Eurail Group G.I.E., the organization dedicated to the marketing and management of the Eurail product range, reports a positive rise in the number of Eurail passengers. The annual sales results indicate that 451,227 non-Europeans travelled with a Eurail Pass in 2011, which represents a steady increase of 5.6% on 2010 figures.

Sales for the entire product range showed steady growth during 2011, with each of the global sales regions performing very well. Overall, sales from South America increased by 16.6% compared to 2010, Asia by 16.9% and Central America by 10.3%. The only exception was the North American and Canadian market which reported a slight decline in sales because of the effects of a still challenging economy.

March and May were record months indicating that the Eurail Select Pass “free day promotion” was a huge success. The best selling pass remains the Eurail Select Pass which represents 36.4% of the overall market share and demonstrates the current trend towards passengers visiting fewer countries (sales of this pass rose by 7.6% in 2011).

According to Eurail Group’s Managing Director, Mr. Ren? de Groot, the strong summer period and the various promotions throughout the year supported the overall sales of Eurail Passes. “2011 was a positive year despite the global recession and the fact that the North American market is still struggling. Fortunately, all of our other markets performed very well which resulted in an 8.6% increase in revenues compared to 2010. Based on this outcome, we are optimistic about the year ahead, especially because non-European markets appear less pressured by economic concerns” concludes de Groot.

Eurail Passes are available from the following authorized sales channels: ACP Rail International (http://www.acprail.com), Eurail B.V. (http://www.eurail.com), Flight Centre (http://www.flightcentre.com); Rail Europe North America (http://www.raileurope.com), Rail Europe (rest of the world: http://www.raileurope.fr) and STA Travel (http://www.statravel.com).

Eurail Group corporate website and press room: http://www.eurailgroup.org

Source: Eurail Group G.I.E.

Press Contacts: Ana Dias e Seixas & Ellie Kingswell E-mail: pressinfo@eurailgroup.org, Tel: +31-(0)30-7516-500 Eurail photo library: http://eurail.informationstore.net China: Eddie Yang, e-mail: eyang@holland.com, Tel: +86-10-5879-7656, India: Madhvi Awasthi, email: madhvi@repindia.in, Tel: +91-11-41526-777 Japan: Harue Nakagawa, e-mail: hnakagawa@holland.com, Tel: +81-3-3222-0775 Korea: Monica Kang, e-mail: maxcom1004@naver.com, Tel: +82-2-553-4696 USA: Brigitta Kroon-Fiorita: brigitta@krooncommunications.com, Tel: +1-203-210-5187

The 8th of February 2012 marks the launch of Sentia Media, the new corporate parent for the group of companies previously operating as part of the Media Monitors Group, and owned by Quadrant Private Equity since July 2010.

Sentia Media CEO John Croll said: “Ours is a company with a long and proud history in media monitoring, with a record of industry leadership, providing ever faster and more accurate media information to our clients.

“Over the last five years, our growth path has become much broader, with the company commencing operations in a number of Asian markets as well as rapidly expanding our media analysis and introducing advisory and online business intelligence services. In all, we now have six industry leading brands providing services to over 6,000 clients across 15 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

“To put it simply, we are much more than a media monitoring business; we are a group of media services companies that can provide a broad range of information, analysis and advice, with solutions tailored to just about any type of organisation, large or small, single country or international.”

( Photo: http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2012/02/07/20120207140326800155.jpg )

“Sentia, derived from a Latin verb with three primary meanings, 1) I perceive, 2) I understand, 3) I have an opinion, more accurately reflects the comprehensive and customised nature of the company’s services. The new corporate structure will allow each of our service brands to develop their unique service proposition and meet both broad and niche market requirements across the entire region,” Mr Croll said.

Sentia Media now owns: Media Monitors, the leading media information supplier in the Asia-Pacific with 12 offices across Australia, New Zealand, mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore; MediaBanc, South East Asia’s largest monitoring company with offices in six countries; Brandtology, one of the world’s leading online business intelligence companies, headquartered in Singapore and experiencing exponential growth; 360m, our advisory and analysis company providing research-based insight and unrivalled experience; China Clippings, the leading provider of monitoring services to communications agencies across China; and Slice Media, Australasia’s most effective and comprehensive budget monitoring solution.

Click here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2mggUWEWqQ&feature=youtu.be) for a video on the Sentia Media story.

About Sentia Media
Owned by Quadrant Private Equity, Sentia Media is the Asia-Pacific region’s leading media intelligence company, providing over 6,000 clients with media information, analysis and advice 24/7/365 through our range of six brands across the region. Sentia Media has more than 1,200 employees across 15 countries filtering information from over 10,000 print, radio and television media outlets and over 250 million online conversations per month. Our expert people, innovative technology, comprehensive coverage and rigorous research provides the tools and insight to allow our clients to manage media relationships effectively, track issues of interest across all media and analyse brands and industry developments.

For further information contact:
Patrick Baume
T: +612 9318 4012 M: +61 409 326 011
E: Patrick.baume@sentiamedia.com
Tw: @sentiamedia

SOURCE Media Monitors

Award-winning, multi-platinum singer Mary J Blige will be performing at a private pre-Grammy event on February, 9th 2012 to celebrate the partnership of Belvedere, the world’s first super premium vodka and (RED)(TM).

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20120207/510730 )

The exclusive performance will be followed by a private party at Bardot, Los Angeles to help raise awareness around HIV/AIDS and emphasize the need for consumers to unite in support of programs that help eliminate HIV and AIDS in Africa.

In winter 2011, BELVEDERE (PRODUCT)[RED(TM)] Special Edition bottle launched to raise proceeds for the Global Fund(TM) to fight HIV/AIDS. The (RED) inspired packaging will contain the same unadulterated and naturally smooth(R) Belvedere vodka enthusiasts have always enjoyed. 50% of Belvedere’s profits from the global sale of (BELVEDERE)[RED] will contribute to the Global Fund.

Mary J Blige said: “I’m delighted to be supporting (Belvedere) RED in their fight against HIV & AIDS in Africa. It is one of the most devastating issues faced by millions in Africa and if we can raise awareness with this event and encourage people to buy (PRODUCT) RED, we’ll be one step closer to an HIV / AIDS free generation in 2015.”

Fans can watch the party build up and Mary J Blige’s performance live via Facebook at approximately 10.45pm (PST). The event will be streamed to http://www.facebook.com/belvederevodka. Media can download images and B-Roll footage from the event at 6am Friday 10th February 2012, please visit http://www.epklink.com/BelvedereRedWithMaryJBlige

NOTES TO EDITOR

First introduced to North America in 1996, Belvedere Vodka was the first to create a new standard for excellence in the vodka category and is credited with creating the luxury vodka segment. Today, Belvedere’s distinctive character and uncompromising integrity are recognized internationally by discriminating vodka enthusiasts, who appreciate its all-natural, additive-free character. Made entirely from Dankowskie Gold Rye and blended with water from its own pristine source, Belvedere Vodka’s taste profile is distinctively soft with a subtle sweetness and naturally smooth, clean finish.

For further information on (BELVEDERE)[RED]at the Grammy Awards 2012, visit http://www.facebook.com/belvederevodka

Source: Belvedere Vodka

Hong Kong, February 06, 2012 — Moody’s Investors Service says that while banking systems in the Asia Pacific region are expected to remain generally resilient, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and Vietnam are most exposed in the event that the euro area crisis continued to deteriorate.
“While these systems appear less exposed than they were at the time of the Lehman shock, Moody’s assesses them as more vulnerable to the first-round impact of a further worsening of the euro area crisis than other systems in Asia Pacific,” says Stephen Long, a Moody’s Managing Director for the Financial Institutions Group in Asia Pacific.
“Our base case is that the resilience of banks in the Asia Pacific will generally persist. However, the risks to that scenario have increased, warranting a closer examination of how banks could be affected under more adverse scenarios,” he adds.
Long was speaking at the release of a report that assesses the exposure of Asia Pacific banks to the euro area crisis.
The sovereign crisis in the euro area has increased the threat of a contagion in Asia and is the greatest risk to the generally robust credit profiles of Asia Pacific banks. Since the second half of 2011, there has been a broad slowdown in Asian exports, general weaknesses in Asian currencies that have reversed their earlier strengths, and increasing anecdotal evidence of European banks selling their portfolios of Asian loan books.
Moody’s classifies the 16 banking systems in Asia into three categories, in terms of their exposure to extreme distress in the euro area: More Exposed, Exposed, and Less Exposed.
The classification is based on Moody’s assessment in five main areas: (1) a banking system’s dependence on external funding; (2) the significance of euro area banks in individual banking systems; (3) a country’s economic dependence on exports; (4) the overall challenges faced by the banking system; and (5) the ability of a government to support the country’s banks, if needed.
According to the report, the banking systems in Australia and New Zealand are exposed to high refinancing risks, as well as potential spikes in borrowing and hedging costs.
“The proportion of external funding in total funding is 19% for Australia and 16% for New Zealand, and which are among the highest levels in Asia.
This exposes banks in both systems to increased funding costs and refinancing risks in the event of wholesale funding market stress,” Long says.
Korea has a very high foreign currency loan-to-deposit ratio of 328%, and the proportion of external market funding accounts for 9% of its total funding. Moreover, its economic dependence on exports is strong.
On the other hand, Vietnam’s economy is not very diverse, its financial system is weak, and its corporate sector is dependent on low-cost US dollar loans, thereby exposing the system to any sudden tightening in foreign currency liquidity.
Moody’s also classifies ten banking systems in the “Exposed” category:
Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Those in the “Less Exposed” category are Indonesia and the Philippines.
The report is titled “Assessing the Exposure of Asia Pacific Banks to the Risk of Deterioration in the Euro Area”. It can be found at www.moodys.com.
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS ONLY: For more information, please call one of our global press information hotlines: New York +1-212-553-0376, London
+44-20-7772-5456, Tokyo +813-5408-4110, Hong Kong +852-3758-1350, Sydney
+61-2-9270-8141, Mexico City 001-888-779-5833, S?o Paulo 0800-891-2518,
or Buenos Aires 0800-666-3506. You can also email us at mediarelations@moodys.com or visit our web site at www.moodys.com.

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales delivered an inspirational speech to 600 attendees at Hult International Business School’s San Francisco campus, revealing how companies around the world are adopting the open-source technology that made his free encyclopedia a global success.

Mr. Wales told Hult students that his success stemmed from initial failures. “The way I got here is through failure,” said Jimmy Wales. “For a lot of my projects I should have quit a lot sooner,” reflected Wales to the crowd. Mr. Wales also shared his strategy for the future of the Wikimedia Foundation and commented on ways his organization could achieve this by saying, “We do think we need more diversity in our community.”

Wales, a champion of Internet freedom, becomes the latest in an impressive line of high-profile speakers to share their knowledge with Hult students. “For any organization it is important to maintain that willingness to fail and try new things,” said Wales. Students also heard Mr. Wales speak about the most recent SOPA blackout. “The act would have set certain precedents that are really bad,” said Wales, answering a student question from the audience.

Students, journalists and local Bay Area companies took note of Wales’ views on how advances in open-source content are going to shape the future of global business. He also argued that the business managers of tomorrow — like Hult’s students — would have to be active and innovative to keep up with the changes brought about by advances in technology.

“Jimmy Wales is a true visionary and his success with Wikipedia has given him a well-deserved reputation as one of the Internet’s most influential people,” said Dr. Stephen Hodges, President of Hult International Business School. “Exposing Hult students to current business issues and trends that are impacting our international community, allows them to experience live what it takes to be a successful business leader.”

About Hult International Business School

Hult is the world’s most international business school with campuses in Boston, San Francisco, London, Dubai, and Shanghai. The School offers a range of business-focused programs including MBA, Executive MBA, Master and Undergraduate degrees. Hult’s one-year MBA program is ranked in the top 30 in the world by The Economist and among the top 100 by the Financial Times. www.hult.edu.

Recent Downgrades in Eurozone Increases Non-Payment Risk for Suppliers; Companies Seeking Greater Protection from Buyer Default

Asian suppliers are becoming increasingly worried about the creditworthiness of their trading partners’ in Europe and the US, sparking increased interest in using trade credit insurance to protect their trade receivables.

Marsh, a global leader in insurance broking and risk management, has seen a significant rise in requests for trade credit insurance quotes over past the three months compared to the same period last year, with interest up 30% and 20% in Singapore and Hong Kong respectively.

To help clients in Asia, Marsh has developed a regional trade credit insurance facility with a leading trade credit insurer specifically for small-to-medium sized enterprises. These are the companies most at risk for cash flow issues resulting from buyer default owing to reduced balance sheet strength and less ability to withstand financial shocks.

“Economic worries, particularly in Europe, are causing Asian suppliers to reassess the ability of their customers to pay,” said Richard Green, Head of Marsh’s Trade Credit and Political Risk Practice in Asia. “In response, companies are increasingly looking at trade credit insurance to protect cash flow.

“Given the environment, the trade credit insurance is market tightening with rates increasing in response to the poor macro-economic conditions in the Europe and the US. Our trade credit facility is one way we’re helping clients in Asia protect their revenue streams.”

With Asia being the engine for much of the world’s manufacturing output, the ability for its trading partners to pay — and the payment terms on which they transact — are critical for companies in the region. Trade credit insurance helps companies manage the risk of customers’ insolvency or payment default. It enables companies to trade on non-secure payment terms for account receivables, making them a more attractive trading partner for buyers.

From a buyer’s perspective, it is better to transact with a supplier on an open account basis rather than have to provide a letter of credit or a bank guarantee. Trade credit insurance allows suppliers to offer unsecured payment terms without taking on increased risk.

About Marsh

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

– BACARDI rum celebrates at star-studded parties around the world

– Largest Bacardi family reunion to commemorate 1862 founding of Company and creation of world’s favorite rum

– Governments declare February 4 “Bacardi Day”

Family-owned Bacardi Limited officially marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Company and its iconic BACARDI rum brand on February 4 with activities around the world honoring the world’s favorite rum brand. The Company is celebrating its spectacular growth from a small distillery founded by Don Facundo Bacardi Masso in Santiago de Cuba in 1862 to what is now the world’s largest privately-owned spirits company.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click here: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/53404-bacardi-limited-150th-anniversary-family-celebration-birthday-parties-rum

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120204/MM44988 )

Consumers around the world celebrate with classic, great tasting BACARDI rum cocktails at one-of-a-kind birthday parties and other BACARDI-themed events while the Bacardi family marks this historic milestone with its largest reunion ever. As part of its yearlong anniversary celebration, Bacardi launches themed promotions, opens a historical exhibition in Italy, rolls out a $2,000 limited-edition super-premium blend from the Bacardi family Maestros de Ron (Master Blenders) and accepts proclamations from governments declaring the day “Bacardi Day.”

“This is an extraordinary milestone to celebrate as the passion and entrepreneurial spirit shown by my great-great grandfather in Santiago de Cuba a century and a half ago gave birth to exceptional rum that changed the spirits industry forever. Every day I’m inspired by his achievements and am proud to carry on his legacy as chairman of the Company he established on February 4, 1862, in Santiago de Cuba,” says Facundo L. Bacardi, Chairman of Bacardi Limited and fifth generation family member. “The fact that our family name is on every bottle of BACARDI rum is a constant reminder of a deep-seated commitment to deliver products of exceptional quality for the best tasting cocktails. Since the creation of BACARDI rum 150 years ago, some 365 billion BACARDI cocktails have been enjoyed worldwide.”

BACARDI Parties around the World
150th anniversary celebrations featuring award-winning musical talent and top celebrities are giving consumers around the world the chance to party with BACARDI and enjoy legendary BACARDI rum cocktails. Today, Rolling Stone magazine hosts the must-attend “BACARDI Bash: 150 Years Rocking the Party” in Indianapolis where performances from LMFAO, Lupe Fiasco, Cobra Starship and Gym Class Heroes make this one of the hottest tickets the weekend of the “big game” — the most anticipated professional football championship game in the U.S. The festivities continue throughout 2012 as Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East host their own BACARDI 150th celebrations.

Bacardi kicked-off star-studded BACARDI 150th birthday parties for consumers from Berlin to Miami with celebrities and VIPs. Magazine publisher Conde Nast also hosted a commemorative event for BACARDI rum in New York. Celebrity Cruises marks the milestone with a party aboard the Celebrity Summit as it departs February 4 from Puerto Rico, home to the largest BACARDI rum distillery in the world.

The Largest Bacardi Family Reunion Ever
Nearly 600 members of the Bacardi family from around the world gathered in Puerto Rico to celebrate the 150th anniversary at their largest reunion ever. Activities included a commemorative celebration featuring a family photo of all eight generations of the Bacardi family and the unveiling of a bust of Bacardi founder Don Facundo Bacardi Masso by sculptor and family member Helena Bacardi that will take permanent residence on the Bacardi campus in Puerto Rico. Bacardi Limited Chairman and great-great grandson of Company founder, Facundo L. Bacardi, led other family members in the planting of a coconut palm to commemorate the original “el coco” that stood at the entrance of the first Bacardi distillery in Cuba and has long symbolized the Bacardi family’s perseverance over adversity. Puerto Rico is also home to the Casa Bacardi Visitor Center, the second most-visited venue in Puerto Rico, drawing more than 230,000 visitors a year to learn about the rich history and unique production of BACARDI rums.

“It is exceptional for a family-owned company to survive 150 years, let alone thrive,” said Seamus McBride, CEO of Bacardi Limited. “The fact that Bacardi has grown into the third-largest global spirits company is truly something to celebrate.”

Official Founding Day of February 4 Recognized as “Bacardi Day”
At the family reunion, Puerto Rico Governor Luis G. Fortuno presented Bacardi with a proclamation declaring February 4 “Bacardi Day” in acknowledgement of the Company’s key role in the island’s economy. Other proclamations, resolutions and official letters recognizing the 150th anniversary of BACARDI rum include congratulatory letters from the Bermuda Ministry of Development and Tourism, where Bacardi Limited is headquartered; and Florida Governor Rick Scott; as well as proclamations from Miami-Dade County; the City of Coral Gables, where Bacardi Americas is headquartered; and a United States Senate proclamation by Senators Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio; U.S. House Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen’s statement for the Congressional Record; a Florida Senate resolution introduced by Senator Miguel de la Portilla and approved by the Florida Senate; and a Florida House resolution introduced by Representative Erik Fresen.

Consumer Promotions
By visiting the BACARDI Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BACARDI), consumers of legal drinking age in select markets can vie for tickets to upcoming BACARDI 150th birthday parties and BACARDI party crates filled with all the ingredients to host their own unforgettable gatherings. In select markets, consumers can also win or purchase commemorative BACARDI glassware, specialty packs and apparel featuring vintage brand advertisements and/or designs by artists of Cuban heritage.

The Ultimate BACARDI Factory
On February 11 at 8 p.m. ET, National Geographic Channel’s “Ultimate Factories” program will take viewers in the U.S. and Puerto Rico on a tour to see how BACARDI rum is made. The program is slated to air in the “Megafactories” series in Canada March 17; Italy March 18; Australia/New Zealand March 27; UK/Latin America March 29; Southeast Asia April 5; Spain/Portugal May 28; Norway/Sweden/Finland/Belgium and Netherlands/Luxemburg/Holland/Hungary May 31; Turkey June 1; Russia/Baltics/Romania and Greece/France June 5; and Germany June 21.

Ron BACARDI de Maestros de Ron, Vintage, MMXII
Bacardi also marks its anniversary with displays at Miami International Airport, Puerto Rico’s Luis Munoz Marin International Airport and other select international airports that roll-out a limited edition BACARDI blend honoring 150 years of Bacardi rum-making expertise and craftsmanship. Eight Bacardi family members, all former BACARDI Maestros de Ron, have combined their extraordinary talents to create a special BACARDI rum — Ron BACARDI de Maestros de Ron, Vintage, MMXII. A blend of the finest rums laid to rest in oak barrels over the last 20 years and finished in 60-year-old Cognac barrels, the vintage blend in a hand-blown crystal decanter housed in a leather case retails for US$2,000. Only 400 decanters are available for purchase at select airports and premium retail establishments.

Cocktail Competition
On February 20, BACARDI will shake things up with a special 150th anniversary edition of its Legacy Cocktail Competition, drawing top mixologists from more than 25 countries to the finals in Puerto Rico.

Bacardi Heritage on Display at Museo dell’Automobile di Torino
An exhibit showcasing the 150 years of heritage and craftsmanship of BACARDI rum opens in Turin, Italy, at the famous Museo dell’Automobile di Torino (Automobile Museum of Turin). Throughout February, museum patrons of legal drinking age can immerse themselves in a visual and narrative journey of Bacardi the company, BACARDI rum and their pioneering roles in cocktail history.

Year of the Bat
Bacardi is proud to support Bat Conservation International in raising public awareness for bats as part of its “Year of the Bat” campaign. A 15-second advertisement describing the many environmental and economic benefits of bats airs on the CBS JumboTron in New York City’s Times Square until the end of March. With one of the most recognizable logos in the world featuring a bat, Bacardi has believed in the power of bats for 150 years.

Bacardi support for bats goes back to its founding in 1862 when Dona Amalia, the founder’s wife, spotted a colony of fruit bats in the rafters of the Bacardi distillery in Cuba. In Spain, where Don Facundo emigrated from, and with the native Taino Indians in Cuba, bats symbolized good health, family unity and good fortune, so the Bacardi founder made sure the bats remained in the distillery and identified with his new rum. The Bacardi creation became known by the people as el Ron del Murcielago or “the Rum of the Bat.” Today, the Bacardi Bat Device still proudly graces every bottle of BACARDI rum. The Bacardi family’s long-term involvement with bat research, education and conservation is also reflected in the work of the non-profit Lubee Bat Conservancy to protect biological diversity through the conservation of fruit bats and their habitats.

Bacardi 150th Heritage
After years of experimenting, Don Facundo revolutionized the spirits industry with the smooth, light-bodied spirit he created, as opposed to the harsh “fire water” of the time. He used techniques never before used in rum-making including using high quality blackstrap sugarcane molasses, isolating a special strain of yeast (still used today) for controlled fermentation, filtering multiple times, mellowing his rums in American white oak barrels, and then blending them to create the perfect taste of BACARDI rum. This new mixable spirit helped usher in a cocktail culture that thrives today. The artful BACARDI Maestros de Ron continue today to follow the same exacting and artful standards set forth by Don Facundo.

To learn about Bacardi heritage, including why a signature graces every bottle of BACARDI rum or how Bacardi became Cuba’s first multinational company, visit the special 150th anniversary section at www.BacardiLimited.com/150.

Media are invited to register to receive information on additional Bacardi 150th anniversary activities, as well as access multimedia assets such as logos, images, advertisements, video and audio files, interviews, timelines and more via www.BacardiMediaCentre.com.

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

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

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

In the news release, “New Study of Primary Liver Cancer Seeks to Enroll 400 French Patients” issued on 3 Feb 2012 07:00 GMT, by Sirtex Medical Limited over PR Newswire, we are advised by a representative of the company that in the second paragraph, “extrahepatics pread” should be “extrahepatic spread”. Complete, corrected release follows:

‘SARAH’ – a French national collaborative randomized controlled trial of radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres versus sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is now open for recruitment

The start of SARAH, a new randomized controlled trial to directly compare the effectiveness of radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres (SIR-Spheres microspheres; Sirtex Medical Limited, Australia) versus sorafenib (Nexavar, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Germany), a systemic therapy that is the current standard of care for patients with non-surgical advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was announced today by the principal investigator, Professor Valerie Vilgrain MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital, Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris, Clichy and Universite Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, France.

SARAH (SorAfenib versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma)is a Phase III multi-centre prospective randomized open-labelled trial, which aims to recruit 400 patients in France with advanced HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C) with or without portal vein thrombosis and no extrahepatic spread, who are ineligible for surgical resection, liver transplantation or radiofrequency ablation; or whose disease has progressed or recurred after previous therapies.[1]

The primary goal of the study will be to assess if radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres provides an increased survival benefit compared to sorafenib in patients with advanced HCC.

Professor Vilgrain said: “Around 20 specialist cancer centres throughout France will be involved in this trial. SIR-Spheres microspheres were selected for the test arm of this collaborative trial, which is being promoted by the ‘Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris’.”

In patients with advanced HCC, sorafenib is now the standard treatment. Its use is associated with an increased median overall survival (from 8 to 11 months in the SHARP trial) but 80% of patients also experience treatment-related adverse events.

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), also known as radioembolization, is a novel treatment for inoperable liver cancer that delivers high doses of radiation directly to the site of tumours. It is a minimally-invasive treatment, in which millions of radioactive SIR-Spheres microspheres (diameter between 20-60 microns) are infused via a catheter into the liver, where they selectively target liver tumours with a dose of internal radiation up to 40 times higher than conventional radiotherapy, while sparing healthy tissue. There is a growing interest in radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres in this patient population, based on a substantial number of open-label single-group studies as well as a large multi-centre European analysis[2] of the long-term outcomes related to survival and safety of radioembolization using SIR-Spheres microspheres in patients with inoperable HCC. In 13 open-label single-group studies totalizing 400 patients with advanced HCC, the combined estimation of the median overall survival after radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres was of 15 months (min-max: 7 to 27 months).

SIR-Spheres microspheres are approved for use in Australia, the European Union (CE Mark), New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey and several other countries including in Asia (e.g. India, Korean, Singapore and Hong Kong) for the treatment of unresectable liver tumours. SIR-Spheres microspheres are also indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of non-resectable metastatic liver tumours from primary colorectal cancer in combination with intra-hepatic artery chemotherapy using floxuridine.

Professor Vilgrain said that: “The SARAH trial is testing the hypothesis that radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres can increase the median overall survival with fewer side effects and/or a better quality of life in comparison with sorafenib. We hope that the results of this study will help improve the prognosis for these difficult to treat patients”.

About Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs in people whose livers have become severely damaged or cirrhotic, due to conditions such as hepatitis and alcoholism. It is one of the ten most-common cancers in the world, with nearly 750,000 cases diagnosed annually, and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths.[3] It occurs with greatest frequency in regions where viral hepatitis B or C aremost often diagnosed, such as in Asia Pacific and Southern Europe.

Hepatocellular cancer can be cured by surgery, either by resecting the diseased parts of the liver, or by transplantation with a liver from a healthy donor. These interventions, however, are inappropriate for the great majority of patients, whose survival may range from a few months to two or more years depending largely on the state of their liver at the time of their diagnosis and the extent of tumour invasion.

References:

1) SorAfenib versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma (SARAH): http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01482442 .
2) Sangro B, Carpanese L, Cianni R et al on behalf of European Network on Radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres (ENRY). Survival after [90]Y resin microsphere radioembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma across BCLC stages: A European evaluation. Hepatology 2011; 54: 868-878.
3) GLOBOCAN. Liver Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide in 2008.
http://globocan.iarc.fr/factsheets/cancers/liver.asp accessed 28 June 2011.

Source: Sirtex Medical Limited

Contact : MHC Communication, Marie-H?l?ne Coste, 38 avenue Jean Jaur?s – 94110 Arcueil, T?l. : +33(0)1-49-12-03-40 – Fax : +33(0)1-49-12-92-19, Email: mhc@mhccom.eu .

‘SARAH’ – a French national collaborative randomized controlled trial of radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres versus sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is now open for recruitment

The start of SARAH, a new randomized controlled trial to directly compare the effectiveness of radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres (SIR-Spheres microspheres; Sirtex Medical Limited, Australia) versus sorafenib (Nexavar, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Germany), a systemic therapy that is the current standard of care for patients with non-surgical advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was announced today by the principal investigator, Professor Valerie Vilgrain MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital, Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris, Clichy and Universite Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, France.

SARAH (SorAfenib versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma)is a Phase III multi-centre prospective randomized open-labelled trial, which aims to recruit 400 patients in France with advanced HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C) with or without portal vein thrombosis and no extrahepatic spread, who are ineligible for surgical resection, liver transplantation or radiofrequency ablation; or whose disease has progressed or recurred after previous therapies.[1]

The primary goal of the study will be to assess if radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres provides an increased survival benefit compared to sorafenib in patients with advanced HCC.

Professor Vilgrain said: “Around 20 specialist cancer centres throughout France will be involved in this trial. SIR-Spheres microspheres were selected for the test arm of this collaborative trial, which is being promoted by the ‘Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris’.”

In patients with advanced HCC, sorafenib is now the standard treatment. Its use is associated with an increased median overall survival (from 8 to 11 months in the SHARP trial) but 80% of patients also experience treatment-related adverse events.

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), also known as radioembolization, is a novel treatment for inoperable liver cancer that delivers high doses of radiation directly to the site of tumours. It is a minimally-invasive treatment, in which millions of radioactive SIR-Spheres microspheres (diameter between 20-60 microns) are infused via a catheter into the liver, where they selectively target liver tumours with a dose of internal radiation up to 40 times higher than conventional radiotherapy, while sparing healthy tissue. There is a growing interest in radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres in this patient population, based on a substantial number of open-label single-group studies as well as a large multi-centre European analysis[2] of the long-term outcomes related to survival and safety of radioembolization using SIR-Spheres microspheres in patients with inoperable HCC. In 13 open-label single-group studies totalizing 400 patients with advanced HCC, the combined estimation of the median overall survival after radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres was of 15 months (min-max: 7 to 27 months).

SIR-Spheres microspheres are approved for use in Australia, the European Union (CE Mark), New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey and several other countries including in Asia (e.g. India, Korean, Singapore and Hong Kong) for the treatment of unresectable liver tumours. SIR-Spheres microspheres are also indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of non-resectable metastatic liver tumours from primary colorectal cancer in combination with intra-hepatic artery chemotherapy using floxuridine.

Professor Vilgrain said that: “The SARAH trial is testing the hypothesis that radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres can increase the median overall survival with fewer side effects and/or a better quality of life in comparison with sorafenib. We hope that the results of this study will help improve the prognosis for these difficult to treat patients”.

About Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs in people whose livers have become severely damaged or cirrhotic, due to conditions such as hepatitis and alcoholism. It is one of the ten most-common cancers in the world, with nearly 750,000 cases diagnosed annually, and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths.[3] It occurs with greatest frequency in regions where viral hepatitis B or C aremost often diagnosed, such as in Asia Pacific and Southern Europe.

Hepatocellular cancer can be cured by surgery, either by resecting the diseased parts of the liver, or by transplantation with a liver from a healthy donor. These interventions, however, are inappropriate for the great majority of patients, whose survival may range from a few months to two or more years depending largely on the state of their liver at the time of their diagnosis and the extent of tumour invasion.

References:

1) SorAfenib versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma (SARAH): http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01482442 .
2) Sangro B, Carpanese L, Cianni R et al on behalf of European Network on Radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres (ENRY). Survival after [90]Y resin microsphere radioembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma across BCLC stages: A European evaluation. Hepatology 2011; 54: 868-878.
3) GLOBOCAN. Liver Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide in 2008.
http://globocan.iarc.fr/factsheets/cancers/liver.asp accessed 28 June 2011.

Source: Sirtex Medical Limited

Contact : MHC Communication, Marie-H?l?ne Coste, 38 avenue Jean Jaur?s – 94110 Arcueil, T?l. : +33(0)1-49-12-03-40 – Fax : +33(0)1-49-12-92-19, Email: mhc@mhccom.eu .

‘SARAH’ – a French national collaborative randomized controlled trial of radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres versus sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is now open for recruitment

The start of SARAH, a new randomized controlled trial to directly compare the effectiveness of radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres (SIR-Spheres microspheres; Sirtex Medical Limited, Australia) versus sorafenib (Nexavar, Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, Germany), a systemic therapy that is the current standard of care for patients with non-surgical advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was announced today by the principal investigator, Professor Valerie Vilgrain MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, Beaujon Hospital, Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris, Clichy and Universite Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cite, France.

SARAH (SorAfenib versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma)is a Phase III multi-centre prospective randomized open-labelled trial, which aims to recruit 400 patients in France with advanced HCC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage C) with or without portal vein thrombosis and no extrahepatic spread, who are ineligible for surgical resection, liver transplantation or radiofrequency ablation; or whose disease has progressed or recurred after previous therapies.[1]

The primary goal of the study will be to assess if radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres provides an increased survival benefit compared to sorafenib in patients with advanced HCC.

Professor Vilgrain said: “Around 20 specialist cancer centres throughout France will be involved in this trial. SIR-Spheres microspheres were selected for the test arm of this collaborative trial, which is being promoted by the ‘Assistance Publique – Hopitaux de Paris’.”

In patients with advanced HCC, sorafenib is now the standard treatment. Its use is associated with an increased median overall survival (from 8 to 11 months in the SHARP trial) but 80% of patients also experience treatment-related adverse events.

Selective Internal Radiation Therapy (SIRT), also known as radioembolization, is a novel treatment for inoperable liver cancer that delivers high doses of radiation directly to the site of tumours. It is a minimally-invasive treatment, in which millions of radioactive SIR-Spheres microspheres (diameter between 20-60 microns) are infused via a catheter into the liver, where they selectively target liver tumours with a dose of internal radiation up to 40 times higher than conventional radiotherapy, while sparing healthy tissue. There is a growing interest in radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres in this patient population, based on a substantial number of open-label single-group studies as well as a large multi-centre European analysis[2] of the long-term outcomes related to survival and safety of radioembolization using SIR-Spheres microspheres in patients with inoperable HCC. In 13 open-label single-group studies totalizing 400 patients with advanced HCC, the combined estimation of the median overall survival after radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres was of 15 months (min-max: 7 to 27 months).

SIR-Spheres microspheres are approved for use in Australia, the European Union (CE Mark), New Zealand, Switzerland, Turkey and several other countries including in Asia (e.g. India, Korean, Singapore and Hong Kong) for the treatment of unresectable liver tumours. SIR-Spheres microspheres are also indicated in the U.S. for the treatment of non-resectable metastatic liver tumours from primary colorectal cancer in combination with intra-hepatic artery chemotherapy using floxuridine.

Professor Vilgrain said that: “The SARAH trial is testing the hypothesis that radioembolization using yttrium-90 resin microspheres can increase the median overall survival with fewer side effects and/or a better quality of life in comparison with sorafenib. We hope that the results of this study will help improve the prognosis for these difficult to treat patients”.

About Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurs in people whose livers have become severely damaged or cirrhotic, due to conditions such as hepatitis and alcoholism. It is one of the ten most-common cancers in the world, with nearly 750,000 cases diagnosed annually, and the third-leading cause of cancer deaths.[3] It occurs with greatest frequency in regions where viral hepatitis B or C aremost often diagnosed, such as in Asia Pacific and Southern Europe.

Hepatocellular cancer can be cured by surgery, either by resecting the diseased parts of the liver, or by transplantation with a liver from a healthy donor. These interventions, however, are inappropriate for the great majority of patients, whose survival may range from a few months to two or more years depending largely on the state of their liver at the time of their diagnosis and the extent of tumour invasion.

References:

1) SorAfenib versus Radioembolization in Advanced Hepatocellular carcinoma (SARAH): http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01482442 .
2) Sangro B, Carpanese L, Cianni R et al on behalf of European Network on Radioembolization with yttrium-90 resin microspheres (ENRY). Survival after [90]Y resin microsphere radioembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma across BCLC stages: A European evaluation. Hepatology 2011; 54: 868-878.
3) GLOBOCAN. Liver Cancer Incidence and Mortality Worldwide in 2008.
http://globocan.iarc.fr/factsheets/cancers/liver.asp accessed 28 June 2011.

Source: Sirtex Medical Limited

Contact : MHC Communication, Marie-Helene Coste, 38 avenue Jean Jaures – 94110 Arcueil, Tel. : +33(0)1-49-12-03-40 – Fax : +33(0)1-49-12-92-19, Email: mhc@mhccom.eu .