NEWS FROM PREMIER INN

“NO-MONEYMOON”

UK hotel chain launches recession-busting
£58 honeymoon deal

You’ve heard of the 99p wedding dress and £100 reception? Now a hotel chain is launching a recession-busting £58 honeymoon package to give couples an affordable getaway after their big day.

The £58 ‘Moneymoon’ deal from Britain’s biggest hotel chain Premier Inn will save couples over three grand when compared to the average £3,2201 reportedly spent on honeymoon by UK newlyweds.

The move comes as 73%2 of newlyweds revealed they are stressed about the cost of their post-wedding break; with 52%2 planning to shun a honeymoon altogether this year in order to save money on their nuptials.

The credit crunch busting package is being offered at 9 Premier Inn locations3 across the UK and will include:

• Two nights’ stay for a newly-married couple, including dinner, bed and breakfast
• Rose petals for the luxury Hypnos bed (one of the bedmakers used by The Queen)
• Bottle of Sparkling Wine
• Strawberries and luxury chocolates
• Spa hamper
• Glamorous nightwear
• Cut-price deals on selected sightseeing trips and excursions

Premier Inn spokesperson Steve Conway says, “Our package will give newlyweds an enjoyable and romantic break that won’t break the bank.”

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Married couple Gemma and Chris Brooks from Clapham say they are really interested in the package.

Married in June 2009, they had previously not taken a honeymoon due to costs and work pressures. Gemma says, “We spent around £15,000 on a beautiful wedding day for our friends and family but it left us with no time or money to enjoy a break for ourselves. We’re looking forward to having a belated honeymoon.”

To find out more on the Moneymoon package, bookings for which are being offered on a first-come, first-served basis in August and September 20095, couples should email pi.honeymoon@premierinn.com to enquire about a booking.

Steve Conway adds, “We hope newlyweds can put the money they save to good use.”

For those looking for a great value break, and not on honeymoon, Premier Inn offers rooms from £29. For further information go to www.premierinn.com

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Notes to Editors

1. Source: You and Your Wedding magazine, 2009
2. Independent poll conducted by Tickbox for Premier Inn, August 2009
3. Locations selected based on Reader’s Digest’s The most amazing places to visit in Britain, see details in appendix
4. Case study available for interview; images available
5. See terms and conditions in appendix

About Premier Inn

Award winning Premier Inn, is the UK’s biggest and fastest-growing hotel brand with 578 budget hotels and more than 40,000 rooms across the UK. Rooms are available from just £29. Premier Inn bedrooms feature an en-suite bathroom, TV, and internet access for business guests. Premier Inn offers customers a ‘Good Night Guarantee’ of a good quality room, comfortable surroundings and friendly service, which is unique amongst Britain’s leading hotel chains.

Premier Inn was the first Britain-wide hotel group to sign up with national tourist board VisitBritain; this means Premier Inn is now part of a new quality assessment scheme, specially created for budget accommodation.

In 2008 Premier Inn launched in Dubai and will be opening in India later this year. On a domestic front, Premier Inn is set to be the largest provide of budget hotels in London by the 2012 Olympics.


APPENDIX

Terms and conditions for Premier Inn Moneymoon
1. The offer is open on a first-come, first-served basis to couples married after June 2009 for a minimum 2 night stay. Couples must show their marriage / civil partnership certificate to redeem the offer.
2. Offer must be booked 15 days in advance.
3. Bookings can only be made online via pi.honeymoon@premierinn.com
4. Payment is to be made at the time of booking and is non-refundable and bookings are not amendable.
5. The offer is only available at 9 selected Premier Inn hotels, on selected dates and subject to availability, with two Moneymoons available at each of the 9 hotels.
6. Each Moneymoon will include: two night’s stay at Premier Inn hotel for two people in a double room; main dinner meal with one glass of wine per person (from the on-site Premier Inn or Whitbread restaurant) for two people on each of the two nights stayed to value of £50 per meal per night, all-you-can-eat breakfast for two people on each two mornings (from the on-site Premier Inn or Whitbread restaurant). Plus, the following (or items of equivalent value) on arrival only: complimentary bottle of Asda sparkling wine, Asda Extra Special chocolates, rose petals for the bed, 454g punnet of Asda strawberries, a hamper of Boots spa treatments, men’s pyjamas and woman’s nightdress from Primark. The sightseeing offer is part of Premier Inn’s Days Out scheme (see premierinn.com)
7. Bookings can only be made up until September 30th 2009.
8. Stay must be redeemed by December 30th 2009.
9. The offer is only available to UK-resident married / civil partnership couples married after July 2009 aged 18 years and over.
10. Premier Inn has the right to amend or withdraw this offer without notice.
11. Must be booked 15 days in advance

NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

Film makers compete for £30,000 in short film competition
Kevin Spacey, Gemma Arterton and Noel Clarke to judge Virgin Media Shorts 2009

Twelve up-and-coming film makers are celebrating today as they prepare to hit the big screen after beating off stiff competition to make it to the Virgin Media Shorts 2009 short-list.

Now in its second year, Virgin Media Shorts provides a once in a lifetime opportunity for undiscovered film makers to see their work showcased to film fans across the country. The Grand Prize winner will win £30,000 funding and a chance to work with Virgin Media and the UK Film Council to make their next short film.

The lucky twelve finalists fought off competition from around 2,000 entrants and will now see their short films showcased to millions of people, on four screens – in cinema, on TV, on mobile phones and online. From September, the final twelve films will shown on over 214 cinema screens (not once, but for a whole year), on Virgin Media’s TV on demand, on Virgin1, on mobile phone by texting Virgin Media to 80150 and online on www.virginmediashorts.co.uk.

The finalists now face a nervous wait whilst this year’s judging panel, which includes Oscar-winning stage and screen actor Kevin Spacey, Bond girl Gemma Arterton and BAFTA Rising Star award winner Noel Clarke, join other professionals from the film industry to decide the 2009 winner.

Last year’s competition was won by London-based film makers Phil Sansom and Olly Williams for their short film The Black Hole and the duo are currently filming their next film with funding from the competition. Hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Londoners, this year’s finalists are;

• Making the Difference, Andrew Oxley & David Williams from Exeter
• She Farted & Created The World, Scott Coello from St Austell, Cornwall
• Stalking Ben Chadz, Daniel Castella from XX, south-west London
• Mixtape, Luke Snellin from west London
• Smooth Line, Declan Taafe from east London
• Hiccup, Derville Quigley from Belfast
• Three Little Words, Ed Lilly from Manchester
• Grief, Darren Conway from Lancaster
• The Transaction, Tim Key from east London
• CGI-Brows, Andrew Gaynord from Leeds
• Ceci N'est Pas Une Mouche, Carlos Fraiha from Middlesex
• Gunslingers, Regan Hall from south-west London

The winners will be announced at the glitzy awards ceremony in central London on 22nd September 2009. In addition to the Grand Prize winner, the People’s Choice Award will be announced, and for the first time, a Mobile Shorts Award will also be unveiled - a brand new award for the best film made on a mobile phone.

Ashley Stockwell, executive director of brand and marketing at Virgin Media said: “The calibre of entries to the Virgin Media Shorts awards has been outstanding and we're delighted to have the support of Kevin Spacey, Gemma Arterton, Noel Clarke and the rest of the judging panel to take on the difficult task of picking a winner. Virgin Media is really proud, for the second year running, to be able to give up-and-coming film talent the opportunity to have their work showcased to millions of film fans across the UK, and we wish all twelve finalists the very best of luck.”

All entries are available for anyone to view and review online, giving any budding film critics the chance to rate and comment on each short film. To see all the short-listed films and to vote for your favourite in the People’s Choice Award, simply log onto www.virginmediashorts.co.uk.

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Media Contacts
Verity Henderson, Virgin Media – verity.henderson@virginmedia.co.uk , 0207 299 5712
Sophie Smallwood, Frank PR - sophiesmallwood@frankpr.it , 0207 693 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.

With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED).

For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com


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NEWS FROM BEATBULLYING

Truth of Sexting Among UK Teens
Leading children’s charity Beatbullying uncovers true extent of ‘sexting’ amongst UK teens

August 4, 2009 – 'Sexting', the sending of sexually explicit messages via text and email, has hit British schools with over a third (38%) of UK under 18s receiving an offensive sexual image via text or email.
These findings form part of ground breaking research on sexting from Beatbullying, the UK's leading bullying prevention charity.
It uncovers that bullying is escalating at an alarming rate with digital innovations.

Common ‘sexts’ include images of young boys exposing themselves, boys who have requested girls to remove their clothing and images taken by the girls to send to boyfriends and images of sexual acts.

Material is often Bluetoothed, added to home built websites, uploaded onto social networking groups and issued by emailed or text.

Cases of sexting have been well documented in the US and Australia, but little is known of young people’s exposure to sexting and other forms of sexual bullying via mobile phones and the internet.

Beatbullying’s research of 11-18 year-olds found that:

• 38% said they had received a sexually explicit text or email (male: 36% | female: 39%)

• 70% of young people knew the sender of the message

• 45% of messages were from a peer, 23% from a current boyfriend / girlfriend and just 2% from adults

• Of the 25% who received an offensive sexual image, 55% were issued via mobile phone

• 29% have been chatting online chat when someone started talking about sexual things (male: 24% | female: 31%)

• In this instance, 45% said the chat was instigated by a friend (peer), 10% by an ex-partner and 2% by an adult

These stats support Beatbullying’s work by providing further evidence to highlight that peer to peer anti-social / predatory behaviour is the biggest threat facing our young people today online and via mobile phones.

Emma –Jane Cross, chief executive of Beatbullying, said: “Beatbullying researched thousands of young people to understand how technology is changing the way they’re communicating and moderate how they’re manipulating these methods to bully and pressurise their peers.

“We don’t want to stifle young people’s sexual development but it is important that parents and schools understand the rise of sexting so together we can act to stop sexual bullying.

“The Byron report made a commitment to protecting our young people in this complicated new online era, the Government has a duty to ensure it meets these recommendations.

“We have seen the tragic consequence of the sexting epidemic in the US. To avoid similar cases here, politicians must pool together organisations like Beatbullying to create an intervention and prevention task force in schools and the local community.

“This needs to be part of the solution if we are to educate our young people about the consequences of their actions and how to keep safe online as well as offline.”

In a major step to tackle the cyber bullying epidemic head on, Beatbullying launched the world’s first peer mentoring social networking site www.cybermentors.org.uk in March 09. For the first time, a young person suffering at the hands of bullies both on and offline can seek immediate help and support from their peers.

Since its launch in March, over 150,000 young people have accessed Beatbullying’s CyberMentors website to seek help and support from their peers.

Definition of Sexting: A portmanteau of sex and texting, Sexting is the act of sending sexually explicit messages or photos electronically, primarily between mobile phones and/or the internet. Sexting is an extension of cyberbullying when someone, or a group of people, deliberately attempt to hurt, upset, threaten or humiliate someone else. This includes when a recipient is made to feel uncomfortable as a direct result of the content, or asked to do something which makes the recipient feel uncomfortable.

For more information, visit www.cybermentors.org.uk | www.beatbullying.org | 0845 338 5073

Or contact:

Frank PR | |0207 693 6999
Beatbullying - Sherry Adhami | sherry.adhami@beatbullying.org | 0781 400 4963

NEWS FROM CANCER RESEARCH UK

Workers from different professions launch Cancer Research UK’s Run 10k ‘Take 5 Challenge’

Cancer Research UK launched its Run 10k series yesterday with a group of men and women representing a range of different professions racing across London’s Millennium Bridge.

Wearing half running/half work outfits, including a policeman, builder, doctor, chef, fireman and barrister, the group were encouraging people to take part in the charity’s ‘Take 5 Challenge’ – five easy steps to help busy people improve their general heath and fitness and sign up to a Run 10k event this autumn.

Following research from the charity which showed that a quarter of Brits are spending more time at work compared to this time last year and that over half of those that are currently working (56 per cent) admit that work affects the level of exercise they do, Cancer Research UK has launched the ‘Take 5 Challenge’ to help redress work/life balance issues and provide great preparation for a Run 10k event. The ‘Take 5 Challenge’ easy-to-follow steps include tips on extra activity, stretching and hydration.

Birmingham City Football Club MD Karen Brady, who is backing the Take 5 Challenge comments, “"Encouraging a good work/life balance is crucial in keeping morale high and increasing motivation, commitment and engagement. Cancer Research UK’s Run 10k ‘Take 5 Challenge’, encourages people to incorporate health and fitness into their busy lives which is a great way for workers and their bosses to boost their sense of wellbeing. And by signing up to a Run 10k this year, people will be raising money for a fantastic cause at the same time. ”

With 43 events taking place across the UK this autumn, Cancer Research UK’s Run 10k series offers people the opportunity to feel good, do something positive and raise money to help fund the charity’s life saving work.. The charity hopes that 60 000 men and women will come together to raise just over £6million.

Cancer Research UK has worked closely with celebrity fitness expert Steve Halsall to create the step-by-step plans which can be viewed and downloaded at www.run10k.org/take5challenge. A plan for the less experienced jogger as well an in-depth plan for the more seasoned runner keen to beat their personal best can be downloaded from the site.

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For more press information or images please contact Frank PR on 020 7693 6999/0781 309 5242 or email cancerresearchuk@frankpr.it

*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2030 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th - 22nd June 2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

About the Take 5 Challenge:

The Take 5 Challenge offers a Beginners Plan; available for the less-experienced runner, alongside an Advanced Plan for the more developed runner.
Each plan covers five easy steps to improve general health and well-being:
Commitment
Stretching
Mobility
Hydration
Attitude
To view or download the Take 5 Challenge Plans visit www.run10k.org/take5challenge

About Run 10K:

Run 10k for Cancer Research UK, supported by Tesco, is a series of 43events held in stunning and unique locations through the UK this autumn.
This year we hope 60,000 men and women will come together to raise just over £6m to help fund Cancer Research UK’s life saving work.
• For further information about the Run 10K series or details of event locations please visit www.run10k.org

About Cancer Research UK:

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer through research.
The charity’s groundbreaking work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has saved millions of lives. This work is funded entirely by the public.
Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen survival rates double in the last thirty years.
Cancer Research UK supports research into all aspects of cancer through the work of more than 4,500 scientists, doctors and nurses.
Together with its partners and supporters, Cancer Research UK's vision is to beat cancer.
For further information about Cancer Research UK's work or to find out how to support the charity, please call 020 7121 6699 or visit

www.cancerresearchuk.org.

NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

‘You Beauty!’ says Branson

Virgin boss revels following Lord’s victory and Virgin Media charity incentive

As England celebrate the first win in this year’s Ashes, Virgin chief Richard Branson has praised the team and their ‘bonza’ performance following the stunt that riled Australians and saw him appear on the Sydney Harbour Bridge before the first test, to help launch Virgin Media’s ‘Fifty50’ charity initiative.

The company has already pledged £8,000 to charity following the first two Ashes tests in Cardiff and at Lord’s, where England finally beat Australia for the first time in 75 years.

The unique initiative will see the UK’s leading broadband provider donate £1,000 to charity every time an England batsman scores a half century during the series, to celebrate the national roll-out of it’s ultrafast 50Mb broadband service.

Delighted with the team’s performance to date, cricket fan Richard Branson said; “You beauty! What a bonza performance by England’s boys - I’m absolutely over the moon that we took the second test at Lord’s. England put in a fantastic performance and the team have already reached eight half centuries to date, raising £8,000 for charity in the process through Virgin Media’s ‘Fifty50’ initiative. It seems that our little stunt in Sydney has riled the Australian team by putting pressure on them, whilst our charity incentive has equally spurred on the England team. All I can say is once again, good luck at Edgbaston Ricky…you’ll need it!”

Following England’s draw in Cardiff and superb win at Lord’s this week, no fewer than five England players have already reached the half century milestone on eight separate occasions:

Kevin Pietersen, who scored 69 in the first innings of the Cardiff test will see £1,000 donated to children’s charity Barnardo’s;
Matt Prior who ran in 56 in the first test and 61 in the second raised £2,000 for his chosen charity;
Paul Collingwood who has managed three half centuries to date in the series, racking up 64 and 74 runs in the first test and 54 at Lord’s, raising £3,000 to be split between Marie Curie and Chance to Shine;
Alistair Cook, who managed an impressive 95 in the second test raising £1,000 for Young Lords Taverners; and
Captain Andrew Strauss, whose unforgettable 161 in the first innings of the second test

The unique ‘Fifty50’ scheme will run throughout The Ashes and will see Virgin Media donate to a selection of good causes favoured by the England players. Launched by former England skipper and Yorkshire player Michael Vaughan, the charity donations will go to each English batman’s chosen charity, every time he scores 50 runs or more in a single innings, throughout the series.


To find out more about Virgin Media’s 50Mb service, visit www.virginmedia.com/50


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Media Contacts

Frank PR, 0207 693 6999 or virginmedia@frankpr.it


Notes to Editors


Terms and Conditions


Virgin Media will donate £1,000 for every England player who scores 50 runs or more in a single innings
One charity per player is permitted which should be communicated to Virgin Media before the end of the series.
The prize is non-transferable, and there is no alternative.
Virgin Media reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the initiative or amend these terms and conditions where reasonably necessary.

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.

With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED).

For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com

NEWS FROM HONEY MONSTER FOODS

Honey Monster goes Bananas for new cereal

Mums beware – Honey Monster is introducing his most a-peel-ing cereal yet - Banana Puffs! Based on the much loved Sugar Puffs the new banana flavoured cereal is part of the big furry fella’s mission to put fun and excitement back into breakfast time.

Banana Puffs, which is the first ever limited edition cereal to be produced by Honey Monster Foods, is set to hit shelves across the UK from August. Designed with kids in mind the new cereal not only tastes great but contains no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives and is fortified with vitamins and iron so Mums can rest assured their bunch are getting everything they need.


Honey Monster, who will be appearing on the packaging for Banana Puffs, said: “Everyone knows I love Sugar Puffs, but it’s a little known fact that I love bananas too. I’ve been known to eat a whole bunch at once, sometimes without even peeling them – I am a monster after all! I’m really excited about my new flavour Puffs and can’t wait for everyone to try them. If you like the taste of Bananas as much as me then you’ll love Banana Puffs – they’ll be right up your tree!”

Jane James, Head of Marketing at Honey Monster Foods said: “Many children still skip breakfast so Honey Monster is striving to make it a more enjoyable time for families by getting kids excited about the most important meal of the day, whilst striking a balance between what kids are happy to eat and what parents are happy to feed them.”

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Notes to Editors

For further information, images and to arrange interviews contact:
Frank PR on 0207 693 6999 or honeymonster@frankpr.it

For more information on Honey Monster Foods visit www.hmfoods.co.uk

NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

Branson winds up the Aussies with the ultimate sledge

Virgin Media tycoon beams himself onto Sydney Harbour Bridge

Richard Branson has thrown down the gauntlet to the Australian nation by beaming a tongue-in-cheek image of himself onto one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to mark the start of the Ashes series.

The image, referencing Australia captain Ricky Ponting and featuring Branson’s face painted with a St George’s Cross, was unveiled in the shadow on the famous Sydney Opera House with the slogan “Good luck Ricky. You’ll need it. Dicky x” to promote Virgin Media’s ‘Fifty50’ campaign, designed to spur England on as they fight to win The Ashes this summer. The company has pledged to donate £1,000 to charity for every England batsman who scores a half century during the series to celebrate the national roll-out of the broadband provider’s ultrafast 50Mb broadband service.

Richard Branson said: “I love Australia and I know that the Aussies are always up for a spot of light-hearted banter, especially when it comes to The Ashes. Every Australian I know wants to stuff us in the upcoming series and I wanted to do my bit to encourage the England team in the hope that they can win the Ashes this time round.”

Laurinda Rio-Copeland, who lives in Sydney but is originally from London, was passing by as the image was beamed onto the bridge. She said: “I have had so many Aussies rib me about England’s defeat in the last series, telling me how we are going to get beaten again. I think this image is really funny and it’s nice to see the Aussies being on the receiving end for a change.”

The unique ‘Fifty50’ scheme will run throughout The Ashes and will see Virgin Media donate to a selection of good causes favoured by the England players. Launched by former England skipper and Yorkshire player Michael Vaughan, the charity donations will go to each English batman’s chosen charity, every time he scores 50 runs or more in a single innings, throughout the series.

To find out more about Virgin Media’s 50Mb service, visit www.virginmedia.com/50


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