Exhibit 99.1

News Release

news release

SYKES Enterprises, Incorporated

Corporate Headquarters:

400 North Ashley Drive

Tampa, FL USA 33602

1 • 800 • TO • SYKES

http://www.sykes.com

EMEA Operations:

599 Calder Road

Edinburgh EH11 4GA

Scotland

+44 (0) 131 458-6500

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 7, 2012

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED REPORTS

FIRST-QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS

—Better-than-expected demand drove above-expectations first quarter revenues and earnings per share

— Achieved important milestone with the sale of operations in Spain during the quarter

— Raising full-year 2012 business outlook

TAMPA, FL – May 7, 2012—Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (“SYKES” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: SYKE), a global leader in providing outsourced customer contact management solutions and services in the business process outsourcing (BPO) arena, announced today its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012.

First Quarter 2012 Financial Highlights

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Americas Region

Revenues from continuing operations from the Company’s Americas region, including operations in North America and offshore (Latin America, South Asia and the Asia Pacific region), decreased 6.7% to $230.1 million, or 82.7% of total revenues, for the first quarter of 2012 compared to $246.5 million, or 82.3% of total revenues, in the prior year’s first quarter. On a constant currency basis, first quarter 2012 Americas revenues from continuing operations decreased 6.4% comparably as better-than-expected demand from existing and new client programs within the financial services, healthcare and transportation verticals was more than offset by the impact of certain previously discussed end-of-life client programs, the associated revenues from which were in the year-ago period but are not part of the revenue base in the first quarter of 2012.

During the quarter, revenues from continuing operations generated from services provided offshore increased to 49% from 46% in the same period last year due to a larger relative reduction in non-offshore revenues in the first quarter of 2012 versus first quarter 2011.

Sequentially, revenues from continuing operations generated from the Americas region increased 1.1% to $230.1 million in the first quarter of 2012 compared to $227.6 million, or 82.4% of total revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2011. On a constant currency basis, first quarter 2012 Americas revenues were essentially flat with better-than-expected demand from new and existing client programs within the financial services, healthcare and transportation verticals largely offset by the impact of previously discussed end-of-life client programs.

The Americas income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2012 decreased 0.2% to $27.0 million, with an operating margin of 11.7% versus 11.0% in the comparable quarter last year. On an adjusted basis (see Exhibit 3 for reconciliation), the Americas operating margin from continuing operations increased to 13.0% from 12.6% in the comparable quarter last year due principally to better- than-expected demand, efficiencies from facility rationalizations and shift in timing of certain new hires, which more-than-offset the impact of previously discussed end-of-life client programs and unfavorable foreign currency movements.

Sequentially, the Americas income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2012 increased

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2.3% to $27.0 million, with an operating margin of 11.7% versus 11.6% in the fourth quarter of 2011. On an adjusted basis, (see Exhibit 4 for reconciliation), the Americas operating margin from continuing operations increased slightly to 13.0% from 12.9%. The slight increase was due largely to the above-mentioned factors, which more than offset the partial impact of merit wage increases.

EMEA Region

Revenues from continuing operations from the Company’s Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region decreased 9.3% to $48.0 million, representing 17.3% of total revenues for the first quarter of 2012, compared to $53.0 million, or 17.7% of total revenues, in the prior year’s first quarter. On a constant currency basis, EMEA revenues from continuing operations decreased 5.3% as better-than-expected demand from existing and new client programs within the communications and financial services verticals was more-than-offset by a decline in the technology and transportation verticals, driven by certain previously discussed end-of-life client programs and the strategic actions taken in EMEA.

Sequentially, revenues from continuing operations from the Company’s EMEA region decreased 1.3% to $48.0 million for the first quarter of 2012 compared to $48.7 million, or 17.6% of SYKES’ total revenues in the fourth quarter of 2011. On a constant currency basis, EMEA revenues from continuing operations increased 0.4% sequentially, driven by a combination of increased number of working days and better- than-expected demand from new and existing client programs from the communications and transportation verticals.

The EMEA region’s income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2012 was $0.4 million, or 0.8% of EMEA revenues, versus $1.1 million, or 2.0% of revenues, in the comparable quarter last year. On an adjusted basis (see Exhibit 3 for reconciliation), the operating margin from continuing operations was 2.9% versus 2.0% in the same period last year, driven largely by a combination of better-than-expected demand and improvements in aligning costs with demand levels.

Sequentially, the EMEA region’s income from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2012 was $0.4 million, or 0.8% of EMEA revenues versus an operating loss of $4.9 million, or 10.1% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2011. On an adjusted basis (see Exhibit 4 for reconciliation), the EMEA operating margin from continuing operations was 2.9% versus 1.8% due largely to above-mentioned factors, along with the increased number of working days in the first quarter.

Corporate G&A Expenses

Corporate costs increased to $12.7 million, or 4.6% of revenues, in the first quarter of 2012, compared to $12.2 million, or 4.1% of revenues, in the comparable quarter last year, with the increase due primarily to higher legal and professional services. On an adjusted basis (see Exhibit 3 for reconciliation), corporate costs increased to $12.6 million, or 4.5% of revenues, from $12.0 million, or 4.0% of revenues, in the comparable period last year due largely to the aforementioned factors.

Sequentially, corporate costs increased to $12.7 million, or 4.6% of revenues, in the first quarter of 2012, from $10.7 million, or 3.9% of revenues, in the fourth quarter of 2011. On an adjusted basis (see Exhibit 4 for reconciliation), corporate costs increased to $12.6 million, or 4.5% of revenues, from $10.4 million, or 3.8% of revenues, due principally to a new year reset of performance-related variable incentive compensation and self-insurance accruals.

Interest & Other Expense and Taxes

Interest and other expense for the first quarter of 2012 totaled approximately $0.6 million compared to interest and other expense of $1.6 million for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in interest and other expense was due principally to lower realized and unrealized foreign currency transactions losses. These losses resulted primarily from U.S. dollar denominated assets and liabilities held by the Company’s foreign subsidiaries.

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The Company’s effective tax rate from continuing operations was 23.8% for the first quarter of 2012 versus 4.0% in the same period last year and below the estimated 32% provided in the Company’s February 2012 business outlook. The reduction in the year-ago period’s tax rate was driven principally by a discrete adjustment related to a favorable resolution of a tax audit, while the reduction in the tax rate relative to the February 2012 business outlook was due mainly to a shift in the geographic mix of earnings to lower tax rate jurisdictions.

On an adjusted basis (see Exhibit 4 for reconciliation), the first quarter 2012 effective tax rate was 23.0% compared to 8.9% in the same period last year and below the estimated 28% provided in the Company’s February 2012 business outlook. The increases in the first quarter 2012 adjusted tax rate versus the year-ago period and the decrease relative to the February 2012 business outlook were due mainly to the above-mentioned reasons.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company’s balance sheet at March 31, 2012 remained strong with cash and cash equivalents of $196.0 million. Approximately 85%, or $166.4 million, was held in international operations and may be subject to additional taxes if repatriated to the United States, including withholding tax applied by the country of origin and U.S. taxes on the dividend income. During the first quarter, the Company acquired approximately 423 thousand shares of its stock for $6.2 million (at an average price of $14.66 per share). Under its five million share repurchase plan, which was authorized in August 2011 and has no expiration date, the Company has approximately 2.1 million shares remaining.

Subsequent to quarter end, the Company entered into a new credit agreement for a $245 million revolving senior credit facility with a group of lenders and KeyBank National Association, as lead arranger. The new credit agreement, which remains undrawn and matures on May 2, 2017, replaces the Company’s previous $75 million senior revolving credit facility.

Business Outlook

The assumptions driving the business outlook for the second quarter and full-year 2012 are as follows:

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Considering the above factors, the Company anticipates the following financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2012:

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2012, the Company anticipates the following financial results:

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*See “Business Outlook Reconciliation” (Exhibit 7) for Second Quarter and Full-Year 2012 adjusted diluted earnings per share reconciliation.

Conference Call

The Company will conduct a conference call regarding the content of this release tomorrow, May 8, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Savings Time. The conference call will be carried live on the Internet. Instructions for listening to the call over the Internet are available on the Investors page of SYKES’ website at www.sykes.com. A replay will be available at this location for two weeks. This press release is also posted on the SYKES website at http://investor.sykes.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=119541&p=irol-news&nyo=0.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

Adjusted earnings per diluted share and adjusted operating margins are important indicators of performance as these non-GAAP financial measures assist readers in further understanding the Company’s results of operations and trends from period-to-period exclusive of certain items. The term “adjusted basis”, as referenced throughout the press release, includes the ICT acquisition but excludes ICT acquisition-related costs (see Exhibits 3, 4 & 7 for reconciliation) such as those associated with capacity rationalization and facilities consolidation, coupled with items one-time in nature. Also excluded in the adjusted amounts for 2011 financial results are a charitable contribution, gain on sale of a customer contact management facility and professional services fees related to a corporate development opportunity. Adjusted earnings per diluted share and adjusted operating margins, however, are supplemental measures of performance that are not required by, or presented in accordance with, U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). Refer to the tables in the release for a detailed reconciliation.

About Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

SYKES is a global leader in providing customer contact management solutions and services in the business process outsourcing (BPO) arena. SYKES provides an array of sophisticated customer contact management solutions to Fortune 1000 companies around the world, primarily in the communications, financial services, healthcare, technology and transportation and leisure industries. SYKES specializes in providing flexible, high quality customer support outsourcing solutions with an emphasis on inbound technical support and customer service. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with customer contact management centers throughout the world, SYKES provides its services through multiple communication channels encompassing phone, e-mail, web, chat and social media. Utilizing its integrated onshore/offshore global delivery model, along with virtual at-home agents, SYKES serves its clients through two geographic operating segments: the Americas (United States, Canada, Latin America, India and the Asia Pacific region) and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa). SYKES also provides various enterprise support services in the Americas and fulfillment services in EMEA, which include multi-lingual sales order processing, payment processing, inventory control, product delivery and product returns handling. For additional information please visit www.sykes.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain “forward-looking statements,” including SYKES’ estimates of future business outlook, prospects or financial results, statements regarding SYKES’ objectives, expectations, intentions, beliefs or strategies, or statements containing words such as “believe,” “estimate,” “project,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “anticipate,” “plans,” “seeks,” “implies,” or similar expressions. It is important to note that SYKES’ actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Among the important factors that could cause such actual results to differ materially are (i) the impact of economic recessions in the U.S. and other parts of the world, (ii) fluctuations in global business conditions and the global economy, (iii) SYKES’ ability to continue the growth of its support service revenues through additional technical and customer contact centers, (iv) currency fluctuations, (v) the timing of significant orders for SYKES’ products and services, (vi) loss or

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addition of significant clients, (vii) the early termination of contracts by clients, (viii) SYKES’ ability to recognize deferred revenue through delivery of products or satisfactory performance of services, (ix) construction delays of new or expansion of existing customer support centers, (x) difficulties or delays in implementing SYKES’ bundled service offerings, (xi) failure to achieve sales, marketing and other objectives, (xii) variations in the terms and the elements of services offered under SYKES’ standardized contract including those for future bundled service offerings, (xiii) changes in applicable accounting principles or interpretations of such principles, (xiv) delays in the Company’s ability to develop new products and services and market acceptance of new products and services, (xv) rapid technological change, (xvi) political and country-specific risks inherent in conducting business abroad, (xvii) SYKES’ ability to attract and retain key management personnel, (xviii) SYKES’ ability to further penetrate into vertically integrated markets, (xix) SYKES’ ability to expand its global presence through strategic alliances and selective acquisitions, (xx) SYKES’ ability to continue to establish a competitive advantage through sophisticated technological capabilities, (xxi) the ultimate outcome of any lawsuits or penalties (regulatory or otherwise), (xxii) SYKES’ dependence on trends toward outsourcing, (xxiii) risk of interruption of technical and customer contact management center operations due to such factors as fire, earthquakes, inclement weather and other disasters, power failures, telecommunications failures, unauthorized intrusions, computer viruses and other emergencies, (xxiv) the existence of substantial competition, (xxv) the ability to obtain and maintain grants and other incentives, including tax holidays or otherwise, (xxvi) the potential of cost savings/synergies associated with the ICT acquisition not being realized, or not being realized within the anticipated time period, (xxvii) risks related to the integration of the businesses of SYKES and ICT and (xxviii) other risk factors listed from time to time in SYKES’ registration statements and reports as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and SYKES undertakes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

For additional information contact:

Subhaash Kumar

Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

(813) 233-7143

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Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

Exhibit 1

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Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Segment Results

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Exhibit 2

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Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands, except per share data)

Exhibit 3

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Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Segment Results

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Exhibit 4

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Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

Exhibit 5

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Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Cash Flow from Operations

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Exhibit 6

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Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated

Business Outlook Reconciliation*

Exhibit 7

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