12.22.2004 ET

(CSRwire) Edelman, the world's largest independent public relations firm, announced today that it will initiate a multi-year partnership with the Global Business Coalition (GBC) on HIV/AIDS, starting with a commitment of $250,000 worth of professional services in 2005.

Edelman will support GBC's mission to focus the abilities of the global business community to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and in particular persuade business to play a critical role in fighting this scourge that afflicts 40 million people. Edelman's 41 offices will collaborate with GBC to broaden and deepen the engagement of multinational companies to fight HIV/AIDS, safeguard their employees and protect the communities in which they operate. Edelman has been a member of the GBC since it was created in the late 90's.

"HIV/AIDS is one of the biggest preventable tragedies of all time: with proper education, outreach, support and engagement, we can help prevent the spread of this modern plague," said Richard Edelman, president & CEO, Edelman. "The genesis of our commitment is to enable our staff to contribute in a significant way by embracing a cause that matters in all regions of the world." Richard Edelman has been appointed to GBC's Advisory Board, which counsels the organization on its' strategic direction, and Edelman's regional leaders are joining GBC's regional boards.

During the past 53 years, individual offices within Edelman's global network have made substantial contributions to the well-being of local and national communities and these philanthropic efforts will continue. This is mark the first time that Edelman's global network will be tapped for a firm-wide commitment to a single cause.

Ambassador Richard Holbrooke, president and CEO of the GBC stated "We believe that Edelman's pledge will play a tremendous role in changing the traditional understanding of business involvement in HIV/AIDS and to relieve the stigma and discrimination associated with this terrible disease. We are looking forward to working with Edelman and use them as an example to get other businesses and organizations involved."

Working with GBC's Trevor Neilson, executive director and Joëlle Tanguy, managing director, the initiative will be led by Nancy Turett, president and global director, Health, in partnership with Edelman's global network. The scope of work includes offering counsel and support Edelman's core competencies of public relations, public affairs, branding, publishing, research and events.

About The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS
The Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) is the pre-eminent organization leading the business fight against HIV/AIDS. The rapidly-expanding alliance of over 170 international companies is dedicated to combating the AIDS epidemic through the business sector's unique skills and expertise. With headquarters in New York, GBC was created in response to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's call for the global business community to join the fight against AIDS. The mission of the GBC is to harness the power of the global business community to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic. For more information, please visit the GBC Web site at www.businessfightsaids.org, the leading global resource of company AIDS programs and hub of information relevant to business concerned about AIDS.

About Edelman
Edelman is the world's largest independent public relations firm with 1,800 employees in 41 offices worldwide. In 2003, The Holmes Group named Edelman "Agency of the Year," and PRWeek voted its work for CIT "Best Campaign of the Year," the industry's most prestigious award for client programming. Edelman's network includes four specialty firms - Blue (advertising), First&42nd (management consulting), StrategyOne (research) and BioScience Communications (medical education and publishing) - making it possible for us to offer clients a comprehensive spectrum of communications. Visit www.edelman.com for more information.

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