Leaders in Computer-Based Testing Join Forces to Expand Professional Learning and Assessment Solutions Globally

          Pearson VUE, the computer-based testing arm of Pearson, today announced the acquisition of Certiport, a leading provider of performance-based certification exams and practice test solutions for academic institutions, workforce and corporate technology markets. By joining forces with Certiport, Pearson VUE is furthering its commitment to offering the most robust, end-to-end professional learning and assessment solutions across the globe.

          The acquisition of Certiport extends Pearson VUE’s product range and geographic reach. Certiport’s foundational level exams and test preparation materials will help Pearson VUE build relationships with technology professionals early in their academic and professional careers. The acquisition also supports Pearson VUE’s expansion into fast-growing international markets with more than half of Certiport’s revenue coming from outside North America.

          As a leading provider of foundational level certification programs from Microsoft(R), Adobe(R), HP(R), CompTIA(R), AutoDesk(R), Intuit(R) and other industry-recognized credentials, Certiport has 12,000 Certiport Authorized Testing Centers around the globe and delivers more than two million exams across 150 countries annually.

          Bob Whelan, CEO, Pearson VUE said, “Certiport is a successful global assessment business which perfectly complements Pearson VUE’s own high-stakes assessment model. We are impressed with the company’s growth, the high caliber of Certiport’s employees, clients, and partners and we look forward to the growth opportunities that will result from this acquisition.”

          Headquartered in American Fork, Utah, Certiport is dedicated to helping people excel and succeed through certification. The terms and conditions of all Certiport partner contracts will remain in place. Certiport will continue to operate independently and deliver on the company’s partner-focused business plan, with oversight from Pearson VUE.

          “Certiport’s intense focus on customer service, our leading brand recognition in the global assessment and certification market, and our solid financial performance attracted Pearson to our company,” said Ray Kelly, CEO, Certiport. “This well-positioned transaction validates our performance and business strategy, and proves the value that comes with a knowledgeable and skilled employee base. We are excited about the potential for new product offerings and an expanded distribution network our clients and partners will enjoy with new ownership.”

          About Pearson VUE
          Pearson VUE (www.PearsonVUE.com) is the global leader in computer-based testing for information technology, academic, government and professional testing programs around the world. Pearson VUE provides a full suite of services from test development to data management, and delivers exams through the world’s most comprehensive and secure network of test centers in 170 countries. Based in Minneapolis, MN, Pearson VUE is a business of Pearson (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON), the international education and information company, whose businesses include the Financial Times Group, Pearson Education and the Penguin Group.

          About Certiport
          Certiport is the leading provider of certification exam development, delivery and program management services delivered through an expansive network of over 12,000 Certiport Authorized Testing Centers worldwide. Certiport manages a sophisticated portfolio of leading certification programs including: the official Microsoft Office Specialist certification program, the Microsoft Technology Associate certification program, the Adobe(R) Certified Associate certification program, the HP Accredited Technical Associate, the CompTIA Strata(TM) IT Fundamentals, the Autodesk Certified User certification program, the Intuit QuickBooks Certified User certification program and the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3(R)). Certiport reliably delivers over two million tests each year throughout the secondary, post-secondary, workforce and corporate technology markets in more than 153 countries and 27 languages worldwide. For more information, please visit www.certiport.com or follow Certiport on Twitter at www.twitter.com/certiport.

          “Certiport,” “IC3″ and “MeasureUp” are registered trademarks of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

          SOURCE  Pearson VUE

          CONTACT: Adam Gaber of Pearson, 1-800-745-8489, adam.gaber@pearson.com, @apgaber or @nextgenassess (Twitter)

          Study Results Will be Used to Support PMA Application for the RePneu LVRC System

          PneumRx, Inc. (www.pneumrx.com), a medical device company dedicated to bringing innovation and improvements to the treatment of lung disease, today announced that it has received FDA approval to commence a 30-site pivotal clinical trial to support a PMA application for the RePneu LVRC System.

          (Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120514/SF06703LOGO)

          The RePneu LVRC System is a minimally invasive device intended to improve lung function in emphysema patients by bronchoscopically implanting Nitinol coils into the lungs to compress diseased tissue (lung volume reduction), restore elastic recoil, and adjust lung compliance.  This treatment offers a minimally invasive alternative to lung volume reduction surgery to a broad range of emphysema patients. 

          The RePneu LVRC has already undergone extensive clinical studies in Europe, with impressive results in over 250 treatments.  The majority of subjects who underwent RePneu LVRC treatment in PneumRx’s European clinical trials experienced significant improvement in lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life at both 6 months and one year after treatment, with minimal risk. 74% of all clinical subjects maintained a clinically significant improvement in exercise capacity at 12 months post-treatment and 96% experienced significant improvement in quality of life.

          Specifically, RePneu LVRC subjects experienced a mean improvement in Six-Minute Walk Test of 62 meters; a 12% increase in FEV1, a 10% decrease in Residual Volume  and a decrease of 12 points in the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire, at 12 months.  The European clinical trial results were used to support PneumRx’s CE Mark, and the RePneu LVRC System has been commercially available in Europe since 2010.

          The RePneu LVRC has proven effective in patients with both heterogeneous and homogeneous disease, in both the upper and lower lobes, and it works independently of collateral ventilation.  The safety profile of the RePneu LVRC System is comparable to that of a simple bronchoscopy procedure, with the majority of adverse results occurring, and resolving, within 30 days of treatment.  Patients generally return home from the hospital the day after the treatment.

          “We are thrilled to have IDE approval for the RePneu LVRC and are eager to bring this exciting technology to the United States,” said Erin McGurk, PneumRx’s President and CEO.  “It has been so gratifying to see the benefits the RePneu LVRC treatment has brought to emphysema patients in Europe and we are especially pleased to be able to bring these benefits to a greater number of patients suffering from this debilitating disease here in the United States.  We plan to treat over 300 subjects in our pivotal trial, and expect to start enrolling clinical subjects in the coming months.  We look forward to submitting the pivotal trial results in support of a PMA application to sell the RePneu LVRC System in the United States.”

          “The entire PneumRx team, in partnership with our accomplished team of Physician Advisors, has worked tirelessly to support the RePneu LVRC IDE application and design an appropriate clinical trial,” stated Kara Andersen Reiter, Vice President of Regulatory Affairs at PneumRx.  “We are grateful to the FDA team who reviewed our IDE application and worked with us to bring our submission over the finish line.”

          About PneumRx, Inc.

          PneumRx, Inc. is a rapidly growing medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative products to treat emphysema using minimally-invasive techniques.  It is a privately held company located in Mountain View, California.

          Website
          www.pneumrx.com

          CONTACT: PneumRx, Inc., PneumRx, GmbH, Erin McGurk, President & CEO, +1-650-625-8910, ext. 110, Erin@pneumrx.com

– OAG processes up to 50,000 airline schedule-change messages per day

OAG, the global leader in aviation intelligence, and Amadeus, a leading travel technology partner and transaction processor for the global travel and tourism industry, today announce a new enhancement to provide best-in-class airline schedule information. Under the agreement, OAG now provides to Amadeus a daily transmission of schedule data files. OAG’s data is used globally by Amadeus-served travel management companies, travel websites, and agencies.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110908/NY64578LOGO )

“Amadeus is the first global distribution system to use a daily OAG schedule feed,” said John Grant, EVP Networks of UBM Aviation, parent company of OAG. “This enables travel agents and their customers to access more accurate information when they’re looking to book a flight – a major competitive advantage for any global distribution system.”

The OAG database contains schedules for over 1,000 airlines and over 4,000 airports.  The database tracks over 28 million departures a year ahead. This data is updated continuously, and OAG processes up to 50,000 airline schedule-change messages per day.

“Airlines change their flight schedules to enhance margins, meet market demand, and seize competitive advantage and it is key that this information is made available quickly to travel agencies,” said David Doctor, Director Distribution Marketing, Amadeus. “With this new agreement, we can ensure that, for airlines which file their information in OAG, schedule changes are processed and new flights proposed for sale, immediately on the day.”

Approximately one third of the flight schedules in the Amadeus system are based on OAG?s data. Airlines can also update their schedules directly in the Amadeus system.

Notes to the editors

About OAG
OAG, a UBM Aviation brand, is the trusted source for aviation information and analytical services. Our leading aviation databases unrivalled in their scale, accuracy and comprehensiveness are integral to the worlds’ aviation industry operations. For more information, visit www.oag.com.

About UBM Aviation
UBM Aviation, a UBM plc company, is the pioneer of innovative market leading aviation solutions. Our instantly recognisable brands provide the data, analysis, events, media and consultancy services that drive route development and financial growth for our customers’ businesses. For more information, visit www.ubmaviation.com.

About Amadeus
Amadeus is a leading transaction processor and provider of advanced technology solutions for the global travel and tourism industry.

Customer groups include travel providers (e.g. airlines, hotels, rail, ferries, etc.), travel sellers (travel agencies and websites), and travel buyers (corporations and individual travellers).

The group operates a transaction-based business model and processed more than 947 million billable travel transactions in 2011.

Amadeus has central sites in Madrid (corporate headquarters), Nice (development) and Erding (operations – data processing centre) and regional offices in Miami, Buenos Aires, Bangkok and Dubai. At a market level, Amadeus maintains customer operations through 73 local Amadeus Commercial Organisations covering 195 countries.

Amadeus is listed on the Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia stock exchanges and trades under the symbol “AMS.MC”. For the year ended December 31, 2011 the company reported like-for-like revenues of euro 2,712 million and EBITDA of euro 1,039 million. The Amadeus group employs around 10,000 people worldwide, with 123 nationalities represented at the central offices.

To find out more about Amadeus please visit www.amadeus.com

To visit the Amadeus Investor Relations centre please www.investors.amadeus.com

CONTACT:  For OAG, Andrew Sibley, Corporate Communications, UBM Aviation, pressoffice@ubmaviation.com or Amadeus, Corporate Communication, +34 91 582 0160 or fax, +34 91 582 0188, mediarelations@amadeus.com

- Bacardi builds on long-standing foundation of corporate and social responsibility in 150th anniversary year -

In celebrating its 150th anniversary year, Bacardi Limited highlights its long-standing legacy of philanthropy and community involvement with special focus on employees giving back through volunteerism. Through its “Spirit for Life, Caring Together” program, Bacardi celebrates its year-round corporate responsibility (CR) activities and declares the month of May for employees to work together on community projects around the world including home building and meal distribution for needy families; fundraisers for educational, arts and cultural programs; clothing and blood drives; young adult mentorship programs; park and community center clean-ups; recycling programs; bat conservation efforts; among others.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click:  http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53407-bacardi-150-anniversary-celebrates-corporate-social-responsibility-enviro

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120516/MM06111 )

“Long before my great-great-grandfather founded the Bacardi company, he was a leader in giving back to his community. In 1852, he volunteered to be the organizer for relief aid after an earthquake devastated his hometown of Santiago de Cuba,” said Facundo L. Bacardi, Chairman of Bacardi Limited and a fifth generation Bacardi family member. “Both the Bacardi family and Company continue to carry on this commitment of responsibility and community service.”

The “Spirit for Life, Caring Together” initiative gives nearly 6,000 Bacardi employees in more than 75 locations around the world the opportunity to take time off from work to volunteer or support a cause through locally organized team activities.  The program reinforces the Company’s purpose and values and demonstrates the Bacardi commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices, to communities where we craft and sell our products, and to consumers who enjoy them.

“Bacardi recognizes the importance of local communities and plays an active role in giving back by supporting our employees to make a difference to an organization in a team experience. Our actions in corporate social responsibility are guided by our core values of Trust, Passion, Caring and Excellence,” said Ed Shirley, President and Chief Executive of Bacardi Limited, the largest privately-held spirits company in the world. “By caring about the world around us, we create trust with our consumers. We aim to strengthen these bonds by acting responsibly in everything we do.”

Philanthropy and community involvement is one of the areas of focus for Bacardi Limited in Corporate Responsibility.

Other CR achievements include:

- Cut usage of natural resources to maximize reduction of its carbon footprint, waste and water usage
- Over the past five years, water consumption globally reduced by 50% and energy used cut by 29%
- Bacardi operations in the UK achieved Carbon Trust Standard certification
- Bacardi is the only major spirits company to be certified by the world’s most recognized standards for Quality, Environment, and Health and Safety ฤ the “Triple Crown” of ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 ฤ for all its production facilities globally, putting the company among an elite group of the world’s best-run companies
- In 2011, five country-level operations were recognized in Great Place to Work(R) and other top employer rankings
- The award-winning “Champions Drink Responsibly” social responsibility campaign featuring Bacardi Limited Global Social Responsibility Ambassador and world tennis champion Rafael Nadal has engaged with more than 45 million consumers worldwide

As part of this monthlong dedication in our 150th year to employee volunteerism, these facts, and more, are showcased in a just-published brochure featuring “150 Corporate Responsibility Facts” from the five Bacardi Limited CR pillars of Marketplace; Environment, Health & Safety; Responsible Sourcing; People; and Philanthropy & Community Involvement.

“It is extremely generous of a company such as Bacardi to become so involved in the work we do here in Hampshire to help the homeless and to take so much of all your time out from work to assist us,” commented Michele Price with Winchester Nightshelter in the United Kingdom. “The impact Bacardi has had with providing basic needs of shelter, food, and hygiene to the homeless is truly tremendous. We would not be able to achieve anything on this scale without such help.”

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami CEO Mario Artecona added, “Bacardi sets the benchmark as to corporate responsibility. The proof is they are out there getting their hands dirty and helping put families in homes.” Nearly 40 Bacardi employees helped build three homes for local South Florida families in need.

To learn more about Corporate Responsibility best practices by the Company’s internationally-recognized brands, including BACARDI(R) Rum, MARTINI(R) Asti and DEWAR’S(R) Blended Scotch Whisky, visit the Bacardi Limited YouTube channel to watch videos about how the BACARDI facility in Puerto Rico utilizes wind power and turns trash into treasure with recycled promotional banners, DEWAR’S commitment to the Scottish environment, and sustainable business practices for MARTINI grape growing in Italy.

Download the Corporate Responsibility Report to learn more about Bacardi Limited Corporate Responsibility (CR) best practices. Or, to learn more about Bacardi and its pioneering heritage, visit the 150th anniversary section at www.BacardiLimited.com/150. Media can register to receive information on Bacardi 150th anniversary activities, as well as access multimedia assets at www.BacardiMediaCentre.com.

About Bacardi Limited
Bacardi Limited, the largest privately-held spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally-recognized spirits and wines. Its brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDI(R) rum, the world’s best-selling and most-awarded rum; GREY GOOSE(R) vodka, the world’s leading super-premium vodka; DEWAR’S(R) Blended Scotch whisky, the top-selling blended Scotch whisky in the U.S.; BOMBAY SAPPHIRE(R) gin, the top-valued and fastest-growing premium gin in the world; MARTINI(R) vermouth and sparkling wines, the world’s leading vermouth; CAZADORES(R) 100% blue agave tequila, the number-one premium tequila in Mexico and a top-selling premium tequila in the United States; ERISTOFF(R) vodka, one of the fastest-growing vodka brands in the world; and other leading and emerging brands.

Founded in Santiago de Cuba on February 4, 1862, and family-owned for the past seven generations, Bacardi now employs nearly 6,000 people, manufactures its brands at 27 facilities in 16 markets on four continents, and sells in more than 150 countries. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited.  www.BacardiLimited.com

CONTACT: Amy Federman, +1-441-294-1110, afederman@bacardi.com, Patricia M. Neal, +1-441-294-1110

          PERTH, Australia–14 May–PRNewswire/ InfoQuest

          New research presented at the European Society of Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) Annual Meeting in Thessaloniki, Greece shows that most parents (61%) surveyed as part of an international study of six countries are unaware that current vaccinations do not protect their children from all forms of meningitis.(1) The data from the survey of parents with infants under the age of two also show that only 16% of parents surveyed know that children under 12 months are at greatest risk of contracting the killer disease.(1)

          Meningitis is a potentially deadly inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, which can be the result of a virus, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and can be associated with a potentially life-threatening blood infection (sepsis).(2,3) Each year hundreds of thousands of people around the world die from meningitis, or suffer life-long disabilities. Bacterial meningitis, which is the most severe and common form, causes around 170,000 deaths globally every year.(3,4) While the disease can affect people of all ages, infants, children and adolescents are at an increased risk of infection.(5)

          Further results from the study showed that:(1)

          – Fewer than 4 in 10 parents (900/2460) knew their child had already received a meningococcal vaccine.
          – Parents in Australia, Canada, Spain and the UK were more likely to know if their child had been vaccinated against meningococcal disease, compared to parents in France, Germany and Sweden.
          – Almost 50% of Swedish parents said they were unsure of their child’s meningococcal vaccine status.
          – Compared with parents in other countries, parents in France and the UK were more likely to realise there were other types of meningitis not covered by current vaccines.
          – After exposure to meningococcal B disease (MenB) information more parents (68% vs. 54% prior to seeing this information) predicted they would be highly likely to accept vaccination for their child (0-6 months of age) against MenB, if approved and recommended by their child’s healthcare provider.
          – Parents in Australia, Spain, and the UK were the most likely to allow their child to receive MenB vaccination; French parents were relatively less likely.

          Although great strides have been made over the last decade with the introduction of vaccines for some types of meningitis, there is currently no broadly-effective vaccine to protect against MenB.(6) Candidate vaccines for this type of meningitis are currently in development.

          One of the Confederation of Meningitis Organisation’s (CoMO’s) founding members based in the UK, The Meningitis Trust, was involved in the study. Sue Davie, Chief Executive and co-author of the international survey, commented on the lack of awareness about vaccine protection against meningitis.

          “This misunderstanding about meningitis vaccine protection suggests that the majority of parents do not consider meningitis when their child is ill, thinking they are protected. Sadly, this can cost lives or lead to a child facing a future changed forever with devastating after-effects,” Sue Davie said.

          “We have to address this complacency as a matter of urgency and ensure meningitis remains at the forefront of parents’ minds while there are not vaccines available for all types of this disease.”

          Commenting on the global significance of the data, Bruce Langoulant, President and Member of the Governing Council of CoMO and father of a meningitis survivor with significant disabilities said: “We are proud that one of our founding members, The Meningitis Trust, has been involved in such significant global research. It’s clear from the new data presented that there is potentially a worldwide lack of awareness that meningitis vaccines do not fully protect against all types of the disease – something that the global community needs to work on. In the absence of vaccines for all types of meningitis, it is critically important that parents know the signs and symptoms of meningitis and understand the urgency to treat the disease.”

          To drive better awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis, CoMO recently launched a video entitled ‘If I’d known then what I know now’ that features a range of people affected by meningitis and shares their knowledge in an effort to educate others and reduce the incidence of those impacted by the disease. The video can be accessed at: http://www.youtube.com/user/COMOmeningitis/featured.

          Notes to Editors

          About the Survey

          – 2,460 parents (with a child under two) and 725 healthcare professionals from across Europe, Canada and Australia were surveyed.
          – The countries surveyed were Australia, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
          – The survey was conducted between 5 September and 1 November 2011.
          – The survey was conducted by IPSOS Healthcare on behalf of Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, who sponsored the research.

          About Meningitis
          Meningitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord, and can be the result of infection by bacteria, viruses and fungi.(2) Bacterial meningitis is the most serious type of meningitis, and it is often associated with a potentially life-threatening blood infection (sepsis).(2,3) The most common bacteria causing meningitis and septicaemia are Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcal) and Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal).(3)

          Meningitis can develop rapidly and its symptoms often resemble the flu (e.g., fever, drowsiness and headache), which makes it difficult for doctors to diagnose and patients/family members to recognise.(5) Even with early and appropriate treatment, the rates of death and serious long-term effects of the disease can be high.(2) Survivors often suffer serious long-term consequences, such as deafness, brain damage, and limb loss.(2,4) While the disease can affect people of all ages, infants, children and adolescents are at an increased risk of infection.(5) Immunisation against bacterial meningitis with those vaccines that are available is essential;(2) no one should suffer from this disease.

          About the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO)
          CoMO was founded in September 2004, at the close of a World Conference of Meningitis Organisations. Encouraged by the information shared at the meeting, 20 delegates formed CoMO in order to help support the fight against meningitis by emphasising the global burden of the disease and supporting the establishment of new meningitis and children’s health organisations.

          CoMO now has 34 members in 22 countries around the globe. The global organisation is focussed on stopping meningitis worldwide and supporting its member organisations in raising awareness about meningitis, growing its membership base to provide support to as many countries across the world as possible, and supporting those dealing with the potentially devastating consequences of this disease.

          To learn more about CoMO and its member organisations, visit www.comoonline.org.

          References
          (1) Rodrigo C, Bakhache P, Rose M, et al. Parental awareness and knowledge about invasive meningococcal disease: results of a multinational survey. Poster presented at the 30th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases, 8-12 May 2012.
          (2) WHO. Meningococcal meningitis. Fact sheet No141. December 2011. Available at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs141/en/index.html. Accessed March 2012
          (3) CDC. Meningitis questions & answers. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/meningococcal/about/index.html. Accessed March 2012.
          (4) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (The Pink Book: Course Textbook). 10th Edition, 2nd printing. February 2008 update. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/mening.pdf. Accessed March 2012.
          (5) CDC. Factsheet: Meningococcal Disease and Meningococcal Vaccine. November 16, 2011. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/mening/vac-mening-fs.htm. Accessed March 2012.
          (6) Meningitis Trust factsheet. Meningitis vaccines: The facts. Available at: www.meningitis-trust.org/meningitis-info/what-is-meningitis/vaccines/. Accessed April 2012.

          CONTACT:  Georgia Ball of Marketing & Fundraising Officer of CoMO, +61 499 078 577, gball@ichr.uwa.au, or Jessica Langoulant, Marketing & Communications Officer, +61 8 9489 7789, +61 408 926 305, jlangoulant@ichr.uwa.au

New Website Will Act as Hub for brands and Authority on Beauty

Coty Inc., a leading global beauty company, unveiled today its new corporate website, www.coty.com. The site’s fresh look and feel modernizes the company’s digital presence and is designed to reflect Coty’s innovative “Faster. Further. Freer.” corporate culture.

Iris Worldwide, an independent, integrated marketing agency, created the new website, bringing Coty’s distinguished portfolio of brands to life. The new site incorporates the most current content from each of Coty’s 50+ brands’ Twitter, Facebook and YouTube pages, creating a continuously evolving site.

“The refreshed Coty website provides a live snapshot of a brand’s world through a real-time, socially-enabled experience,” said Sean Reynolds, global creative director at iris. “The new site construction pays homage to each brand, granting them control over their individual pages in order to convey a unique brand personality.”

Coty’s brands include adidas, Beyonce, Calvin Klein, Davidoff and Rimmel. The site highlights the company’s balanced portfolio of fragrance, color cosmetics, nail, and skin and body care labels. Geared towards current Coty employees, prospective talent, media, investors and consumers, the site is unique in its wide range of audiences and serves as a looking glass into Coty’s unique corporate culture.

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new corporate website, which we feel better represents our culture, constantly evolving brand portfolio and rich history,” said Coty CEO Bernd Beetz. “By incorporating social media, we are bringing Coty content to a higher level, providing users with accurate, up-to-date information in one central location.”

The site also features a newsfeed, located on the home page that will highlight brand news and press releases.

“The new website works for everyone within the brand world – from consumers, to brand managers,” continued Reynolds. “Creating a site that works across the whole Coty brand portfolio, whilst retaining an intuitive ease of use, has made the project both challenging and unique.”

Iris Worldwide has been working with Coty since 2008. The agency’s previous work with Coty includes the creation and execution of Beyonce Parfums global website and Facebook page; the Madonna Truth or Dare website; Faith Hill and Tim McGraw’s Soul2Soul website and Facebook page and Rimmel London’s fully integrated social media strategy and activation.

About Coty Inc.

Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty, who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry.

Today Coty Inc. is a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of $4.5 billion. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, passion, innovation and creativity, Coty Inc. has developed an unrivaled portfolio of notable brands and delivers its innovative products to consumers in 135 markets worldwide.

The Coty Prestige brand portfolio is distributed in prestige and ultra-prestige stores and includes Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloe, Chopard, Davidoff, Jennifer Lopez, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Cole, Gwen Stefani, Lancaster, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, philosophy, Roberto Cavalli, Sarah Jessica Parker, Truth or Dare by Madonna, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and Wolfgang Joop.

The Coty Beauty brand portfolio is more widely distributed and includes adidas, ASTOR, Beyonce Knowles, Celine Dion, David and Victoria Beckham, Elite Models, Esprit, Exclamation, Faith Hill, GUESS?, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum, Jovan, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Manhattan, Manhattan Clearface, Miss Sporty, Nautica, N.Y.C. New York Color, Nicole by OPI, OPI, Pierre Cardin(1), Playboy, Rimmel, Sally Hansen, Stetson, Tim McGraw, TJoy and Tonino Lamborghini.

Coty and Puig S.L. have a strategic partnership for the distribution of the perfume lines of Antonio Banderas, Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci, Paco Rabanne, Prada, Shakira and Valentino in the United States and Canada.

For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.

1. Not available in North America

About iris Worldwide

Iris Worldwide is an independent, integrated marketing agency with offices in New York, Atlanta, Miami and Mexico City. Iris creates Extraordinary Ideas that deliver Extraordinary Results for some of the most innovative brands in the world including Coty Inc., Reckitt Benckiser, Sony, adidas, Reebok, InterContinental Hotels Group, Coca-Cola and Diageo.

Over the past 13 years, iris Worldwide has distinguished itself from other agencies by building deep capability across digital and social media, retail and property activation and CRM and loyalty marketing. This allows the agency to develop strategic and creative marketing solutions that provide competitive cut through by being interesting, valuable and a part of popular culture.

Launched in London in 1999, iris Worldwide is one of the fastest growing marketing networks in the world and today has over 1000 employees working in 13 countries across the Americas, Europe and Asia.

CONTACT:  Cysette Burset, Coty Inc., +1-212-479-4549, cysette_burset@cotyinc.com; Eliane Kauck, iris Worldwide, +1-646-257-2603 ext. 158, eliane.kauck@iris-worldwide.com

Mandarin Orchard Singapore, the flagship hotel of award-winning Asian hospitality group Meritus Hotels & Resorts, emerged the overall winner in the Best Hotel category for Singapore at the International Hotel Awards (Asia Pacific) 2012-2013.

(Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2012/05/14/20120514093351582188.html )
(Logo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2011/12/09/20111209194931399475-l.jpg )

The coveted distinction was officially presented at a high profile gala dinner that saw the attendance of industry luminaries and representatives of competing hotel brands from eighteen different countries.

These awards are operated by the organisation that has run the International Property Awards for the last 18 years, with the aim of seeking out the best hotels from each country including those that have been purpose-built for conventions, spa, airports or resorts. Other categories cover hotel sustainability, architecture, interior design, marketing and website.

Receiving the award at the prestigious event, Mr Michael Sengol, Chief Executive Officer of Meritus Hotels & Resorts, comments “We are privileged and grateful for this exciting distinction. To emerge as the overall champion in the Best Hotel category is yet another testament to our continued passion for service excellence in the midst of the fast-growing and highly competitive hospitality industry.”

Later this year, top-scoring winners from the Asia Pacific Hotel Awards will compete against other winning companies from Europe, Africa, the Americas and Arabia to find the ultimate World’s Best in each category. The final results will be revealed at a gala dinner presentation in London.

Stuart Shield, president of the International Hotel Awards, says, “We are delighted to enter the second year of the stand alone Hotel Awards with such a superb level of entries from across the length and breadth of the Asia Pacific region – both in number and quality. It will be really interesting to see how the region stands up to global competition when we judge the contenders for the World’s Best awards.”

Notes to Editors

About Meritus Hotels & Resorts

Meritus Hotels & Resorts is the hospitality division of Singapore Exchange-listed Overseas Union Enterprise Limited (OUE) which is amongst the key property players in Asia, and one of the few integrated developers in Singapore boasting a complete portfolio of prime assets across the retail, commercial, residential, and hospitality sectors.

As an award-winning hospitality brand, Meritus is synonymous with Asian hospitality and heritage, with luxury properties strategically located in key cities and idyllic resort destinations in Singapore, Malaysia, Mainland China, and soon – in other parts of the world. Its current portfolio includes the flagship Mandarin Orchard Singapore, Marina Mandarin Singapore, Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa Langkawi, Meritus Mandarin Haikou, and Meritus Shantou China.

For more information and to enjoy Best Rates by Meritus, visit www.meritushotels.com.

For further press information, please contact:
Janice Azupardo
Regional Vice President, Branding & Communications
Meritus Hotels & Resorts
Tel: +65-6831-6385
janice.azupardo@meritushotels.com

Grace Ho
Branding & Communications Manager
Meritus Hotels & Resorts
Tel: +65-6831-6054
grace.ho@meritushotels.com

          Sweepstakes Offers Classrooms Throughout the Globe Opportunity to have a Skype Video Call with Steve Harvey, James Patterson, Dylan and Cole Sprouse , Jackie Collins and Tinsel Korey

          Today, Skype has launched the Connected Classroom Sweepstakes, offering schools throughout the world the chance to win a once in a lifetime Skype video call with well-known celebrities Steve Harvey, James Patterson, Dylan and Cole Sprouse, Jackie Collins and Tinsel Korey*. This sweepstakes, which lives on the Skype in the classroom Facebook page, encourages more teachers to experience the value of video calling within the classroom by giving their students an exciting opportunity to meet a celebrity face-to-face via Skype on Wednesday, June 6.

          “Through Skype video calling, we are able to bring the experience of speaking to well-known actors, comedians and authors who want to give back by sharing their story with students,” said Andy Schmidt, head of social good of the Skype Division at Microsoft. “At Skype we believe that shared learning experiences greatly enhance education. This sweepstakes aims to help more teachers understand the value of video calling within the classroom and it further demonstrates Skype’s belief that amazing learning experiences should be available to everyone.”
 
          To be eligible to enter, K-12 students (three to 18 years of age), teachers or educators must be new or existing members of Skype in the classroom, a free online community that helps over 28,000 registered teachers use Skype to enrich experiences for students. 

          Here’s how teachers can enter on Facebook:

          -          ‘Like’ Skype in the classroom’s Facebook page
          -          Sign up for Skype in the classroom (if you are not already a registered member)
          -          Describe in 150 words or less the ways they currently use or would use Skype in their classroom

          Teachers may submit entries starting today on the Skype in the classroom Facebook page until Thursday, May 24 at 11:59 P.M. EDT, when five winners will be selected at random. Winners will be chosen and notified on Tuesday, May 29 at 2:00 P.M. EDT via email and will be announced publicly on Wednesday, May 30 at 9:00 A.M. EDT. The winning celebrity calls will take place on Wednesday, June 6 between 10 A.M. and 1 P.M. EDT or at the discretion of the celebrity.

          With more than 28,000 registered teachers and counting, in over 190 countries, Skype in the classroom has enabled hundreds of thousands of students around the world to take part in valuable shared learning experiences. Skype offers an immediate way to help students discover new cultures, languages and ideas, all without leaving the classroom.

          For more information on the Connected Classrooms Sweepstakes, please visit http://education.skype.com or the Skype in the classroom Facebook page.

          *The celebrities were provided by 86400 movement and OpenEduTalk.

          About Skype:

          Skype is communications software whose purpose is to break down barriers to communication. With an Internet-connected device, families, friends and colleagues can get together for free with messaging, voice and video. At low cost, they can also call landlines or mobiles virtually anywhere in the world. Skype has recently introduced group video, allowing groups of more than two people to do things together whenever they’re apart. Founded in 2003 and based in Luxembourg, Skype is a division of Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT). Skype can be downloaded onto computers, mobile phones and other connected devices for free at www.skype.com.

          About 86400 Movement:

          The 86400 movement created and oversees a free speakers bureau that supports teachers and students in school districts throughout the world by providing free top-notch lectures by a renowned and diverse group of scholars, celebrities and content specialist on a variety of topics. The bureau has partnered with Skype to utilize Skype’s technology to improve the use of technology as a teaching tool as well as to connect speakers with schools via Skype. The 86400 Movement mission is to bring people together to use their gift of 86400 seconds to make a positive difference in the world. The movement strives to awaken the social consciousness of individuals thereby encouraging volunteerism and social action in the areas of education and health & wellness.  86400movement.com

          About OpenEduTalk:

          OpenEduTalk.com offers a platform for authors, actors, athletes, speakers, business leaders and entrepreneurs to talk to students directly in their classrooms, worldwide about relevant issues in real time, live via Skype. Topics range from bullying to leadership. Our philosophy, “Talk to A Child, Change A Life.” The company was launched in 2011 and created by author and entrepreneur, Jeff Rivera and Jane Ubell-Meyer, author, speaker and entrepreneur.

          Contacts:

          Skype
          Andrew Schmidt
          Andrew.Schmidt@skype.net
         
          Kaplow for Skype
          Jennifer Myers
          skypeSG@kaplowpr.com
          (212) 221-1713

International flight comparison site Skyscanner has won ‘Best Airfare Comparison Metasearch’ site at the Asia Pacific 2012 Online Travel Innovation awards, beating Wego, Dohop and Kayak.

Over 120 companies were nominated for the awards, which are held in association with TravelMole and EyeforTravel Travel Distribution Summit Asia 2012, and hosted in Singapore (May 9-10).

Ewan Gray, Skyscanner Director for Asia Pacific, commented:

“We’re delighted to win this award. It’s a tribute to how much progress we have made in the APAC region in such a short time. We’re seeing terrific growth in our primary target markets since we opened our AP headquarters in Singapore last year, with hundreds of thousands of new users in Asia and Australasia benefiting from Skyscanner each month.”

The award joins a host of other accolades recently received by Skyscanner including the prestigious ‘Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade’, the highest honour that can be given to a British Business; The Deloitte Technology Fast 50, Travel Marketing Awards, Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For, and the Sunday Times Microsoft Tech Track.

Skyscanner opened its Singapore office in September 2011 where their APAC team is based. The company employ staff from several APAC countries including South Korea, China, New Zealand, the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong and Singapore.

About Skyscanner

Skyscanner is a leading travel search site providing instant online comparisons for millions of flights on over a thousand airlines, as well as car hire and hotels.

Follow Skyscanner on Twitter and Facebook

FieldPoint Petroleum Corporation (NYSE AMEX:FPP) announced today its first quarter financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

Financial Highlights for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2011:

-          Total Revenues increased 89% to $3,262,620 from $1,727,611;
-          Net Income increased 108% to $783,505 from $377,267; and
-          Earnings per share, both basic and fully diluted increased to $0.10 from $0.05
-          Daily Production increased 84% to 422 BOEPD from 229 BOEPD.

Ray Reaves, President and CEO of FieldPoint stated, “During our first quarter, total revenues increased 89% compared to the same period a year ago as a result of higher production.  Notably, most of the increase was from the company’s recently drilled East Lusk oil and natural gas well in Lea County, New Mexico.  With the record quarter now behind us, we are very optimistic about being able to meet the growth objectives that we have set for 2012.”

FieldPoint also restated its commitment to the drilling of a second well on the East Lusk property.  Drilling is scheduled to begin this summer, after the end of the drilling restriction imposed during the nesting season of the Lesser Prairie Chicken.

Mr. Reaves continued, “We expect to maintain, or increase, the growth rate that FieldPoint has enjoyed for the past year.  To accomplish this, it is essential that we continue our programs to build our production base, which include pursuing both acquisition and developmental opportunities.  We are committed to building shareholder value.”

FieldPoint Petroleum Corporation is engaged in oil and gas exploration, production and acquisition, primarily in Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming.  For more information, please visit www.fppcorp.com.

This press release may contain projections and other forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Any such projections or statement reflect the company’s current views with respect to future events and financial performance. No assurances can be given, however, that these events will occur or that such projections will be achieved and that actual results could differ materially from those projected. A discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected, such as decreases in oil and gas prices and unexpected decreases in oil and gas production is included in the company’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (at www.sec.gov).

CONTACT: Ray D. Reaves, President, +1-512-250-8692, fppc@ix.netcom.com

Simbionix USA Corporation, the world’s leading provider of medical education and simulation training, is pleased to provide LAP Mentor customers with a new simulation-based Bariatric Curriculum, developed by educators with years of experience in using medical simulation.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120502/529202-a )

The course was developed to provide an overview of bariatric surgery, introducing techniques with hands on / live operating. Surgery for Obesity – Registrar Training and Educational Development (SORTED) is a unique modular course, designed specifically for senior trainees. The first course based on this curriculum was held at The European Surgical Institute (ESI), one of Europe’s leading centers for Continuing Medical Education (CME).

Simon Monkhouse, Specialist Registrar at the Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK commented: “As a surgical registrar with a specialist interest in Upper GI and Bariatric surgery, I was frustrated by the lack of a formalized Bariatric training program. I was also a little disappointed that courses in bariatric surgery were slightly confused about their target audience, with delegates ranging from junior trainees to senior consultants. I decided to address these problems and designed SORTED. The delegate feedback was uniformly excellent and the plan for the future is to nationalize SORTED.”

“Simbionix is very proud to work in collaboration with key leaders in medical education and surgery such as Dr. Simon Monkhouse to provide our worldwide customers with well thought out curricula”, said Inbal Mazor, Simbionix VP of Global Marketing. “The SORTED Bariatric Curriculum for the LAP Mentor, together with the entire Simbionix curricula series, is provided via MentorLearn(TM), the Simbionix Online training management system, designed in accordance with our mission to advance clinical performance. We are currently collaborating with well known medical institutions to create additional courses in a variety of disciplines for the benefit of our clients.”

About Simbionix USA Corporation

Simbionix is the world’s leading provider of simulation, training and education products for medical professionals and the healthcare industry. The company is committed to delivering high quality products, advancing clinical performance and optimizing procedural outcomes.

Visit: http://www.simbionix.com

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Contact: Rebecca Levy, Manager of Marketing Communications, at rebecca@simbionix.com, Tel: +1-216-229-2040 ext. 128

Source: Simbionix USA Corporation

is an eau de parfum that honors love, marriage … and civil rights.

New York State: A worldwide leader in commerce, industry, the arts–and, as of June 24, 2011, in promoting love and marriage too.  Thanks to the groundbreaking Marriage Equality Act, signed into law by a bipartisan vote on that red-letter date, gender-neutral marriages are now legal throughout the Empire State.  As the most populous state in the nation thus far to support marriage equality, we are not only holding some of the most poignant and long-awaited weddings our country–and the world–has ever witnessed, but we are also proudly setting the global pace for universal marriage equality.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please visit: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/56125-bond-no-9-i-love-new-york-for-marriage-equality-eau-de-parfum-civil-rights

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120508/MM01427 )

Equally proudly, New York State offers superlative homegrown accoutrements for joyous nuptial celebrations: champagne from the Finger Lakes region … ethical Herkimer diamonds from the Mohawk Valley for couples’ engagement rings … Niagara Falls–of course–for traditional honeymoons ….  And now comes a native New York eau de parfum that celebrates our state’s legalization of same-sex marriage.   I LOVE NEW YORK for Marriage Equality, as the scent is known, is the seventh collaboration between the I LOVE NEW YORK brand–a state agency–and Bond No. 9, the Manhattan-based perfumery specializing in New York-centric fragrances.

Soft and sensual, this modern-day woody-spicy, gender free scent opens with enticing gustatory notes–mandarin, nutmeg, plum, and cinnamon bark.  These segue into a contemporary wedding-bouquet heart of classic rose and jasmine laced with ginger lily.  Then, just as a great marriage gradually evolves over time, this one endures with deeper, rich forest base-notes–cashmere wood, sandalwood, and that seductive tree resin, amber.

Bond No. 9′s superstar bottle, rendered here in bridal white, displays the iconic I LOVE NEW YORK logo with the also-iconic gay rainbow on its heart–a speak-for-itself dual image that debuted in July of 2011 to celebrate New York State’s progressive spirit.

I LOVE NEW YORK for Marriage Equality arrives on-counter July 24, 2012 and will be sold at Bond No. 9′s five New York stores, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, and bondno9.com. Price: 100ml, $175; 50ml, $105.  How better to spread this message of love and commitment than with scent–which crosses all kinds of borders magically and effortlessly?

CONTACT: Lauren Demitry, publicrelations@bondno9.com, +1-212-228-1940 x19

Concerns about rising cyber crime, new data protection regulation and the rapid adoption of new technologies are causing companies across Asia to re-examine their risk management strategies, according to a new report published today by Marsh.

According to Marsh’s Cyber Risk in Asia: Is Your Data Safe? report, recent high profile incidents in Asia, particularly in the online gaming and financial services industries, have increased awareness of cyber risk in company boardrooms. This, in turn, is driving demand for better risk mitigation strategies and insurance solutions. The report identifies companies in the financial services, healthcare, education and communications sectors as most at risk, given the large amount of personal data they collect and store.

“With almost every organisation now highly dependent on connected online systems, the increased sophistication of damaging cyber attacks by malicious individuals or groups poses new and complex risk management challenges,” said Stella Tse, Asia Leader of Marsh’s Financial and Professional Risks Practice. “In addition, governments in Asia are reacting to this new reality by introducing laws and regulations that hold companies legally and financially liable for data breaches.

“Whether a data breach occurs from a sophisticated cyber attack or a low-tech mistake of simply misplacing a USB stick, the legal and financial liability is the same. Company directors need to examine, identify and manage their risk exposures adequately,” added Ms Tse.

To help companies manage this risk, insurers are introducing cyber-specific insurance policies that offer protection for the high costs associated with responding to a cyber or data breach. These costs can potentially include legal expenses, data administrative fines and penalties, settlements, judgments, regulatory investigations, forensic investigation expenses, loss of business income, cyber-extortion and other related business expenses.  Some policies also cover public relations professional costs to repair reputation.

About Marsh
Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and risk management, teams with its clients to define, design, and deliver innovative industry-specific solutions that help them protect their future and thrive. It has approximately 25,000 colleagues who collaborate to provide advice and transactional capabilities to clients in over 100 countries. Marsh is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC), a global team of professional services companies offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of risk, strategy and human capital. With 52,000 employees worldwide and annual revenue exceeding $10 billion, Marsh & McLennan Companies is also the parent company of Guy Carpenter, a global leader in providing risk and reinsurance intermediary services; Mercer, a global leader in human resource consulting and related services; and Oliver Wyman, a global leader in management consulting. Follow Marsh on Twitter @Marsh_Inc.

Global legal practice Squire Sanders continues to boost its presence in Asia with the addition of four new partners. Jenny Liu and Xudong Ni have joined the legal practice’s Beijing and Shanghai offices, and Sin Kiu Ng and Kam W. Law have joined the Hong Kong office. The expansion of Squire Sanders’ China offices comes only weeks after the announcement of the firm’s Singapore office opening, demonstrating its commitment to clients operating across the region.

Jenny Liu, Xudong Ni and Sin Kiu Ng are corporate lawyers and Kam W. Law is an intellectual property and patent attorney.

-          Jenny Liu’s practice focuses primarily on private equity and venture capital investment work in China, mostly on behalf of foreign-controlled investment funds. She also represents private Chinese companies on a broad range of corporate and commercial work, including financing and international transactions.

-          Xudong Ni has extensive experience advising on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, China regulatory matters, in-bound and outbound foreign direct investments, banking and finance law issues, and dispute resolution. Xudong has expertise within the aviation and aerospace industry sector.

-          Sin Kiu Ng has wide ranging corporate experience. She has completed more than 40 Initial Public Offerings of securities on the Main Board and Growth Enterprise Market of HKSE. She also has considerable M&A and venture capital experience.

-          Kam W. Law, in addition to extensive experience with law firms, has held in-house positions with various multi-nationals, including 3M and Samsung Electronics in the US. A registered US patent attorney and qualified solicitor in the US and Hong Kong, Kam has a track record of handling patent applications for Fortune 500 companies in the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnological and renewable energy industries worldwide, with particular expertise across China and the Asia Pacific region, the US, Canada, Brazil and Mexico, Europe and Russia. He has represented clients in infringement actions, patent litigation and licensing matters across the world.

“Our new partners will enhance our strong platform in Asia,” said Ken Kurosu, Squire Sanders Asia practice coordinator. “Their appointments reflect our commitment to clients operating within the region and our plan to pursue strategic growth in support of their needs.”

William Downs, global practice group leader for Corporate and Corporate Finance, said: “Jenny, Xudong and Sin Kiu are highly regarded in their local markets and their experience strengthens our ability to offer comprehensive corporate counsel to companies doing business in the Asia Pacific region.”

Commenting on Kam W. Law’s appointment, David Elkins, global practice group leader for Intellectual Property and Technology, said: “Kam’s experience within the life and health science technologies sector is a natural fit with our existing global practice. Kam also brings significant experience in providing intellectual property-related due diligence support associated with corporate transactions and adding this capability will enhance the services we currently provide across the Asia Pacific region.”

These appointments build on Squire Sanders’ base of 124 lawyers in the Asia Pacific region and follow the arrival of partners Mao Tong and Peter Chow in Hong Kong and Ignatius Hwang, who joined the global legal practice to launch an office in Singapore which opened earlier this month. Squire Sanders has also recently applied to the Korean Ministry of Justice to open an office in Seoul, Korea.

SOURCE  Squire Sanders

Contact:
Nicola Woodmass
Squire Sanders Senior Media Relations and Communications Manager, Asia and Europe
Nicola.Woodmass@squiresanders.com
+44.0.121.222.3690

          MindTree consolidates content management, improves employee productivity with a custom unified corporate intranet portal using Microsoft’s business collaboration platform.

          Tasked with managing a plethora of intranet applications and portals that were developed over time with varying technologies and user interfaces, global IT and product engineering services firm MindTree Limited has developed a unified corporate intranet portal — PeopleHub — using Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010. The result has been a single access point to all application content, transactions and information sources along with social networking capabilities that have promoted cross-unit collaboration and helped create a sense of community.

          (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)

          “With SharePoint Server 2010, we have an intranet solution that supports enterprise content management, application development and collaboration — all in one,” said Sudhir Kumar Reddy, vice president and chief information officer, MindTree. “In my opinion, it will enable at least 15 minutes, if not more, of productivity improvement per person, per day at MindTree.”

          PeopleHub was integrated with two FAST Search servers, which has made it possible for its employees to find information stored in different content sources. It is fine-tuned to not only bring up the best hits in a logical order but also create groupings of multiple results. PeopleHub is robust enough to facilitate an average of 3,000 hits daily (up from 2,250 in a span of six months), 2,000 blogs, 1,300 active discussion threads and growing, 100 wikis, and 60 communities while employees have increasingly made it their landing page.

          “We now have a unified platform across the board for transactions, content and social networking,” said NS Parthasarathy, chief operating officer, MindTree. “The new environment encourages information sharing through its user-friendliness, boosts efficiency and has resulted in higher employee satisfaction.”

          Supporting the use of social networking tools, such as blogs and wikis, has also encouraged employees to connect with each other and create their own sense of community.

          “Our goal was to bring employees together using various modes of communication,” said Sagar Paul, chief knowledge officer, MindTree. “The social networking tools in SharePoint Server 2010 mean better sharing of information, which in turn helps save time and money, and furthers innovation.”

          More information on MindTree’s integration of SharePoint Server 2010 with PeopleHub is available in the Microsoft case study and Microsoft Customer Spotlight News Center.

          More information about Microsoft SharePoint Server 2010 is available at http://www.microsoft.com/sharepoint.

          Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

          CONTACT:  Tushar Makkar, Microsoft, tmakkar@microsoft.com, or Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, +1-503-443-7070, rrt@waggeneredstrom.com

          Integrated Oxy-fuel Solution with Innovative Combustion Technology Helps China’s Borosilicate Glass Manufacturers Meet Stringent Environmental Regulations While Improving Productivity and Quality

          Borosilicate glass is one of China’s focuses for development in its ready-to-release Outline of the 12th Five Year Plan for daily-use glass industry. It is widely used in laboratory glassware and cookware because of its high strength and heat resistance. As such specialty glass melts at a higher temperature, the manufacturing process consumes relatively more energy and fuel.

          Air Products (NYSE: APD), a leader in oxy-fuel combustion technology and integrated solution supplier to the global glass industry, recently signed a contract to supply its integrated oxy-fuel solution to Kunshan Yongxin Glassware (hereinafter referred to as “Yongxin”), one of the leaders in heat resistant glass making for microwave oven and the other home appliances in China, to improve productivity and reduce emissions.

          The integrated oxy-fuel solution includes the supply of Cleanfire(R) HRi(TM) oxy-fuel burners, automatic control skid for burners and PRISM(R) vacuum swing absorption (VSA) oxygen generator which will supply reliable and economical oxygen. In addition, Air Products provides consultation on furnace design, process and technique optimization with operation data analysis and solid experience to Yongxin.

          “Air Products is honored to have been Yongxin’s long-term supplier from its first trial on oxy-boosting in 2007 through today’s full conversion to oxy-fuel combustion”, said Richard Huang, Air Products’ Asia industry manager for Glass. “This is another success story on how our innovative solution and glass experts can help China’s glass makers address increasingly stringent environmental regulations while improving productivity, efficiency and quality.”

          An innovative combustion technology, Air Products’ integrated oxy-fuel solution brings glass manufacturers various benefits such as about 80% reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions, over 25% increase in productivity, reduction of capitals, 25-60% energy savings and improvement in efficiency and glass quality.

          With over 50 years of experience in oxy-fuel technology, Air Products offers an integrated oxy-fuel solution, from gases supply to oxy-fuel burners and technology, customized control system, technical and design expertise, commissioning service, safety and site training, maintenance contracts and project management. Air Products has installed more than 1,500 Cleanfire burners around the world.

          The company previously announced contracts for its oxy-fuel integrated solution with a fiberglass manufacturer in China and a container and tableware glass manufacturer in Korea. For more information, visit http://www.airproducts.com/industries/GlassMinerals.aspx.

          About Air Products

          Air Products (NYSE: APD) provides atmospheric, process and specialty gases; performance materials; equipment; and technology. For over 70 years, the company has enabled customers to become more productive, energy efficient and sustainable. More than 18,000 employees in over 40 countries supply innovative solutions to the energy, environment and emerging markets. These include semiconductor materials, refinery hydrogen, coal gasification, natural gas liquefaction, and advanced coatings and adhesives. In fiscal 2011, Air Products had sales of $10.1 billion. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com.

          NOTE: This release may contain forward-looking statements within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release regarding important risk factors. Actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors not anticipated by management, including risk factors described in the Company’s Form 10K for its fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.

          Media Inquiries:
          Asia
          Jessica Cheng
          Tel: +852-2863-0585
          E-mail: chengjs@airproducts.com

          U.S.
          Robert Brown
          Tel: +1-610-481-1192
          E-mail: brownrf@airproducts.com

          Investor Inquiries:
          Simon Moore
          Tel: +1-610-481-7461
          E-mail: mooresr@airproducts.com.

          SOURCE  Air Products

          A Chinese website featuring the writings of Nichiren was launched on April 28, 2012, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first publication in Japanese of his complete writings (Nichiren Daishonin Gosho Zenshu) on April 28, 1952. Nichiren (1222-82) was the Japanese Buddhist teacher whose interpretation of the Lotus Sutra forms the basis of the practice of Soka Gakkai International (SGI) members around the world.

          The new website contains over 400 letters written by Nichiren to his followers, as well as treatises addressed to leading figures in the Kamakura shogunate such as his seminal work “Rissho Ankoku Ron” – which describes how the philosophy of the Lotus Sutra can help restore a focus on the dignity of life to an age riven by conflict and disaster. The site, containing a comprehensive search system, has been designed to meet the needs of both practitioners and researchers of Buddhism.

          Robin Lu, an SGI representative involved in the project, comments, “We are proud to have completed this exhaustive work and hope it will provide inspiration, especially to young people who have until now not had easy access to the wisdom of Nichiren, which is as relevant to us today as it was to Japan in the 13th century.”

          The website is available in both traditional Chinese athttp://cht.sgilibrary.org/and simplified Chinese at
http://chs.sgilibrary.org/. In addition, Chinese-language versions of the Lotus Sutra and Soka Gakkai’s Dictionary of Buddhist Philosophy (containing 17,000 entries) have also been made available online. An English-language translation of Nichiren’s works is already online at http://www.sgilibrary.org/writings.php.

          Second Soka Gakkai President Josei Toda spearheaded the compilation and publishing of a complete collection of the extant writings of Nichiren on April 28, 1952, to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Nichiren’s declaration of the invocation of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo as the most effective way to develop the
qualities of the Buddha in order to challenge the realities of life.

          The writings of Nichiren have so far been translated into English, French, Spanish, Chinese and Korean among other languages.

          Soka Gakkai International is a socially engaged Buddhist association with over 12 million members around the world. For more information, visit www.sgi.org (available in English, Chinese and Spanish).

          SOURCE: Soka Gakkai International

          Contact:
          Cheong Pak Yee
          Office of Public Information
          Soka Gakkai International
          Tel: +81-80-5957-4728
          Fax: +81-3-5360-9885
          E-mail: cpyee [at] sgi.gr.jp

          AsiaNet 49250

 Mobile C-arms from the German market and innovation leader win over hospitals throughout the world Ziehm Imaging has stood for mobile X-ray-based imaging for 40 years, and is the acknowledged technological leader in mobile C-arms. With its innovative solutions, the manufacturer has played a significant role in the rapid development of mobile X-ray technology in recent years. Since the company was founded in 1972, more than 10,000 Ziehm Imaging C-arms have been installed in hospitals and medical facilities around the globe.

 The Nuremberg-based company, with offices in the U.S., Italy, France, Finland, Russia, Brazil, China, Singapore and South Africa, specializes in the development and production of mobile C-arms. Its range of products targets clinical users’ needs – e.g. portable devices for emergency medicine in mobile OR units and liquid-cooled high-end devices for hybrid operating rooms. “Our strength lies in our dedicated focus on intraoperative imaging solutions in combination with our global distribution network covering more than 75 countries,” explains Martin T?rnvik, Vice President Global Sales and Marketing of Ziehm Imaging GmbH.

As part of its global “40 Years of Innovation” campaign, Ziehm Imaging is seeking to convey its mobile C-arm expertise to its target groups: through its website, well-placed advertisements, trade fairs and direct customer contact.

Innovation as a model for success

The C-arm specialist invests around 15 percent of its annual turnover in research and development – a policy that has led to considerable success. In the past 40 years, Ziehm Imaging has brought numerous new developments in the area of mobile X-ray technology onto the market and is the market leader in numerous countries. In 2006, the company’s first fully digital, mobile C-arm heralded a new era in imaging. Just last year, Ziehm Imaging presented the Hybrid Edition of the Ziehm Vision RFD – a cost-effective, high-performance alternative to fixed installed systems in hybrid rooms.

With a product portfolio in which 80 percent of devices are less than three years old and with exciting innovations in development, the company is in an ideal position to further increase its share of the global market in the years to come.

More information about the development of the company during the past 40 years is available at http://www.ziehm.com/en/company/history.

 Ziehm Imaging

Mimi Buchgraber, Tel: +49-911-2172-0

Marketing, Fax: +49-911-2172-390

Mimi.Buchgraber@ziehm-eu.com

http://www.ziehm.com Source: Ziehm Imaging

InToTally’s Upgrade Significantly Improves Network Performance by up to 40 Percent in Saturated Mobile World; Shapes New Voice and Video Capabilities as Mobile Industry Transitions to LTE; Key Technology for Consumers’ Capacity-Hungry, Always-On Digital Lifestyle

International CTIA Wireless — InToTally, inventor of revolutionary mobile network performance solutions, today announced that its groundbreaking network optimization technology, ToT-OLPC(TM), is being deployed by Vodafone Group Plc for critical infrastructure improvements in the operator’s global mobile networks. The deployment is currently underway in Europe and will eventually be rolled out worldwide. InToTally also revealed an equity investment led by Vodafone Ventures, the corporate venture capital arm of Vodafone Group.

InToTally was granted four international fundamental wireless patents for the Outer Loop Power Control algorithm in the ToT-OLPC technology. A 100% software solution, ToT-OLPC upgrades do not require additional hardware in handsets, mobile devices or cellular base stations. This enables vastly improved mobile network performance to better support video conferencing, HD voice, machine-to-machine apps, mobile video uploads, mobile business solutions, remote health care, mobile gaming and many other applications.

“After years of attempts and failures by other developers, our patented technology is the first solution that finally resolves an entrenched faulty power control algorithm to provide up to 40% more user capacity and quality of service in 3G networks and up to 40% more capacity and quality in some LTE services,” explained Alvaro Lopez-Medrano, CEO of InToTally. “Everyone is quite familiar with the overcapacity of mobile networks and the user frustrations of dropped voice calls, short battery life, and degraded data services. We believe we have introduced the linchpin solution – a 3G upgrade for mobile and network success during the transition to LTE –as consumers demand and expect faster speed, greater access to content, and a better overall experience in their always-on digital life.”

According to Sue Rudd, Director of Service Provider Analysis at Strategy Analytics Wireless Operator Strategies Service, “4G is frequently promoted as the way to meet the huge demand for mobile capacity. But by 2016 only about 26% of subscribers will have moved to 4G networks and a hybrid solution with 3G will be essential to ensure adequate coverage for voice and data. This means we need immediate cost effective and easily deployable 3G capacity upgrades like those from InToTally to ensure that older CDMA and WCDMA networks can add up to 40% capacity while improving quality and handover reliability. The global deployment of InToTally’s 3G solution by Vodafone and other operators should enable millions of additional connections and transactions around the world over the next five years during the network transition to 4G.”

InToTally ToT-OLPC is uniquely positioned to play a significant role in the continuity from 3G to LTE capabilities offered by mobile operators and device manufacturers. The strategies adopted by most LTE providers are to utilize current 3G networks to offer a full range of integrated voice, data and video services. However, 3G networks are saturated due to a faulty power control algorithm that reduces network capacity – a well-known and well-documented 20-year-old convergence problem in wireless networks.

“Our technology strengthens the continuity of voice and video services during the switch from LTE to 3G networks,” Lopez-Medrano added. “In addition, our solution helps to maintain the call quality of Voice Over LTE (VoLTE) services, such as HD voice and video, when they drop to 3G. We are essentially ensuring the most optimized scenario for the best user experience in mobile.”

The telecom marketplace stands to gain wide-ranging benefits from InToTally’s technology solution. Carriers benefit from increased revenues, better margins, reduced capital expenditures and lower subscriber turnover. Mobile device manufacturers who implement InToTally’s technology in their products will be able to deliver superior voice and data performance to their customers, and increase their ability to sell-through to operators. Mobile chipset manufacturers will be able to offer better quality of service and improved handset network capability – thus increasing marketshare promoted by the carrier. And consumers will experience improved mobile device performance, more reliable wireless data connections, longer battery life on handsets and other mobile devices, and potentially reduced data connectivity costs as network capacity improvements increase the available supply of mobile bandwidth.

About InToTally
InToTally delivers a vast leap forward in wireless technology solutions that enable network operators and device manufacturers to accelerate innovation and deliver more powerful mobile services. InToTally’s innovative, patented approach optimizes wireless technologies to ensure the best user experience for the always-on digital lifestyle. InToTally helps the telecommunications industry improve network performance, reduce infrastructure costs and increase business agility. Founded in 2002 as part of an R&D partnership with the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain, InToTally is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif. For more information, please visit us at www.intotally.com .

Media Contact:
Shirley Gines
MediaBridge Public Relations(R)
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The DKMS 6th Annual Gala: Linked Against Blood Cancer, hosted by Katharina Harf, Chief Inspiration Officer of DKMS Americas, was held on Thursday night at Cipriani Wall Street to a sold out audience. The gala once again broke records of previous years, raising $3.2 million to support the fight against blood cancer. Coty Inc., a leading global beauty company, and DKMS, the world’s largest bone marrow donor center, jointly raised the funds to support registering new bone marrow donors and help patients worldwide.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120430/NY97247)

“The Coty family is passionate in its commitment to supporting DKMS and to saving lives,” said Bernd Beetz, CEO of Coty Inc. and honorary chairman of the event. “We are so proud that this year, thanks in part to the support of Coty employees, partners, and supporters, we were able to reach new heights of fundraising success.”

For over two decades, DKMS has registered more than 3 million donors and helped save more than 30,000 lives around the world. Still, only six out of ten people are able to find a matching donor.

During the gala, Beetz presented the “DKMS Linked Against Blood Cancer Award” to internationally renowned supermodel and Coty business partner Heidi Klum, for her tireless charitable work, which includes efforts to fight cancer.

DKMS founder Peter Harf had the honor of presenting Alejandro Santo Domingo, a long-standing board member and loyal supporter of DKMS, Senior Managing Director, Quadrant Capital Advisors with the “Fight Against Blood Cancer Award” for supporting organizations and charities dedicated to the cause.

“We are eternally grateful for the support of our corporate founding sponsor, Coty, and other long-term supporters for joining our fight against blood cancer,” said Katharina Harf. “With the $3.2 million we raised, we will be able to register almost 50,000 new bone marrow donors who will help save lives. We all witnessed a miracle of a donor and patient meeting at the gala and with your support we can make more miracles happen.”

The biggest highlight of the evening was “The Moment of the Match” when Katharina Harf introduced Mindi Finch and her young son, Gregory, met Katie D’Entremont, who saved Gregory’s life. The three met for the first time on stage. Six-year-old Gregory and his charming smile touched every heart in the room.

Designer and television personality Nate Berkus emceed the black-tie event, which included special performances by five-time Grammy-nominated singer Skylar Grey and singer-songwriter LP, who has penned songs for Rihanna and Christina Aguilera and was recently named one of Esquire’s 2012 rising stars. Among the guests at the star-studded gala were Solange Knowles, Nelly, Ashanti, Dakota Fanning, Vera Wang, Kyle MacLachlan, Anja Rubik, Derek Lam and Coco Rocha.

Earlier that day in honor of the Coty-DKMS Linked Against Blood Cancer partnership and the DKMS 6th Annual Gala, Heidi Klum illuminated the iconic New York City landmark Empire State Building in red and white lights.

“I’m grateful to Coty and DKMS for all they do in the fight against blood cancer, and I’m honored to join them in this fight,” said Klum. “I have been working with Coty as the face of ASTOR and with my fragrance, Shine, so to be able to deepen my relationship with Bernd and all the Coty family on such a worthy cause as this one is wonderful. To play a part in the great work of DKMS and the Linked Against Blood Cancer partnership has been an amazing experience.”

Coty joined DKMS in October 2006 in the fight against blood cancer.  Blood cancer also touched Coty Inc. in a very personal manner in 1991, when the wife of former longtime Coty Inc. Chairman Peter Harf succumbed to leukemia.

All proceeds from the DKMS 6th Annual Gala will go directly to enrolling lifesaving bone marrow donors, and furthering advancements in cancer treatment and care.  Each year, more than 140,000 people are diagnosed with blood cancer, including leukemia, which is the most common cancer among children and adolescents.

For more information on the Coty-DKMS Linked Against Blood Cancer partnership, visit www.getswabbed.org.

About Coty Inc.
Coty was created in Paris in 1904 by Francois Coty, who is credited with founding the modern fragrance industry.

Today Coty Inc. is a recognized leader in global beauty with annual net sales of $4.1 billion. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, passion, innovation and creativity, Coty Inc. has developed an unrivaled portfolio of notable brands and delivers its innovative products to consumers in 135 markets worldwide.

The Coty Prestige brand portfolio is distributed in prestige and ultra-prestige stores and includes Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Calvin Klein, Cerruti, Chloe, Chopard, Davidoff, Jennifer Lopez, Jil Sander, JOOP!, Karl Lagerfeld, Kenneth Cole, Gwen Stefani, Lancaster, Marc Jacobs, Nikos, philosophy, Roberto Cavalli, Sarah Jessica Parker, Truth or Dare by Madonna, Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood and Wolfgang Joop.

The Coty Beauty brand portfolio is more widely distributed and includes adidas, ASTOR, Baby Phat, Beyonce Knowles, Celine Dion, Chupa Chups, David and Victoria Beckham, Elite Models, Esprit, Exclamation, Faith Hill, GUESS?, Halle Berry, Heidi Klum, Jovan, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue, Lady Gaga, Manhattan, Manhattan Clearface, Miss Sporty, Nautica, N.Y.C. New York Color, Nicole by OPI, OPI, Pierre Cardin(1), Playboy, Rimmel, Sally Hansen, Stetson, Tim McGraw, TJoy and Tonino Lamborghini.

Coty and Puig S.L. have a strategic partnership for the distribution of the perfume lines of Antonio Banderas, Carolina Herrera, Nina Ricci, Paco Rabanne, Prada, Shakira and Valentino in the United States and Canada.

For additional information about Coty Inc., please visit www.coty.com.

(1) Not available in North America

About the Coty-DKMS Linked Against Blood Cancer Partnership
In October 2006, Coty Inc., a leading global beauty company, joined DKMS as its founding corporate sponsor in the fight against blood cancer, by establishing the Coty-DKMS Linked Against Blood Cancer partnership?previously named the Coty-DKMS Linked Against Leukemia partnership. Led by CEO Bernd Beetz, Coty has leveraged its strong celebrity partnerships to raise awareness of the disease and help recruit thousands of donors around the world. For more information or to register as a bone-marrow donor, visit www.getswabbed.org.

About DKMS
The DKMS mission is to lead the fight to defeat blood cancer by empowering people to take action, give bone marrow and save lives. More than 30,000 DKMS donors have helped save lives by donating their bone marrow. DKMS is the world’s largest bone marrow donor center, with more than 3 million registered donors worldwide. DKMS Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

For more information about global efforts against blood cancer or the Coty-DKMS Linked Against Blood Cancer partnership, please visit www.getswabbed.org

CONTACT: Colleen Cleary, +1-212-367-6883, colleen.cleary@eurorscg.com; Cindy Tanenbaum, +1-917-538-1259, cindy.tanenbaum@gmail.com; Kevin Janeczko, +1-212-479-4308, kevin_janeczko@cotyinc.com