NEWS FROM ALTON TOWERS

New Rollercoaster, Th13teen, Proves Lucky for one Builder

Alton Towers Resort calls in Harley Street hypnotherapist to cure coaster builder of his life long phobia of the number 13 (Tridecaphobia)

44 year old Paul McNicol has conquered a debilitating phobia of the number 13, enabling him to return to work on the new £15m Alton Towers Resort ride of the same name.

Resort bosses, determined that the project is completed on time, have resorted to hiring hypnotherapist Bonita Rayner-Jones, for Paul to undergo an intensive treatment course.

The Site Manager from Staffordshire is partly responsible for ensuring that the ride’s secret element is correctly installed. Never before has so much theme park technology been combined in one ride, proving a challenge for designers and builders alike. The ultimate thrill ride, Th13teen will join a long line of world first attractions at the Alton Towers Resort including "Nemesis", "Oblivion" and "Air".

When the name was revealed in December it provoked an intense reaction from Paul. “He literally couldn’t get further than the front entrance to the park without breaking out in a cold sweat,” said Bonita, who has been helping phobics overcome their fears for several years as an experienced member of the National Council for Hypnotherapy and a Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP).

“Tridecaphobia, or a fear of the number 13 is a surprisingly common problem for many people. Working with a combination of intensive hypnotherapy techniques, we were able to finally tackle the problem, once and for all.”

Paul, who has worked on the construction of some of the world’s top rollercoasters has suffered from a fear of the number 13 ever since he can remember, leaving him crippled by an intense paranoia and anxiety in everyday life.

Paul explains: “I’d always been slightly ashamed of my phobia, it’s pretty embarrassing, especially for a 44 year old man. It can be perceived as trivial, or even just a simple superstition, but it’s not.”

“I couldn’t have imagined entering a house that was numbered 13, visiting the 13th floor of any building or even reading the 13th page of a book, the list really was endless!”

“The treatment was intensive and pretty emotional at times. Before I just couldn’t bear the thought of going to work; now I can’t wait to return and put the finishing touches to the secret element! To be honest I’m surprised and amazed that I’m saying the word 13 right now.”

In the UK, roughly 2.5 million, or nearly 4.25% of the population suffer from phobias of varying degrees.

Morwenna Angove, Sales and Marketing Director at the Alton Towers Resort said: “We take all our employees welfare very seriously and are thrilled that Paul had such a positive response to hypnotherapy. Paul is integral to the project and the team would be lost without him. We’re all looking forward to having him back on site.” Continuing, “Located in an area of unexplored woodland known as the dark forest, Th13teen will take guests on an ultimate ride, exploiting rider’s vulnerabilities and playing with their minds. We’re excited that the Alton Towers Resort is able to offer visitors the chance to experience something unavailable in any other part of the world, which will be every ride you’ve ever dreamed of in one!”
The Ultimate Rollercoaster, Th13teen, launches on 20th March 2010!

In a bid to help thrill seekers experience Th13teen, the Alton Towers Resort is offering free hypnotherapy treatment to sufferers of Tridecaphobia.
To find out more about the Alton Towers Resort hypnotherapy offer, bookings for which are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis in January 2010, please contact phobia@alton-towers.com


For more information on the launch of Th13teen visit www.altontowers.com



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For further information please call 0207 693 6999 or email altontowers@frankpr.it

Notes to editors:

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. The world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 59 attractions and six hotels/ 2 holiday villages in 13 countries and across 3 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 35 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 13,500 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Zoo, Underwater Adventures, Heide Park and Earth Explorer.
Bonita Rayner-Jones, BA (Hons), Dip.C.Hyp, MNCH is an experienced National Council for Hypnotherapy registered Hypnotherapist and a Certified Practitioner of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP). She is also a member of the Telegraph's Health & Wellbeing Specialists & the NHS Trust.
Bonita is a professional, full time, female hypnotherapist based in Harley Street, London and Blackheath. She has helped thousands clients with a variety of issues ranging from stopping smoking and weight management to phobias, stress and anxiety, confidence building, eating disorders plus many more.
Bonita's working ethos is instilling a belief in her clients that they have the capability and tools to overcome their problems and with this belief system in place, change is often dramatic and fast. Her approach is compassionate, friendly and warm coupled with exceptionally high standards. She is fully committed to helping her clients overcome difficulties and reach their full potential through the use of hypnotherapy, task setting, NLP, EFT and the teaching of self-hypnosis.
Bonita trained at Regents College, London in the practice of Cognitive Hypnosis but her training did not stop there, she has also received specialist training at the London College of Clinical Hypnosis in Eating Disorders, Psychosexual problems, Smoking cessation, Trichotillomania and many more conditions. This expanse of training in both Cognitive and Clinical Hypnosis means that a variety of techniques have been studied during training rather than just one approach enabling her to treat clients from a solid, ethical and well rounded background. She holds the first nationally recognised Diploma in Hypnotherapy from the NCFE.
Bonita is a Member of the National Council of Hypnotherapy (N.C.H) and the General Hypnotherapy Register (G.H.R), adhering to their code of ethics at all times and is covered by their Indemnity Insurance.

NEWS FROM ALTON TOWERS

THE ULTIMATE RIDE FOR ALEX REID

Big Brother survivor launches search for ultimate adrenaline junkies to preview new rollercoaster TH13TEEN at the Alton Towers Resort

The most anticipated attraction of 2010, the Alton Towers Resort’s new rollercoaster, TH13TEEN, already has a queue! Theme park bosses have been inundated with so many requests from fans who are desperate to try out the ride, that they have decided to launch a national search for the UK’s ultimate ‘adrenaline junkies’ to be first in line.

The resort is offering members of the public the chance to have a ‘world-first’ preview of TH13TEEN, the ‘ultimate rollercoaster’, before its grand opening on March 20th 2010 – but it’s not going to be an easy ride.

Determined thrill seekers are being invited to test their metal with an application process that makes Big Brother seem like your little sister! To kick-start the search, the Alton Towers Resort has put together a team of experts including Celebrity Big Brother winner Alex Reid who will put wannabe riders through their paces in a series of gruelling tests including:

- Psychometric testing
- Interrogation interview
- 2 hr physical assessment
- Rollercoaster endurance (1 hr of continuous rides on Air)
- ‘Midnight bootcamp’

Morwenna Angove, Sales and Marketing Director at the Alton Towers Resort said: “We’re thrilled that so many people are excited about our fantastic new rollercoaster TH13TEEN but we have been inundated with requests from members of the public who want to be first on the ride. We feel this is the fairest way to choose who gets the first ride and are inviting thrill seekers across the nation to prove themselves.”

TH13TEEN is the ultimate rollercoaster and every theme park ride you’ve ever dreamed of in one. The ride will join a long line of world-first attractions at the Alton Towers Resort including "Nemesis", "Oblivion" and "Air". Based on the discovery of an old burial ground, visitors will be invited to take a ride into the Dark Forest, where they will have to try and escape the all-consuming power of the creeping forest.

For more information and to apply visit www.altontowers.com/thirteen

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For further information or interviews, please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6999 or email altontowers@frankpr.it


Notes to editors:

• Applicants must be over 18 and will be required to sign a disclaimer regarding physical and mental health. Applicants must be available on 2nd and 3rd March 2010
• T&C’s apply

MERLIN ENTERTAINMENTS GROUP is the leading name in location based, family entertainment, and has seen the most successful and dynamic growth of any company in the sector over the last five years. The world’s second largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin has 59 attractions and six hotels/ 2 holiday villages in 13 countries and across 3 continents. The company aims to deliver memorable and rewarding experiences to its 35 million visitors worldwide, through its iconic global and local brands, and the commitment and passion of its managers and 13,500 employees. Merlin Entertainments operates the following attractions – SEA LIFE, Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND, The Merlin Entertainments London Eye, Dungeons, Gardaland, LEGOLAND Discovery Centres, Alton Towers Resort, Warwick Castle, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Zoo, Underwater Adventures, Heide Park and Earth Explorer.

NEWS FROM COMPARE THE MEERKAT

Hollywood success for a mere ‘kat’?

Forget Christmas blockbusters, this year critics are eagerly awaiting the epic sixty second film from meerkat entrepreneur Aleksandr Orlov.

Launching on 3rd January 2010, THE JOURNEY OF COURAGEOUSNESS is produced, written and edited by Aleksandr Orlov himself AND stars Aleksandr Orlov in the title role (as well as Head of IT, Sergei - “though in small supported roles only”).

In an impressive bid to try and prevent people from confusing his business with comparethemarket.com - the website for cheap car insurance - the comparethemeerkat.com founder uses his new advert to explain that life was not always so simples! for the Orlovs.

Taking us back to his family’s humble beginnings, THE JOURNEY OF COURAGEOUSNESS joins Aleksandr and Sergei as they travel out of Africa on a desperate voyage that takes them across the world to the barren wastelands of Russia.

Filmed at Pinewood Studios and on location, THE JOURNEY OF COURAGEOUSNESS will be a departure from the previous comparethemeerkat.com adverts, featuring Aleksandr outside of his Russian mansion for the very first time. Billed to be the biggest meerkat production in history, the film is already tipped for an Os-kat nomination.

Entrepreneur, Aleksandr has become a popular icon since launching his internet business in January 2009 and now has over 600,000 friends on Facebook and 31,000 Twitter followers.

Aleksandr Orlov said “I very proud to introduce what film crickets are call ‘the best sixty second meerkat adventure film of all time’: ‘The Journey of Courageousness’. This movie is “claw-biting edge-of-seat thrill-ride”, but also have very serious message about my ancestors; they did not suffer journey of blood, sweat and beetles only to have peoples confuse meerkats with cheap car insurance! So grab bucket of salty pop-roaches and enjoy!”


THE JOURNEY OF COURAGEOUSNESS is released on January 3rd 2010 and can be seen on ITV1 at 9.20pm.
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Notes to Editors:


comparethemeerkat.com is cutting edge meerkat comparison website that was launch at the very beginnings of the internet. It is also first ever website to use latest computamabob technologies to make comparing of meerkats more efficient than ever before.

comparethemeerkat.com has over 1400 different shaped and sized meerkats to compare. If we can’t find meerkat right for you, I will eat my cravat.

Remember, comparethemeerkat.com cannot find you cheap car insurance. All timewasters please go to comparethemarket.com.

comparethemarket.com is a trading name of BISL Limited, Pegasus House, Bakewell Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough, PE2 6YS. Registered in England No. 3231094.

BISL Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

NEWS FROM BENNETTS

Nicola T Scoops First Modelling Contract after Leaving the Big Brother House

Just a day after exiting the Big Brother house, celebrity model Nicola T has been snapped up by Bennetts, the UK’s number one for bike insurance*, to front its annual Bennetts Babes search.

From fake-tanning Alex Reid and astounding housemates with her uninhibited questions, to walking out of the house barefoot; Nicola T was one of the most popular contestants in this year’s house. The 27 year old WAG, model and aspiring singer will now be donning her leathers and following in the footsteps of celebrity beauties Nicola McLean, Lucy Pinder and Danielle Lloyd to launch the annual search.

The gorgeous Nicola T will be calling for any aspiring models across the UK to enter the search. With only eight places up for grabs, the chosen babes will be unveiled in March and will take part in a string of modelling assignments, marketing campaigns and promotional activity to represent the brand throughout 2010. The competition has a proven track-record of giving girls their ‘big break’: Big Brother 10 winner Sophie Reade was selected for the squad back in 2008.

Hannah Squirrell, Marketing Director of Bennetts says “Nicola T proved to be a great hit in the Big Brother house, so we can’t think of anyone better to launch our annual Bennetts Babes competition. Fans should keep an eye out for the exclusive shots we will be releasing to celebrate her signing, to excite the fans and be a true inspiration to all would-be Bennetts Babes out there.”

* Based on brand tracking research in April 2009

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Notes to editors

HISTORY OF THE BENNETTS BABES
Now in its seventh year, the Bennetts Babes are an established feature within the Bennetts brand and have previously been a well-known fixture at Superbike events and amongst the biking and wider male audience. The nationwide search to find the girls is well recognised and is becoming bigger and better every year.

THE BACKGROUND TO BENNETTS
• Bennetts was established in Coventry by the Bennetts family in 1930 to provide insurance services to people throughout the West Midlands.

• In the early 1980’s Bennetts decided to devise a number of specialist insurance schemes that would meet the needs of different types of biker. These schemes are constantly reviewed to give bikers the exact cover they need.

• In 2000 Bennetts was the first motorcycle insurance specialist to offer the ability to buy insurance online, through its website, www.bennetts.co.uk.

• In October 2001, the Bennetts brand was acquired by the BGL Group (formerly the Budget Group of Companies), through its purchase of the Dial Direct Group, a major UK car insurance intermediary.

• The BGL Group was established in 1992, and has grown to be the UK’s third largest personal lines insurance intermediary, through a combination of organic growth and a series of major strategic acquisitions.

• The BGL Group now arranges and administers insurance for around 2.3 million customers with more than £600million GWP. It has contact centre operations in Peterborough, Coventry, Sunderland, Peterlee and Cape Town, South Africa. It currently employs over 2000 people and its head office is in Peterborough.

• In May 2003, Bennetts unveiled its new brand identity to the industry.

• Bennetts became personal sponsor of former World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson in May 2003.

• In April 2009 independent brand tracking research identified Bennetts as the UK’s number one brand for motorcycle insurance.

• In January 2005, Bennetts signed the biggest sponsorship deal in the history of the brand by becoming title sponsor of the 2005 Bennetts British Superbike Championship. Bennetts continued its sponsorship of the British Superbike Championship in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

• In June 2007, Bennetts became official series sponsor of the World Superbike Championship for the remainder of the 2007 championship and for the whole of the 2008 championship.

• Bennetts is personal sponsor of Moto GP contender and former World Superbike Champion James Toseland since July 2007.

NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

Mixtape takes London film maker to the BAFTAS
Virgin Media Shorts 2009 winner picks up BAFTA nomination

London film maker Luke Snellin was today nominated for a BAFTA for his short film Mixtape, four month’s after the film picked up the Grand Prize at the Virgin Media Shorts Awards. Mixtape, which was created specifically for last year’s competition, captures the innocence of young love and sees a boy create a compilation tape for a girl he likes. The endearing film was a clear winner for the prestigious judging panel including Kevin Spacey, Gemma Arterton and Noel Clarke, in the competition that aims to shine a light on undiscovered British film talent.

A 23 year old from Ladbroke Grove, Luke is an up and coming writer and director and Mixtape was his second short film, which was created for Virgin Media Shorts. The film features Son of Rambow and Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll star Bill Milner, Charlotte Beaumont and Kate Miles, in a drama involving a young boy who makes a tape from his dad’s 1970s vinyl collection in an attempt to try and woo the girl of his dreams, Lily, who lives next door.

Luke triumphed over more than 2,000 competition entries and will receive £30,000 funding from Virgin Media and the UK Film Council towards his next film, as well as nationwide exposure to millions of people across the country. Mixtape is currently one of the 12 short-listed films that are currently being shown on over 200 cinema screens across the UK, as well as on Virgin Media’s TV on demand service, on the Virgin1 channel, on mobile phone by texting Virgin Media to 80150 and online at www.virginmediashorts.co.uk.

Delighted with his nomination, Luke said, “I was over the moon to find out that I’d been nominated for a BAFTA for Mixtape. I created the film for last year’s Virgin Media Shorts competition and was thrilled when it was chosen to win the main prize by the judging panel including Kevin Spacey and Noel Clarke. Now to hear I’ve been shortlisted for a BAFTA is a dream come true, I’ve had an amazing six months and just hope I can go all the way in February.”

Luke will now have a nervous wait until 21st February when the BAFTAs are awarded at a ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London. Considered to be a key indicator for the Oscars in March, Luke Snellin and Mixtape are tipped for big things in the future.

For more information about Virgin Media Shorts or to see Mixtape, visit www.virginmediashorts.co.uk.

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Media Contacts
Frank PR, virginmedia@frankpr.it, 020 7693 6999

Notes to Editors

About Virgin Media
With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.

The company is one of the largest residential broadband providers in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.

Virgin Media has the UK’s most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.

The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.

Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs seven entertainment channels, including Virgin1, LIVING, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.

Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market and the London Stock Exchange (VMED).

For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com.

NEWS FROM BLUE RIBAND

NESTLÉ VISITS THE DARK SIDE WITH NEW BLUE RIBAND® DARK

Nestlé has given Blue Riband®, one of the nation’s favourite tea-break treats, a makeover by coating it in rich, smooth dark chocolate. January 2010 will see the launch of Blue Riband® Dark, which joins the already much loved 99 Calorie Biscuit Range that includes the traditional milk chocolate Blue Riband.

A biscuit and a cuppa can go hand-in-hand, and with the launch of Blue Riband Dark there has never been a better time to take five minutes, relax and indulge in one of life’s little pleasures. At 99 Calories and containing no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, Blue Riband Dark is a perfectly portioned treat.

Blue Riband Dark joins Nestlé’s chocolate biscuit bar range of 99 Calorie favourites including Blue Riband Milk, Breakaway®, Drifter® and Toffee Crisp®. For those looking for a little treat with no to compromise on taste, Nestlé biscuits are great additions to the weekly shop. With the introduction of Blue Riband Dark to the range, there really is something to suit all the family.

Joanne Coxon, Assistant Brand Manager for Nestlé Biscuits says: “We are very proud to introduce Blue Riband Dark to our well-loved existing range of 99 Calorie biscuits. The new launch is part of Nestlé’s commitment to give families choice when selecting great tasting treats. The 99 Calorie biscuit range not only delivers on taste but they are perfectly portioned to be enjoyed as part of varied, balanced diets.”

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For further information please contact Frank PR on 020 7693 6999 or email nestlebiscuits@frankpr.it


Notes to Editors:
About Nestlé Blue Riband Dark Bars:
- Available nationwide
- Typical nutritional values per Blue Riband Dark: Calories: 99, Fat: 5.2g (of which saturates: 2.9g), Protein: 0.9g, Fibre 0.9g, Carbohydrate 11.8g (of which sugars 8.4g)
- Blue Riband Dark - 9 pack (RRP £1.29)

Full Range includes:
- Blue Riband - 6 pack (RRP £1), 9 pack (RRP £1.29), 18 pack (RRP £1.99)
- Breakaway - 6 pack (RRP £1), 9 pack (RRP £1.29), 18 pack (RRP £1.99)
- Drifter - 8 pack (RRP £1.29)
- Toffee Crisp - 7 pack (RRP £1.29)
- Blue Riband Dark – 9 pack (RRP £1.29)

NEWS FROM HOVIS

HOVIS SIGNS ‘GIRL ON A BIKE’

Baker signs Olympic Champion Cyclist

Victoria Pendleton for a 3-year campaign deal

Today, Britain’s most famous baker, Hovis has announced a 3-year partnership with Olympic cycling champion, Victoria Pendleton. Pendleton will be the baker’s ambassador for a series of campaigns, including encouraging a new generation of British ‘girls and boys on bikes’; healthy-eating and education initiatives.

Marketing Director Jon Goldstone, says “Hovis is renowned for Britain’s favourite ad, the iconic ‘Boy on a Bike’ and we are delighted to announce Vicky as our new ‘Girl on a Bike and are very excited about our plans for the next 3yrs.’”

Victoria Pendleton, who will be training in Perth (Australia) before March’s World Cycling Championships in Copenhagen, says: “I’m really looking forward to working with Hovis and being their ambassador for a range of healthy-living and eating campaigns.”

Victoria added: “I hope my work for Hovis will inspire a new generation of ‘girls and boys on bikes’ who enjoy cycling as much as I did when I was younger and maybe even inspire some champions of the future.”

Pendleton, 29, won Olympic gold in the individual sprint at the 2008 Beijing
Games. She has dominated women's track sprint cycling since 2005 winning 7
World Championship and the Commonwealth sprint titles. She will defend the
individual sprint at the World Championships in Copenhagen in March and the

Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.

Her achievements also include:



2009

World Track Championships, Pruszkow

Gold, Women’s Sprint
Silver, Women’s Team Sprint



2008

Olympics, Beijing

Gold, Women's Sprint



World Track Championships, Manchester

Gold, Women's Team Sprint (with Shanaze Reade)
Gold, Women's Sprint
Silver, Keirin



2007

World Track Championships, Majorca

Gold, Women's Team Sprint (with Shanaze Reade)
Gold, Women's Sprint
Gold, Women's Keirin



2006

World Track Championships, Bordeaux
Silver, Women's Sprint



Commonwealth Games, Melbourne

Gold, Women's Sprint
Silver, Women's 500 metre Time Trial



2005

World Track Championships, Los Angeles

Gold, Women’s Sprint



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**Radio ANR, TV B-roll and Online D-roll are all available featuring interviews with Victoria**

For further information please contact Frank PR 0207 693 6999 or email hovis@frankpr.it


Notes to editors:

For more information on Hovis, visit www.hovisbakery.co.uk
Hovis followed up ‘Boy on a Bike’ with the epic ‘Go On Lad’ ad in 2008. This was voted ad of the noughties by ITV in December 2009
Victoria is exclusively represented by Chris Evans-Pollard at three60 Sports Management.