Holiday Inn's Videos For Heroes

Posted on behalf of our client, Holiday Inn.

To view the videos, visit: www.youtube.com/HolidayInnHeroes

This December, a vast number of the UK’s men and women will be serving abroad during the Christmas period. To help spread some festive cheer, Holiday Inn offered family and friends the chance to record a personal video message for their loved ones overseas.



We wanted to do something for those serving men and women who will be away from their families this Christmas, we hope these messages will make this time more bearable and remind them that they are always in our thoughts. This is a way for us to show our appreciation for the work they are doing to make our country safer.

IHG, the world’s largest Hotel company, have set up a 35% discount scheme on short breaks, for all Forces/MOD family and personal as part of their commitment for Help For Heroes. Forces families can benefit from this great offer all year round across Europe for Short Breaks, Holidays, and theme parks. Visit www.IHG.com/forces for more information. The offer is available to all forces members from cadets to vets.

The video messages were arranged by the teams at Holiday Inn Farnborough and Holiday Inn Glasgow Airport.

If you are interested in posting your own message to those serving abroad, get in touch by emailing us here.

SUPER-GUEST NOTCHES UP 2500 NIGHTS IN HOLIDAY INN LONDON-KENSINGTON FORUM

Media Release

Landmark London hotel celebrates end of major refurbishment

Holiday Inn London-Kensington Forum, London’s third largest hotel and the largest Holiday Inn in the world, celebrated the completion of its one-year refurbishment by inviting their most loyal guest, Steve Walsh, who has been staying at the hotel most weekdays for 15 years and has just notched up his 2500th night, to take centre stage in a unique photograph featuring Steve and a number of the hotels team in front of the new Holiday Inn identity, the first indication of the changes at the hotel.

As part of a global programme of refurbishments, the hotel has undergone some major changes to improve guests’ comfort. The equivalent of nearly three Wembley Stadium football pitches of new carpet has been laid, all 4800 pillows have been replaced (you could sleep on a new one every night for over 13 years) and over 800 new beds have been installed. While all of this has been going on, over 250,000 guests, in addition to Steve Walsh, have stayed in the hotel.

The hotel also has new signage, music and even a signature scent in the lobby, which mean guests to the Forum are in for a totally new experience.

Steve Walsh said: “I have been staying at the Holiday Inn London-Kensington Forum virtually every weekday for 15 years. I have been here throughout the changes. And they are great. Changing all the carpets, most of the beds and all the pillows, means it’s like staying in a brand new hotel!”

Alex Carvalho, General Manager of the hotel said: “It’s taken over a year, but it’s great to finally say we are finished. Not only have we undergone major internal changes, the whole team has also completed the “Stay Real” programme. That takes an enormous effort and we are all incredibly proud to be able to continue to deliver a hotel that guests love.”
Top five refurbishment facts:

1. 906 bedrooms – the largest Holiday Inn in the world
2. Third largest hotel in the UK
3. Over 250,000 welcomed annually
4. 18,000 m2 of carpet replaced
5. 4,800 new pillows

For further information about the hotel go to: Kensington Forum Hotel Website

– ENDS –

Media enquiries (and hi res images available):

Stacey Stockwell on 0207 404 6691 or at sstockwell@paratuscommunications.com
John Rivett on 0207 404 6691 or at jrivett@paratuscommunications.com

Notes to Editors:
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms. IHG owns, manages, leases or franchises, through various subsidiaries, over 4,300 hotels and almost 630,000 guest rooms in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. The Group owns a portfolio of well recognised and respected hotel brands including InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Hotel Indigo, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites and also manages the world's largest hotel loyalty programme, Priority Club Rewards with 44 million members worldwide.

IHG has nearly 1,600 hotels in its development pipeline, which will create 140,000 jobs worldwide over the next few years.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales.

IHG offers information and online reservations for all its hotel brands at www.ihg.com and information for the Priority Club Rewards programme at www.priorityclub.com. For the latest news from IHG, visit our online Press Office at www.ihg.com/media

Cricket’s hottest players send Aussies into a spin by stripping down for the McGrath Foundation

NOTE: Issued on behalf of Cricket Australia, images available upon request (Adam Vincenzini - 07932 082 124)

MEDIA RELEASE
20 October, 2009

3 MOBILE MEN OF CRICKET CALENDAR…THE RETURN!

Embargoed until 20th October 2009: 3 mobile, sponsors of the Test Series in Australia, have created the second installment of 3 mobile Men of Cricket, a calendar in aid of the McGrath Foundation.

This limited edition calendar, supported by Cricket Australia, features stylish, sexy photographs of Australia’s hottest cricketers.

Twelve Australian team members are set to sizzle in this year’s calendar with Nathan Bracken, Callum Ferguson, Brett Geeves, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hilfenhaus, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Graham Manou, Tim Paine, Shaun Tait and Shane Watson all participating as part of Cricket Australia’s Cricket Cares initiative.

Each of the ‘Men of Cricket’ gave their time in aid of the McGrath Foundation, with all proceeds from the calendar contributing towards the placement of McGrath Breast Care Nurses nationally and increasing breast cancer awareness among younger women in Australia.

Last summer, 3 mobile was bowled over by the success of the inaugural calendar which became hot property and helped 3 mobile and Cricket Australia raise $50,000 for the McGrath Foundation through sales of the calendar alone.

Commenting on the calendar, Glenn McGrath, Co-Founder and Chairman for the McGrath Foundation and Australian cricket legend, said he continued to be impressed by the guys’ willingness to get involved with the project.

“There’s no doubt that when you’re travelling as a team there is an amazing sense of family among the guys but I’m blown away that everyone continues to offer so much support to the McGrath Foundation.

“Yet again this year everyone at the McGrath Foundation is really impressed by the boy’s physique. No doubt Watto wouldn’t have been shy in putting his name on the list but I’m super impressed Kato backed up again. He was certainly popular with the girls last year!” said Glenn.

Internationally renowned celebrity photographer Simon Upton said he was impressed by the players’ relaxed attitudes at the photo shoot. “The guys definitely aren’t camera shy! They were right into the spirit of the calendar, really relaxed and comfortable in front of the lens. We had a lot of great pictures to choose from.”

As the sponsor of the 3 mobile Test Series, Nigel Dews, VHA CEO said; “Last year’s calendar created a lot of buzz and excitement and we’re so proud of its success. It’s the perfect way for us to combine 3 mobile’s dedication to cricket and the McGrath Foundation.”

The 3 mobile Men of Cricket calendar 2010 is part of 3 mobiles ‘Pink Zinc’ campaign which features a number of fund raising activities across the 3 mobile Test Series with 3 donating all proceeds to the McGrath Foundation.

The calendar is only on sale in Australia - for more information visit www.three.com.au/menofcricket

For further information and to request high res images, footage or interviews please contact:
Rebecca Appleton
Cricket Australia
03 9653 8863 / 0407 837 907
Rebecca.appleton@cricket.com.au


ABOUT THE MCGRATH FOUNDATION

The McGrath Foundation was co-founded by Jane and Glenn McGrath after Jane’s initial recovery from breast cancer. The McGrath Foundation aims to raise money to place McGrath Breast Care Nurses in rural and regional Australia as well as educating young women to be ‘breast aware’. Visit http://www.mcgrathfoundation.com.au/ for more information on how you can make a difference.

ABOUT CRICKET AUSTRALIA AND THE CRICKET CARES PROGRAM

Cricket Australia’s CRICKET CARES program, encourages cricket and its players to make a contribution back to its fans in the community by supporting charitable organisations and other community beneficial messages. The McGrath Foundation is a major partner of Cricket Cares and the Men of Cricket calendar is an example of how the program works – cricket and the players using their profile to raise public awareness and make a financial contribution to a worthy cause. In 2010, the Sydney 3 mobile Test will again turn pink to raise awareness of the McGrath Foundation. Head to cricket.com.au/tickets to purchase tickets to the matches.

Head to www.cricket.com.au/cricketcares to see the range of things cricket and the community work hand-in hand on.

ABOUT VODAFONE HUTCHISON AUSTRALIA (VHA)

Vodafone Hutchison Australia (VHA) is a 50/50 joint venture between Vodafone Australia and Hutchison 3G Australia. VHA markets its products and services under the Vodafone and 3 brands in Australia. VHA has 6.311 million active customers at 31 June 2009.

About 3

3 is Australia's first 3G network and provides services to more than 2 million customers in Australia. Since launch in 2003, 3 has been servicing businesses with great value voice and data services as well as innovative tools like Mobile Broadband, Business Shared Caps, Mobile Email and other business services and content in 3’s Broadband Zones.

- 3 launched Australia’s first 3G mobile network in April 2003, now fully HSDPA enabled, and has over 2 million customers in Australia and over 20 million customers worldwide. 3 was also the first operator to launch cap plans in Australia in 2003.
- During 2008, customers generated 199 million internet access and Planet 3 events and 68% of 3’s customers paid for these services each month.
- 3's Broadband Zones are available in most parts of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and the Gold Coast. We reach 96% of Australians with Talk, SMS, MMS, IM and Email.

Orange Makes Multimedia On Your Mobile More Accessible With The Launch of New Store

Hat-trick of firsts for Milton Keynes

• The first Orange UK Multimedia Store opens today in thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes
• The world’s first Motorola DEXT™ with MOTOBLUR™* will be exclusively on sale at the new Milton Keynes store on opening day, before anywhere else in the world**
• It is also the first Orange store to feature a giant 70-inch cinema style screen and seating area, bringing multimedia to life

Milton Keynes, 6 October, 2009: Orange launches its first ever UK Multimedia Store today, delivering a completely new dimension of multimedia services to the community in the area.

Situated in thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes, this one-of-a-kind concept store is unlike any of the other 401 Orange stores in the UK*** because it was designed specifically to encourage ‘engagement’ between consumers and the incredible range of multimedia technology that is available through Orange.

Sian Doyle, Director of Orange Retail said:

“Milton Keynes offers the perfect venue to launch the first ever Orange Multimedia Store. Its young demographic and forward-thinking population plus the estimated potential 297,000 mobile users in the city, tells us there is high demand for the latest mobile, broadband and digital solutions. Also, as a sign of our commitment to the Milton Keynes area, we were able to have the much anticipated Motorola DEXT™ with MOTOBLUR™ available exclusively on opening day, a day before it goes on sale anywhere else in the world.”

The mobile market is changing rapidly, with devices and the services operators provide evolving all the time giving you access to a wide range multimedia on the go. The Orange Multimedia Store in Milton Keynes brings the best of mobile multimedia together, creating a ‘live’ experience of what can be accessed and achieved through the mobile.

Popularity of Multimedia on your Mobile

The demand for such an advanced store is backed up by the surge in the popularity and consumption of digital media. Orange’s fifth digital media index shows a ‘digital media boom’ in data usage across mobile phones especially in the area of entertainment and social networking, which increased by 129% in 12 months. Dongle use increased by 4,125% while music and video downloads via mobile have increased by 38% in the last six months alone.

The Milton Keynes Multimedia Experience

The Orange Multimedia Store in thecentre:mk is a digital ‘playground’ – ranging from its giant 70-inch cinema style screen and seating at the front of the store to the bouncy rubber floor when you first walk in. The seated area has been created for new product demonstrations, basic education workshops and film previews, as well as offering it to the local community as a unique platform for endless possibilities, such as book signings and product launches.

The store will also feature live handsets for customers to engage with all the services available from Orange while the showcase screen on the main wall, which is one of the biggest in the UK, is the place where all the mobile technology available in store will be brought to life on a large scale.
This screen will also play host to two of the stores most unique interactive features.

1. A giant virtual Mexican Wave which will be made up of customers filmed in store via mobile devices.
2. From launch day, people are also being invited to send in pictures of ‘what symbolises Milton Keynes’ to feature on the screen, creating a ‘PhotoClock’, which will display images at the time they were taken / sent from anywhere in Milton Keynes.

Not only is the store packed with state-of-the-art features, it also has a team of experts in store to help bring all these interactive elements to life.

Cherry Peters, manager of the new store said: “Advances in digital media are staggering and increasingly becoming an essential part of our everyday life. Therefore, the need to keep up has never been greater, which is why Orange has created a fun and entertaining centre for all to enjoy whether you’re a tech savvy teen or less aware of what your digital devices can offer to make your life easier.”

The launch of this store will coincide with the exclusive unveiling of Motorola’s highly anticipated DEXT™ with MOTOBLUR™ the only solution that automatically manages and integrates all of your communication, from work e-mail to social messaging activity — all to your home screen in easy to manage streams. Milton Keynes will be the first place in the UK to showcase the Motorola DEXT™ with MOTOBLUR™.

Orange’s Multimedia Store will open to the public on Tuesday 6th October at 3pm and can be found at on Midsummer Arcade, in thecentre:mk.

To feature on the store’s PhotoClock, simply send your images via MMS to 66444 or email photoclock@mk.orange.co.uk

ENDS

For more information about the new Orange Multimedia Shop in Milton Keynes, please contact:

Leigh Strathearn
T: 01908 698909
E: Lstrathearn@paratuscommunications.com

Notes to editors:

Footnotes
*www.motorola.com/motoblur
**The other Orange outlets in the UK will stock the Motorola DEXT™ with MOTOBLUR™ from 7 October 2009
***Orange expects to have more than 420 stores, including concession outlets, in the UK by the end of 2009

About Orange

Orange is the key brand of the France Telecom Group, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. With 123 million customers, the Orange brand now covers Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group operates.
At the end of 2008, France Telecom had consolidated sales of 53.5 billion euros (12.7 billion euros for the first quarter of 2009) and at 29 April 2009, the Group had a customer base of almost 184 million customers in 30 countries. These include 123 million mobile customers worldwide and 13 million broadband Internet (ADSL) customers in Europe. Orange is the number three mobile operator and the number one provider of broadband Internet services in Europe and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.
In the UK, Orange provides high quality GSM coverage to 99% of the UK population. At the end of March 2009, Orange had almost 17 million customers in the UK – 15.8 million active mobile customers and close to one million fixed broadband customers.
Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trade marks of Orange Personal Communications Services Limited.
For more information: www.orange.com, www.francetelecom.com, www.orange-business.com

The hand proves mightier than the machine says new study

MEDIA RELEASE
1 October 2009

NOTE: Web quality video is available to view and download for free from http://www.vismedia.co.uk/

THE HAND PROVES MIGHTIER THAN THE MACHINE

Consumers are rejecting machine-produced items when buying everyday products in favour of handmade.

When it comes to food, drinks and clothing, Britons prefer handmade items that have been uniquely crafted by skilled specialists believing them to be of a higher quality than machine made equivalents.

According to an independent nationwide study commissioned by Costa Coffee, a third of consumers admitted they were now buying more handmade items than a year ago with 40% saying they would be happy to spend more for handmade goods despite difficult financial times. A quarter of these people said they would even spend up to 20% more.

Key Findings:

Only 10% of people said they’d rather buy machine made items than those handmade by a skilled, experienced person.

60% of people believe handmade items will be of a higher quality, and when it
comes to food and drink will taste better

Almost half (46%) of Brits prefer handmade items to machine-made equivalents
because they are unique and have a personal touch

60% of respondents appreciate that more time and care is taken over making
handmade items.

In terms of coffee 47% of respondents say it tastes better when prepared by
hand, by a skilled barista, compared to just 11% who are happy to settle for
machine-produced drinks.

Over half (51%) of people said they believed consumer goods to generally be of
poorer quality now compared to the past

Following previous independent research this year which found that seven out of ten coffee lovers prefer Costa cappuccino to its competitors, Costa has commissioned this new study to find out more about UK consumer preferences, specifically focusing on the value people place on how everyday items are made.

Every single cup of coffee sold in Costa coffee shops is made by hand using traditional Italian manufactured espresso machines that rely heavily on the skill of highly trained baristas to control the entire process from bean grinding to milk frothing. This personal touch ensures Costa produces the best tasting and quality product possible, bespoke for each customer. Many of Costa’s competitors by contrast use ‘Super Automatic’ machines that fully automate the whole process with staff involvement limited to the pushing of a button.

The research was commissioned by Costa in conjunction with craft guru and TV personality Danielle Proud and London Metropolitan University academic, Helen Carnac. A full report will be available at http://www.costa.co.uk/ on Thursday 1st October.

Commenting on the research findings, Danielle Proud said:

‘There is a real trend in the UK for quality, hand-made items, whether they be unique furnishings or a quality cup of coffee. People have a huge range of choice of products to buy, however what’s clear is that they enjoy the choice but want something that is bespoke for them, that reflects their taste and even their personality.”

Helen Carnac, who has written a report for Costa based on the findings, said:

“Handmade items not only are bespoke and individual to the person they’re made for, they also give people the opportunity to engage more with the ingredients that they are made from and to understand more about their history and the process that goes into making them. Despite the recession, the research identifies that people search out quality, unique products rather than those made in automated ‘factory line’ type of process”

Gennaro Pelliccia, Master of Coffee at Costa said:

“Costa’s heritage and history and care in handmaking speaks for itself: as a company we still operate from the same Roastery in Lambeth, South London, that was set up by the Costa brothers in 1971. Great coffee cannot be made from a machine alone. Coffee making is an art and our baristas are highly trained and take pride in personally hand-making every single cup of coffee to order for our customers, unlike some of our competitors whose coffee is machine-made. And the best bit about it is we do not charge
any extra for this hand-made touch.”

ENDS

CONTACTS:
For further information, images or interviews, please contact:
Nicola Andreasen/Adam Vincenzini at Paratus Communications on 020 7404 6691
nanadreasen@paratuscommunications.com

About Costa:
Costa was founded by Italian brothers Sergio and Bruno Costa in 1971.
Costa’s in-store baristas are all coached in the art of coffee making at the company’s unique Costa Coffee Academy based at its own roastery in Lambeth, London.
Costa Coffee was the first UK coffee shop chain to commit sourcing Rainforest Alliance Certified Coffee.

Costa set up a registered charity (no.327489) in 2006 called ‘The Costa Foundation’ to help the communities within the countries from which Costa sources its coffee beans. The Costa Foundation has now built and runs 12 schools, with more planned.

Entrepreneurship alive and kicking in the UK

“DRAGON”-HEARTED BRITAIN

Entrepreneurship alive and kicking, finds study

• Entrepreneurs more likely to lead UK out of recession than Government
• Start-ups should be given tax breaks and more funding
• Four in 10 people plan to run their own business
• Best entrepreneurs deemed to be from poor families
  
  

Britain’s entrepreneurs have the business x-factor needed to kick-start the economy and pull the country out of recession, according to a new survey of public attitudes.

28% of people think entrepreneurs are most likely to have the most positive effect on bringing Britain out of recession over the next year, in comparison with 24% voting for the Government. Large businesses were chosen by 13% of respondents and Trades Unions by just 3%.

Some 45% of people surveyed for experiential business learning organisation, The Entrepreneurs Board, feel that funding should be given to start-up companies instead of supporting failing businesses. Nearly half of people (47%) agree that private sector businesses that fail should not be bailed out. And nearly half the population (48%) want remuneration to be capped for ALL public sector workers (including those in majority-owned businesses such as banks).

And in another ringing endorsement of the perceived power of the entrepreneur, more than seven in 10 people definitely (41%) or maybe (34%) want tax cuts to be given to start-ups and entrepreneurial businesses to further stimulate the economy.

Brian Chernett, Founder of The Entrepreneurs Board, said:

“Entrepreneurs are vital to recovery in the UK and the public understands this. We should do everything possible to help entrepreneurs make their businesses more successful, whether it’s tax cuts or providing business support and guidance. The Entrepreneurs Board is an extension of proven leadership programmes that help leaders learn from each other. Experiential business learning helps business owners learn by ‘doing’ and inspires them to achieve their ultimate dreams while creating economic value for the country.”

What are entrepreneurs like?

The Entrepreneurs Board study found that people think entrepreneurs are ambitious, hard-working, driven risk-takers above all else. But they are also seen to possess the positive qualities of being productive, creative leaders, who are visionary, independent, clever and courageous.

The “rags to riches” stories of many successful entrepreneurs have rubbed off, with nearly half the population (46%) thinking that people who have grown up in families without much money make good entrepreneurs (versus 15% who think that coming from a family with lots of money is best).

Experience of working in another entrepreneurial business (44%) is seen as a good qualification to start a business, while a professional qualification such as law or accountancy is not (19%). Experience gained in big business is more highly rated (44%) than a good education and academic qualifications such as an MBA (32%).

Dreams of becoming a boss

The survey confirmed Britain’s entrepreneurial spirit, with 38% of people saying that they do or plan to run their own business at some stage in their career. They gave a variety of reasons why they want to do this: flexible working (45%); challenge (44%); making more money (38%); having a great idea that could work (25%) or because they could do it better than the companies already doing it (20%).

When asked what type of organisation they would like to run if it were possible to wave a magic wand and become boss, most people said they would work for a private business (70%). Of the total, some 41% would choose to be boss of a small business. Only 5% would want to run a large publicly-quoted company in the FTSE 250. 6% would see themselves heading a Government department and 7% taking charge of a quango or public body such as an NHS Trust. One in 10 (8%) would choose to lead a charity.

Nearly one in five (17%) of respondents voted confidential peer groups where you could learn from the experiences of other entrepreneurs - such as The Entrepreneurs Board - as the best type of leadership or personal development to equip them to start up a company.

Government initiatives were rated relatively unfavourably with just 6%, along with external consultants (4%) and academic programmes such as MBAs (6%).

Those saying they didn’t want to run their own companies also provided a selection of reasons. In top spot was not having a good enough idea (42%), followed by financial insecurity (41%) and not wanting the stress (also 41%).

Guy Rigby, Head of Entrepreneurs at accountants Smith & Williamson, a strategic partner of The Entrepreneurs Board, comments:

“This survey shows that our entrepreneurial spirit is alive and kicking in the UK. Not only do the general public increasingly understand and back entrepreneurship, but many of them are itching to get more involved. This kind of enthusiasm can only bode well for our economy and the leadership experience and support available through The Entrepreneurs Board will help champion their cause. Governments take note- this is the way forward.”

Working for an entrepreneurial organisation

The public view the prospects of working in entrepreneurial organisations very positively. Around seven in 10 respondents (67% in each case) believed to some extent that effort and reward could be more closely linked and that you could have more opportunity to pursue work activities that are interesting personally.

The majority of people also feel that working in an entrepreneurial organisation would afford better opportunities for career progression (59%), work/life balance (58%), being more pivotal to the success of the company (55%). And countering stereotypical views, half of those surveyed (48%) felt that you could have more job security in an entrepreneurial organisation.

Role model entrepreneurs

Richard Branson is still the UK’s favourite entrepreneur with 58% of people saying he is the best role model for business people. Anita Roddick, the recently deceased founder of The Body Shop, came second with votes from a quarter (25%) of respondents.

Among the TV “Dragons”, Peter Jones is the top choice with 23%. James Caan scored lowest with just 7%, slightly behind Deborah Meaden on 9%.

Proving that women entrepreneurs are not achieving due recognition, Penny Streeter, founder of recruitment company Ambition 24 Hours (named by Management Today magazine as the highest ranking woman in its top 100 entrepreneurs list), polled just 1% as best role model. Linda Bennett, founder of shoe chain LK Bennett, scored 3%. When asked whether men or women make better entrepreneurs, 69% of respondents said men.

Entrepreneurs can sign up for The Entrepreneurs Board by calling 0870 228 3369 or visiting http://www.entrepreneursboard.com/.

- Ends -

For further information, please contact:

Dominic Shales, Paratus Communications: Tel: 020 7404 6691 / 07976 248321

E-mail: dshales@paratuscommunications.com

Notes to Editors:

The Entrepreneurs Board is a peer group experiential learning forum where like-minded businesses leaders from different industries meet to test ideas, challenge each other, investigate opportunities and develop themselves and their businesses.

Small groups of up to a dozen or so entrepreneurs from different sectors meet locally for a half-day (4 hour) monthly, facilitated session to challenge the status quo and learn from each other and use their networks and contacts. The experiential learning gained from leaders talking to leaders can make the difference between simply seeing out this recession and using it as a real opportunity.

The Entrepreneurs Board is operated by the Academy for Chief Executives, the leading provider of Experiential Business Learning, where business leaders share experiences, opportunities and learn from each other. The Entrepreneurs Board is delivered through the Academy Chairmen and is part of a suite of products designed to enable leaders to develop themselves and grow their business.

The Entrepreneurs Board is a strategic partnership between:

• The Academy for Chief Executives (http://www.chiefexecutive.com/)
• Smith & Williamson (http://www.smith.williamson.co.uk/)

Benefits of Joining an Entrepreneurs Board:

• An independent sounding board and source of new ideas
• A safe place to test whether your decisions are the right ones
• A forum where you can learn from local business people about really works for them
• A sharper leadership focus, more honed for the future
• Accelerated results for you and your business
• Sustained performance improvements
• An improved work / life balance
• Ongoing support, challenge and sense of community

---

Survey carried out by OnePoll among 2000 consumers in early September 2009

Gym kit and guitars need proper protection warns AXA as value of schoolbag reaches nearly £250

Media Release
AXA Insurance

Gym kit and guitars need proper protection warns AXA as value of schoolbag reaches nearly £250

1 September 2009: A new survey by AXA Insurance reveals what makes up the average schoolbag and how loss, damage and theft of its contents affect one in three.

As children head back to school over the next week, parents are being advised by insurance giant AXA, to count the cost of their children’s schoolbags and make sure they protect their possessions away from home.

Loss, damage and theft

According to the company’s research nearly 30% of children have lost or broken at least one item from their schoolbag with sports kit topping the list, closely followed by pencil cases then dinner money, mobile phones and trainers or football boots.

Up to twenty per cent of schoolchildren have had at least one item from their school bag stolen either at or on the way to and from school leaving parents forking out an average of £163 to replace lost, broken or stolen items. Perhaps surprisingly, the most stolen item on the journey to or from school is a musical instrument.

Counting the cost

The average cost of a secondary school child’s school bag comes to £244.50 based on average contents regularly taken to school including:

• Mobile phone valued at £50
• Trainers/football boots valued at £40
• Sports kit (tracksuit, shorts and t-shirt) valued at £70
• Reading book valued at £7
• Text books x 3 valued at £20
• Pencil case and contents valued at £25
• Dinner money (weekly) valued at £10
• The bag itself with an average value of £22.50

The value of schoolbags increases further when you consider other items carried by many such as iPods, electronic games or musical instruments, which are often one of the most valuable items taken to and from school.

A third of children (32%) play a musical instrument with the average cost of the instrument being £128 - although some can cost thousands of pounds. The most popular instrument is the guitar followed by the recorder.

Steve Hardy, Managing Director of AXA Direct says: “We all know children can be expensive, but it’s surprising just how much a schoolbag and its contents can add up to. And as children increase their interest in using gadgets such as iPods, mobile phones and electronic games, so too will the value of their schoolbag and unfortunately the appeal to thieves go up. Despite this, only about 50% of people actually have insurance that will cover these items outside of the home.

“AXA customers can, with personal possessions cover added to their home insurance, protect for loss, damage and theft of schoolbags, even musical instruments borrowed from school for personal use. So if the worst should happen, parents won’t be faced with yet another hefty bill.”

Regional schoolbags – top of the costs

AXA’s research revealed that on average children in London carry contents worth the most in their school bags while those in the North West carry the least.

1. London
2. East Midlands
3. South East
4. South West
5. Northern Ireland
6. East Anglia
7. North East
8. Scotland
9. West Midlands
10. Wales
11. Yorkshire & Humberside
12. North West

Schoolbag theft

Children in London are also most likely to have had possessions stolen, whereas children in Northern Ireland are the least likely to be a victim of such crimes. However, in Wales more musical instruments are stolen than anywhere else, probably reflecting the fact that more children play instruments in this region than elsewhere.

Theft from school
1. London
2. Scotland
3. West Midlands
4. East Midlands
5. North West
6. East Anglia
7. North East
8. Wales
9. South West
10. South East
11. Yorkshire and Humberside
12. Northern Ireland

Theft on the way to/from school
1. London
2. West Midlands
3. Scotland
4. North West
5. East Midlands
6. East Anglia
7. North East
8. Yorkshire and Humberside
9. South West
10. Wales
11. South East
12. Northern Ireland

-Ends-

Enquiries

Miranda Bellord AXA Insurance press office +44 0207 280 3139 / 07964 501800
Miranda Seymour Paratus +44 0208 246 6853 / 07966 549 413


Notes to Editors:

The research was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of AXA Insurance. The survey was completed by 2000 UK adults between 25-26 August 2009.


AXA

AXA Insurance is one of the largest general insurers in the UK and underwrites a broad range of products for individuals and businesses. Products are distributed primarily through brokers and corporate partners, with a growing presence in the direct market through its website www.axa.co.uk and Swiftcover, the 100% online insurance provider. AXA Insurance is part of the AXA UK group of operating companies.

AXA UK is a part of the AXA Group. AXA Group is a worldwide leader in Financial Protection. AXA's operations are diverse geographically, with major operations in Europe, North America and the Asia/Pacific area. For full year 2008, IFRS revenues amounted to Euro 91.2 billion and IFRS adjusted earnings to Euro 3.7 billion. AXA had Euro 981 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2008.

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World's first Welsh language mobile phone launched

• Orange and Samsung join forces to put Welsh language on a mobile phone for the first time
  
• The innovative phone includes never-before-available features including menus and predictive text in Welsh
  
• The phone and service will be available exclusively through Orange from September
  
• Wales’ Minister for Heritage, Alun Ffred Jones and S4C Presenter, Alex Jones joined Orange and Samsung to unveil the phone at The National Eisteddfod of Wales
  

Orange, in partnership with Samsung, will make mobile phone history with the introduction of the world’s first Welsh language handset. The S5600 will be available exclusively on Orange from 1st September 2009.

The phone, unveiled for the first time today at The National Eisteddfod of Wales, will be available on both Pay Monthly and Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) and is a major step forward in providing Welsh speakers with choices they’ve never had before.

Sian Doyle, Head of Retail, Orange, said:

“Orange is really proud to be the first network to introduce this truly innovative service to Welsh speakers. This initiative is part of a broader commitment by Orange to provide Welsh speakers with more choice. We already include the Welsh language in our stores via bilingual signage, Welsh speaking advisors and other initiatives. The Welsh market is a vibrant and exciting marketplace and we hope that new initiatives like this and the opening of our first community concept store in Monmouth will ensure that Orange becomes the best loved telecommunications company in Wales.”

Specific software was created by Samsung to bring this initiative to life which includes 44,000 plus Welsh words on the device.

Mark Mitchinson, Vice President, Samsung Mobile, UK and Ireland said:

“This is another first for Samsung Mobile following the launch of the Irish language phone in 2008. Yet again it proves that Samsung is at the forefront of market driven change. We feel extremely proud and deeply honoured to be part of this ground breaking initiative and confident that, through partnership with Orange, we will truly delight our Welsh speaking customers by providing a mobile phone with widget, excellent camera functionality and full internet browsing capabilities. This is a real plus for social networking enthusiasts”

Alun Ffred Jones, Wales’ Minister for Heritage, who took part in the announcement at The National Eisteddfod of Wales today, said:

“I would like to congratulate Orange and Samsung for voluntarily developing a handset with a Welsh interface and also offers a Welsh predictive texting facility. This development shows that they recognise not only the benefits of offering services through the medium of Welsh but also the importance of responding to the needs of their customers here. It’s important to be able to have services and technology available in the language so that people can live their lives through the medium of Welsh. ”

Meri Huws, chair of the Welsh Language Board said:

“The Board congratulates Orange and Samsung on the launch of this handset, which is a very big step forward for Welsh and mobile phones. The way that people communicate is constantly changing – it is important that people can use Welsh as easily as they can use English and they can now do that for the first time on this great new phone from Orange and Samsung. We hope that other handset manufacturers and mobile phone companies will follow the exciting example set by Orange and Samsung.”

S4C Presenter, Alex Jones, the face of programmes including Hip neu Sgip and Chwa! said she was delighted to support this new initiative:

“This really is such an amazing idea from Orange and Samsung, it’s perfect for people like me who do a lot of our conversing in Welsh.

“Things like typing and sending text messages are so much easier on this phone as opposed to the issues we all face with English-only phones. I know all my friends will want to get hold of one of these phones as soon as they're in the shops.”

The Samsung S5600 will be available for free on 24 month Orange contracts at £19.57 per month or at £14.98 per month (with a £9.50 upfront fee). It will also be available for £129.00 on Orange Pay As You Go (subject to a £10 top-up when purchased).

The handset will initially be made available in Welsh stores before being rolled out beyond Wales and online.

Visit Orange shops, Orange.co.uk or Samsungmobile.co.uk for more information.

ENDS

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