OBCANSKA VOLBA (“CITIZENS’ CHOICE”) SCORES IN CONTEST FOR “2007 TOP CORPORATE PHILANTHROPIST”

A PROGRAMME OF PLZENSKY PRAZDROJ AIMED AT REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT VOTED THE “OUTSTANDING PROJECT”

Obcanska volba, a corporate social investment programme of Plzensky Prazdroj in support of the development of those regions where its breweries are located, has been awarded a special prize in the category of “Outstanding Projects” in the contest for the 2007 TOP Corporate Philanthropist, organised by the Czech Donors Forum. Mr Mike Short, Plzensky Prazdroj's CEO, received the award from the hands of Czech Deputy Premier, Mr Alexander Vondra, at a gala session in Prague on Thursday 25 October, where the results of the prestigious ranking were announced.

A professional jury appreciated in particular Obcanska volba's transparent approach to donations by involving the general public as well as employees, and its systematic efforts aimed at the development of non-profit organisations active in the region. It makes use of a transparent system of distribution of financial funds, with the active involvement of representatives of the region who best know the municipal life and the activities of non-profit organisations. It offers the general public and its employees unmediated access to voting and thus to making decisions about the allocation of funds. The programme represents a model of inter-sectoral cooperation of the private, State, and non-profit sectors, between the general public and employees”, the Czech Donors Forum pointed out.

“It is very difficult to identify where our assistance would be most helpful. Therefore, we annually seek advice on where the funds should go from people who live in those places where our support is directed. We ask people from the Plzen, Frydek-Mistek and Velke Popovice regions exactly what projects in the areas of culture, social care, health care, environmental protection and leisure time activities would be most feasible in their opinion. Thanks to the regional dailies and other mass communication media, we can address practically everybody. Then, all that needs to be done is to cast one's vote on the Internet or to send an SMS”, says Mr Marek Hlavica, Corporate Communication Manager, Plzensky Prazdroj, who adds: “We very much appreciate our excellent cooperation with eminent personalities, who represent their cities and regions in the Obcanska volba project, joining its Council of Representatives. Also, the assistance from the appropriate regional dailies belonging to Vltava-Labe-Press, particularly in promoting the popular vote, has been of key importance for us. They, too, should be proud of the award, which comes on the occasion of Obcanska volba's 6th birthday.”

Ever since 2002, the Obcanska volba programme has extended its support to more than 150 development projects in three regions worth in total CZK 35.5 million; currently, voting of the regions' population is culminating within the fifth annual Obcanska volba project. This year, they decide about 59 projects.

Contacts:
Vladimir Jurina
Plzeňský Prazdroj
724 617 886

Klara Splichalova
Donors Forum
724 133 138
296 236 512

• Forum darcu (the Czech Donors Forum) is an umbrella organisation of donors in the Czech Republic. The association has given birth to the Czech Donors Forum Association of Foundations, and the Czech Donors Forum Association of Foundation Funds. They bring together foundations and foundation funds which uphold certain codes of ethics and which take an active share in the expansion of the Czech foundation environments. Commencing in November 2003,  the Corporate Donors Club – DONATOR – was also introduced at the Czech Donors Forum.
• With total sales of more than 10.7 million hectolitres in the calendar year 2006 (including licensed production abroad) and exports to more than 50 countries throughout the world, Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s., is the leading beer producer in the region and the largest exporter of Czech beer
• Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s., is a member of the global group SABMiller plc. Pilsner Urquell is the international flagship of the portfolio of SABMiller brands Plzensky Prazdroj, a. s.
• SABMiller, plc, is one of the world’s largest brewers with brewing interests or distribution agreements in over 60 countries across six continents. The SABMiller brand portfolio consists of international brands such as Miller Genuine Draft, Peroni Nastro Azzurro and Pilsner Urquell, as well as of many other successful regional brands.

Pilsen