Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.46

                               AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         Agreement (this "Agreement"), dated as of August 1, 2001, between
Boron, LePore & Associates, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
Steven M. Freeman (the "Employee").

                                   WITNESSETH

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee are parties to an Employment
Agreement dated as of October 1, 1999 (the "Employment Agreement");

     WHEREAS, capitalized terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Employment Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Employee hereby desire to amend certain terms
of the Employment Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Employee hereby
agree as follows:

     Section 1. Section 6(e) is hereby amended by adding the following language
after the words "change of control" at the end of the second sentence and before
the word "Notwithstanding" at the beginning of the third sentence: "In addition
to any other benefits to which Employee may be entitled in accordance with the
Company's then existing severance policies, the Company shall, for a period of
eighteen (18) months commencing upon the termination of the Employee, continue
to provide family medical and dental insurance coverage to Employee, Employee's
spouse and Employee's dependents, on the same terms and conditions as though
Employee had remained employed. In the event Employee's participation in any
medical or dental insurance plan is barred, the Company shall arrange to provide
Employee with benefits substantially equivalent to those which Employee would
otherwise have received had his participation not been barred."

Section 2. The language currently existing as Section 10 "Assignability; Change
of Control" is hereby amended by making such language Section 10(a). The
following is to be inserted immediately following said Section 10(a) and before
Section 11:

     (a) Gross-Up Payments.

         (i) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any compensation, payment or distribution by
the Company to or for the benefit of the Employee, whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or
otherwise, other than amounts payable solely under Section 4(b), but

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including amounts paid under Sections 6 or 10 calculated with reference to
Section 4(b), (the "Severance Payments"), would be subject to the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties are incurred
by the Employee with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with
any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") such that the net amount retained by the
Employee, after deduction of any Excise Tax on the Severance Payments, any
Federal, state, and local income tax, employment tax and Excise Tax upon the
payment provided by this subsection, and any interest and/or penalties assessed
with respect to such Excise Tax, shall be equal to the Severance Payments.

         (ii) Subject to the provisions of Subparagraph 10(b)(iii), all
determinations required to be made under this Subparagraph 10(b), including
whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment,
shall be made by Arthur Andersen LLP or any other nationally recognized
accounting firm selected by the Company (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall
provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Employee
within fifteen (15) business days of the date of the Employee's termination, if
applicable, or at such earlier time as is reasonably requested by the Company or
the Employee. For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-Up Payment,
the Employee shall be deemed to pay federal income taxes at the highest marginal
rate of federal income taxation applicable to individuals for the calendar year
in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made, and state and local income taxes at
the highest marginal rates of individual taxation in the state and locality of
the Employee's residence on the date of the Employee's termination, net of the
maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from deduction
of such state and local taxes. The initial Gross-Up Payment, if any, as
determined pursuant to this Subparagraph 10(b)(ii), shall be paid to the
applicable tax authorities on behalf of the Employee within five (5) days of the
receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. If the Accounting Firm
determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Employee, the Company shall
furnish the Employee with an opinion of counsel that failure to report the
Excise Tax on the Employee's applicable federal income tax return would not
result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination
by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Employee. As a
result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the
time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is
possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company
should have been made (an "Underpayment"). In the event that the Company
exhausts its remedies pursuant to Subparagraph 10(b)(iii) and the Employee
thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm
shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred, consistent
with the calculations required to be made hereunder, and any such Underpayment,
and any interest and penalties imposed on the Underpayment and required to be
paid by the Employee in connection with the proceedings described in
Subparagraph 10(b)(iii), shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the
benefit of the Employee.

         (iii) The Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by
the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by
the Company of the Gross-up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as
practicable but no later than ten (10) business days after the Employee knows of
such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the
date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Employee shall not pay
such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty (30) day period following the
date on

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which he gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the
date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the
Company notifies the Employee in writing prior to the expiration of such period
that it desires to contest such claim, provided that the Company has set aside
adequate reserves to cover the Underpayment and any interest and penalties
thereon that may accrue, the Employee shall:

               (A) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the
         Company relating to such claim,

               (B) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as
         the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
         including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with
         respect to such claim by an attorney selected by the Company,

               (C) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively
         to contest such claim, and

               (D) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating
         to such claim; provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay
         directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and
         penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify
         and hold the Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise
         Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with respect
         thereto, imposed as a result of such representation and payment of
         costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of
         this Subparagraph 10(b)(iii), the Company shall control all proceedings
         taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may
         pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings,
         hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such
         claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Employee to pay
         the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any
         permissible manner, and the Employee agrees to prosecute such contest
         to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
         initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
         Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs
         the Employee to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall
         advance the amount of such payment to the Employee on an interest-free
         basis and shall indemnify and hold the Employee harmless, on an
         after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest
         or penalties with respect thereto, imposed with respect to such advance
         or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and
         further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations
         relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Employee with
         respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited
         solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of
         the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up
         Payment would be payable hereunder and the Employee shall be entitled
         to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issues raised by
         the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

         (iv) If, after the receipt by the Employee of an amount advanced by the
Company pursuant to Subparagraph 10(b)(iii), the Employee becomes entitled to
receive any

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refund with respect to such claim, the Employee shall (subject to the Company's
complying with the requirements of Subparagraph 10(b)(iii)) promptly pay to the
Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited
thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Employee
of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Subparagraph 10(b)(iii), a
determination is made that the Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with
respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Employee in writing of
its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty
(30) days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

         Section 3. Except as expressly provided for in this Agreement, all
other provisions of the Employment Agreement shall be unaffected by this
Agreement and shall remain in full force and effect. By execution of this
Agreement, the Company shall not be deemed to have compromised or waived any of
its rights under the Employment Agreement.

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         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed as an instrument under seal and attested, all as of the day and
year first above written.

                                               BORON, LePORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

                                               By: /s/ Anthony J. Cherichella
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                   Name: Anthony J. Cherichella
                                                   Title: CFO

                                               /s/ Steven M. Freeman
                                               --------------------------------
                                               Steven M. Freeman

                                       5<PAGE>

                                                                    Exhibit 10.6

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             1997 STOCK OPTION PLAN

            Metro Information Services, Inc., a Virginia corporation and its
subsidiaries, whether now existing or formed after the date hereof (the
"Corporation"), hereby adopts an amended and restated stock option plan (the
"Plan") to attract and retain key employees of the Corporation ("Employees").
This Plan replaces the Corporation's 1997 Incentive Stock Option Plan.

            As a reward for the Employees' role in the continued growth and
success of the Corporation, the Corporation desires to provide to the Employees
the benefits inherent in ownership of the Corporation's common stock. This Plan
provides a means whereby the Employees are given an opportunity to purchase
shares of the Corporation's voting common stock on the exercise of the options
("Options") granted under this Plan.

            This Plan is as follows:

            1. Option Stock. The aggregate number of shares that may be issued
               ------------
pursuant to Options granted under this Plan is 3,000,000 shares of the Common
Stock of the Corporation (the "Stock").

            2. Employees Eligible to Receive Option. Only key Employees,
               ------------------------------------
including, without limitation, an Employee who is an officer or director of the
Corporation, are eligible to participate in and receive Options under this Plan.
For the purposes of this Plan, the term "key employees" shall mean and include
all persons who have responsibility in the management, administration or
supervision of the business or affairs of the Corporation or who are engaged in
the development, sale, marketing, promotion or performance of the services of
the Corporation. Directors of the Corporation who are not employees of the
Corporation are not eligible to receive Options under this Plan. In determining
the Employees to whom Options shall be granted under this Plan and the number of
shares of the Stock as to which Options may be granted to an Employee, a
committee of the Board of Directors ("Committee") shall consider the duties of
the Employees, their present and potential contributions to the success of the
business of the Corporation and such other factors as the Committee may deem
relevant in furthering the purposes of granting such Options in the interest of
the Corporation. An Employee may receive more than one Option under this Plan.

            3. Duration of the Stock Option Plan. All Options authorized under
               ---------------------------------
this Plan must be granted within nine (9) years and eleven (11) months from the
date this Plan is adopted by the Committee or by the shareholders of the
Corporation, whichever is earlier.

            4. Grant of Options. The Committee shall set forth each Option and
               ----------------
its terms and conditions on a written stock option certificate ("Option
Certificate") that shall be duly authorized by the Committee. The Committee
shall determine the type or types of Options to be made to each Employee and
shall set forth in each Option Certificate the terms, conditions, and
limitations applicable to each Option. Options may be granted singly, in
combination or in tandem. Options also may be granted in combination or in
tandem with, in replacement of, or as alternatives to, grants or rights under
any other employee plan of the Corporation, including the plan of any acquired
entity. The Option Certificate shall set forth the number of shares of Stock
that the Employee may purchase during any calendar year. The Committee, in
granting the Option, may, in its sole discretion, include such terms and
conditions in the Option Certificate as may be required to make the Option
qualify as an incentive stock option, if applicable, under the Code.

            5. Incentive Stock Options. Incentive stock options, or substitutes
               -----------------------
therefor, are options to purchase shares of common stock of the Corporation
which, in addition to being subject to applicable terms, conditions, and
limitations established by the Committee, comply with Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). Incentive stock options
shall be evidenced by Option Certificates which shall contain in substance the
following terms and conditions:

                  (a) Option Price. Each Option Certificate shall set forth the
                      ------------
exercise price per share of the stock ("Purchase Price"). The Purchase Price per
share of Stock deliverable upon the exercise of an incentive stock option shall
not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the day the
incentive stock option is granted, as determined by the Committee; provided,
however, that the Purchase Price per share of any Option granted to an Employee
who, at the time the Option is granted, is the owner of stock possessing more
than ten percent (10%) of the total

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combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation, shall not be
less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the fair market value of the Stock
on the date that such Option is granted.

                  (b) Duration of Option. Each Option Certificate, pursuant to
                      ------------------
which incentive stock options are granted, shall state the period or periods of
time within which the incentive stock option may be exercised by the Employee,
in whole or in part, which shall be such period or periods of time as may be
determined by the Committee, provided that the exercise period shall not end
later than nine (9) years and eleven (11) months after the date of the grant of
the incentive stock option; provided, however, any Option granted to a person
who, at the time the Option is granted, is the owner of Stock possessing more
than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Corporation, must be exercised no later than four (4) years and
eleven (11) months after the date on which the Option is granted. The Committee,
in its discretion, may reduce the time specified herein for the exercise of the
Option in the Option Certificate, but may not expand on the time specified
herein.

                  (c) Exercise of Incentive Stock Option. Each Option shall be
                      ----------------------------------
exercised, in whole or in part, as to such number of shares of Stock and at such
time or times as the Committee shall have determined at the time of grant. No
more than $100,000 worth of incentive stock options, based on the Purchase Price
granted under this Plan or any other incentive stock option plan sponsored by
the Corporation, shall be first exercisable in any calendar year by any one
employee. Except as provided in paragraph 10, an Option may only be exercised if
the holder of the Option is, at the time of exercise, in the employ of the
Corporation.

                  (d) Code Compliance. Each Option Certificate, pursuant to
                      ---------------
which incentive stock options are granted, shall contain such other terms,
conditions and provisions as the Committee may determine to be necessary or
desirable in order to qualify such option as a tax-favored option within the
meaning of Section 422 of the Code, or the regulations thereunder.
Notwithstanding Section 13 hereof, the Board shall have the power without
further approval to amend the terms of the Plan or any Option Certificates
thereunder for such purpose.

            6. Non-Qualified Stock Options. Non-qualified stock options, or
               ---------------------------
substitutes therefor, are options to purchase shares of common stock of the
Corporation which are not intended to comply with Section 422 of the Code.
Non-qualified stock options shall be evidenced by Option Certificates which
shall contain in substance the following terms and conditions:

                  (a) Option Price. The purchase price per share of stock
                      ------------
deliverable upon the exercise of a non-qualified stock option shall be not less
than 100% of the fair market value of the stock on the day the non-qualified
stock option is granted, as determined by the Committee.

                  (b) Duration of Option. Each Option Certificate, pursuant to
                      ------------------
which non-qualified stock options are granted, shall state the period or periods
of time within which the non-qualified stock option may be exercised by the
Employee, in whole or in part, which shall be such period or periods of time as
may be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, provided that the
exercise period shall not end later than nine (9) years and eleven (11) months
after the date of the grant of the non-qualified stock option.

                  (c) Cashless Exercise. To the extent permitted under the
                      -----------------
applicable laws and regulations under Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and with the consent of the
Committee, the Corporation agrees to cooperate in a "cashless exercise" of a
non-qualified stock option. The cashless exercise shall be effected by the
Employee delivering to a registered securities broker acceptable to the
Corporation instructions to sell a sufficient number of shares of stock to cover
the costs and expenses associated therewith.

            7. Payment for Shares. At the time the Option is granted, the
               ------------------
Committee, in its sole discretion, may require payment of the Purchase Price at
the date of exercise of any Option hereunder in any form permitted by the Code,
including, without limitation, payment (1) in cash, (2) using a promissory note
payable over a specified number of years bearing interest at a specified annual
rate, (3) in stock equal to the Purchase Price or (4) any combination of the
foregoing as set forth in the Option Certificate; provided, however, if the
Option Certificate does not set forth a form of payment, payment shall be in
cash.

<PAGE>

            8. Shareholder Rights. The holder of an Option shall not have any of
               ------------------
the rights of a shareholder of the Corporation with respect to the shares of the
Stock issuable on the exercise of the Option until one or more certificates
evidencing such shares ("Share Certificates") shall have been issued to the
holder of the Option.

            9. Restrictions on Stock. All persons issued Share Certificates
               ---------------------
shall sign an agreement with the Corporation indicating that they are not taking
the Stock with the view for sale or distribution of the Stock and, if no
registration statement is in effect with respect to such shares, that they
recognize that the issuance of the Stock is not subject to registration under
the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 or any state
agency of any State respecting the sale and transfer of securities.

            10. Termination of Employment.
                -------------------------

                  (a) Except as provided in Section 10(b) or 10(c), no Option
granted under this Plan shall be exercisable more than thirty (30) days after
the holder ceases to be an Employee of the Corporation and, on that date, all
outstanding Options and any accompanying rights, to the extent they have not
been exercised, shall terminate immediately. Options granted under this Plan
shall not be affected by any change of employment so long as the holder
continues to be an Employee of the Corporation.

                  (b) If the holder of an Option dies while employed by the
Corporation, the Option may be exercised, as to any shares subject to the
Option, by the executor, administrator or personal representative of such
deceased employee (or by such other person at the time who is entitled by law to
the rights of such deceased employee under the Option) at any time within twelve
(12) months after the death of the Employee, but in no event after the
expiration of the Option. In the event that the employment of the holder of the
Option of the Corporation is terminated by reason of the disability of the
holder of the Option, the Option may be exercised, as to any shares subject to
the Option, by the holder thereof at any time within twelve (12) months after
the date of such termination of Employee, but in no event after the expiration
of the term of the Option. For the purposes of this Plan, the term "disability"
shall mean a physical or mental disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code or, if such provision is repealed, as determined by the Committee in its
sole discretion. In the event that the employment of the holder of any Option is
terminated by reason of retirement of the holder of the Option at such age as
may be determined by the Committee at the date of the grant of the Option, the
Option may be exercised (to the extent otherwise exercisable on the date of
retirement of the holder of the Option) by the holder thereof at any time within
three (3) months after the date of such retirement, but in no event after the
expiration of the term of the Option.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, if
an Employee consultant who is paid on an hourly basis ("Hourly Consultant")
experiences a break in service with the Corporation that lasts ninety (90) days
or less, then the Hourly Consultant shall be entitled to retain previously
granted Options as well as the vesting rights available at the time of such
break in service.

            11. Non-Transferability of Options. Options may not be assigned,
                ------------------------------
transferred, pledged, hypothecated or disposed of in any way (whether by
operation of law or otherwise), except to the extent expressly provided for in
this Plan and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process.
Any assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of any
Option attempted contrary to the provisions of this Plan or any levy of
execution, attachment or other process attempted on an Option will be null and
void and without effect. Any attempt to make an assignment, pledge, transfer,
hypothecation or other disposition of an Option or any attempt to make a levy of
execution, attachment or other process will cause the Option to be terminated
immediately if the Corporation at any time should, in the sole discretion of the
Committee, so elect by written notice to the person entitled to exercise the
Option; provided, however, that any such termination of the Option will not
prejudice any rights or amenities of the Corporation that the Corporation may
have under this Plan or otherwise.

            12. Adjustments. If the Corporation shall at any time (a) be
                -----------
involved in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code is applicable, (b)
declare a dividend payable in stock, (c) subdivide or combine its stock or (d)
be involved in any other event that, in the judgment of the Committee,
necessitates action by way of adjusting the terms of the outstanding Options,
then the Committee shall take any action as, in its judgment, may be necessary
to preserve the outstanding Option holders' rights so that these rights remain
substantially proportionate to the rights as they existed before such event. To
the extent that such action shall include an increase or decrease in the number
of shares of Stock subject to outstanding Options under this Plan, the aggregate
number of shares of Stock available under Paragraph 1 of this Plan for issuance
on exercise of outstanding Options and of additional Options that may be granted
shall be increased

<PAGE>

or decreased proportionately, as the case may be. No action shall be taken by
the Committee under the provisions of this Paragraph that, in its judgment,
would constitute a modification, extension or renewal of the Option within the
meaning of Section 424(h) of the Code or that would prevent the Option from
qualifying as an incentive stock option within the meaning of the Code. The
determination of the Committee with respect to any matter in this Paragraph
shall be conclusive and binding on each holder of an Option granted under this
Plan.

            13. Termination and Amendment of this Plan. Unless sooner
                --------------------------------------
terminated, this Plan shall terminate nine (9) years and eleven (11) months
after the date hereof, and no Option shall be granted hereunder after that date.
At any time, the Committee, without further approval of the shareholders may
terminate or amend this Plan without notice or make such modifications of this
Plan as it shall deem advisable; provided, however, that the Committee may not,
without prior approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of
the Stock of the Corporation (a) increase the maximum number of shares of Stock
as to which Options may be granted under this Plan (except as contemplated by
the provisions of Paragraph 11, (b) extend the term during which the Options may
be granted under this Plan, (c) permit the exercise of an Option after the date
on which such Option would otherwise terminate pursuant to the terms hereof or
(d) reduce the exercise price per share less than the purchase price as
determined by this Plan. No termination, amendment or modification of this Plan
may, without the consent of any person to whom any Option theretofore has been
granted, adversely affect the rights of such person under such Option or any
exercisable portion thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Plan, any
Option granted hereunder and the number of shares as to which any Option under
this Plan shall have been granted may be modified, retroactively at any time, to
conform to the provisions of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder
so that the Options under this Plan may qualify as incentive stock options
within the meaning of the Code. No such amendment shall be considered
prejudicial to the rights of any holder of any Option.

            14. No Employment Rights. This Plan does not, directly or
                --------------------
indirectly, create any right for the benefit of any Employee or class of
Employees to purchase any Stock under the Plan or create in any Employee or
class of Employees any right with respect to continuation of employment by the
Corporation. This Plan shall not be deemed to interfere in any way with the
Corporation's right to terminate or otherwise modify an Employee's employment at
any time.

            15. Administration. No person shall serve as a member of the
                --------------
Committee, or if a member of the Committee, shall not participate in decisions
concerning the timing, pricing or amount of grant of Options hereunder, unless
such person is a non-employee director as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated
pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or
any successor rule ("Rule 16b-3"). This Plan is intended to meet the
requirements of Rule 16b-3 and shall be interpreted and administered so as to
comply with such rule.

            The Corporation has amended and signed this Plan on the date
indicated below and shall be effective as of that date.

                                             METRO INFORMATION SERVICES, INC.

Date: February 27, 2001                      By:   /s/  JOHN H. FAIN
                                                --------------------------------
                                                      John H. Fain, CEO

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