the
Company, Employee shall serve as an officer or director of any subsidiary or affiliate of
the Company, and shall perform services for any such subsidiary or affiliate as are
appropriate to and consistent with the services being performed by Employee for the
Company. Services provided to the Company shall be Employees primary business
activity and Employee shall devote his productive business time, energy and skill (except
on vacation days andholidays) to performing his obligations hereunder and shall perform
his obligations hereunder diligently, faithfully and to the best of Employees
abilities. During the Term, Employee may serve on the Board of directors of any civic,
charitable or professional organization, provided such service does not interfere or
conflict with Employees provision of services or hisfulfillment of obligations under
this Agreement and provided such organization is not competitive or potentially
competitive with Inforte. During the Term, Employee may continue to serve as a member of
the Board of directors of Marketing Scientists.

1.2    
Place of Performance. During the Term, Employee shall be based in the Atlanta,
Georgia metropolitan area, except for reasonably required travel on business.

1.3    
Compliance with Policies. Subject to the terms of this Agreement, during the Term,
Employee shall comply in all respects with all policies and procedures applicable to
similarly situated employees of the Company generally and to Employee specifically.

| | Section
2.     Term; Negotiation Period.
| | ----------------------------------------

2.1    
Term. The Term shall be from December 5, 2003 (the Effective Date)
through January 31, 2005, (Initial Term) subject, however, to prior
termination as provided for in this Agreement. The Term shall automatically be extended
by an additional one-year period on January 31, 2005 and each subsequent anniversary of
such date (Renewal Date), unless either party gives written notice to the
other at least sixty (60) days prior to the end of the Initial Term or to a Renewal Date
that it elects not to renew the Term. In such event, the Term shall conclude at the end
of the Initial Term or the Renewal Date following the date of the notice.

2.2    
Negotiation Period. The Company and Employee agree to enter into good faith
negotiations for entering into a new agreement on mutually agreeable terms during the
last 120 days prior to the expiration of the initial Term. Throughout the Term until the
last ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of this Agreement, Employee shall not
negotiate with any party other than the Company.

2.3    
Targeted Transition to Chief Executive Officer. The Company expects that, if
Employees performance warrants, promotion to Chief Executive Officer will occur,
subject to the approval of the Board and personal plans of the current Chief Executive
Officer. During the Term, in anticipation of such a promotion, Employee shall participate
in Board meetings, have direct involvement in the Companys investor community and
its analyst community, work with the current Chief Executive Officer in co-defining the
next phase of the Companys growth plan (including new market offerings and new
service lines/organization structure), have direct involvement with the current Chief
Executive Officer on building trusted relationships at the Company leadership level and
have a lead role in the Companys Executive Steering Committee. The decision to
promote Employee to Chief Executive Officer is at the sole discretion of the Board.

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| | Section
3.     Compensation; Expenses.
| | --------------------------------------

3.1    
Base Salary. Employee shall be paid a base salary (the Base Salary)
during the Term at the initial annual rate of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars
($300,000.00) per year. The Base Salary shall be (a) payable on the payroll schedule that
the Company may implement from time to time for such payments, and (b) subject to any
withholdings and deductions required by applicable law. Effective January 1, 2005, unless
the board determines otherwise, Employee shall be paid a base salary at the annual rate
of Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($350,000.00) per year. Thereafter, on each
January 1, or such other appropriate date during each year of the Term when the salaries
of senior Employees of the Company are normally reviewed, the Board shall review the Base
Salary and determine if, and by how much, the Base Salary should be increased.

3.2    
Cash Signing Amount. The Company agrees to pay Employee an initial cash signing
amount of $55,000 based upon Employees continued employment with Company throughout
the Initial Term. This signing bonus will be payable as follows:

| | (a)
If Employee is employed by the Company on December 31, 2003, an amount of  $13,750
payable on January 31, 2004;
| | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (b)                                    If
Employee is employed by the Company on March 31, 2004, an amount of $13,750
                    payable on April 30, 2004;
| | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (c)      If
Employee is employed by the Company on June 30, 2004, an amount of $13,750
                    payable on July 31, 2004; and
| | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | (d)                            If
Employee is employed by the Company on September 30, 2004, an amount of
                    $13,750 payable on October 31, 2004.
| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.3    
Bonus. Employee shall be eligible to earn a Bonus each year based on the
performance of Employee and the Company, all in relation to specific goals established by
the Company. For 2004, the bonus program shall be as set forth in Exhibit A.

3.4    
Stock Option Plan. During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to be considered
for participation in the applicable Company stock option plans and any predecessor or
successor stock-based employee incentive or equity based award plans (collectively, the
Stock Option Plan). For purposes of Employees participation for
possible grants of stock options under the Stock Option Plan, he will be reviewed and
considered for a grant at the same time as, and on a basis and subject to terms that are
consistent with, the basis and terms that govem grants to other officers of the Company,
taking into account Employees position and responsibilities.

3.5    
Initial Stock Option Grant. The Company agrees to recommend that Employee be
granted options on two-hundred fifty thousand (250,000) shares of Inforte Corp. common
stock in accordance with the Stock Option Plan. This stock option grant will be made on
the effective date (December 5, 2003) in accordance with the Stock Option Plan. The grant
price will be set at the market price the day preceding the Effective Date (December 4,
2003). Such signing stock options will be granted as incentive stock options, to the
extent permitted under the Internal Revenue Code and the terms of the Stock Option Plan,
with any options granted in excess of such limits being treated as nonqualified stock
options. The options granted pursuant to the signing grant shall vest and become fully
exercisable by Employee during the period of his continuous employment by the Company
based on the following schedule:

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| |  | 50,000
for every 6 months after the grant date for the first year, for a total of 100,000
| | - | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | 25,000
for every 6 months for the next period of 3 years, for a total of 150,000
| | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.6    
Expense Reimbursement. The Company shall pay or reimburse Employee in accordance
with the Company policy for all reasonable business expenses incurred or paid by Employee
in the course of perfonning his duties hereunder. As a condition to such payment or
reimbursement, however, Employee shall maintain and provide to the Company reasonable
documentation and receipts for such expenses. All air and travel arrangements shall be
made through the Companys chosen travel agency, unless otherwise mutually agreed
between the Company and the Employee.

| | Section
4.     Employee Benefits.
| | ---------------------------------

4.1    
Benefit Plans. During the Term, Employee shall be entitled to participate in such
of the Companys retirement, supplemental retirement, profit sharing and pension
plans, life, health, disability and other insurance programs, as well as other benefit
programs, which are generally available to other similarly situated employees of the
Company, subject to the Companys policies with respect to all such benefits or
insurance programs or plans. The Company shall not, by virtue of this provision, be under
any obligation to Employee to continue to maintain any particular plan or program or any
particular benefit level under any plan or program.

4.2 Paid Time Off. Employee
shall be entitled to paid time off during the Term, to be accrued and taken in accordance
with a policy that is no less favorable for Employee than the Companys paid time off
policy applicable to similarly situated employees.

4.3    
Club Dues. The Company shall reimburse Employee for the documented annual dues and
membership fees for one (1) club, up to $5,200 per year, provided Employee submits
supporting documentation, not to include capital costs and assessments.

4.4    
Professional Dues. The Company shall reimburse Employee for professional dues and
membership fees, up to $4,000 per year, provided that Employee submits supporting
documentation.

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| | Section
5.    Termination.
| | --------------------------

5.1    
Death or Total Disability. Employees employment hereunder shall terminate
upon Employees death. The Company may, in accordance with applicable state and
federal laws and regulations, terminate Employees employment hereunder in the event
of Employees total disability (total disability meaning the inability of Employee
to perform all of his current duties as required hereunder with or without a reasonable
accommodation for a period of 180 days within any 12 month period, because of mental or
physical condition, illness or injury).

5.2    
Cause. The Company may terminate Employees employment hereunder for Cause.
Causeshall mean (a) Employees willful misconduct or gross negligence in
the performance of his obligations hereunder; (b) Employees breach of fiduciary
duty to the Company; (c) Employees material breach of this Agreement and failure to
cure such breach within fifteen (15) days after written notice thereof from the Company
provided such breach is curable; (d) Employees commission of an act involving moral
turpitude that is reasonably likely to cause material damage to the business or
reputation of the Company, any affiliate of the Company, or any personnel thereof, (e)
Employees conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any felony or any
crime involving theft, fraud or dishonesty; or (f) Employees failure to perform a
lawful direction of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or the Board of the
Company.

5.3    
Discretionary Termination. The Company shall have the right to terminate this
Agreement and the Employees employment hereunder at any point during the Term for
any reason or for no reason upon giving Employee thirty (30) days written notice of such
termination.

5.4    
Termination By Employee for Good Reason. Employee shall have the right
to terminate this Agreement and his employment hereunder for Good Reason upon
giving the Company thirty (30) days written notice of such termination; provided that
Employee must give the Company such written notice of termination within thirty (30) days
of the Good Reason (as defined below) arising. As used herein, Good
Reason shall exist in the event that:, (i) Employees title is changed such
that his title has significantly diminished stature; (ii) Employees duties are
materially altered such that his duties are materially diminished; (iii) Employees
reporting structure is changed without Employees consent, (iv) the Company fails to
pay the Base Salary or Bonus as and when due and fails to cure such nonpayment within
thirty (30) days after written notice thereof by Employee, provided that such nonpayment
by the Company is not caused by any conduct (or lack thereof) of Employee constituting
Cause as defined by Section 5.2 above, or (v) without the Employees
consent, Employee is required to relocate outside of the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan
area.

5.5    
Termination for No Good Reason. Employee shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement and his employment hereunder for No Good Reason upon
giving the Company six (6) months written notice of such termination.

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5.6    
Termination Date and Notice of Termination.

(a)                 Any
termination of Employees employment by the Company (other than
          termination upon the death of Employee) shall be communicated by written notice
          to Employee. Any termination of Employees employment by the Employee
shall           be communicated by written notice to the Company. For purposes of this
          Agreement, a Notice of Termination shall mean a written notice,
          which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement
relied           upon and, if pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.4, shall set forth in
general           terms the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of           Employees employment under the provision so indicated.

(b)                 Termination
Date shall mean (i) if Employees employment is           terminated by his
death, the date of his death (ii) if Employees           employment is terminated
pursuant to Section 5.1 hereof as a result of           Employees total disability,
on the date such Notice of Termination is           given, (iii) if Employees
employment is terminated pursuant to Section 5.2           hereof, the date on which such
Notice of Termination is received; (iv) if           Employees employment is
terminated pursuant to Section 5.3 or Section 5.4           hereof, thirty (30) days from
the date on which such Notice of Termination is           received; and (v) if Employees
employment is terminated pursuant to           Section 5.5 hereof, six (6) months from
the date on which such Notice of           Termination is received.

| | Section
6.     Compensation Upon Termination or During Disability.
| | ------------------------------------------------------------------

6.1    
Incapacity. During any period in which Employee fails to perform his duties
hereunder as a result of incapacity due to physical or mental injury or illness, Employee
shall continue to receive for the coverage period under the then applicable Short Term
Disability program maintained by the Company, his then current full Base Salary and
earned Bonus, offset by any benefits received under the Companys Short Term
Disability program for such period. Following the completion of the Short Term Disability
coverage period, Employee will be eligible for benefits under the then applicable Long
Term Disability program, plus any supplemental disability benefits under an executive
program offered by the Company in which the Employee has elected to participate, at his
cost.

6.2    
Termination by Company Due to Death or Total Disability. If Employees
employment is terminated pursuant to Section 5.1 due to death or total disability, the
Company shall pay Employee his then current full Base Salary and earned Bonus through the
Termination Date and such other benefits as are otherwise vested and due to Employee as
of the Termination Date. Upon a termination pursuant to Section 5.1, stock options, to
the extent vested and exercisable as of the Termination Date, will be exercisable by the
Employees beneficiary as per the 1997 Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation
Plan. Upon a termination pursuant to Section 5.1, all restrictions on all awarded
restricted stock shall lapse immediately prior to such Termination Date.

6.3    
Termination by Company Due to Cause. If Employees employment is
terminated pursuant to Section 5.2 (Cause), the Company shall pay Employee
his then current full Base Salary through the Termination Date and such other benefits as
otherwise vested and due to Employee as of the Termination Date.

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6.4    
Discretionary Termination by Company or Termination by Employee for Good Reason. In
the event the Company terminates Employees employment pursuant to Section 5.3
hereof, or Employee terminates his employment for Good Reason pursuant to
Section 5.4 hereof, the Company shall have fully discharged their obligations to Employee
by providing Employee the Base Salary (pursuant to Section 3.1) and earned Bonus
(pursuant to, Section 3.3, except any restricted stock component of the bonus payment
will be paid in cash not restricted stock and the bonus will be paid as earned at the
termination date, not at the end of the 6 month period) for a period of six (6) months.
In addition, Company shall provide Employeee with six (6) months of continued health and
welfare benefit plan coverage following the Termination Date at active employee levels
and active employee cost (which shall be considered part of any continuation coverage or
conversion rights required by COBRAA or any other applicable law provided that Employee
applies for COBRA continuation and remains eligible for COBRA benefits). In addition, any
stock options granted to Employee hereunder prior to such termination that vest in the
next six (6) months after the termination date shall become fully vested and
nonforfeitable as of the Termination Date. Such options shall remain exercisable as per
the 1997 Amended and Restated Incentive Compensation Plan. Upon a termination pursuant to
Section 5.3 or 5.4 hereof, all restrictions on all awarded restricted stock shall lapse
immediately prior to such Termination Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing if Employee
breaches or violates any of the covenants contained in Section 8 the Company may cease
paying the termination benefits.

6.5    
Termination by Employee for No Good Reason. If Employee terminates
pursuant to Section 5.5 (No Good Reason), the Company shall pay Employee his
then current full Base Salary through the Termination Date and such other benefits as
otherwise vested and due to Employee as of the Termination Date.

6.6    
Change of Control. Following a Change of Control of the Company, if a termination
by the Company without Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason occurs within twelve (12)
months following the Change of Control, or if the Employee elects to voluntarily resign
in the thirty (30) day period following the six (6) month anniversary of the Change of
Control, the Employee shall receive the amounts and benefits provided in Section 6.3
above, except for it being for a twelve (12) month period and that the Base Salary and
earned Bonus amounts shall be paid in a single lump sum payment within thirty (30) days
following the Employees Termination Date. For purposes of this Section 6.4, Change
of Control is defined as the acquisition by any person or entity not a 10%
stockholder as of the Effective Date of at least fifty (50) percent ownership in the
voting equity of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing if Employee breaches or
violates any of the covenants contained in Section 8 the Company may cease paying the
termination benefits. Upon a termination pursuant to Change of Control all restrictions
on all awarded restricted stock shall lapse immediately prior to such Termination Date.

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6.7    
No Mitigation. Employee shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any
payment provided for in this Section 6 by seeking other employment or otherwise and any
amounts earned from such alternate employment, if any, shall not reduce the amounts
otherwise payable by the Company hereunder.

6.8    
Release. As a condition of receiving any termination benefits contained in this
Section 6 (except payment of salary through the Termination Date) Employee shall sign and
return a general release in a form acceptable to the Company.

| | Section
7.     Representations.
| | -------------------------------

7.1    
Of Employee. Employee represents and warrants to the Company that (a) his
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement do not and will not conflict with,
violate, or constitute a breach of or default under any provision of law or regulation
applicable to him or any provision of any agreement, contract or other instrument to
which he is a party or otherwise bound; (b) this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid
and binding obligation of Employee, enforceable against Employee in accordance with its
terms; and (c) he has not received any legal advice contrary to his representations or
warranties set forth in this Section 7.1.

7.2    
Of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to Employee that (a) this
Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company; (b) the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company has been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action; (c) this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms;
(d) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Company do not and
will not conflict with, violate, or constitute a breach of the Articles of Incorporation
or By-laws of the Company or any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or any law or
regulation applicable to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and (e) the Company has
not received any legal advice contrary to the Companys representations and
warranties set forth in this Section 7.2.

| | Section
8.     Protection of Confidential Information; Non-Competition.
| | -----------------------------------------------------------------------

8.1    
Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure. The Employee acknowledges that the Employees
services will be unique, that they will involve the development of Company relationships
with key customers, suppliers, and service providers as well as with key Companyemployees
and that the Employees work for the Company will give the Employee access to highly
confidential information not available to the public or competitors, including trade
secrets and confidential marketing, sales, product development and other data and
information which it would be impracticable for the Company to effectively protect and
preserve in the absence of this Section 8 and the disclosure or misappropriation of which
could materially adversely affect the Company. Accordingly, the Employee agrees:

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(a)            except
in the course of performing the Employees duties provided for in           Section
1, Employee shall not at any time, whether before, during or after the           Employees
employment with the Company, to divulge to any other entity or           person any
confidential information acquired by the Employee concerning the           Companys
or its subsidiaries or affiliates financial affairs           or business
processes or methods or their research, development or marketing           programs or
plans, or any other of its or their trade secrets. In the event that           the
Employee is requested or required to make disclosure of information subject           to
this Section 8.1 under any court order, subpoena or other judicial process,
          then, except as prohibited by law, the Employee will promptly notify the
          Company, take all reasonable steps requested by the Company to defend against
          the compulsory disclosure and permit the Company to control with counsel of its
          choice any proceeding relating to the compulsory disclosure. The Employee
          acknowledges that all information, the disclosure of which is prohibited by
this           section, is of a confidential and proprietary character and of great value
to           the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates.

(b)            to
deliver promptly to the Company on termination of the Employees
          employment with the Company, or at any time that the Company may so request,
any           memoranda, notes, records, reports, manuals, drawings, software,
          electronic/digital media records, blueprints and other documents (and all
copies           thereof) relating to the Companys (and its subsidiaries and
          affiliates) business and all property associated therewith including
          electronic equipment, which the Employee may then possess or have under the
          Employees control.

8.2    
Non-Competition. In consideration of the Companys entering into this
Agreement, the Employee agrees that at all times during the Term and thereafter for the
time period described hereinbelow, the Employee shall not, directly or indirectly, for
Employee or on behalf of or in conjunction with, any other person, company, partnership,
corporation, business, group, or other entity (each, a Person):

(a)         until
the first anniversary of the Termination Date, Employee will not directly           or
indirectly engage in or be connected with (as an officer, director, partner,
          owner, employee, creditor or otherwise) any business that is a competitor of
          Inforte;

(b)         until
the first anniversary of the Termination Date, (i) discuss with any Person           who
is, at such Termination Date or who was during the six (6) month period
          preceding the Termination Date, engaged in activity on behalf of the Company or
          any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company for the purpose or with the intent
of           enticing such Person to cease such activity on behalf of the Company or such
          subsidiary or affiliate; or (ii) solicit, induce, or attempt to induce any
          Customer of the Company to cease doing business in whole or in part with or
          through the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate or otherwise provide any
          services to any Customer of the Company, or to do business with or otherwise
          provide any services to any Competitor.

For purposes of this Agreement,
Competitor means a person or entity who or which is engaged in a material line
of business conducted by the Company as of the Termination Date.

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8.3    
Remedies. If the Employee commits a breach or threatens to breach any of the
provisions of Section 8.1 or 8.2 hereof, the Company shall have the right and remedy to
have the provisions of this Agreement specifically enforced by injunction or otherwise by
any court having jurisdiction, it being acknowledged and agreed that any such breach will
cause irreparable injury to the Company in addition to money damage and that money
damages alone will not provide a complete or adequate remedy to the Company, it being
further agreed that such right and remedy shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of,
any other rights and remedies available to the Company under law or in equity.

8.4    
Severability. If any of the covenants contained in Sections 8.1, 8.2 or 8.3, or
any part thereof, hereafter are construed to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall
not affect the remainder of the covenant or covenants, which shall be given full effect,
without regard to the invalid portions. The period during which the prohibitions of
Section 8.2 are in effect shall be extended by any period or periods during which the
Employee is in violation of Section 8.2. If any of the covenants contained in Sections
8.1 or 8.2, or any part thereof, are held to be unenforceable, the parties agree that the
court making such determination shall have the power to revise or modify such provision
to make it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law and, in its
revised or modified form, said provision shall then be enforceable. The parties hereto
intend to and hereby confer jurisdiction to enforce the covenants contained in Sections
8.1, 8.2 and 8.3 upon the courts of any state within the geographical scope of such
covenants. In the event that the courts of any one or more of such states shall hold such
covenants wholly unenforceable by reason of the breadth of such covenants or otherwise,
it is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination not bar or in any
way affect the Companys right to the relief provided above in the courts of any
other states within the geographical scope of such covenants as to breaches of such
covenants in such other respective jurisdictions, the above covenants as they relate to
each state being for this purpose severable into diverse and independent covenants.

8.5    
Marketing Scientists. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 8 to the
contrary, Employee shall be permitted to continue his involvement as a Board member with
the research arm of Marketing Scientists and any related book rights and any other
related activities, as set forth is a separate agreement between the Company and
Employee, dated January 28, 2004, addressing the understanding between the Company and
Employee with respect to certain items relating to Marketing Scientists.

| | Section
9.     Intellectual Property.
| | -------------------------------------

9.1    
Notwithstanding and without limiting the provisions of Section 8, but subject to the
terms of the separate agreement between the Company and Employee, dated January 28, 2004,
addressing the understanding between the Company and Employee with respect to certain
items relating to Marketing Scientists, the Company shall be the sole owner of all the
products and proceeds of the Employees services hereunder, including, but not
limited to, all materials, ideas, concepts, formats, suggestions, developments,
arrangements, packages, programs and other intellectual properties that the Employee may
acquire, obtain, develop or create in connection with or during the Term, free and clear
of any claims by the Employee (or anyone claiming under the Employee) of any kind or
character whatsoever (other than the Employees right to receive payments
hereunder), the Employee shall, at the request of the Company, execute such assignments,
certificates or other instruments as the Company may from time to time deem necessary or
desirable to evidence, establish, maintain, perfect, protect, enforce or defend its
right, title or interest in or to any such properties.

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| | Section
10.     Miscellaneous.
| | ------------------------------

10.1    
Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding
upon Employee and his executor, administrator, heirs, personal representative and
assigns, and the Company and its successors and assigns; provided, however, neither party
hereto shall be entitled to assign this Agreement or any of its rights, or delegate any
of its duties hereunder (except, in the case of Employee, customary delegation of
authority not inconsistent with this Agreement; and except, in the case of the Company,
to any person or entity acquiring all or substantially all of the assets of the Company
or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company),
hereunder without the prior written consent of the otherr party.

10.2    
Indemnification. The Company shall indemnify Employee to the maximum extent
permitted by the Companys articles of incorporation, by-laws, and Board
resolutions, but in any event only to the extent permitted by Delaware law in force at
the time indemnification is claimed. It shall be a condition of the obligation of the
Company that Employee fully cooperates in his own and the Companys defense of any
Proceeding.

10.3    
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be made in, and in all respects
shall be interpreted, construed and governed by and in accordance with, the laws of the
State of Illinois. The parties hereto agree that the state or federal courts in the State
of Illinois shall have personal jurisdiction over them with respect to all matters
arising from or with respect to this Agreement. Such courts shall be the exclusive forum
for the resolution of any matter or controversy arising from or with respect to this
Agreement. Service of a summons and complaint concerning any such matter or controversy
may, in addition to any other lawful means, be effected by sending a copy of such summons
and complaint by certified mail to the party to be served as specified in Section 10.5
hereof.

10.4    
Headings. The section and subsection headings contained in this Agreement are for
reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of
this Agreement.

10.5    
Notices. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the Parties hereto, all
communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be given
when delivered if delivered in person or by telecopy or five (5) business days after
being sent by first-class mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, with
proper postage prepaid, and

11

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| | (a) | If
to Employee, addressed to:
| | --- | -----------------------------

| | Mr.
David Sutton3352 Kilby PlaceAtlanta, GA 30327
| | -------------------------------------------------

| | (b) | If
to the Company, addressed to:
| | --- | --------------------------------

| | Inforte
Corp.150 N. Michigan AvenueSuite 3400Chicago, Illinois 60601Attention: Chief Financial
Officer
| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | With
copy to :
| | --------------

| | Foley
and Lardner LLP321 N. Clark Suite 2800Chicago, Illinois 60610Attention: Ed Mason
| | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

or to such other person or address as
shall be furnished in writing by either party to the other as provided for above prior to
the giving of the applicable notice or communication.

10.6    
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall
be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.

10.7    
Entire Agreement. This Agreement is intended by the parties to be the final
expression of their agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and is the
complete and exclusive statement of the terms thereof, notwithstanding any
representations, statements or agreements to the contrary heretofore made. This Agreement
may be modified only by a written instrument signed by each of the parties hereto.

10.8    
Severability. All provisions of this Agreement are severable from one another, and
the unenforceability or invalidity of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect
the validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement; provided,
however, that should any judicial body interpreting this Agreement deem any provision to
be unreasonably broad in time, territory, scope or otherwise, the Company and Employee
intend for the judicial body, to the greatest extent possible, to reduce the breadth of
the provision to the maximum legally allowable parameters rather than deeming such
provision totally unenforceable or invalid.

12

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10.9    
Waiver. The waiver by either the Company or Employee of a breach of any provision
of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any prior or
subsequent breach of the same provision by the other party or a waiver of a breach of
another provision of this Agreement by the other party. No waiver or modification of any
provision of this Agreement shall be valid unless in writing and duly executed by the
party to be charged with the waiver or modification.

IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first
above written.

| | "Company"            
| | ---------------------
| | Inforte Corp.        
| | By:/s/ Nick Heyes    
| | Print Name:Nick Heyes
| | Title:CFO            
| | "Employee"           
| | /s/David Sutton      
| | David Sutton         

13

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# Exhibit A

2004 Bonus Plan

Objectives of Bonus Plan  Bonus
will be based on annual revenue growth and operating margin performance at the end of the
year. Credit is given for all growth (providing firm is profitable overall). Bonus credit
escalates with increased levels of revenue growth and margin. The attached bonus table
outlines the bonus for various revenue and margin performance levels:

|Revenue Growth
(%) | Operating
Margin (%) | Bonus ($)
Per % | Revenue
Bonus ($)
|------------------ | -------------------- | --------------- | -----------------
|*                  | *                    | 4000            | 80,000           
|                   |                      | 4000            | 80,000           
|                   |                      | 4000            | 80,000           
|                   |                      | 4500            | 180,000          
|                   |                      | 4500            | 180,000          
|                   |                      | 4500            | 180,000          
|                   |                      | 2500            | 150,000          
|                   |                      | 5000            | 300,000          
|                   |                      | 5000            | 300,000          
|                   |                      | 1250            | 100,000          
|                   |                      | 5500            | 440,000          
|                   |                      | 5500            | 440,000          
|                   |                      | 1000            | 100,000          
|                   |                      | 6000            | 600,000          
|                   |                      | 6000            | 600,000          

* Indicates that material has been
omitted and confidential treatment has been requested therefor. All such omitted material
has been filed separately with the SEC pursuant to Rule 24b-2.

Bonus Calculation

| |  | Revenue
growth will be calculated by comparing Infortes total reported net revenue (revenue
before expense reimbursements) for 2004 with the Base Revenue. The Base
Revenue is defined as Infortes net reported 2003 revenue plus the annualized
revenue of any company Inforte may acquire in 2003 or 2004. The annualized revenue of an
acquired company will be calculated as four (4) times the forecast (as modeled by Infortes
management team in its valuation of the acquisition target and agreed by Infortes
Board of directors) of the acquired companys net revenue performance in its first
quarter as a combined entity with Inforte. To the extent, Inforte acquires a company in
2004 the annualized revenue of that company shall be pro-rated to reflect the calendar
time remaining in 2004. All revenue will be reported using Infortes standard
revenue recognition rules. Below are some examples of how the Base Revenue calculation
will work.
| | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---

| | No
Acquisition  Inforte reports net revenue of $32 million in 2003. In this scenario,
$32million becomes the Base Revenue and will be compared against Infortes total
reported net revenue for 2004.
| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | Acquisition
in 2003  Inforte reports net revenue of S32 million in 2003. Inforte acquires a
company in the fourth quarter of 2003 that generated $3 million of net revenue in that
quarter. However, for various reasons (which may include things such as anticipated
integration issues or the closing of unprofitable practice areas), the management team
projects that the company will generate $2 million of net revenue in the first quarter of
2004. The Base Revenue becomes $40 million ($32 million plus $2 million annualized) and
will be compared against Infortes total reported net revenue for 2004.
| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| | Acquisition
in 2004  Inforte reports net revenue of $32 million in 2003. Inforte acquires a
company on March 31, 2004, and the management team projects that the company will
generate $2 million of net revenue in the second quarter of 2004. The Base Revenue
becomes $38 million ($32 million plus $2 million for three quarters) and will be compared
against Infortes total reported net revenue for 2004.
| | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Operating
margin will be defined as Infortes GAAP reported operating margin.
| | - | -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | The
operating margin will be calculated including the expense of your and all other bonus
amounts.
| | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bonus Payment Method

| |  | The
bonus will be paid quarterly based upon quarterly estimates of annual revenue growth and
operating margin performance. The revenue portion of the calculation for quarterly
payment will be based upon year over year revenue growth in the given quarter for that
quarter. The operating margin portion of the calculation for quarterly payment will be
defined as Infortes GAAP reported operating margin for the given quarter.
| | - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | The
quarterly bonuses will be paid on the following dates: April 30, 2004, July 31, 2004,
October 31, 2004, and January 31, 2005.
| | - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Twenty
Five (25%) percent of the bonus will be paid out as restricted stock  the number of
shares of restricted stock granted will be calculated as follows: 25% of the revenue
bonus attainment multiplied by 1.25 divided by the market price one day prior to grant
date. Restricted stock will be governed by Infortes Restricted Stock Agreement
which will reflect the following vesting schedule:
| | - | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

---

|Vesting Date             | Percentage of granted shares for which all restrictions lapse
|------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------
|1 year after grant date  | 1/3                                                          
|2 years after grant date | 1/3                                                          
|3 years after grant date | 1 /3                                                         

| |  | There
are no sale restrictions on the granted restricted stock once vested.
| | - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Fifty
(50%) percent of the quarterly bonus for the first three quarters of the year will be
held back until the end of the year in case Inforte experiences any
significant revenue and/or margin shortfalls in the remainder of the year. At the end of
the year, Inforte will calculate the finalized bonus based upon Infortes actual
2004 revenue growth and operating margin performance, and Inforte will pay the difference
between the finalized bonus amount and the sum of quarterly bonus payments previously
made in the year.
| | - | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | For
2004 Employee will be guaranteed a minimum bonus payment of $50,000 paid in quarterly
amounts in cash on the payment dates specified above. The Employee must be an employee of
record on the payment date to receive the payment.
| | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miscellaneous Rules

| |  | Inforte
reserves the right to reclaim prior bonus payments made to the extent any revenue and/or
margin shortfall cannot be offset by the amounts being held back.
| | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

| |  | Inforte
reserves the right to reclaim all quarterly bonus payments made under the 2004 Bonus Plan
in the event you voluntarily terminate your employment, other than for Good Reason (as
defined in the Employment Agreement entered into between the Company and the Employee,
dated December 1, 2003), with Inforte prior to January 31, 2005.
| | - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------