electroCore's clinical trial program into non invasive vagus nerve stimulation therapy gathers momentum

BASKING RIDGE, New Jersey - Friday, November 1st 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Following the announcement last month that it had fully enrolled its pilot FDA chronic migraine study electroCore has announced that its European randomized controlled trial, GC - 002, for the prevention and acute treatment of chronic cluster headache has been found by the external statistical team to require no changes based on the planned interim sizing analysis.

This study, which is a multicentre trial with sites in Germany -5, UK -3, Belgium -1, Italy -1, has as its primary outcome the reduction in the number of cluster headache attacks per week. The trial is a randomized controlled study involving parallel groups. One arm receiving the standard of care while the other arm is receiving the standard of care plus treatment with gammaCore - electroCore's non invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) therapy. The trial, which is due to finish at the end of the second quarter next year, has already enrolled 58 patients with a target total of 90 patients.

electroCore's extensive clinical trials program is continuing to explore the potential of its revolutionary non invasive vagus nerve stimulation therapy across a number of conditions. Surgically invasive vagus nerve stimulation therapy has proven to be very effective in epilepsy and depression but because of its very high cost is not used except as a last resort. Its high cost has also deterred research into the many conditions where it is reported to have been effective.

Several other key electroCore headache trials are also underway.

A European acute treatment of cluster headache trial has just started recruitment.

This randomized controlled study has two parallel groups one using gammaCore, the other a sham device. The trial is being run across eight sites - UK - 4, Germany 2, Denmark -1 and Netherlands 1. The results are expected in the third quarter of next year.

A pivotal FDA trial into the acute relief of cluster headaches is being carried out across nineteen sites in the US with 78 patients already enrolled. The final number of patients required, between 150 and 300, will be determined by an interim analysis by an outside statistical team based on the first 75 completed patients by the end of the year. This trial is measuring the level of pain on a five point scale 15 minutes after patients have self treated an acute cluster headache attack with the gammaCore device. The results are expected at the end of next year.

An epilepsy trial using electroCore’s nVNS therapy, the first clinical study of nVNS in this indication, is now being run at two sites in Australia. The randomized controlled, parallel-group, crossover trial using a sham device will measure the reduction of seizures in patients with epilepsy. Four out of 30 patients have already been enrolled and the results will be available at the end of quarter three next year.

JP Errico CEO of electroCore commented “We are delighted with the progress we are making. The open label trials we have run were very encouraging and we are confident that next year these randomized controlled trials will confirm that our non invasive vagus nerve stimulation VNS offers a significant benefit to patients with many types of serious headaches."

Contacts

MEDIA:

Simon VanePercy

+44(0)1737821890

simon@vanepercy.com

Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9040/en

Hilton Worldwide Completes Over 2,400 Volunteer Projects During Annual Global Week of Service

MCLEAN, Va. - Wednesday, October 30th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)  Hilton Worldwide celebrated the company’s annual volunteer campaign completing more than 2,400 volunteer projects in over 700 cities in 72 countries throughout the month of October. Now in its second year, Global Week of Service is Hilton Worldwide’s largest annual volunteer service event which recognizes the company’s service and volunteer culture and strengthens the communities Hilton Worldwide serves.

Team Members from over 900 properties and offices completed projects including résumé building for and mentoring of youth, refurbishment of schools and community centers, preservation of cultural landmarks, river and park clean-ups, meal preparation and the creation of community gardens and green spaces. All of the projects focused on engaging Team Members to deliver Hilton Worldwide's commitment to Travel with PurposeTM and its corporate responsibility pillars: creating opportunities, strengthening communities, celebrating cultures and living sustainably. Throughout the past year, Team Members have donated over 150,000 volunteer hours globally.

“Our second annual Global Week of Service exceeded our goals, allowing us to make an even greater impact on the communities where we live, work and travel,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and chief executive officer, Hilton Worldwide. “Exceptional service is at the core of what we deliver every day for millions of guests around the world, and Hilton Worldwide’s Global Week of Service is another opportunity for us to bring our Team Members together and celebrate our passion to serve.”

To help facilitate Global Week of Service and other volunteer projects across its global footprint, Hilton Worldwide leverages the Purpose Portal, a customized volunteer tool that connects Team Members with projects and organizations in their communities and recruits volunteers for thousands of organizations around the world. The platform also provides resources for the company’s global network of thousands of community and sustainability champions and volunteer project organizers enabling Hilton Worldwide to empower Team Members to take a leadership role in planning activities not only for its Global Week of Service, but also year-round.

Throughout Global Week of Service, Hilton Worldwide’s network of partners, including Points of Light, Hilton in the Community Foundation, Global Soap Project and Feeding America in addition to more than 1,300 local community organizations supported the company’s Team Members as they participated in community service projects around the globe.

Examples of volunteer projects during this year’s Global Week of Service include:

Americas

    Across the United States and Canada, teams worked to improve conditions in the communities the company serves. In Memphis, TN, Team Members volunteered more than 430 hours to create new living spaces at Door of Hope. In McLean, VA over 6,000 pounds of food were assembled into weekend packs for students and emergency kits for food bank clients. Team Members in Orlando, FL made improvements to the Coalition for the Homeless facility and supported the launch of a new family program for their communities. And in Los Angeles, more than 80 volunteers from area hotels came together to create a sustainable, edible garden and irrigation system for more than 1,700 middle school students. Members of the Hilton Worldwide community also revitalized outdoor schools, food pantries and community shelters; hosted cultural events and learning sessions; and mentored youth about the skills needed in the hospitality sector.
    In Colombia, Hilton Bogota and Hilton Cartagena Team Members volunteered more than 144 hours to join with a local school to refurbish its facilities and outdoor learning environment to create a safe space for children to learn.

Europe, Middle East & Africa

    Team Members participated in more than 250 projects including preserving the banks of the Thames River in London where 48 bags of rubbish were removed and saplings were planted along the river; cleaning the Burgazada Coast in Istanbul, Turkey where 253.5 kg of garbage was removed; serving 280 youth in Frankfurt, Germany by installing a library to serve multicultural students at the Gunderrode Primary School; refurbishing and renovating the Al Garhoud National Charity School in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and revitalizing the Breakspeare School in Watford, UK which serves children with special needs.

Asia Pacific

    Hundreds of volunteers joined together to create significant impact in their communities. In Thailand, 700 volunteers from Hilton Worldwide’s portfolio of properties throughout the country served with 10 community partners in Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket and Koh Samui. Mt. Fuji was the project site for Hilton Worldwide’s Japan corporate and hotel Team Members who dedicated multiple days to clean-up efforts at the national landmark. Team Members in Singapore spent two full days improving the lives of nearly 400 youth and senior citizens by providing meals, care packages and hospitality to Sunbeam Place and Peace Connect.

During the Week, Team Members were encouraged to share their personal stories of service and hospitality through a variety of channels. Photos and stories from the events are now posted at www.hiltonworldwide.com/serve, on the Hilton Worldwide Facebook page, on Flickr and on the @HiltonWorldwide Twitter account.

About Hilton Worldwide

Hilton Worldwide is a leading global hospitality company, spanning the lodging sector from luxury and full-service hotels and resorts to extended-stay suites and focused-service hotels. For 94 years, Hilton Worldwide has been dedicated to continuing its tradition of providing exceptional guest experiences. The company’s portfolio of ten world-class global brands is comprised of more than 4,000 managed, franchised, owned and leased hotels and timeshare properties, with more than 665,000 rooms in 90 countries and territories, including Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, DoubleTree by Hilton, Embassy Suites Hotels, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Hotels, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton HHonorsTM. Visit www.hiltonworldwide.com for more information and connect with Hilton Worldwide at www.facebook.com/hiltonworldwide, www.twitter.com/hiltonworldwide, www.youtube.com/hiltonworldwide, www.flickr.com/hiltonworldwide and www.linkedin.com/company/hilton-worldwide.

About Travel with PurposeTM

Travel with PurposeTM is Hilton Worldwide's corporate responsibility commitment to providing shared value to its business and communities in four areas - creating opportunities for individuals to reach their full potential; strengthening communities where Hilton Worldwide operates; celebrating cultures and the power of travel; and living sustainably through the measurement, analysis and improvement of the company's use of natural resources.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131030005205/en/

Contacts

Hilton Worldwide

Sarah Lipman

(703) 883-5315

sarah.lipman@hilton.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9017/en

NYSE Euronext Update on Acquisition by IntercontinentalExchange

ME Newswire / Businesswire

NEW YORK - Thursday, October 31st 2013

NYSE Euronext (NYSE: NYX) today provided the following statement and timeline for the completion of its pending acquisition by IntercontinentalExchange (NYSE: ICE), a leading operator of global markets and clearing houses.

ICE and NYSE Euronext have postponed the closing date of their previously announced merger transaction from November 4, 2013 to a later date to be announced to allow additional time for relevant European regulators and ministries to process and issue their approvals. As previously announced, ICE and NYSE Euronext have received a letter from the Chairmen’s Committee of the Euronext College of Regulators, which includes each individual regulator of the Euronext markets, indicating that it is “not minded to object” to ICE’s proposed acquisition. ICE and NYSE Euronext are awaiting receipt of the remaining national regulatory approvals, which they expect to receive in the coming days, and anticipate closing the proposed transaction within two business days after receipt of the final regulatory approval. Neither ICE nor NYSE Euronext anticipates any substantive issues being raised in the context of these remaining European national approvals.

ICE and NYSE Euronext have not extended the election deadline for shareholders of NYSE Euronext to make merger consideration elections of stock and/or cash consideration, which remains 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on October 31, 2013, with such election deadline being fixed unless extended by ICE through further public announcement. Shareholders of NYSE Euronext who hold shares through a financial intermediary such as a bank, broker, trust company or other nominee may have an earlier election deadline and should carefully review any instructions received from their bank, broker, trust company or other nominee in order to comply with any earlier deadline. Shareholders of NYSE Euronext with questions regarding the election procedures or materials should contact their financial intermediary, or Georgeson Inc., the information agent for the transaction, at 888-566-8006 (toll free in the United States) or 781-575-2137 (outside the United States).

About NYSE Euronext                                                                      

NYSE Euronext (NYX) is a leading global operator of financial markets and provider of innovative trading technologies. The company's exchanges in Europe and the United States trade equities, futures, options, fixed-income and exchange-traded products. With approximately 8,000 listed issues (excluding European Structured Products), NYSE Euronext's equities markets - the New York Stock Exchange, NYSE Euronext, NYSE MKT, NYSE Alternext and NYSE Arca - represent one-third of the world’s equities trading, the most liquidity of any global exchange group. NYSE Euronext also operates NYSE Liffe, one of the leading European derivatives businesses and the world's second-largest derivatives business by value of trading. The company offers comprehensive commercial technology, connectivity and market data products and services through NYSE Technologies. For more information, please visit: http://www.nyx.com.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This written communication contains “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by words such as “may,” “hope,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “could,” “future” or the negative of those terms or other words of similar meaning. You should carefully read forward-looking statements, including statements that contain these words, because they discuss our future expectations or state other “forward-looking” information. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties which change over time. ICE Group, ICE and NYSE Euronext caution readers that any forward-looking statement is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statement.

Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the proposed merger involving ICE Group, ICE and NYSE Euronext, including future financial results, ICE’s and NYSE Euronext’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the expected timing of completion of the transaction and other statements that are not historical facts. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are set forth in ICE’s and NYSE Euronext’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, the following: the inability to close the merger in a timely manner; the failure to satisfy other conditions to completion of the merger, including receipt of required regulatory and other approvals; the failure of the proposed transaction to close for any other reason; the possibility that any of the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction will not be realized; the risk that integration of NYSE Euronext’s operations with those of ICE will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected; the challenges of integrating and retaining key employees; the effect of the announcement of the transaction on ICE’s, NYSE Euronext’s or the combined company’s respective business relationships, operating results and business generally; the possibility that the anticipated synergies and cost savings of the merger will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period; the possibility that the merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; general competitive, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations; actions taken or conditions imposed by the United States and foreign governments or regulatory authorities; and adverse outcomes of pending or threatened litigation or government investigations. In addition, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results of the combined company, as are described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the joint proxy statement/prospectus filed by ICE Group with the SEC, and as described in ICE’s and NYSE Euronext’s respective filings with the SEC that are available on the SEC’s web site located at www.sec.gov, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in ICE’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2013, and “Risk Factors” in NYSE Euronext’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the SEC on February 26, 2013. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this written communication. Except for any obligations to disclose material information under the Federal securities laws, ICE Group, ICE and NYSE Euronext undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this written communication.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed transaction, ICE Group has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4, which the SEC has declared effective and which contains a joint proxy statement/prospectus with respect to the proposed acquisition of NYSE Euronext by ICE Group. The final joint proxy statement/prospectus has been delivered to the stockholders of ICE and NYSE Euronext. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF BOTH ICE AND NYSE EURONEXT ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY, INCLUDING ANY DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY FILED WITH THE SEC AND INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ICE, NYSE EURONEXT AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of the joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about ICE and NYSE Euronext, without charge, at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Investors may also obtain these documents, without charge, from ICE’s website at http://www.theice.com and from NYSE Euronext’s website at http://www.nyx.com.

Contacts

NYSE Euronext

Media

Robert Rendine, 212-656-2180

rrendine@nyx.com



Eric Ryan, 212-656-2411

eryan@nyx.com



Caroline Tourrier, +33 (0)1 49 27 10 82

ctourrier@nyx.com



Investor Relations

Stephen Davidson, 212-656-2183

sdavidson@nyx.com



Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9031/en

Transform or Die: Companies Must Continually Adapt to the Changing Global Economic Environment or Risk Failure, Says Ram Charan

SHANGHAI - Thursday, October 31st 2013 [ME NewsWire]

Noted business advisor and author to speak to more than 450 senior global executives at Hay Group conference in November

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Seismic transformation of economic opportunity and geopolitical power from advanced countries in the North to countries of the South is taking place at breakneck speed. What is this context in which corporations of the future will thrive or decline?

In his plenary session speech to senior executives in November at the Hay Group International Conference in Shanghai, international business advisor and author, Ram Charan, will argue that even though these are challenging times, they are also rich in potential for those who can develop the right mindset. Charan says that the old rule book should be rewritten, and will set out the principles that will inform the new rule book.

“The world is going through such a huge transformation and so frequently that there is not room for the status quo,” says Charan. “You miss something by two or three years and your company could go under. You can be defensive or you can go on the offensive.”

Hay Group’s International Conference is being held on 27 and 28 November 2013 in Shanghai, China. The theme of this year’s conference is “Leading Transformation.” The programme for the conference includes a roster of high-profile speakers who will share inspirational and provocative stories of organisational transformation and why effective leaders have made transformation business as usual and not a one-off process.

“We know that business leaders will benefit from hearing these first-hand perspectives of leaders who have executed significant transformation in their organizations,” said Stephen Kaye, President and CEO of Hay Group.

In his book Global Tilt, Ram Charan says that countries in the South, that is, generally speaking, below the 31st parallel, are more and more able to write their own rules about engaging in the global economy. “When you have a country like China,” says Charan, “and they have three to four trillion dollars in reserves and they have the markets that the people in the North want to capture, then they have begun to set the rules.”

To schedule an interview with Ram Charan, contact Mitch Kent at mitch_kent@haygroup.com.

For more information about Hay Group’s International Conference, contact Mwamba Kasanda at mwamba_kasanda@haygroup.com.

About Ram Charan:

Ram Charan is a world-renowned business advisor, author and speaker who has spent the past 35 years working with many top companies, CEOs and boards of our time. In his work with companies, he is known for cutting through the complexity of running a business in today’s fast changing environment to uncover the core business problem. His real-world solutions, shared with millions through his books and articles in top business publications, have been praised for being practical, relevant and highly actionable – the kind of advice you can use on a Monday morning.

About Hay Group:

Hay Group is a global management consulting firm that works with leaders to transform strategy into reality. We develop talent, organize people to be more effective and motivate them to perform at their best. Our focus is on making change happen and helping people and organizations realize their potential. Visit www.haygroup.com or @haygroup.

About Hay Group’s International Conference:

Hay Group’s International Conference, to be held in Shanghai 27 and 28 November 2013 will explore the critical issue of organisational transformation, with particular emphasis on leaders and their ability to impact organisations, performance and people. The conference will also examine the issues surrounding transformation, including innovation, globalisation, culture and operational excellence.

Learn more at: http://www.thehaygroupconference.com/asia

Contacts

Hay Group

Media Contact:

Mitch Kent, 215-861-2315

mitch_kent@haygroup.com

Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/9033/en

JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ Limited Edition Collection Designed by Alfred Dunhill Launches with the Premiere of "Celebrating a Journey Shared"

Luxury film draws parallels to the inspiration behind the Collection by bringing to life a shared journey to achieve the extraordinary

LONDON - Thursday, October 31st 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ and Alfred Dunhill launched the JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ Limited Edition Collection designed by Alfred Dunhill in conjunction with the première of “Celebrating a Journey Shared”, a film which portrays a memorable journey of two exceptional men – John Walker and Alfred Dunhill – from the bustling city of London to the highlands of Scotland. The two iconic British luxury houses also unveiled CelebratingAJourneyShared.com, a digital concept space that showcases the great craft traditions of dedication, rich heritage and commitment to quality behind this exclusive range of collectors’ items.

Inspired by the pioneering spirit of our founders, John Walker and Alfred Dunhill, and the brands that honour their vision today, the film captures special moments on the journey from London to Scotland and is a modern reinterpretation of what might have transpired between the two gentlemen should they have met in their lifetime. The result leaves viewers room to imagine how both John Walker and Alfred Dunhill would have interacted with each other considering the similar beliefs and philosophies that they share.

Bringing to life the same spirit, “Celebrating a Journey Shared” takes two exceptional men, adventurer Jason Lewis and craftsman Chris Tipper, on a memorable journey from London to Scotland. The story draws parallels to the unique feelings of achievement and accomplishment that Jason Lewis and Chris Tipper, Johnnie Walker and Alfred Dunhill share. Springing from the great British craft traditions of dedication and commitment to quality, both pairs were true to their heritage but set their eyes distinctly on the future.

Jason Lewis circumnavigated the globe, after 13 years of dedication and sheer willpower, with the help of Chris Tipper, who hand-built the paddle boat named ‘Moksha’ which they travelled in. From Alfred Dunhill’s home in London, to JOHNNIE WALKER®’s Drummuir Castle in Scotland, the film showcases the remarkable collaboration between two pioneers in a shared journey to achieve the extraordinary, visually blending the heritage and modernity of these purveyors of British luxury.

Aimed at extending the experience of the partnership between JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ and Alfred Dunhill, CelebratingAJourneyShared.com shines the spotlight on different aspects of the collaboration and the collection – from the heritage of both brands and their craftsmanship to travelling in style with dunhill and how to create the perfect serve.

“Created by two purveyors of British luxury, this limited edition Collection is built on both brands’ shared values and pioneering heritage of quality craftsmanship,” said James Thompson, Managing Director, GLOBAL RESERVE, DIAGEO. “This film, with cues of luxury and masculine sophistication is our visual expression of this partnership and this Collection.”

The JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ Limited Edition Collection designed by Alfred Dunhill features a limited edition design bottle and a Collector’s Trunk. The packaging of the exclusive bottle is stunningly put together with its interior evoking the contours of a map while its exterior speaking directly to dunhill's positioning as the British men's luxury brand using their brand signifier, 'Chassis', in their leather goods.

The JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ Limited Edition Collection designed by Alfred Dunhill will be available through exclusive retailers.

To view the “Celebrating a Journey Shared” film and to relive the journey of John Walker and Alfred Dunhill, please visit the official JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ Limited Edition Collection by Alfred Dunhill microsite: www.CelebratingAJourneyShared.com.

ENDS

About JOHNNIE WALKER® BLUE LABEL™ Blended Scotch Whisky

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL is one of the pinnacle offerings from JOHNNIE WALKER.

Only sublime, rare whiskies at the pinnacle of perfection are used in the blending of JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL, with only 1 in 10,000 casks containing whisky of sufficient character to deliver its remarkably smooth signature taste. Each is hand selected by the JOHNNIE WALKER Master Blender himself, part of an unbroken lineage of Master Blenders stretching back over 190 years - it is the ultimate expression of whisky making today and an remarkable achievement for the modern era.

Presented in individually numbered bottles, it is reminiscent of the 19th century style of whiskies. The Master Blender uses his decades of experience to select some of the rarest casks from the JOHNNIE WALKER reserves for their quality, character and flavour to create the powerful, complex, smooth character of BLUE LABEL. Using a relatively small number of whiskies requires incredible skill and exceptional liquids as each will play a significant contribution to the final result.

BLUE LABEL has a mellow, rounded nose, with a dry smokiness (a JOHNNIE WALKER signature flavour) mixing with raisin sweetness. It is best savoured with the palate cleansed and cooled by iced water. One sip reveals a velvety mouth-feel, then an explosion of flavour. At once you’ll discover hazelnuts, honey, rose petals, sherry and oranges. Subsequent sips reward you with more hidden secrets like kumquats, wispy aromatic smoke, sandalwood, tobacco, and dark chocolate.

About DIAGEO

Diageo is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, beer and wine. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, JεB, Windsor, Buchanan’s and Bushmills whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Baileys, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, with its products sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

The JOHNNIE WALKER and BLUE LABEL words, the Striding Figure device and associated logos are trademarks © John Walker & Sons 2013.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20131030005538/en/

Contacts

For further press information please contact:

DIAGEO RESERVE

ANDRE CHONG, +65 876 4446

Head of Communications

andre.chong@diageo.com



EDELMAN SINGAPORE

CINDY LIM, +65 6347 2321

Manager

Cindy.lim@edelman.com







Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9018/en

Quintiles President & COO John Ratliff to Leave Company at End of 2013

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C - Thursday, October 31st 2013 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Quintiles today announced that John Ratliff has resigned his position as president and chief operating officer (COO) effective December 31, 2013. He has also resigned his role as a member of the Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. board of directors.

“On behalf of our board of directors, senior Quintiles management team and our employees around the world, I would like to thank John Ratliff for his leadership and tireless dedication to Quintiles over the past nine years,” said CEO Tom Pike. “Quintiles is known for its strong management team, and I’m confident that these executives will ensure a smooth transition for our customers, employees and the patients we ultimately serve. John helped to grow this team as Quintiles has grown. We wish him well in his future endeavors.”

Ratliff joined Quintiles as chief financial officer in 2004, shortly after the company began its transition from public to private ownership in 2003. In 2006, he was named chief operating officer and was appointed to Quintiles’ board.

“Quintiles is a special company where I have had a tremendous experience, both professionally and personally for almost a decade,” Ratliff said. “The difference this company has made in people’s lives is truly amazing, and I am extremely proud to have played a part in it. I love Quintiles and wish the best of luck to the entire organization,” Ratliff concluded.

About Quintiles

Quintiles (NYSE: Q) is the world’s largest provider of biopharmaceutical development and commercial outsourcing services with a network of more than 28,000 employees conducting business in approximately 100 countries. We have helped develop or commercialize all of the top-50 best-selling drugs on the market. Quintiles applies the breadth and depth of our service offerings along with extensive therapeutic, scientific and analytics expertise to help our customers navigate an increasingly complex healthcare environment as they seek to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of better healthcare outcomes. To learn more about Quintiles, please visit www.quintiles.com.

Click here to subscribe to Mobile Alerts for Quintiles.

Contacts
Quintiles
Phil Bridges, + 1-919-998-1653
Media Relations
phil.bridges@quintiles.com
Mobile: +1-919-457-6347



Karl Deonanan, +1-919-998-2789
Investor Relations
InvestorRelations@quintiles.com







Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/9039/en

Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser Calls for Collaboration and New Funding to Accelerate Access to Education

Educate A Child Projects Reach 2 Million Children In First Year

DOHA, Qatar - Wednesday, October 30th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

Educate A Child (EAC) and its partners are on track to bring more than two million out of school children into education programmes a year on from its launch, and plan to reach ten million by the end of the 2015 school year.  EAC is a program of Education Above All (EAA).

The milestone achievement and target were revealed before a group of international education stakeholders at a plenary session at the World Innovation Summit for Education attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson and Founder of EAA.

Reflecting the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to achieve the goal of ensuring access to a quality education for all, the plenary featured leading stakeholders in education, including: Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser; UN Special Envoy for Education, Gordon Brown; Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova; Executive Director of UNICEF, Tony Lake; UNHCR High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres; Commissioner-General of UNRWA, Mr Filippo Grandi; and German State Secretary of the Federal Ministry for Economic Corporation and Development, Hans-Jürgen Beerfeltz.

Commenting on this multi-sectoral approach, Her Highness said:

“By bringing the expertise of different partners, we are changing the ecosystem around education and making it sustainable. For instance, in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya, we are working with organisations that will contribute to the health, employment and energy issues of the camp.”

UNHCR High Commissioner for Refugees, António Guterres responded: “This cultural shift is one of the most important contributions of EAC. In emergencies, education is as urgent as other life-saving interventions, such as providing food, shelter and vaccination. We can no longer deal only with issues, we need to deal with people. A comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to needs and rights with education at centre is vital.”

Launched in 2012 with the aim of significantly reducing the estimated 57 million children worldwide who are denied their fundamental right to education, EAC projects reach countries that account for nearly 70 percent of all out of school children. Its focus is replicating and scaling-up successful quality programmes, promoting innovative approaches and encouraging collaboration, to ensure the best outcomes for children and their communities.

The financing gap for education in low-income countries amounts to $26 billion per year according to 2011 OECD figures. To address this, EAA is developing a global resource mobilisation model.

Commenting on the need for increased resources for education, Her Highness said: “We need to tap into new sources of funding, from philanthropists to governments. We need all sectors to understand the importance of education, not only as a human right, but as an economic imperative.

One additional year of schooling increases a child’s potential future earnings by up to 10 percent. So investing in education is an investment in the greatest resources-human resources.”

Filippo Grandi of UNRWA announced the signing of an agreement with Education Above All to provide emergency education to 67,000 Palestinian refugee children affected by the conflict in Syria.  Hans-Jürgen Beerfeltz, representing Germany’s donor agency, also announced a strategic partnership with EAA.

The president of the International Committee of the Red Cross announced a commitment to support education and children under threat in conflict zones by helping to rebuild schools, providing psychosocial treatment for children and providing space for families and children so that even in the most difficult circumstances they can continue their education.

For more information, visit www.educateachild.org.qa

Contacts

Education Above All

Lubna Al-Attiah +974-5563-8868

lalattiah@hho.gov.qa