NEWS FROM THE BODY SHOP

Beauty isn’t skin deep for British women

Lacklustre state of nation’s skincare laid bare in the Nutriganics™ Skin-spiration Report

British women are hoarding more than 50 million* redundant skincare products in their bathroom cabinets, according to research released today by The Body Shop® new Nutriganics™ organic skincare range.

Despite British women spending an average of £5,940** on skincare products over their lifetime, 55% admitted having a skincare product they have never used and more than three quarters (81%) hang onto two or more skincare products they have no intention of ever using. One in ten (11%) women also admits to owning products that are over four years old.

The Nutriganics™ Skin-spiration Report which was commissioned to investigate the skincare routine and habits of British women, also reveals that half of the nation’s women (49%) spend only five minutes or less on their skincare regime per day, with one in 20 (5%) not devoting any time at all to their complexion.

From oily to dry, 93% believe they know their skin type and 85% are confident they are using the right products, despite more than two thirds (67%) never having had a skincare assessment. Almost 15% use the same skincare they used as a teenager, while one in ten (10%) women between 45 and 54 years old has been using the same products on their face for more than three decades.

Women even admit to sharing products with husbands and boyfriends with almost a third (32%) prone to sharing skin creams and treatments with the men in their lives.

Skincare Product Director from The Body Shop International, Stephane Chambran: “This research shows that many women are worryingly unaware of the importance of looking after their skin throughout their lives. While many ladies wouldn’t think twice about going to their hairdresser, having a manicure or dedicating time to their make-up routine, this study reveals that many women have never had a skincare consultation – with almost a fifth (18%) admitting they don’t know what a skin consultation is.

“Factors such as age, health, hormones and even the weather can all have an effect on women’s skin, making skin consultations and regular skin check-ups important at whatever time in life. The right skincare regime is just as important to health and beauty as the right bra, shampoo or foundation.”

To help the nation face up to their lack of skincare knowledge, The Body Shop is offering free skincare consultations. Available in all stores and online at www.thebodyshop.com, the simple skin care diagnosis will help find a natural solution to meet all skin care needs.

Stephane continues, “We realise how daunting it can be to find a new skincare regime, as well how infuriating and costly it can be to try a new product only to find you don’t like it. At The Body Shop we offer complimentary skincare consultations where women can take home free samples to test their effectiveness and with over six ranges, we cover all skin types from teen to post menopause.”

The Nutriganics™ range features independently organically certified formulas by ECOCERT and at least 95% of ingredients are of natural origin. The first certified organic range from The Body Shop, Nutriganics™ helps to meet the growing demand for organic skincare ranges with clinically proven results.

-Ends-

For further information on the report or case studies please contact
Frank PR on Tel: 020 7693 6999 or email bodyshop@frankpr.it

Notes to Editor

THE SKIN-SPIRATION STUDY

Survey conducted on 1,886 British women by Tickbox, March / April 2010



· * Calculation of the adult female population of the UK based on Office for National Statistics: Key Population and Vital Statistics 2007

· ** Calculation based on average spend per month (£7.50) x 12 months x average female life expectancy according to ONS (minus 16 years)

NEWS FROM NPOWER

npower teams up with Denise Van Outen to bring urban schools ‘green’ spaces
npower launches its Climate Cops Green Fingers competition, as research reveals a quarter of kids spend less than 3 hours a week outside

LONDON 19th April 2010 – Denise Van Outen today launches the npower Climate Cops Green Fingers campaign to help primary school children develop ‘greener fingers’ by giving kids in urban schools access to growing spaces.

As it launches Climate Cops Green Fingers, npower finds that almost three quarters (72%) of today’s children want to spend more time enjoying themselves outdoors.

The average amount of time spent in the garden by our youngsters is just 4 hrs a week. In contrast, their parents spent an average of 12hrs outdoors. Unsurprisingly, nine out of ten parents think they have a better appreciation of nature and the environment than their child as a result.

To reverse this trend and help kids understand the science of growing, npower Climate Cops is offering ten urban schools the opportunity to win a growing makeover worth £5,000. The ten winning schools will have an area developed by environmental regeneration charity Groundwork into a ‘greener learning space.’ This could be anything from a window box to a roof allotment, working with even the smallest urban spaces to create something for kids to nurture, grow and learn from.

Garden enthusiast and mum-to-be Denise Van Outen comments:

“With a baby on the way I’m very aware of how important it is that the younger generation understand how important it is to protect the environment. Getting outdoors and seeing how plants grow is the first step kids can make in learning about nature and how valuable it is. We know kids love being outdoors, but they don’t always get the chance – my own niece and nephews can’t recognise vegetables picked straight from my vegetable garden! That’s why I’m supporting npower’s Climate Cops Green Fingers campaign to help under-7s learn about gardening and growing in the way they learn best - hands on and hands dirty!”

npower Climate Cops Green Fingers hopes to transform areas of grey built-up school environments into spaces that allow the children’s eco- imaginations to bloom. As part of npower’s Climate Cops environmental education programme, this living outdoor classroom aims to help pupils learn about energy through the science of gardening in a fun way.

For more information, visit www.npower.com/climatecops.

- ENDS -
For further information, images and interview requests please contact:
Frank PR: 020 7693 6995


About npower Climate Cops Green Fingers
npower Climate Cops Green Fingers is an inspiring project from npower focusing on bringing the learning of energy to life for four to seven year olds through science.

About npower
• npower is one of the UK's largest electricity suppliers and has 6.6 million customer accounts across the UK.

• npower sponsors the Test Match Series in England, Women's Test Series and the Village Cup.
• npower has been awarded platinum status in Business in the Community’s CR Index and is one of twenty-nine companies to have achieved the CommunityMark since its launch. All CommunityMark achievers have been recognised for demonstrating excellence in their holistic and strategic approach to community investment.

About Groundwork
• Groundwork helps people and organisations make changes in order to create better neighbourhoods, to build job skills and to live and work in a greener way. We operate across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and our charities work on thousands of projects each year. We focus our activity on disadvantaged communities where we can make most difference
www.groundwork.org.uk

NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

Computer says ‘no’ to Brits
Virgin Media report unveils a nation of hot-headed computer users

Almost a quarter of impatient Brits (22 per cent) have resorted to buying a new computer rather than dealing with their IT problems according to research released today to mark the launch of the new Virgin Media Digital Home Support Service.

With computer users wasting seven hours per month trying to solve their own technical problems*, the report shows Britain to be a hotbed of frustrated computer users who regularly rant and rave at their machines. More than 63 per cent admit regularly shouting at their screens, 58 per cent have sworn at their PC or laptop and 20 per cent have even gone so far as to scream at their poorly computers. The research also shows that almost a quarter (23 per cent) risk domestic harmony by blaming a relative or friend for their computer woes.

The Virgin Media Digital Home Support Service, which launches across the country today, comes as many Brits reveal they have resorted to physical violence when experiencing computer problems. The service which fixes technical problems with hardware, software and operating systems using the latest cutting edge remote control technology, should help the 27 per cent of Brits who have hit their computer when it doesn’t do what they want it to do, and the five per cent who have vented their aggression by throwing things at their poor machines.

Gender Divide

With an incredible 45 per cent of computers suffering from the effects of computer viruses*, the report also reveals gender specific coping strategies to such problems. While men are more likely to get frustrated and lash out at their computers, the fairer sex are more patient and likely to try clicking buttons and icons to try and resolve a problem (71 per cent) compared to 56 per cent of men.

Almost two thirds (65 per cent) of women are more likely to rely on their friends and family to sort out the problem compared to 47 per cent of men.

Regional Disparity

The research shows that computer users throughout the UK have different coping strategies. People in the South West are the least likely to hit their computers; only 21 per cent have ever struck out at their machine compared to 35 per cent of people in the North East.

People from Northern Ireland are the most prone to shouting at their machines (74 per cent) while West Midlanders are the least likely to have an angry outburst (five per cent). More than one in 20 (seven per cent) Welsh people admit to having ripped out the mouse compared to one per cent of the rest of the nation.

The most impatient of them all are those in the North East who are the most likely to buy a new computer after experiencing problems (27 per cent), followed by those in the West Midlands (26 per cent) and the North West (25 per cent).

Lack of knowledge fuels frustration

The Virgin Media report shows that a lack of knowledge is fuelling the frustration. More than a fifth of adults (22 per cent) think their computer knowledge is less than that of a ten year old child with one in 20 (7 per cent) aligning their computer knowledge to that of a five year old.

The research also reveals that more than one in twenty (six per cent) under 18s think that a cookie is a biscuit you eat at the computer.

Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media says: “A lack of computer knowledge combined with a lack of easily accessed support is leading to massive consumer frustration. Our research found evidence of customers so frustrated with fixing PC problems, they ended up buying a new PC when only a simple fix was needed.

“As customers demand more and more from their PCs and ultrafast broadband; we're launching the UK's best value help service from any ISP, both to help customers get the most out of their PCs and home devices, and to help them fix annoying everyday problems.

“With one in ten internet users needing help with a technology problem at any point in time, Virgin Media Digital Home Support offers a comprehensive service exclusive for Virgin Media customers that uses new 'remote control technology to allow specialist technicians to fix 95% of problems remotely and without the need for customers to hang on the phone or wait for a technician to visit.”

The Virgin Media Digital Home Support Service will replace the Virgin Media PC Helpline. It offers a significant level of technical help outside the scope of Virgin Media Technical Support and includes assistance for non Virgin Media supplied products. Callers with technical problems will be able to get help on a huge range of hardware, software and operating systems from technical experts. Customers will also be able to chat online to The Digital Home Support team and have problems fixed quickly and conveniently through the use of remote control technology without having to wait for a technician to visit.

All Virgin Media broadband customers can download the new Digital Home Support Hub - a free desktop application which is packed with PC healthcheck and optimisation software to help your computer remain protected from viruses and optimised for Virgin Media ultrafast broadband.

Costs for Digital Home Support expert help are available on both monthly subscription and one-off fix basis. Subscriptions start at just £6 a month for Single Computer Support1 to £10 for Total Support2. Alternatively, non-subscribers can receive a One off Quick Fix3 for £30 or a One off Big Fix4 for £60.

For further information and to download the Digital Home Support Hub, head to www.virginmedia.com/dhs
- Ends -

Survey conducted on 2,000 British people by OnePoll, March / April 2010
* According to Virgin Media Radialpoint research based on 50,000 computers

Media Contacts
Frank PR - 0207 693 699


Notes to Editors
1. Single Computer Support enables customers to get ongoing help with fixing problems on their main computer whenever they like.
2. Total Support gives customers help on up to 3 computers and all their digital gadgets from printers, cameras, games consoles, PDAs and more.
3. Quick Fix covers help on things like wireless setup and troubleshooting (configuring on one device), Support on software install, peripherals/devices and resolving connection Issues.
4. Big Fix covers things like help on setting a full wireless home network, Virus Removal and full PC Optimization, New PC Setup and File Transfer and Installing or upgrading operating systems.


Digital Home Support will assess the issue on the phone - customers can stay on the phone while they complete the fix or swap over to an online chat session.

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 eight 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 HOVIS

Mums on the Run!

Hovis research reveals Britain’s working mums have spent an average of three hours on the go before they get to work

British mums are on the go for an average of 3 hours every day before they have even reached work, research from Hovis reveals.

Cramming in a range of activities such as ironing, making the bed and styling their children’s hair means that working mums are on the go from the moment they get up, with 60% of women admitting that their day is well underway by 7am, and rarely slows until they go to bed just before 11pm. Indeed, the average working mum uses around 500 calories simply undertaking her pre-work chores and getting the family ready, the equivalent to over one hour on a bike!

Alarmingly, despite their action-packed schedule, a quarter of working mums (25%) admit that they regularly forgo breakfast; whilst 59% of those that eat it, spend less than five minutes doing so and 32% don’t even sit down. Despite many missing breakfast themselves, British mums are spending an average of 18 minutes preparing breakfast or lunch for their families before work. It would appear that British mums really don’t have time for themselves, with the average spending just over six minutes on her own make-up in the morning and instead put the family first, spending 28 minutes dressing their children, styling their hair and helping them to clean their teeth.

Almost half of mums (48%) cite a lack of time as a reason to skip breakfast, whilst almost one in seven do so to lose weight. Of all the women questioned 86% admitted snacking in the morning in a bid to stave off hunger, with 44% of the snacks they were turning to being unhealthy such as cakes or pastries, crisps , chocolate bars, and biscuits.

Hovis nutritionist Lindsey Ormond, warns against the perils of going to work on an empty stomach, saying “With the average mum on the go for 3 hours before work, a healthy, filling breakfast is even more important. Skipping breakfast could mean they are more likely to snack on something unhealthy mid morning in order to keep them going. Many mums do have to keep an eye on the clock in the morning, but factoring in an extra five minutes to eat a couple of slices of wholemeal toast would certainly help power their morning. Not only is wholemeal bread low in fat and sugars, but it is also high in fibre which helps you feel fuller for longer so you may be less likely to reach for those unhealthy snacks.”

This research was conducted ahead of the Hovis Wholemeal Breakfast Week which launches on 12th April, fronted by Olympic Cyclist Victoria Pendleton. As a top athlete and having studied nutrition at University, Victoria really understands the importance of breakfast and always makes sure she starts her day with a healthy and filling option.

Victoria says “A substantial breakfast is a vital part of my training so I make sure I never skip it. I can't perform at my best either physically or mentally without a good start to the day and I would certainly not be able to achieve my long term training goals. It is easy to forget that rushing around after the family can be a workout in itself. The temptation when working to a busy schedule is to neglect yourself, but my advice would be to make the time for a healthy and filling breakfast like 2 slices of Hovis Wholemeal Toast with a light spreading of peanut butter topped with a sliced banana to help you avoid turning to unhealthy snacks before lunch. For more of my healthy breakfast ideas and further information about Hovis Wholemeal Breakfast Week, log on to www.hovisbakery.co.uk.”

Ends

Notes to Editor:

· This research was undertaken by 72 Point. Total sample size was 1,000 working mums.

· Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th and 22nd March.

· The calorie calculations used average values and were based on an average 140lbs female.

· The tasks recorded were those done on a typical week day.

· All Hovis products are free from artificial preservatives and flavourings.

NEWS FROM LONG TALL SALLY

Living the High Life
Long Tall Sally Launches National Stand Tall Week

April 11th – 16th April 2010

Did you know your chances of being in a leadership role increase by 80% if your over 6’0’’? How about the fact that tall women earn 3.5% - 5.5% more per inch than their shorter colleagues?

To celebrate this, Long Tall Sally is proud to present National Stand Tall Week – giving tall women across the UK the chance to enjoy their extra column inches after spending years squashed into airplane seats and unable to find well fitting clothes.

Running from 11th – 16th April, Long Tall Sally’s National Stand Tall Week gives tall women a reason to celebrate their height. Being tall is to be public – there’s no hiding from a clothing disaster when you’re in full view! But when only 1% of the billion dollar worldwide clothing industry caters for tall women (and you only have to be 5ft 8in to be considered ‘tall’), they have often grown up feeling self conscious in poorly fitted clothes and unable to enjoy fashion and the fun of shopping trips with friends most women take for granted.

Long Tall Sally wants to give tall women a reason to stand tall and feel empowered by their height and is here to re-educate women about tall fashion and feeling good about their extra inches! After all, the tall population holds a quarter of the worlds wealth – so it’s about time that tall women were able to enjoy shopping on the high street.

Over the course of National Stand Tall Week, Long Tall Sally will be giving back to tall women with a series of customer events in their Manchester and London stores on the 14th and 15th April.

Over a glass of champagne, customers can browse the latest collections and will receive 20% off all purchases over the course of the week. Long Tall Sally’s National Stand Tall Week Ambassadors, ex-supermodel Lisa Butcher (6ft and proud) and US-based journalist and preeminent tall expert Arianne Cohen (standing high at 6ft 3”) will also be on hand to impart their knowledge on all things tall, from dressing those extra inches stylishly to anecdotes on how to live the high life.

Long Tall Sally’s National Stand Tall Week aims to bring tall women together to celebrate their height and give them a shopping experience fit to dress those extra inches. To sign up and find out more about the events and offers happening during National Stand Tall Week, log onto www.longtallsally.com.

-ENDS-

For more information surrounding National Stand Tall Week please contact Frank PR on 020 7693 6972

Store events will take place at:

21-25 Chiltern Street, W1U 7PH, London on the 14th April, 5 – 8pm

16 South King street, M2 6DW, Manchester on the 15th April, 5 – 8pm


Notes to Editors:

Lisa Butcher and Arianne Cohen are available for interview in the run up to National Stand Tall Week.

Arianne Cohen:

Most recently seen on the Martha Stewart show in the States, Arianne Cohen is a US-based journalist, broadcaster and author of the best selling 'Tall Book'. She will be flying into the UK exclusively for Long Tall Sally's Stand Tall Week, to share her anecdotes and antidotes to living the high life.

Lisa Butcher:

Model and former co-presenter of BBC’s What Not To Wear, Lisa Butcher both designs and models a collection for Long Tall Sally – giving her an unparalleled understanding of how fashion really works for tall women. Lisa will be on hand to offer fashion advice and seasonal styling tips to Long Tall Sally customers at these exclusive events, helping women 5ft 8 in over to stop hiding their height and to stand stylishly tall.

NEWS FROM DISNEY CHANNEL

SELENA GOMEZ LAUNCHES NEW FASHION RANGE

‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ fans can now dress in style

Selena Gomez, star of Disney Channel’s ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’, today (7th April 2010) launched a brand new clothing range available exclusively from George at ASDA.

Selena, renowned for her own impeccable sense of style, launched the new range of fun and colourful clothing at an exclusive fashion show in London, where she also performed her catchy debut single ‘Naturally’.

The ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ range is aimed at girls, aged 4 to 12 years old, and has been designed to echo Selena’s character, Alex’s, vibrant personality in the hit TV show that is taking the UK by storm.

At the launch, Selena Gomez commented, “I am really excited about the new ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ fashion range and hope that all the fans enjoy being able to imitate Alex’s cool and stylish look in the show!’

Fiona Lambert, George Brand Director, said, “We know that George at ASDA shoppers love ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ so we were very pleased to be able to bring this new range to all our stores. Our team thoroughly enjoyed designing the range and we hope that all the fans are as pleased with it as we are!”

The full fashion range, which includes t-shirts, leggings, dresses and shoes will be sold exclusively in all ASDA stores from the 5th April 2010, priced from £4 to £9.50.

Disney Channel and George at ASDA are running a competition for any budding fashion designers to be in with a chance of having their t-shirt design made and then signed by Selena. To be in with a chance of winning, log onto www.george.com (full terms and conditions apply)*.

- ENDS-

For further information or images of the range, please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6955 or email wowp@frankpr.it


Notes to Editors

Disney Channel:
The UK’s number one kids’ channel, Disney Channel taps into the world of kids and families with its mix of live-action shows such as Hannah Montana and tailor-made movies like Camp Rock and Wizards of Waverly Place The Movie. All programming is created around a set of values, which help kids navigate the challenges of growing up and encourage them to believe in themselves, follow their dreams and celebrate family.

*Terms and Conditions:

The promoters of this competition are George at Asda, George House, Coventry Road, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, LE17 4XH
and Disney Channel UK, a division of The Walt Disney Company Limited, Chiswick Park Building 12, 566 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5AN (collectively the “Promoter”). By entering this competition you (the “you”, “Entrants (s)”) and where applicable your parents/ legal guardians (collectively the “Parent”) accept the following terms and conditions:
1. The competition is open to United Kingdom and Eire residents only, between the age of 6 (six) and 16 (sixteen) years (with the assistance of a Parent) on the closing date of the competition, excluding employees of Promoter or anyone else connected to the competition and/or their immediate family. Entries sent via agents or third parties will not be accepted. Entrants must obtain the bill payer’s permission before going online.
2. PARENTAL CONSENT. Entrants must obtain permission from a Parent before entering this competition and must submit the telephone number and/or email address of the Parent. Promoter reserves the right to invalidate entries if the appropriate authorisation is or was not provided.
3. COMPETITION DATES. The competition starts on 00:01 5th April, 2010 and closes at midnight on 30th April, 2010. Entries submitted after this time will not be accepted.
4. REGISTRATION PROCESS. Entrants must register on or log-in to the Wizards of Waverley Place design a t-shirt competition page (the “Competition Page”) on the www.disneychannel.co.uk website (the “Website”) in order to enter this competition.
5. ENTRY ROUTE. Entries are accepted via Internet: the Competition Page on the Website.
Promoter does not accept responsibility for lost, damaged, illegal, illegible, misdirected late entries or verification emails/calls sent by parents but not received by Promoter.
6. COMPETITION ENTRY & SELECTION PROCESS. Entrants must:
• Visit the Competition Page on the Website and register on the site if they have not already done so.
• Read the instructions on the Website,
• Design the t-shirt using the template on the Website (the “Design(s)”). Entries are non-returnable.
• Entries received without relevant details will not be accepted and all materials will be destroyed.
Following the close of the competition the Promoter will:
• View all valid entries will be viewed and shortlisted by Promoter following which
• 1 (one) winner (the “Winner”) and 5 (five) runners up (the “Runners Up”) will be selected in accordance with the Judging Criteria.
7. JUDGING CRITERIA. All Designs will be viewed by a team of judges from George at Asda who will then select the Winner and Runners Up. The Winner and Runners Up will be the entrants whose Designs, in the opinion of the judges, demonstrate the greatest originality. The judges shall have the sole and absolute discretion to decide on the award of the prize.
8. PRIZE CONFIRMATION & ACCEPTANCE. The Winner and Runners Up Parents will receive a confirmation message via telephone by 30th May, 2010 and a subsequent follow up email (please see Child Safety notice). The Promoter must receive a positive response from the Parent no later than 15th June 2010. If a positive response is not received within such period or Promoter is unable to contact Entrant(s)/ Parent, the Promoter reserves the right to select alternative Entrants in their absolute discretion and the Promoter shall have no liability in respect of the entry initially selected. If the Entrants drawn declines to/ cannot take part, a further draw will take place until the properly completed entries required are drawn and a positive response is received from the Parent.
9. FIRST PRIZE. There is 1 (one) first prize for the Winner consisting of: 1 (one) t-shirt printed with their Design and signed by Selena Gomez
NOTICES/RESTRICTIONS:
• Prize fulfilment is subject to availability
• Unless otherwise stated in the prize description, winner(s) and prize participants are solely responsible for all additional costs and expenses associated with claiming the prize.
• Winner(s) will be required to sign a release form.
• Winner(s) may be required to take part in any publicity accompanying or resulting from this promotion.
• Prize is not suitable for children under the age of 6 (six).
10. RUNNER UP PRIZES. There are 5 (five) runner up prizes consisting of: 1 (one) x goody bag for each Runner Up, consisting of Wizards of Waverley Place merchandise
NOTICES/RESTRICTIONS:
• Unless otherwise stated in the prize description, winners and prize participants are solely responsible for all additional costs and expenses associated with claiming the prizes.
• Runners Up may be required to sign a release form
11. CONTRIBUTION/ FILMING. The winner may be asked to consent to filming a television appearance in relation to the prize (“Contribution”) and in such event the winner shall consent to the recording and/or broadcasting of the Contribution and the winner’s parent or legal guardian on behalf of the winner shall assign to The Walt Disney Company Limited all rights of whatsoever nature including all copyright in respect of the Contribution and grant all further consents or licences necessary to enable the fullest use of the Contribution throughout the universe in perpetuity by any and all means in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter developed, without liability or acknowledgement.
12. COPYRIGHT. By entering this competition you and your Parent hereby (i) confirm you are the owner of the Design (ii) the entry submitted does not knowingly infringe the copyright of any other third party and (iii) assign to The Walt Disney Company Limited (and its affiliates) all rights of whatsoever nature including all copyright in the Design and grant to The Walt Disney Company Limited all further consents or licenses necessary to enable The Walt Disney Company Limited to make the fullest use of the Design throughout the universe in perpetuity by any and all means in any and all media, whether now known or hereafter developed, without liability or acknowledgement to the you.
13. PERSONAL DATA. All personal information about Entrants collected for the purpose of this competition may be shared with other Promoter entities and/or agents to (i) fulfil the prize (ii) enable Promoter to carry out its broadcasting, promotional and marketing activities in relation the competition and, (iii) list the winner(s) on Promoter’s websites. Entrants accept that if they win the competition, the Promoter will have the right, without additional payment or permission, to use their first name, age, town/city of residence and likeness for the purposes of announcing the winner of this competition and for related promotional purposes.
14. WINNERS LIABILITY. Winner(s)/ prize participant(s) take full responsibility for any and all liability, claims, demands or causes of action they may hereafter have for injuries or damages arising in connection with any prize and the use thereof and agree not to sue or make claim against the Promoter for damages or other losses sustained from using any prize.
15. PROMOTER’S LIABILITY. As far as is permitted by law, the Promoter and its associated companies and agents exclude responsibility and all liabilities arising from any postponement, cancellation, delay or changes to the prize details beyond the Promoter’s control and for any act or default of any third party supplier. The receipt by winner(s) of any prize is conditional upon the winner(s) complying with any and all applicable laws, rules and regulations including, without limitation, these Competition Terms and Conditions. Unless otherwise stated in the prize description, winners are solely responsible any additional costs and expenses associated with claiming prizes.
16. PRIZE FULFILLMENT. Promoter may require proof of identity and/or eligibility before releasing prize. All prizes are non transferable. No cash alternative is available for any prize. Prizes may vary. In the unlikely event that a prize should become unavailable, the promoter reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal value. Runners Up should allow 4 (four) weeks from prize acceptance for delivery of the prize. Due to the nature of the First Prize, delivery of prize to the Winner is subject to initial receipt by Promoter of prize from supplier on or around the 15th June Promoter shall make reasonable efforts to deliver the prize to winner(s) within 12 weeks following such date.
20. CHILD SAFETY. In the event that The Walt Disney Company Limited wishes to contact you in connection with a competition entry, it will do so via an email address ending 'disney.com' or by phone (with a follow-up confirmatory message from a 'disney.com' email address). Any communication purporting to be from Disney Channel but using a different email prefix (for example, hotmail.com, yahoo.com) should be treated with suspicion and forwarded to Disney Channel customer services: feedback@disneychannel.co.uk. We advise that you do not act upon or reply to any such third party correspondence unless and until you receive feedback from Disney Channel. If you have any queries or concerns regarding any correspondence purporting to be from Disney Channel please contact feedback@disneychannel.co.uk.
21. CANCELLATION / AMENDMENT. Promoter reserves the right to cancel or amend this competition or these Terms and Conditions at any time without prior notice. Any changes will be published in the competition promotional material and/or in the revised Terms and Conditions
22. OTHER. By taking part in this competition you agree to be bound by these terms and conditions and by the decisions of the Promoter which are final in all matters relating to the competition. No Correspondence will be entered into. The Promoter reserves the right to disqualify any Entrant and/or winner in its absolute discretion for any reason and without notice in accordance with these terms and conditions. Winners List is available from the Website and/or by writing to the following address: Design a T-shirt Competition (George at Asda), Building 12, 566 Chiswick High Road, London W4 5AN UNITED KINGDOM
23. JURISDICTION. This promotion is governed by the laws of England.

UK Customer Services for Disney Channel: feedback@disneychannel.co.uk

NEWS FROM ALTON TOWERS

Alton Towers Resort celebrates 30th birthday with fantabulous 80’s concert

Some the of the biggest names in music from the 80’s will celebrate 30 years of the Alton Towers Resort with a spectacular revival concert on 23rd May. Officially launched as a theme park in 1980 with the world famous Corkscrew Rollercoaster, Alton Towers Resort will bring together the decade’s most famous faces in one fantastical event, including a headline set from Rick Astley.

Bananarama, Kim Wilde, Midge Ure, Curiosity Killed the Cat, The Christians and The Here and Now Band will all join Rick on the bill to perform their classic hits at the Resort on Sunday 23rd May in a one-off concert. The event is included in the price of a theme park ticket, so visit www.altontowers.com to book.

Morwenna Angove, sales and marketing director at the Alton Towers Resort, comments, “As the UK’s number one theme park, reaching our 30th birthday is a momentous occasion. The Corkscrew was an iconic attraction and Europe’s first double loop rollercoaster, so we wanted to mark the birthday with a celebration we could share with our guests, and this concert is the ideal way.”

Join in the 80’s fun from 12pm with the acts on stage between 1pm-6pm.

Guests can save up to 20 per cent by booking tickets online at www.altontowers.com. Adult tickets are available for £30.40, £23.20 kids, or £21.60 per person for a family of 3, 4, 5 or 6. With so much to do at the Alton Towers Resort, hotel packages are also available so guests can escape for a short break. Prices start from £69.75 based on four people sharing.

The Alton Towers Resort will continue its celebrations throughout 2010 with a number of other special events. Visit www.altontowers.com for further announcements!

ENDS

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.

NEWS FROM COMPARETHEMEERKAT.COM

Mongooses meet their Waterloo
in Aleksandr Orlov’s new advert ‘The Battle of Fearlessness’

Launching on 4th April 2010, ‘The Battle Of Fearlessness’ is Aleksandr Orlov’s next movie following on from ‘Journey of Courageousness’ which was released earlier this year.

Telling the second part in Aleksandr’s family history, ‘The Battle of Fearlessness’ recalls the epic clash of meerkats and mongooses, in which Aleksandr’s Great Grandaddy, Vitaly, led a band of meerkats to victory.

The new installment has been created by business entrepreneur Aleksandr to remind viewers that his Great Grandaddy did not ‘go through all that’ to give people a cheap deal on their car insurance.

Aleksandr has become a popular icon since launching his internet business in January 2009 and now has over 750,000 friends on Facebook and 33,000 Twitter followers.

Aleksandr said: “The Battle of Fearlessness is second part in the Orlov Family History Trilogy. It tells story of my Great Granddaddy Vitaly’s victory over Mongis Khan, the evil Mongolian mongoose and his stinky mongoose army. It provokes the question, “did Great Granddaddy Vitaly risk his life to give you cheap deal on your car insurance?” The answer to this question is, of course, “no”.”

THE BATTLE OF FEARLESSNESS makes its TV debut on 4th April 2010. For a preview of the new ad, visit www.comparethemeerkat.com.

-ENDS-

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.

Aleksandr Orlov on your iPhone? - iSimples!

Aleksandr Orlov on your iPhone? - iSimples!

Aleksandr Orlov, the billionaire meerkat made famous by his comparison website, comparethemeerkat.com, is launching his first ever iphone application, ‘iSimples!’.

In a bid to clear up the confusion between comparethemeerkat.com and comparethemarket.com, the iSimples! ‘voice-in-a-box’ application will give fans an instant dose of Aleksandr. Featuring a variety of bespoke phrases, Aleksandr fans will also be treated to exclusive, never heard before, one-liners such as 'will you marry me', and 'your whiskers are beautiful'!

iSimples! also gives fans access to a selection of Aleksandr’s favourite 80’s rock music, to enable them to compose their own Aleksandr mash-up track.

Aleksandr Orlov said “Sergei alert me that some peoples has create many unofficials ‘apps’ for ‘iPhone’ that speaks my voice. So I ordered Sergei to create my own official ‘iPhone’ voice box ‘application’. It took him all weekend but ‘iSimples’ is finally ready. But I have made it totally free for download!

Since Aleksandr Orlov appeared on our screens in 2009 he has taken the nation by storm, with over 700,000 fans on Facebook and over 30,000 followers on twitter.

The iPhone application will be available for free download from the iTunes app store from XXX 2010.

‘iSimples!’ voice-in-the-box features:

• Listen to Aleksandr’s famous phrases by pressing different buttons on the soundboard
• Ask Aleksandr questions and receive answers through a variety of soundbytes
• Create Aleksandr Orlov 80’s rock mash-up track
• Understand the difference between meerkats and markets
• Learn the English language according to Aleksandr
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 GLOBAL COOL

RIGHT SIDE OF THE TRACKS

Rise of the ‘traincation’ as air travel is set to lose its place as Brits’ preferred holiday transport

BRITS’ LOVE affair with the plane is over as half (51 per cent) of all holidaymakers are considering swapping air travel for train travel; giving rise to the ‘traincation’.

British holidaymakers are tired of travelling by plane as half of plane travellers are put out by time wasted arriving ahead of departure (54 per cent) and queuing (50 per cent), whether it’s for check-in, security, or boarding the aircraft.

Climate conscious Brits also want to ‘tread more lightly’. The survey of 1,772 holidaymakers commissioned by the green lifestyle movement Global Cool reveals 83 per cent of holiday travellers wish they could make a more environmentally friendly journey.

Time spent in the confines of an airport is better spent taking the scenic route with over two thirds (70 per cent) preferring a more picturesque journey.

Fuelled by the popularity of the ‘staycation’, indicated by a 9.3 per cent decline in air travel, and with high-speed rail networks now touching all corners of Europe, rail travel is a more viable travel option with Brits embarking on an increasing number of flight-free holidays, monikered ‘traincations’.

Following in the footsteps of our train-mad European counter-parts, total passenger journeys in the UK in 2008-09 increased by 300 million . Much of this movement is borne from evident benefits of train travel such as flexible routes with quick and easy check-in , no lengthy journeys into city centres from out of town airports and a more comfortable experience .

Eurostar has played a key role in this trend by bridging the UK to the continent. In its 15 years of operation, it has carried more than a 100 million travellers to the continent, 9.2 million of them in 2009 alone.

Mark Smith, the founder of independent train travel website, Seat61.com, comments, “This comes as no surprise to me - visitors to Seat61.com have increased from 4.5m in 2007 to 5.9m in 2008 to 7m in 2009, and the hassle of flying and a desire for more environmentally friendly travel are the most often-quoted reasons for taking the train. They're often mentioned in the same breath!”

“Taking the train turns the journey into part of the holiday, a chance to relax, spend time with your family and watch the Swiss Alps or the Rhone villages or the Rhine castles glide past the window with a glass of red in your hand”

“’Traincations’ offer a different way to see the world,” comments Caroline Fiennes, Executive Director of Global Cool, “and with a new high-speed rail link to Amsterdam and routes under construction into Spain and Italy, and an expected rule change opening up the UK’s access to European high-speed trains, Brits will be able to enjoy quicker, cheaper, further-reaching ‘traincations’”.

GlobalCool.org highlights easy and speedy ways to plan a fantastic ‘traincation’, providing inspiration with an online travel series featuring celebrity ‘traincations’. Rail Europe, Mr & Mrs Smith Hotels and Eurostar have come on board to illustrate the range, ease and quality of ‘traincations’.

For more information please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6959

- ENDS -


Notes to editors

Survey
The research was carried out by TickBox between 27 / 01 / 2010 and 03 / 02 / 2010, with a sample of 1,772 UK holidaymakers

Briton’s Top 10 gripes on travelling by aeroplane
1. The amount of time needed to arrive ahead of departure – 54%
2. Airport queues – 50%
3. Limited leg room on planes – 49%
4. Uncomfortable seats – 43%
5. Having to go through lengthy security checks – 33%
6. Hidden travel charges – 33%
7. Getting to the airport – 29%
8. Restricted hand luggage on flights – 26%
9. Boring journey - 24%
10. Horrible food – 22%

Global Cool
Global Cool is a movement that inspires people to think differently about green lifestyles. Global Cool works with the entertainment and media industries to show people how to live a greener life without compromising on the things they enjoy most.
Most recently Global Cool conducted activity at UK music festivals encouraging people to get out of their cars and on to public transport; inspired people to go easy on their home heating during the winter by filming celebrities showcasing how to wear the latest knitwears at home; and worked with Estethica, the eco-sustainable fashion initiative from the British Fashion Council, to conduct activity during London Fashion Week.

Global Cool Foundation is a UK-registered charity, number 1116673.

Mark Smith
Mark Smith is the founder of popular train travel website 'The Man in Seat Sixty-One...' (www.seat61.com), which provides train times, fares and journey information for train travel from the UK to most European countries, and in many countries, worldwide. A career railwayman, Mark was the station manager at Charing Cross and London Bridge railway stations in London in the early 1990s, and until recently head of the Department for Transport's Fares & Ticketing team. He now runs seat61.com full-time.


Mr & Mrs Smith
Founded in 2003, Mr & Mrs Smith is an in-the-know boutique hotel booking service representing the coolest, sexiest and most intimate places to stay around the globe. Every hotel in the collection is rigorously researched and visited personally by the Smith team, then reviewed anonymously by an array of taste-makers-turned-travel-detectives. Each month, a new collection of hotels is launched online adding to the highly-curated selection of more than 550 boutique hotels, luxury guesthouses and stylish resorts in the United States, Europe, Caribbean, Southeast Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and around the Indian Ocean.

RailEurope
Rail Europe is the UK’s leading distributor of European rail tickets and passes. With over 100 years experience we can cater for all your European train travel requirements.
Rail Europe can book travel on Eurostar to Paris, Brussels and Lille, and to thousands of destinations on the European rail network. High speed services including the TGV in France and ICE trains in Germany cover long distances in short times, and for even longer journeys, we can also book overnight trains including the Elipsos hotel-train from Paris to Spain and the Artesia from Paris to Italy. If you want to travel with your car, but don't fancy the drive, the AutoTrain service runs from Paris to destinations throughout France. Also available are a number of Rail Passes, including Inter-Rail passes which allow up to one month’s unlimited travel throughout Europe.
Rail Europe - 0844 848 4070, www.raileurope.co.uk The Rail Europe Travel Centre, 1 Regent Street, London SW1.

Eurostar
1. Eurostar is the high-speed train service linking St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International, Paris, Brussels, Lille, Calais, Disneyland Resort Paris, Avignon and the French Alps.
2. Eurostar is a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe’s leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel on the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.
3. Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies. Eurostar operates high-speed passenger trains, while Eurotunnel operates vehicle shuttle services and the Channel Tunnel itself. Eurostar is Eurotunnel’s biggest customer.
4. For travel information, please visit www.eurostar.com or call our contact centre on 08432 186 186.

NEWS FROM COMPARETHEMEERKAT.COM

MEERKAT’S GOT TALENT

Aleksandr Orlov interviews media mogul Piers Morgan

Aleksandr Orlov, the billionaire meerkat made famous by his comparison website, comparethemeerkat.com has launched his next ‘Meerchat’ podcast, featuring an interview with media mogul and TV star Piers Morgan.

The Russian entrepreneur, whose first podcast starring David Hasselhoff rated at number one on iTunes in November 2009, turns the tables on the famous interviewer and Britain’s Got Talent judge. Broadcast from the Orlov Family Mansion, Piers and Aleksandr cover everything from how to cope with fame through to Susan Boyle and literature!

The podcast continues to support Aleksandr’s wider campaign to highlight the difference between his own website comparethemeerkat.com and the website for easy car insurance comparethemarket.com.

Aleksandr Orlov said “I have this week interview media man Mr Piers Morgan (not to be confuse with Mr Pierce Brosnan, star of James Bond movies and one of my all time hero). Mr Piers Morgan and I made a good chat about business, literature, ‘cricket’, ‘Britain Has The Talent’, and villainy.”

Piers Morgan said 'I’ve been the interviewer many times before but rarely the interviewee – but I was curious to see what it would be like to be interviewed by a Russian billionaire meerkat. Aleksandr turned out to be a bit like me, cocky, rude, intrusive and made it all about him.”

Meerchat featuring Piers Morgan is available for download on iTunes and comparethemeerkat.com

-ENDS-

For more information please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6999 or email comparethemeerkat@frankpr.it

Notes to Editors:

· The podcast will be available from 26 March and can be downloaded for free from comparethemeerkat.com and Itunes.

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.