DEARBORN, Mich., March 8, 2010 – On March 15, 2010, Ford Motor Company Fund will launch the “Heart Behind the Oval” scholarship contest, awarding three scholarships to students who best describe the impact they are making in their community.

Modeled after Ford’s own standard of giving back to the communities in which it works, the two-part scholarship contest is open to high school seniors and current college students enrolled in an accredited U.S. college or university by September 30, 2010. The first place prizewinner will receive a $3,000 scholarship, second place a $2,000 scholarship and third place a $1,000 scholarship.

“The Heart Behind the Oval scholarship contest salutes students who share the same value of giving back to the community that Ford has demonstrated for more than a century,” said Mike Schmidt, Director, Education and Community Development, Ford Motor Company Fund. “More important, the program allows us to invest in these students’ futures.”

Students are required to submit a 1,000 – 2,000 character written essay demonstrating what their heart is behind, explaining how they are making a difference in their community. From contributing to local non-profit organizations to mentoring or volunteer work, each eligible submission will be judged based on originality, content, clarity, grammar and community impact. To register or view the Official Rules visit: www.fordscholars.org.

Ten semi-finalists will win an ULTRA HD FLIP Cam for their outstanding efforts. The semi-finalists will then use the Cam to produce a 3-minute video illustrating their essay. The videos will be posted to www.fordscholars.org for public voting May 10 – 14, 2010. The public votes combined with the judging panel will determine the scholarship winners. The winners will be announced on May 17, 2010.

Ford Motor Company strongly supports higher education. The “Heart Behind The Oval” scholarship contest is operated in conjunction with the Ford Blue Oval Scholar’s program. The program’s website, www.fordscholars.org, is a national web-based initiative open to the public as a resource for available scholarships supported by Ford Motor Company Fund. It also provides past Ford Motor Company Fund scholarship winners a place to network, coordinate community service activities and learn about internships and careers.

About Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services
Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services is a community relations and philanthropic non-profit funded by Ford Motor Company. Ford Fund supports initiatives and institutions that foster and promote innovation in education, greater automotive safety and American heritage and diversity. National programs include Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (Ford PAS), which provides 21st century skills-based curriculum to more than 60,000 high school students; and Ford Driving Skills for Life, which has taught safe driving skills to more than 337,000 young drivers. In addition, the Ford Volunteer Corps, established in 2005, enlists the help of thousands of Ford employees and retirees who volunteer their time to continue Ford’s legacy of community service worldwide. For more information about programs made possible by Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services, please visit www.community.ford.com, www.volunteer.ford.com or www.abrighterfuture.ford.com.

###

Anything else we need to know?
Contact:
Laine Gordon
PCGCampbell
Marketing & Communications
313.203.7102
lgordon@pcgcampbell.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 4, 2010

CONTACT
Silvia Alvarez
Bloomberg LP
+1 212 617 3707
salvarez13@bloomberg.net

New York, March 4 – With baseball season fast approaching, Bloomberg, a global leader in analytics, and MLB.com have come up with the most comprehensive, easy to use, online product for baseball fans that any sport has ever seen. Whether you are just a casual fan or trying to win your fantasy league in your frat or sorority or with your roommates, the BLOOMBERG SPORTSTM fantasy tools on MLB.com, are the best way to follow baseball today.

Bloomberg spent nearly two years developing the product with the help of MLB.com’s vast library of historical data.  With input from key executives like former Padres general manager and current Yankees consultant Kevin Towers, former Mets general manager Jim Duquette, the Minnesota Twins slugger Jim Thome, and former Cleveland Indians Manager Eric Wedge, the Bloomberg team developed tools that give everyone the ability to come up with an entertaining, interesting way to follow baseball online for the first time.   It allows the computer-savvy fan to take a deep dive behind the scenes with their fantasy team or favorite players, while it is also a fun, easily navigable application for more casual fans.

“As someone who has been involved in analytics and loves baseball but has been terrible at fantasy this has been a labor of love,” said Bo Moon, a veteran product manager for Bloomberg and one of the creators of BLOOMBERG SPORTS fantasy tools. “We think we have found a fun and very cool way to marry technology and sports and make baseball easy to follow for everyone, whether you are a die-hard fantasy player looking for a little edge or someone who just wants to understand the game better. Our collaboration with MLB.com brings together the technological innovation that Bloomberg is known for in the business world, with all the numbers that baseball has in its history to give everyone a great experience of the sport, delivered right on their laptops.”

BLOOMBERG SPORTS fantasy tools on MLB.com consist of two products: “The Draft Kit” and “In-Season Tools.” These two products give fans the most powerful capability to prepare and conduct their fantasy draft and make replacements, trades and other decisions for their fantasy teams during the season. The season update tool also will give the casual fan the ability to explore added features and insights about all their favorite players and teams.

Some of the key differentiators for BLOOMBERG SPORTS Fantasy Tools on MLB.com include:
•    Interactive draft tools that allow the consumer to create and track player lists.
•    Complete, easy to navigate information on every player, including all career data, key splits and the ability to chart customizable stats to see critical trends needed for decisions.
•    The best match-up projections and player comparison tools ever built.
•    The most compelling, up-to-date and customizable charts, graphs and other visual tools.

In addition to the consumer product now available, Bloomberg and MLB.com also have created The BLOOMBERG SPORTS professional product, provided to Major League  baseball clubs with a secure, virtually unlimited set of analytical functions that will assist them in personnel evaluation and performance matchups. It was introduced to the clubs at the Baseball Winter Meetings in December 2009 on a trial basis, and is being tested by a majority of the 30 clubs. Current MLB analysts and former stars like Al Leiter, Ron Darling, and current Milwaukee Brewers pitching coach Rick Peterson have all sampled the product as well, and have raved about its ability to really explain the intricacies and matchups of baseball like never before.

Bloomberg has also assembled a team of top bloggers to pull facts and figures for the fans to follow.  The blog team is led by journalist Jonah Keri, and can be seen at bloombergsports.mlblogs.com/, and you can follow all the information on Facebook at: bit.ly/bloombergsportsfb and Twitter at www.twitter.com/bloombergsports.
More details are available at mlb.com/bloombergsports and BLOOMBERGSPORTS.COM.

About Bloomberg
Bloomberg is the world’s most trusted source of information for businesses and professionals. Bloomberg combines innovative technology with unmatched analytic, data, news, display and distribution capabilities, to deliver critical information via the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL® service and multimedia platforms.  Bloomberg’s media services cover the world with more than 2,200 news and multimedia professionals at 146 bureaus in 72 countries.  The BLOOMBERG TELEVISION® 24-hour network delivers smart television to more than 240 million homes.  BLOOMBERG RADIO® services broadcast via SIRIUS XM Radio and 1worldspaceTM satellite radio globally and on WBBR 1130AM in New York.  The award-winning monthly BLOOMBERG MARKETS® magazine, Bloomberg BusinessWeek magazine and the BLOOMBERG.COM® financial news and information Web site provide news and insight to business decision-makers.  For more information, please visit www.bloomberg.com.

The BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service and data products are owned and distributed by Bloomberg Finance L.P. (BFLP) except that Bloomberg L.P. and its subsidiaries (BLP) distribute these products in Argentina, Bermuda, China, India, Japan and Korea. BLOOMBERG and BLOOMBERG NEWS are trademarks and service marks of Bloomberg Finance L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, or its subsidiaries. All rights reserved.

BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. – February 25, 2010 – It’s time to take a recess from studying, and take advantage of the incredible late season snow conditions Breckenridge, Colorado has been receiving just in time for spring break. Get the entire Breckenridge spring break experience in March with unrivaled night life, live concerts including a FREE concert with Lyrics Born, hip restaurants, top terrain parks, blue skies and the legendary spring ski conditions at Breckenridge Ski Resort. Lodging and lift packages are still available, making an affordable vacation easier to attain than ever. Visit gobreck.com or call 877.593.5260 today.

Spring Break Lodging Packages:
• Spring Fun for Four: Five nights of lodging and four days of lift tickets for a group of four. Get 20 percent savings with prices as low as $99 per person, per night during March. Some restrictions apply.
• Spring Break Adventure Package: Five nights of lodging, four days of lift tickets, a dinner sleigh ride, dog sledding and a half day snowmobile rental. Get 15 percent savings with prices as low as $179 per person, per night during March. Some restrictions apply.

More Spring Break Events and Features than Ever:
• Spring Concerts at Three20South Live Music Venue March 1-27
Concerts include music from Swollen Members, The Bridge, Midnite, Boombox, Ozomatli, The Motet, Pimps of Joytime and more.
• Spring Break Breckenridge Bargains Coupon Books Valid March 12-April 4
More than 30 bars, restaurants and local businesses around Breckenridge will be featured in these coupon books. The prime resource for deals for Spring Break visitors. FREE at all Breckenridge lodging properties when you check-in and at the Breckenridge Welcome Center.
• Bud Light Best Bar Party Competition March 13-28
Breckenridge’s hottest bars and clubs will be throwing incredible parties as they vie for the title of “Breckenridge’s Best Bar Party.” The competition will offer different themed parties with drink specials, live music and tons of fun. Celebrity judges will determine which bar throws down the best.
• Colorado Freeride Downtown Rail Jam March 13
Watch as Breckenridge skiers and snowboarders showcase their best tricks in an open jam format from 4-6 p.m. in the heart of town at the Colorado Freeride parking lot.
• FREE Retro Ski Movie Nights March 14 and 21
Retro ski movies will show each night at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Center.
• FREE Spring Break Concert with Lyrics Born March 16
One of the most critically acclaimed and best-selling independent hip-hop artists of this era, Lyrics Born will perform a FREE ticketed concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Riverwalk Center.
• Dave Attell from Comedy Central’s Hit Show, Insomniac live March 18
Named one of the 25 Funniest People in America by Entertainment Weekly Magazine, Dave Attell brings his humor to Breckenridge to entertain spring break goers at 8 p.m. at the Riverwalk Center.
• Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour March 19
Come enjoy the spirit of outdoor adventure at 7:30 p.m. at the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour at the Riverwalk Center.
• Breckenridge Ascent Series March 24 and 31
Head up the Breckenridge Ski Resort for an evening hill climb event starting at the bottom of Peak 8 at 5:30 p.m. and finishing at the Vista Haus. Use any kind of way to get up the mountain, but skis or a snowboard are required to come back down.

Spring fun for FREE:
• Barney Ford House Museum tour
• Breckenridge Wine and Cheese Wednesdays
• Bus transportation around Breckenridge and Summit County
• Edwin Carter Museum tour
• Film nights
• Gallery visits and Second Saturdays gallery walks
• Gondola ride
• Lyrics Born concert
• Sledding at Carter Park
• Snowman building
• Spring break bar parties
• Spring break coupon books
• Spring break movie nights
• Spring break rail jam
• Swing Crew après ski show at the Coppertop at Beaver Run
• Tin Shop artist in residence studio
• Welcome Center museum and information

Spring savings with activities for less than $20:
• Arts District workshop (prices vary depending on workshop)
• Backstage Theatre productions ($20 adults, $14 children)
• Carriage ride (prices vary depending on length of ride and number of people)
• Comedy nights at the Park Avenue Pub ($10)
• Country Boy Mine tour and gold panning ( $19 adults, $13 children)
• D’Vine Wine tasting ($10)
• Fitness classes ($10)
• Guided historic walking tour ($5 adults, $3 children)
• Guided snowshoe hike ($12)
• Ice skating ($10 adults, $8 kids includes skate rentals)
• Mountain Top Children’s Museum ($5 adults, $7 children)
• NASTAR ski race course ($12 for and all-day pass)
• Nordic Center Pass for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing ($15 adults, FREE kids under 6)
• Rock climbing wall (3 climbs for $10)
• Speakeasy Movie Theater tickets ($9 adults, $7 children and seniors)
• Swimming, water slide and hot tub ($10)
• Three20South bar and live music venue (ticket prices vary depending on the concert)
• Shivaya Yoga ($15)

For more information on Breckenridge’s spring break events, activities and packages, visit gobreck.com or call 877.593.5260.

# # #

Media Contact: Carly Grimes, Director of Public Relations, 970.453.5064 or cgrimes@gobreck.com

PSAs debut at Howard University and Colleges and Universities Nationwide as part of First Annual HBCU National Mental Health Awareness Day

Washington, DC, February 23, 2010 – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), working in collaboration with the Ad Council and the Stay Strong Foundation, announced today the launch of a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to raise awareness of mental health problems among young adults in the African American community. The new PSAs were unveiled at a Black History Month event at Howard University this morning to coincide with the first annual HBCU National Mental Health Awareness Day. The launch was telecast to colleges and universities nationwide.

Mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, are widespread in the U.S. and often misunderstood. According to SAMHSA, in 2008 there were an estimated 9.8 million adults aged 18 or older living with serious mental illness. Among adults, the prevalence of serious mental illness is highest in the 18 to 25 age group, yet this age group is also the least likely to receive services or counseling. In 2008, 6.0 percent of African Americans ages 18-25 had serious mental illness in the past year. Overall, only 58.7 percent of Americans with serious mental illness received care within the past 12 months and the percentage of African Americans receiving services is only 44.8 percent.

“Raising understanding and attention to these issues within the African American community will provide greater opportunities for those needing help to receive effective mental health services,” said Kathryn A. Power, Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health Services.

Created pro bono by Grey Worldwide through the Ad Council, the campaign aims to promote acceptance of mental health problems within the African American community by encouraging, educating and inspiring young adults to step up and talk openly about mental health problems. The television, radio, print and Web ads feature real personal stories of African Americans dealing with mental health problems, and they aim to engage those in the community to support young adults who need help. The PSAs direct audiences to visit a new website, www.storiesthatheal.samhsa.gov, where they can learn more about mental health problems and how to get involved.

“According to our research and the leading mental health experts, young adults with mental health problems are more likely to seek help if social acceptance is broadened and they receive support and services early on,” said Peggy Conlon, president & CEO of the Ad Council. “We are proud to continue our partnership with SAMHSA to address these issues in the African American community and help create the necessary societal change that will decrease the negative attitudes that surround mental illness, and ultimately inspire those who want help to get it.”

Terrie M. Williams, MSW, co-founder of The Stay Strong Foundation, collaborated on the development of the Web videos and PSA materials and serves as a campaign spokesperson. The Stay Strong Foundation works to support, educate and inspire African American youth through a series of programs and events that are designed to raise awareness of teen issues, promote the personal well-being of young people and enhance their educational and professional development.

“It is the work of the Stay Strong Foundation and my personal mission to educate everyone, and in particular the African American community, about depression and its impact on our communities,” said Williams. “Every day so many of us wear the “mask” of wellness that hides our pain from the world. Now is the time to identify and name our pain—minus the myths and the stigmas—and seek the help so many of us need.”

SAMHSA’s Campaign for Mental Health Recovery partners include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute of Mental Health, state mental health agencies, leading researchers on stigma and a broad coalition of stakeholders, including organizations that represent provider organizations and consumer and family member groups. The Campaign held a series of regional meetings to develop a grassroots network to support the Campaign and provide assistance with anti-stigma efforts to states and local communities.

A resource guide entitled, “Developing a Stigma Reduction Initiative,” is also a part of the campaign and is based on the evaluation and lessons learned from the Elimination of Barriers Initiative. The guide provides information on how to mount a statewide anti-stigma campaign, examples of outreach materials, reports on the best practices for stigma reduction, and lists important resources for technical assistance. Copies of the guide can be downloaded at www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/publication/allpubs/sma06-4176/ or by calling SAMHSA’s Health Information Network at 1-877-SAMHSA7. SAMHSA also maintains a national technical assistance center called the ADS Center (Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity, and Social Inclusion) to help States, communities, and individuals get the necessary information and resources to counter misperceptions, prejudice and discrimination associated with mental illnesses.  For more information, visit www.promoteacceptance.samhsa.gov.

“In general, mental health problems are difficult to talk about,” said Rob Baiocco, EVP and managing partner of Grey New York. “But the second someone opens up and tells their specific personal story you instantly realize what they are dealing with. It’s such an immediate, intuitive and emotional understanding. And from that understanding comes the healing.”

Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ Center for Excellence in Substance Abuse and Mental Health at Morehouse School of Medicine, a grant funded through (SAMHSA), created National HBCU Mental Health Awareness Day. The HBCU Mental Health Awareness Day is the first national effort to promote behavioral health on HBCUs. The all-day event is being co-hosted by three additional HBCU institutions, Howard, Elizabeth City State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. The purpose is to increase public knowledge and student awareness about mental health issues and to foster a more supportive and informed environment on HBCU campuses and in the community. For more information, visit www.hbcucfe.net.

The Ad Council and SAMHSA first launched the Campaign for Mental Health Recovery nationwide in December 2006. Additional public service efforts designed to reach Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans and Native Americans will also be launched this spring. To view the ads, please visit www.adcouncil.org. The PSAs will air in advertising time that will be entirely donated by the media.

SAMHSA is a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The agency is responsible for improving the accountability, capacity and effectiveness of the nation’s substance abuse prevention, addictions, treatment and mental health services delivery system. SAMHSA can be reached at www.samhsa.gov.

The Ad Council (www.adcouncil.org) is a private, non-profit organization that marshals talent from the advertising and communications industries, the facilities of the media, and the resources of the business and non-profit communities to produce, distribute and promote public service campaigns on behalf of non-profit organizations and government agencies. The Ad Council addresses issue areas such as improving the quality of life for children, preventive health, education, community well-being, environmental preservation and strengthening families.

The Stay Strong Foundation (SSF) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Terrie M. Williams and Xavier Artis in 2001 to empower America’s youth. The Foundation encourages corporate and individual responsibility; develops educational resources for youth and youth organizations; provides and coordinates internships; sets up mentoring opportunities; and facilitates visits by prominent individuals and business professionals to schools, libraries, youth organizations and group homes.

Contact
SAMHSA Press Office: 240-276-2130
Ad Council Press Office: 212-984-1964, news@adcouncil.org

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DAYTON, Ohio — For 10 years, students at the University of Dayton’s RISE Global Investment Forum, the world’s largest student investment forum, have heard forecasts and predictions from top economic and financial experts.

This year, it’s the students’ turn.

Students are always part of the conversation at RISE, but this year, they’ll join the experts in economic forecasting. To celebrate RISE’s 10th anniversary March 18-20, students will be asked to give their opinions in an on-site poll, with results shared almost immediately.

“Today’s students have front-row seats on some of the most tumultuous times in the history of the world economy, and they represent the next generation of financial leaders,” said Matthew Shank, dean of the University of Dayton School of Business Administration. “We think their perspectives on the future of the markets, sustainability and ethics will be interesting and noteworthy.”

RISE X (Redefining Investment Strategy Education) will bring together graduate and undergraduate students and faculty with top economists, market experts and financial industry leaders in a non-scripted, panel discussion format. The line-up of keynote speakers this year includes investment strategists, ethics and governance experts and adds a new emphasis on the emerging importance of the energy and sustainability sectors.

During the last nine years RISE has drawn more than 11,000 students from around the world and all 50 states. Last year, more than 2,700 participants from more than 302 colleges and universities, representing 73 countries attended. The forum has grown so large, part of it is held in a basketball arena.

In the past, students have rubbed shoulders with Nobel laureates, Federal Reserve Bank presidents, noted finance and investment professionals and other high-profile industry leaders from around the world.

In addition to the keynote presentations, RISE X includes a range of sessions during three days on topics that include ethics, alternative investments, hedge funds, international markets, portfolio management and career strategies. An optional competition will also select the best student-managed investment portfolios.

The University of Dayton in association with the United Nations Global Compact sponsors RISE X. Global strategic partners include internationally prominent financial institutions, banks, investment firms and professional organizations.

Early registration for the three-day event is $225 for students and $300 for faculty until Feb. 22. After Feb. 22, registration is $250 for students and $350 for faculty.

Online registration closes March 6. After March 6, registrations will be accepted by calling 937-229-1444 or emailing rise@udayton.edu. For more information and to register, visit http://rise.udayton.edu or call 937-229-1444 or contact RISE at rise@udayton.edu.

CONTACT

For more information and to register visit http://rise.udayton.edu.

Media contact:
Cilla Shindell, director of media relations, University of Dayton
Shindell@udayton.edu
937-229-3257 (o)
937-367-2889 (c)

Program contact:
Dr. David Sauer

937.229.2757

rise@udayton.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Bill Malone (202) 464-8180 bmalone@bread.org
Racine Tucker-Hamilton (202) 464-8196 rhamilton@bread.org

Washington, DC, February 17, 2010 – Bread for the World announced today that it is inviting the best and brightest 20- to 30-year-old college students and recent graduates to apply for its 2010 class of Hunger Justice Leaders. After a highly competitive screening process, selected participants will attend an all-expenses-paid advocacy-training workshop in Washington, DC, June 12-15, 2010.

According to Rev. David Beckmann, president of Bread for the World, those chosen will interact with premier organizing and issue experts; connect with like-minded young leaders from across the country; hone their skills to become inspiring organizers; and visit their members of Congress. “In a world of plenty, hunger is an outrage,” he said. “Our Hunger Justice Leaders have a chance to be part of the solution—to change history for hungry people.”

The last class of Hunger Justice Leaders, 75 in all, came to the nation’s capital two years ago for intensive training in advocacy.

Rev. Beckmann added that since then, they have served as powerful agents of change in their communities. One Missouri student started an anti-poverty initiative on his college campus. Another got her campus InterVarsity group to add hunger advocacy to its ministry, and a Michigan residence hall director helped make Bread for the World more visible within the local, ecumenical community.

Other examples include a young Los Angeles-area professional who helped introduce Bread for the World to emergent Christian communities, and a food bank staff member in nearby Santa Ana who integrated advocacy with the group’s direct service efforts.

Still others have set up Capitol Hill visits, called their members of Congress, and organized Offerings of Letters in their churches.

Candidates can apply by visiting www.bread.org/bealeader. Visitors also can view a 60-second promotional video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4YzpZJrcEg&feature=user. The application deadline is March 12, 2010.

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Bread for the World (www.bread.org) is a collective Christian voice urging our nation’s decision makers to end hunger at home and abroad.

February 17, 2010 (Chicago, IL) – The search for the most ingenious student inventions has begun with the launch of the 2010 James Dyson Award. In previous years, the international student design competition has inspired problem-solving inventions including guide dogs GPS, flat-folding plugs, and a paper cast that can be used in disaster relief.

The award, run by the James Dyson Foundation, celebrates student designers and works to inspire the next generation of engineers. The competition vets design students across the globe for a grand prize of over $15,000, and another $15,000 for the student’s university department. Entries are accepted through July 1, 2010.

The award is James Dyson’s call to action to motivate and educate students about design engineering. “Making things is not about grime and grease, but solving real life problems,” says Dyson. “Now is the time to commit to design and engineering, and to the generations that will define our future.”

Out of more than 400 entries, last year’s winner was Automist, a kitchen sink attachment that detects and extinguishes fires with a fine water mist. The project was developed by British students Yusuf Muhammad and Paul Thomas from the Royal College of Art in London.

“Winning the James Dyson Award has enabled us to transform our idea from a prototype into a viable product – which we’re now close to being able to sell,” says Muhammad. “Without this kind of support, our ideas might be stuck on the drawing board and in the workshop. James Dyson’s endorsement has really opened doors for us.”

A nominee from each participating country – decided in August – will be invited to Dyson laboratories to participate in a workshop run by Dyson engineers. The esteemed panel of judges includes design journalist, Allison Arieff, and Professor of Innovation and Design at Parsons the New School for Design, Bruce Nussbaum.

James Dyson will announce the global winner on October 5, 2010.

For further information on the James Dyson Award, please contact:
Valerie Silvis
valerie.silvis@dyson.com
312-706-2266

About the James Dyson Award
The James Dyson Award is an international design award that celebrates, encourages and inspires the next generation of design engineers. It’s run by the James Dyson Foundation, James Dyson’s charitable trust, as part of its mission to inspire young people about design engineering.

The James Dyson Award winner will receive:

• A James Dyson Award trophy.
• Over $15,000 for the student or the team.
• Over $15,000 for the current or former student’s university department.
• An opportunity to visit Dyson’s engineering facilities either in the UK or Malaysia.

The award is open to any student of design (or graduate within four years of graduation) who is studying or studied in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA.

James Dyson Award entrants can submit footage, images and sketched of their ideas to the website, www.jamesdysonaward.org, along with stories detailing their design process and inspiration.

About The James Dyson Foundation
The James Dyson Foundation is a registered charity with the aim of supporting design, technology and engineering education, medical research charities and local community projects. The James Dyson Foundation works with schools and universities around the UK and internationally.

CONTACT:
Jaya Bohlmann
301 346 1239
jaya.bohlmann@sodexo.com

Sodexo Joins First Lady Michelle Obama in National Fight Against Childhood Obesity

Company Supports First Lady’s Initiative; 135,000 students to be positively impacted in next school year alone

GAITHERSBURG, Md., February 9, 2010 — Sodexo, Inc., world leader in Quality of Daily Life solutions, serving more than 2.8 million school meals daily to students in more than 470 school districts nationwide, announced today its participation in First Lady Michelle Obama’s campaign to eliminate childhood obesity within a generation.

Collectively, Sodexo and its industry partners serve over 750 million school meals annually. The agreement will affect 135,000 students in the 2010-2011 school year alone. In addition, representatives estimate a potential increase of 18,700,000 meals conforming to standards outlined in the HealthierUS School Challenge. The school lunch providers expect to reach 2 million families with nutrition information.

Under the agreement, Sodexo and its industry partners have agreed to support the First Lady’s Initiative by including more fruit, juice, vegetable, whole grain and milk options in reimbursable lunches.

“At Sodexo, we know that access to good nutrition as part of a holistic approach that includes exercise and other good lifestyle choices benefit children not only in their health and wellness but also in their ability to achieve academic success,” said Lorna C. Donatone, Sodexo chief operating officer and Education Market president. “We are proud to advance our current programs, now with the partnership of our industry and the leadership of the White House to combat childhood obesity.”

Sodexo also agreed to increase nutrition education efforts aimed at students and parents, as well as encourage broader participation in the USDA’s HealthierUS School Challenge by providing technical assistance and facilitating paperwork requirements for the schools they serve.

Sodexo also commits to working closely with the White House, and continue to work with federal and state agencies, local school districts and others in the private sector to achieve the First Lady’s goal to eliminate childhood obesity this generation.

Over the longer-term, Sodexo and its industry partners commit to working with suppliers to continue to provide healthy food options; undertake research related to cost efficiency and reimbursable meals; work toward meeting the National Institute of Medicine’s recommended standards for fat, sugar, and whole grains over the next 5 years and the standards for sodium through a 5% annual reduction over the next ten years; and work to double produce offered in school meals over the next 10 years. By some estimates, this would result in an increase of 100 million pounds of fruits and vegetables served each year once full value is achieved in 10 years.

Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo Group (www.sodexo.com), founded in 1966, employs 380,000 people who serve 50 million people daily in 80 countries. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

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SAN DIEGO, February 3, 2010– American college students dreaming of a California holiday but low on cash and leery of budget accommodation, can still make their dreams come true and save $$$ by staying at USA Hostels’ award winning locations. The independent hostel chain’s San Diego, San Francisco and Hollywood locations were named the nation’s #1, #2 and #4 hostels, respectively, for 2009 at Hostelworld.com’s annual HOSCAR awards held on January 23. Additionally, the company was recognized as the sixth highest rated hostel chain worldwide.

Hostelworld.com’s HOSCAR annual awards recognize the best hostels in the world as rated by over 1 million customers. Customers review the hostels on six criteria: Character, Security, Location, Staff, Fun, and Cleanliness.  Approximately 300 hostels in the United States and 23,000 hostels worldwide are listed on Hostelworld.com.

“We hope these awards will help college students become more comfortable about trying hostels when they travel to California. While American hostels have been popular with international travelers, they were not historically popular with American students” commented David Reuter, founder and president of USA Hostels. “However, in the last two years we’ve seen a jump in American college students making hostels their choice for Alternative Spring Break and summer holidays and we hope that trend continues. American hostels have stepped up their game, but sometimes students still have the wrong idea of what a hostel is. Customer reviews and ratings on sites like Hostelworld help students feel comfortable choosing hostels that provide strong customer service and safe, comfortable surroundings.”

“To help students learn more about what our hostels are like, we have videos on our website that are like virtual tours through our buildings and show viewers not only the rooms, but some of the activities and tours we do,” Reuter continued. “We know students are on a budget and could always stay at some anonymous budget hotel, so we want them to know they’ll get more value for their money staying at our hostels where we include lots of freebies for our guests. But even more important is that a hostel has a vibe you’ll never get at a hotel. There’s nightly activities like open mic, comedy shows, limo tours and pub crawls, giving students the chance to meet travelers from all around the world. Our receptionists are not just locals but hostel travelers themselves, so they know, and want to share, the insider places to go. And, often, our staff organizes hostel parties and local tours.”

Each hostel in the USA Hostels’ chain provides free breakfast, WiFi, linens, laundry soap and luggage-sized lockers, along with a range of free activities throughout each week, and discounted tickets and tours to area attractions. The hostel provide extra security to valuables and guests by providing plugs inside all the rooms’ lockers for secure charging and storage of electronics and key card entry to their buildings. Many rooms are ensuite and boast pillow-top beds. Privates feature fridges, microwaves, cable tv, duvets and I-Homes.

Reuter added, “We know that having the nicest hostel facilities is not enough and we work everyday to earn trust in our hostels and continually focus on improving our facilities, operations, and customer service.”

In 2009, USA Hostels’ California locations completed a number of upgrades including bathroom and dorm room renovations, the opening of a 50-seat theatre in the San Francisco location, a redesign of the Hollywood location’s lobby and all new beds in the San Diego location. All locations continued ongoing customer service training and added more guest activities.

USA Hostels operates high-quality budget accommodations in Hollywood, San Diego, San Francisco and Las Vegas. Founded in San Diego in 1994, USA Hostels offers a choice of shared dormitory rooms or private rooms to independent travelers from all over the globe along with fully equipped guest kitchens and lounges.

For more information please contact Maria Argyropoulos, Vice President of Operations, 323 359-7577.

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Additional comments: Website, videos and photos: www.usahostels.com.