As mentioned, there can seem to be a lot of options when you start looking at savings accounts, but in truth the four main products offered by Santander are representative of the basic choices for the average saver.  The cash ISA (Individual Savings Account) should always be the first product to look at when starting long term savings, as ISAs deliver tax free growth on sums deposited up to the specified annual allowance.  For cash ISAs, this allowance is currently £5,340 for the tax year 2011 – 2012.

At the time of writing, the flexible cash ISA from Santander promises to track 2.31% above the Bank of England Base Rate for the first 12 months, after which a lower rate of interest will apply.  You will then have the option to transfer the cash into a new ISA deal with an introductory offer interest rate.  What’s more, you can maintain the tax free status of ISA allowances year on year if you transfer directly to another ISA account, rather than withdrawing the cash.  For more information on transferring ISA savings, take a look at: http://www.direct.gov.uk.

While the tax free ISA scheme is not guaranteed to be in existence for ever, it is likely to be around in some form in coming years, thanks to the general desire of successive governments to encourage more people to save.  The modest interest rates on ISA accounts still achieve good growth in practical terms, thanks to the fact that the tax man does not get to take a bite each year.

However, once the cash is in the ISA account you cannot withdraw it, and then replace the cash at a later date, topping back up to your allowance level – or at least, you will not retain the cash free status of the money withdrawn.  This means that ISAs are unsuitable as you only savings account, as the tax benefits are undone if you need to access cash in an emergency.

The instant access savings account from Santander has no such restrictions, and also offers a competitive rate of 3.1% for the first 12 months.

• Two new entry-level EOS models, the EOS 600D and the EOS 1100D, invite aspiring photographers to start a new EOS adventure
• The EOS 600D launches at the top of Canon’s entry-level DSLR range, with 18MP, Full HD video and a high-resolution vari-angle screen
• The EOS 1100D is the ideal EOS for beginners, offering exceptional ease-of-use and access to the full range of EOS accessories
• New professional L-series lenses, the EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and
  the EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM, offer outstanding telephoto performance for sports and wildlife photographers
• Canon expands its range of Speedlite flashes with the new Speedlite 320EX and Speedlite 270EX II – empowering users to experiment with creative lighting

London, UK, 7th February 2011 – Canon today expands its world-famous EOS System with the launch of new consumer Digital SLR (DSLR) bodies, professional lenses and
EX Speedlite flash units. Allowing photographers of all levels to discover the power of image, each new addition offers the outstanding image quality, ease-of-use and versatility synonymous with EOS – encouraging more photographers to turn to Canon for their next photography adventure.

Two easy-to-use, entry-level DSLRs – the EOS 600D and the EOS 1100D – offer new levels of flexibility, imaging performance and support to consumers taking their first steps into the world of photography. The new EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM offer outstanding super-telephoto performance for sports and wildlife photographers, while a new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II kit lens offers the perfect start for photography beginners. A duo of new flashguns, the Speedlite 320EX and the Speedlite 270EX II, also encourage users to experiment with creative and off-camera lighting techniques.

Your EOS adventure starts here
Sitting at the top of Canon’s entry-level DSLR portfolio, the EOS 600D features a class-leading, 18 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, fast DIGIC 4 image processing and Full HD video capture – allowing photographers to switch seamlessly between high-quality still images and video. Scenes can be shot from any angle thanks to a 7.7cm
Vari-Angle Clear View LCD screen – allowing EOS 600D owners to view their world from a different perspective. A 9-point Auto Focus system also ensures that subjects are in-focus, no matter where it is in the frame.

The EOS 600D also includes a new Feature Guide that offers those new to photography a guide to camera modes and main settings, allowing them to improve their photographic skills every time they take a photo. A new Scene Intelligent Auto mode also offers point-and-shoot simplicity, analysing each scene and adjusting settings to take the best possible image, while you focus on your subject. New Picture Style Auto processes the image based on the scene, making your images more engaging.

The EOS 1100D is the ideal beginner’s EOS, combining a high-performance specification with exceptional ease-of-use. A 12.2 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor means EOS 1100D owners can shoot photos up to A3 size, or crop images to create more interesting compositions. The EOS 1100D also features the same iFCL Metering system developed for the EOS 7D, linked to the 9-point AF system to ensure all subjects are in-focus and well-exposed in all lighting conditions. For those who wish to shoot video and stills, the EOS 1100D also offers 720p HD video capture for even more flexibility.

Making it even easier for EOS 1100D users to capture truly artistic shots, Basic+ and Creative Auto modes remove any confusing technical terms, using plain language to describe settings and their effect on an image. Users can also apply different atmospheres to a scene based on the creative intent or lighting type, or, alternatively, make images lighter, darker or blur the background to create more interesting results.

Complementing the new models is the new EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II, which replaces the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS in Canon’s lens portfolio. Offering aspiring photographers reliability and versatility, this lightweight lens features a 4-stop IS advantage – shooting any scene from sweeping landscapes to portraits with excellent clarity.

L-series telephoto lenses – shoot further and faster
First seen at Photokina in September 2010, the EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM and
EF 600mm f/4L IS II USM are ground-breaking additions to Canon’s professional
L-series, offering wildlife and sports photographers unparalleled performance and mobility. Featuring the highest quality optics and advanced coatings to counter flare and ghosting, both have been designed with a strong, magnesium alloy body, offering a significant weight reduction over their predecessors. Rapid, silent autofocus (AF) is enabled by the ring-type USM, and professionals can fine-tune any scene with full-time manual focusing.

Both lenses offer a wide constant aperture of f/4, delivering excellent image quality in low light or when shooting fast-moving subjects. Canon’s latest Image Stabilizer also ensures outstanding image quality during handheld shooting, allowing users to shoot at speeds up for four times slower than normally required. New algorithms improve performance when panning, and a new IS Mode 3 makes it easy to track randomly moving subjects in the viewfinder by activating the IS unit only during exposure.

EOS 600D

Explore creative lighting
The new Speedlite 320EX and Speedlite 270EX II enable photographers of all levels to experiment with creative lighting when shooting everyday subjects. With Guide numbers of 32 and 27 respectively, both Speedlites are compatible with Canon’s distance-linked E-TTL II system and can be used either on-camera or as slave units within a wireless set-up. Both flashes can remotely trigger the shutter release of compatible EOS DSLRs, allowing users to adjust the position of the flash and trigger the camera quickly and easily. The Speedlite 320EX also offers a constant Video Light mode, allowing EOS Movie users to continue shooting through the evening and into the night.

EOS 1100D

Speedlite Range

The makers of Johnnie Walker Black Label have launched ‘Step Inside the Circuit’ to offer an inside look into the glamorous and jet set life of an F1™ driver. The campaign is a celebration of Johnnie Walker’s partnership with the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team and offers an intimate insight into the world of Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton and the rest of the team both on and off the track.

Central to ‘Step Inside the Circuit’ is a series of short films shot during the 2010 season. The films enable fans to travel with the drivers to some of the most famous and exciting race locations in the Grand Prix calendar. Exclusive behind the scenes photographs are also scheduled for release which capture the stylish and sophisticated world of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button as Grand Prix drivers.

Johnnie Walker Step Inside 1

The first of six films is released today with others scheduled for gradual release through to the start of the 2011 season in March when new films will be produced. The first film ‘Meet the Team’ features key people from behind the scenes at the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team – the mechanics, the pit-crew, the trainers and the people who are integral to the team’s success.

To coincide with the launch a Johnnie Walker Black Label limited edition pack has been produced. The Johnnie Walker Gold Pass pack will provide opportunities to win ‘one of a kind’ motorsport experiences and prizes, including an incredible money can’t buy chance to live the glamorous lifestyle by joining Lewis and Jenson in Monaco over the Grand Prix weekend in May 2011. Others can also visit the Johnnie Walker Step Inside Facebook page for the chance to win spot prizes and see the films first as they are released.

Johnnie Walker Step Inside 2

Lisa Everingham, Johnnie Walker Brand Manager GB comments: “We have been able to capture content that no race fans have ever seen before. Through these films we bring to life the lifestyle of the world’s most in demand Grand Prix drivers including how they relax and celebrate a job well done, whilst showcasing the hard working and progressive nature of the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team.”

Former World Champion and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 team driver Jenson Button added: “This is a unique opportunity for people to see me, Lewis and the team in our natural environment and should give people a true appreciation of what we get up to behind the scenes and the hard work and effort that goes into creating a winning team.”

Johnnie Walker Step Inside 3

About Diageo
Diageo Reserve Brands is the luxury division of Diageo and its portfolio of spirits includes brands such as Tanqueray No. Ten, Johnnie Walker Blue Label blended Scotch whisky, Ketel One and Cîroc vodka.

Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines, and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE). For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. Visit http://www.drinkaware.co.uk/ and our global resource http://www.drinkiq.com/ for information and guidance on responsible drinking. In Great Britain, Diageo is a member of The Portman Group and supports The Drinkaware Trust.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere

• New range of camcorders and compact cameras combine outstanding creative features, stunning quality and remarkable ease of use
• Professional-quality HD CMOS Pro sensor available in both professional and consumer camcorder models delivers exceptional HD video in all conditions, including low light
• New professional XA10 camcorder delivers signature Canon image quality in all conditions, professional audio features and full manual control in a take-anywhere body
• Expanded LEGRIA consumer camcorder range provides sharp, detailed images alongside innovative creative shooting modes, including Cinema-Look Filters, Touch Decoration and Story Creator
• New, enhanced and affordable PowerShot A-series delivers higher resolutions, HD video recording, and easy-to-use creative filters in selected models – making capturing memories even more fun

London, UK, 5th January 2011 – Canon today introduces a brand new line-up of imaging products, launching five new cameras and ten new camcorders. Combining signature image quality with features that make taking pictures and shooting movies fun and more creative, Canon’s latest product range offers everything from professional video performance to great value compact cameras.

Following 2010’s expansion of Canon’s video range, both professional and consumer camcorder lines are further enhanced. The range launched today includes the professional XA10, as well a raft of consumer models, including the LEGRIA HF G10 – the first of a new LEGRIA HF G-series. New, enhanced HD models also launch into LEGRIA HF M-series and the LEGRIA HF R-series, while the LEGRIA FS400 series launches as Canon’s smallest-ever standard definition camcorders. With outstanding image quality and a greater breadth of creative options, video professionals, enthusiasts and amateurs can capture stunning Full HD video.

Offering a compact camera for everyone, the popular Canon PowerShot A-series combines leading optical technology with stand-out style in five new, easy-to-use models – the PowerShot A3300 IS, PowerShot A3200 IS, PowerShot A2200, PowerShot A1200 and PowerShot A800. HD video has also been introduced for the first time in the PowerShot A-series, with select models featuring 720p resolution video capture. Miniature Effect can also be used in Movie mode, creating the impression of time-lapse footage of scale models.

Compact cameras for everyone
The majority of the PowerShot A-series is now powered by Canon’s DIGIC 4 image processor – delivering ultra-fast operation, image quality and enhanced functionality. Four of the new models, the PowerShot A3200 IS, PowerShot A3300 IS,
PowerShot A1200 and PowerShot A2200 also offer six creative filters, allowing users to instantly add a different perspective to images – making experimenting with photography even more fun.

For those who want a little more control over their final image, Live View Control allows users to change basic settings on-screen, seeing the effects of these changes before the image is captured. Tracking Auto Focus (AF) also allows moving subjects to remain pin-sharp from the moment they are identified, right until the shutter is released.

PowerShot A3300 IS

The affordable PowerShot A800 is the perfect first camera, offering a simple button layout, Smart Auto technology and intuitive shooting modes, effortlessly capturing high quality images. The PowerShot A1200 is a versatile compact featuring new Blur Reduction mode, a wide-angle lens and an optical viewfinder for entry-level users who prefer to compose their images in a more traditional way.

The Lithium-ion battery-powered PowerShot A2200 is slim and attractive, with a 4x wide-angle zoom and a host of shooting functions that make it easy to take excellent-quality, creative images. At the top of the A-series are the PowerShot A3200 IS, which boasts a sleek metal body with wide-angle 5x zoom lens and Dynamic IS, and the PowerShot A3300 IS, a super high-resolution, 16MP model with a 5x zoom lens and Dynamic IS, encased in a chic metal chassis.

The new PowerShot A-series features high resolution sensors to capture exquisite detail and enable more exciting compositions through creative cropping. The
PowerShot A3300 IS features the highest resolution sensor ever found in a Canon compact camera, while all models, excluding the PowerShot A800, feature 28mm wide-angle lenses with either Blur Reduction mode or optical Image Stabilizer technology for sharper, blur-free shots in challenging conditions. Smart Auto also makes capturing the moment even easier with 32 scenes detected by all models apart from the entry-level PowerShot A800, which identifies 19 scenes.

In a first for Canon’s PowerShot A-series, the new PowerShot A3200 IS,
PowerShot A3300 IS, PowerShot A1200 and PowerShot A2200 now offer 720p high-definition (HD) video capture. Introduced to the PowerShot A-series for the first time, the ability to shoot HD movies enables users to record special moments in superb quality, which can be shared with friends and family on any HD screen. The PowerShot A3200 IS and PowerShot A3300 IS also feature Canon’s Dynamic Image Stabilizer to ensure shake-free video – even when filming on the move.

Camcorders to suit all skill levels
New to Canon’s growing range of file-based professional camcorders is the XA10, a highly compact model offering a leading combination of signature Canon image quality, professional audio features and full manual control. Sitting at the top of the LEGRIA range, the new LEGRIA HF G10 encourages video enthusiasts to take their creative video to the next level with technologies and features derived from Canon’s professional models.

The LEGRIA HF M41, LEGRIA HF M46 and LEGRIA HF M406 continue the success of the popular LEGRIA HF M-series – a range of all-round family camcorders ideal for those who want great quality HD movies in a compact model they can take anywhere. For those looking for value, Canon’s entry-level HD camcorders have also received significant upgrades. The LEGRIA HF R28, LEGRIA HF R26 and LEGRIA HF R206 offer an unrivalled combination of unique features, value and signature Canon quality, making all models ideal for users taking their first steps into HD video. Completing the line-up are the LEGRIA FS46 and LEGRIA FS406 – affordable, convenient camcorders that are ideal for users looking for excellent image quality in standard definition.

XA10 FSL Handle

Stunning video that’s easy to shoot and share
Designed to provide outstanding image quality and ease of use side-by-side, Canon’s new camcorder line-up is packed with leading technologies and exciting creative features, making it easy for users to shoot and share stunning HD movies.

A range of professional technologies have been implemented in more models than ever before, providing leading performance. Canon’s HD CMOS Pro sensor, a professional CMOS sensor that provides exceptional image capture, is featured in the new XA10 professional model, as well as a selection of premium consumer models, including the LEGRIA HF G10, LEGRIA HF M41, LEGRIA HF M46 and LEGRIA HF M406. Providing enhanced low-light performance and wide dynamic range, HD CMOS Pro is a significant addition to Canon’s camcorder range – offering unparalleled image quality in all conditions.

As well as the new Canon HD CMOS Pro sensor, the XA10, LEGRIA HF G10 and LEGRIA HF M41, LEGRIA HF M46 and LEGRIA HF M406 also feature new Cinema-Look Filters, Story Creator mode and Touch Decoration – a range of functions designed to help users to shoot videos that are fun, interesting and creative.

With Story Creator, your Canon camcorder becomes the movie director. The user first chooses a theme, after which the camcorder provides a selection of suggested scenes that could be captured to create the perfect movie. ‘Travel’ is ideal for holidays, whilst ‘Kids & Pets’ captures precious family moments. These step-by-step guides take the hard work out of building a story, making it easier and more fun to create interesting and dynamic movies.

One of eight Cinema-Look Filters allow users to instantly change the ambiance of a scene to while Touch Decoration (also available in the LEGRIA HF R28, LEGRIA HF R26 and LEGRIA HF R206) helps users to personalise their movies easily in-camcorder, with no PC or complex editing software required.

Additional information
For more press releases and images relating to Canon’s new range of camcorders and compact still cameras, please visit the Canon Europe press centre: http://www.canon-europe.com/About_Us/Press_Centre/Press_Releases/Consumer_News/index.aspx

LEGRIA HF M41 FSL

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About Canon Europe
Canon Europe is the regional sales and marketing operation for Canon Inc., represented in 116 countries and employing over 11,000 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

Founded in 1937 with the specific goal of making the best quality camera available to customers, Canon’s tireless passion for the Power of Image has since extended its technology into many other markets and has established it as a world leader in both consumer and business imaging solutions. Its solutions comprise products, ranging from digital compact and SLR cameras, through broadcast lenses and portable X-ray machines, to multi-function and production printers, all supported by a range of value added services.

Canon invests heavily in R&D to deliver the richest and most innovative products and services to satisfy customers’ creative needs. From amateur photographers to professional print companies, Canon enables each customer to realise their own passion for image.

Canon believes that considering the interests of society and the environment is an integral part of good business practice. This is embodied in its corporate philosophy Kyosei – ‘To live and work together for the common good’.

Further information about Canon Europe is available at:
http://www.canon-europe.com/

Audio-Technica, one of the world’s finest manufacturers of audio equipment, has announced the final six shortlist of its alternative Christmas track competition. It launched the competition in October and has received a huge wave of diverse entries from all across the UK and some from further afield.

The aim of the new music competition was to seek out fun and vibrant alternatives to the age-old tradition of Christmas carols and songs. The nationwide competition was launched through the company’s Facebook and Twitter channels, with entrants required to submit video entries via YouTube.

Come Back Ebenezer

The online competition was not restricted to any particular type of music so bands, DJs or music producers from any genre had the opportunity to show off their skills.

The competition’s judge, Steve Levine, acclaimed producer and chairman of the Music Producers Guild, joined the team to carefully sift through the entries and create a shortlist of six finalists. The judging panel want the public to make the final decision on the best entry by voting for the track they believe should win the top prize of £500 worth of Audio-Technica equipment.

Jingle Bells

Harvey Roberts, senior marketing manager at Audio-Technica commented: “When we started this competition we were looking for people to be as creative as possible and really push the boundaries of traditional Christmas music. I can safely say we haven’t been disappointed with the standard or number of entries. In fact, we have really been impressed by how British musicians have embraced our idea.”

He continues: “We’ve had an eclectic mixture of music and videos from a moped driving Santa, right through to a Drum’n'Bass inspired Christmas track. The creative variety really has been fantastic, and I think you will see that from the final shortlist we have selected. It seemed fitting that the winner should be determined by the public through our social media channels. People can visit our page on Facebook and vote for the favourite.”

Astropets

The final shortlisted entries with Steve Levine’s comments are as follows:

1. Santa is a Mod Steve comments: “I never knew Santa was a mod! An interesting concept and highly original. Cool video too.
2. Come Back Ebenezer Steve comments: “Great lyrics – the grumpy old man’s Christmas – superb job”
3. Jingle Bells Steve comments: “I can see a lot of work has gone into the editing of this one!”
4. Astropets Steve comments: “Banjos on a Christmas record! I’d never have thought they’d work so well.”
5. 2010th Noel Steve comments: “Dark and original video – very cinematic”
6. Ky and The Kassettes Steve comments: “This is a great song. The only soul/r&b entry”

People can vote for their favourite video by visiting this online poll. The winning entry will be announced on Thursday 23rd December.

2010th Noel

The winner will receive £500 worth of Audio-Technica equipment and the five runners-up will scoop prizes of £100 worth of equipment each.

Audio-Technica, which has its UK office in Leeds, sells microphones, headphones and high fidelity equipment across the world.

Ky and The Kassettes

About Audio-Technica
Celebrating over 45 years of audio excellence worldwide, Audio-Technica is a leading innovator in transducer technology, renowned for the design and manufacture of microphones, wireless microphones, headphones, mixers, and electronics for the audio industry. Users of Audio-Technica microphones and headphones include Katherine Jenkins, Metallica, Gwen Stefani, Linkin Park, The Pigeon Detectives, Ben Mynott and Eddie Halliwell.

Audio-Technica Logo

Fujitsu launches results of first bi-annual Business Certainty Index

London, 10 December 2010 – The results of Fujitsu’s first bi-annual Business Certainty Index*, a pulse check of the mood of British business, has shown apathy is the main reason for the lack of investment in IT innovation. Cut backs in IT budgets were cited as a significant reason for lack of investment (47%) but more worryingly 67% stated the fact that it is ‘too easy to keep things ticking over’ as the primary reason for lack of investment. This is echoed by the fact that only 23% of an IT budget is invested in innovation versus 38% on IT operations and maintenance – a figure that is set to only increase marginally (by 1 or 2%) in 2011.

Duncan Tait, managing director of Fujitsu’s Private Sector Business, said: “It is quite right that the economic climate has made businesses take stock and reassess where their priorities are – and in many instances this has been for the better. However, as a nation that is proud of its innovation heritage, my concern is that the very low investment levels we are seeing at the moment will simply be too low to help businesses adapt to the changes we’re all currently facing.

The ‘keep calm and carry on’ mentality is not enough. In uncertain times businesses need to be prepared to fight, adapt, be agile and innovate in order to compete successfully both nationally and internationally.”

(Click here to view a video of Duncan talking more about his views on the current business environment and how businesses are responding in uncertain times.)

Duncan Tait

Investment Focus
Business intelligence tops the list of areas for investment over the coming year with 36% of companies stating it either their first or second priority. Interestingly this figure rises sharply in the financial services sector to 44% of businesses. Virtualisation and opensource have minimal interest levels across all sectors, however cloud will be driven by the retail sector with 40% of retail companies seeing it as a key investment area in 2011. Application transformation is also high up the agenda for companies in the financial services sector with 41% seeing it as an area of focus for 2011.

Investment and risk
Business merger and acquisition activity is led by the transport and retail sectors respectively. 42% of the transport industry report that business merger activity is likely to be up in 2010 compared to 2009 and 39% of the retail sector are highlighting acquisition activity as greater than in 2009. Unsurprisingly operational risk is rated the area most important when setting the strategic direction of a business with IT risks rated well behind financial, people and operational. This is felt most sharply in the transport sector where 70% of companies see it as the single most important factor. The overriding focus on operational investment is deemed to be preventing businesses from being able to generate rapid change in their organisations – 52% across the board but rising sharply to 67% in retail.

The retail sector is the most confident in being able to gain investment monies for new ideas, with 54% seeing it as achievable versus only 32% in the financial services sector.

In terms of IT investment 82% of businesses feel that IT investment will be back to the levels of the end of 2007 by the end of 2011 – 2007 is widely regarded as the peak for IT investment.

Certainty and optimism
The coalition government has got a cautious backing from British business with by far the majority agreeing that the new government has a great chance to positively impact British business. This sense of optimism is shared by the fact that 56% of businesses feel more confident in Vince Cable as business secretary, compared to his predecessor Peter Mandelson. Interestingly this figure is much higher with the retail sector, at 64%. This commercial optimism is echoed with a greater sense of personal optimism with 53% of those asked saying that there are more optimistic about their own jobs compared to 2009.

Business Certainty Index Logo

* The Fujitsu bi-annual Business Certainty Index was carried out in the Summer of 2010 and interviewed 100 business leaders across the retail, transport and financial services sectors. 50% of those asked were either CMO/marketing director or CFO and the other 50% were CIO/IT decision maker level.

The full research results can be viewed here.

About Fujitsu
Fujitsu is a leading provider of ICT-based business solutions for the global marketplace. With approximately 170,000 employees supporting customers in 70 countries, Fujitsu combines a worldwide corps of systems and services experts with highly reliable computing and communications products and advanced microelectronics to deliver added value to customers. Headquartered in Tokyo, Fujitsu Limited (TSE:6702) reported consolidated revenues of 4.6 trillion yen (US$50 billion) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. For more information, please see: www.fujitsu.com

Fujitsu UK and Ireland is a leading IT systems, services and products company employing 11,400 people with an annual revenue of £1.7 billion. Its business is in enabling its customers to realise their objectives by exploiting information technology through its integrated product and service portfolio. This includes consulting, applications, systems integration, managed services and product for customers in the private and public sectors including retail, financial services, telecoms, government, defence and consumer sectors. For more information, please see: www.uk.fujitsu.com

Seed Studios launches one of the first RTS game to support the Playstation®Move controller

LONDON, 8 December, 2010 – Portuguese games developer Seed Studios today announced the launch of Under Siege™, a real time strategy (RTS) game developed exclusively for PlayStation®3 and The Playstation®Network. The game will be available for download towards the end of the year and will retail for £11.99 in the UK, $19.99 in the US and €14.99 throughout the rest of Europe.

Set in a medieval fantasy world, Under Siege™ sees players control a small group of heroes – Eirik, Kari and Asgeir – in a battle against the huge invading army of King Ingvar. With a single player campaign, as well as online and local multiplayer content, the game works with the DualShock/Sixaxis controller and is also one of the first games to support the Playstation® Move controller.

Under Siege™ places extreme emphasis on user-generated content and in-game battles. Using the same powerful in-game editor used by the developers, players can create their own maps to share and play online with other members of the Under Siege™ community. The game interfaces with several social networks, for example allowing users to directly upload pictures to Facebook and videos to YouTube.

Filipe Pina, Developer, Seed Studios, said, “Under Siege™ has been two years in the making and we’re delighted to be unveiling it to the Under Siege™ community. Due to their often complex control systems, many people associate real time strategy games with the PC, a keyboard and a mouse. But we were keen to demonstrate what is achievable on the Playstation®3. The new Playstation®Move controller in particular, offers some thrilling new possibilities for this genre that we wanted to take advantage of.”

Other features of Under Siege include;

• Control scheme specially designed for the DualShock/Sixaxis Controller

• Playstation®Move Support

• 4 players online

• 2 players split screen

• Video and voice chat in game and in the lobbies

• XMB screenshot and custom music support

• Video recording

• Plays in Full HD 1080p;

• Available in 6 languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.

For further information and to view the cinematic trailer, please go to http://www.undersiegegame.com/ or www.facebook.com/undersiegegame

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For further information, please contact:
Robert Hickling / Rachel Preston at Say CommunicationsTel: 020 8971 6400
Email: undersiege@saycomms.co.uk

Under Siege

Game play

Archer

• Crane towering above Wembley launches balls from 102.5m

• 100 purple balls with in-built GPS systems released throughout the UK

• Social experiment uses online networks to encourage real-life game play

• Pixie Lott and Scott Mills launch Twitter’s biggest game of #Catch

Gavin Henson breaks highest catch World Record to launch UK's biggest game of Catch

Gavin Henson and David Seaman entered the record books today as they both caught a ball travelling at terminal velocity above Wembley National Stadium, London. The record-breaking moment marked the launch of Cadbury Spots v Stripes’ biggest game of Catch in the UK.

One hundred purple balls with in-built GPS systems have been released to get as many people as possible passing these throughout the UK. The ball that travels the furthest with the most passes – as tracked live on www.spotsvstripes.com/catch – will win the UK’s biggest game of Catch[1].

The sheer act of playing will trigger the donation of games kits to charity in time for Christmas through Cadbury’s partnership with Groundwork[2]

Spots v Stripes’ fans have launched these balls throughout the country and will use their online friends and followers to keep the balls moving. Influential Tweeters, as identified by their Klout score, will encourage real-life game play too.

Hundreds of spot prizes are on offer and the chance for one individual to win £5,000 simply for catching a ball.

David Seaman makes winning catch to break World Record

To supplement the real-life game, Cadbury has created a unique Twitter version of Spots v Stripes Catch. Singer-songwriter Pixie Lott threw the first ball at her fans for team Spots and Radio 1 presenter Scott Mills challenged his followers to represent Stripes for Twitter’s biggest game of Catch.

The Twitterverse will be encouraged throughout the week to throw their #SpottyBalls and #StripeyBalls at friends and use the hashtags in tweets.

Fans can follow the Catch conversation live and see whether the Spots or the Stripes ball is buzzing the furthest through its partnership with real-time aggregation service www.TweetBeat.com/SpotsvStripes.

Cadbury has also created a ‘Spot/Stripe the ball game’ Facebook application. Players will be challenged to guess which ball will be passed the most the next day. Lucky guessers will be in with a chance of winning Panasonic TA1 cameras and a 42-inch Viera 3D TV.

As the official treat provider of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Cadbury wants everyone, everywhere to celebrate the true spirit of London 2012 and play more games.

GPS purple balls released into the community

After breaking the World Record, Gavin commented: “Seeing that crane tower above me was pretty insane! It’s now time for the UK to play the biggest game of Catch and prove to the world that we’re a fun and welcoming lot.”

David said “Catch is fun; it’s what I did for a living! Playing is a great way to unite people in time for Christmas. Knowing that your pass will support communities at grass roots level is hugely motivating. You never know where the next England keeper might be lurking!”

Norman Brodie, General Manager London 2012 at Cadbury commented: “There is magical quality in the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to do with its spirit – the sheer pleasure of playing and the fact that games have the power to unite people. It’s this notion that lies at the heart of Spots v Stripes, the biggest, most inclusive game ever played in the UK.”

For more information please visit www.SpotsvStripes.com/Catch. The national game and website URL go live on Tuesday 7th December

[1] A pass, registered by sending a picture with the ball via email or text message, is worth double the amount of points for a ball travelling a mile.

[2] Groundwork is a national charity with three decades of experience in enabling individuals and communities to improve their local area through both physical and social regeneration.

Clinical trial treatments aim to discover if a drug is safe, has side effects, and works better than established treatments.

They offer important opportunities for patients to access the most innovative treatments for cancer, giving them the best possible chance of survival or extended life – and they are an essential part of developing the cancer treatments of the future.

There are three phases of clinical trials, however the infrastructure needed for phase 1 trials is such that there are very few places in the world set-up to undertake these.

The Christie is one of the leading centres in the world for phase 1 clinical trials.

The research undertaken here is underpinned by science and we work with the Paterson Institute for Cancer Research and Wolfson Medical Imaging Centre, which are part of The University of Manchester and both based on our site, as well as Cancer Research UK. The Paterson undertakes laboratory research and analysis and we work closely together on translational research, bridging laboratory research to cancer patients (for treatments) – drug discovery – before a trial is first undertaken with humans.

The Christie is a leading centre in Europe on personalised targeted treatment where the choice of cancer treatment is based on the patients’ genetic profile. Through using a combination of family history information, clinical data, gene testing, scanning and laboratory testing it is now possible to develop targeted personalised medicines for patients.

The top three centres in Europe undertaking this kind of experimental cancer research are regarded as NKI Cancer Institute in Amsterdam, the Royal Marsden and The Christie.

The Christie NHS Foundation Trust

At The Christie we will have about 200 drug trials on going at any one time, treating 2,400 patients a year.

Our trials are funded by Cancer Research UK, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, health authorities and the Medical Research Council.

It can take 5-10 years for anew treatment to make it through all the stages of development and to become widely available.

Phase 1

The first time drugs are trialed in humans is called a phase 1 trial. It checks if a treatment is safe and identifies side effects.

The average phase 1 trial has about 40 patients and patients are on trial for about two months. All patients on a phase 1 trial have exhausted all conventional treatment.

About one third of our clinical trial work in the new clinical trials unit will be phase 1.

Patients and Sally Dynevor with time capsule

Examples of world-first phase I trials undertaken at The Christie include:

• Stilboestrol for breast cancer in 1944

• Tamoxifen for breast cancer in 1969

• Iressa for lung cancer in 2002

The Christie undertook the world’s first trials with Tamoxifen and this drug has been given much of the credit for the sharp drop in breast cancer deaths. The drug is cheap, taken in pill form and blocks the female sex hormone oestrogen to help prevent the cancer coming back after the initial surgery to remove a tumour.

Iressa is a targeted treatment for terminal lung cancer which carries a specific gene mutation. This form of the disease is very hard to treat, but accounts for 80% of lung cancers in Britain; about 30,000 cases a year. The Chrisite treated the first patients in the world in 1996 with the drug. Iressa received its European license in 2009.

Phase 2 & 3

Patient having Chemotherapy

Phase 2 trials involve larger numbers of patients and look at how well treatment works with different cancers.

Phase 3 trials involve even larger numbers of patients, involving many hospitals, and will compare the new drug will the current drug.

In recent years the percentage of phase 3 clinical trials carried out in the UK has dropped as companies have increasingly carried out trials in Asia and Eastern Europe where it is cheaper. The cost of doing trials in the UK is one of the highest in Europe.

Trials taking place in new clinical trials unit when it opens

10 new phase I and phase 2 trials will start in the new clinical trials unit over the next few months. Christie cancer patients are currently being recruited for these trials.

These 10 new trials will be for the follow cancers: gynaecology (eg: cervical, ovarian), breast, gastro-intestinal (eg: bowel, stomach), genito-urinary (eg: bladder, kidney), lymphoma, haematology (leukaemia & lymphoma), lung, sarcoma (soft tissue) and melanoma (skin) – as well as some studies that will involve a mix of cancer patients.

The new clinical trials unit will also be running around 40 phase I and 2 trials which started in the old Christie trials unit and will be transferred.

In the chemotherapy section of the new patient treatment centre, patients will also be participating in around 30 national and international phase 3 trials.

LONDON, UK – November 19th 2010 – The Economist Group today announced the global launch of its flagship title, The Economist, on two new apps – The Economist for iPhone and The Economist for iPad – available now on the App Store. The free apps include a weekly sample of must-read articles chosen by the editor. The full issue of The Economist is available through In App Purchase each week beginning Thursday evenings (9:00pm GMT/4:00pm EST).

Digital and print subscribers can receive full and unrestricted access to The Economist on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch as well as The Economist online by simply using their print or online subscription credentials.

Once downloaded, each issue of The Economist is stored on the user’s device, making it possible to read the newspaper in full without an internet connection. Each issue also features the full audio edition, with all articles read by professional newscasters.

The Economist App

John Micklethwait, editor-in-chief of The Economist, said: “We have reformatted the newspaper to make the most of iPad, iPhone and iPod touch while retaining the familiar feel of The Economist, with all the articles, charts, maps and images from each week’s print edition. And we have integrated our audio edition, read by professional newscasters, for easy switching between reading and listening. We have put a lot of work into making sure that these new versions of The Economist are not just easy to use, but also make our readers feel at home.”

Oscar Grut, managing director, digital editions said: “We have a growing print circulation of 1.5m. We expect to reach similar numbers with our digital offerings in a relatively short period of time. iPads and iPhones are perfect for reading and listening to The Economist, and we see a great future for our ever-growing readership in all media. We have created elegant apps that capture the reading experience our readers enjoy so much in print, free from distractions. Our apps are also a great way for new readers to sample The Economist, with a number of free articles each week selected by the editor. We hope many of those new readers will go on to subscribe to the full weekly edition.

The Economist App for iPhone and The Economist App for iPad are available for free from the App Store on iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, or at http://www.itunes.com/appstore. Single issues can be purchased for $5.99 /£3.49 /€4.99 each week through In App Purchase. Subscription prices can be found at www.economist.com/subscriptions.

The Economist App

The apps were built for The Economist by AgaveApps (iPhone) and TigerSpike (iPad).

-ENDS-

The apps were built for The Economist by Agave (iPhone) and TigerSpike (iPad).This press release has been sent by Speed on behalf of The Economist brand The Economist Group. For further information, please contact ukpressoffice@economist.com, or call:

The Economist App

Nick Bishop – 020 7842 3210

Becca Daniel – 020 7842 3267

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About The Economist Group
The publications and services delivered under The Economist brand are The Economist magazine, The Economist online, Economist Intelligence Unit, Economist Conferences, The World In and Intelligent Life. The Group’s other brands include: CQ-Roll Call Group and European Voice (aimed at decision-makers on Capitol Hill and Brussels respectively) and EuroFinance, a cash and treasury management event business. The Economist Group is privately owned.

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