Whom You Know: March 2010

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Cruising Peachy: REV YOUR ENGINES, HOT CARS FOR A CAUSE Rare and Exotic Cars (and Motorcycles) Take Center Stage at the East Side House Settlement Gala Preview of the 2010 New York International Auto Show to Benefit Students in the South Bronx. One of the Best Events in Manhattan Says Whom You Know

On April 1, 2010, the East Side House Settlement will host the 11^th Annual Gala Preview of the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Center. This high-octane event offers guests a chance to view the entire auto show before it officially opens to the public, including access to the hottest cars and trucks, brand new '10 & '11 production models, and exciting concept vehicles. One of the biggest charity events of the year, all proceeds from the evening benefit East Side House Settlement (www.eastsidehouse.org), a leading social services agency that serves young people and families in the South Bronx.

We love love love fabulous autos and have featured Corvette, BMW, Mercedes, Mini, Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls Royce, and Chevrolet and of course our favorite race track Limerock Park, in Cruising Peachy:http://www.whomyouknow.com/search/label/Cruising%20Peachy If you were reading yesterday you'll see we love them in London too; although we are excited for Masterpiece London we are even more excited for the New York International Auto Show at the Jacob K. Javits Center!!!!!

THE CELEBRATION

The Gala Preview includes cocktails, a private dinner for benefactors, and a silent and live auction, plus “Fully Loaded” - a rare collection of NYC’s most exclusive, privately-owned, customized cars and new 2010 automobiles and motorcycles that will be unveiled and on display for one night only. The event is chaired by Philip L. Yang and Joan P. Young and the benefit committee is chaired by Kipton Cronkite, Fe Fendi, and Paige Ethington Hardy. The media sponsor is New York magazine. Over 1,300 guests from the worlds of Wall Street, fashion, arts, sports, and Society are expected to attend this glittering and fuel-injected evening. Cruising Peachy absolutely cannot wait; she was brought up in a car-enthusiast environment.

THE CARS

The evening’s highlight will be the preview of the new Aston Martin Rapide. The most elegant four-door sports car in the world, the Rapide is one of the most eagerly awaited cars of 2010. During the dinner, there will be a live auction of an exclusive Aston Martin Rapide driving package. The complete auction package will include an excursion for two at the Aston Martin driving school in Detroit, Michigan, for a full-day, one-on-one driving lesson, as well as a one-week loan of the Aston Martin Rapide; a first opportunity to get behind the wheel of the car before sales begin late in the summer 2010. This unique package is offered by Aston Martin North America in conjunction with their official New York dealer partners, Miller Motor Cars and Aston Martin Long Island.

The “Fully Loaded” exhibition is curated by Manhattan Motorcars, Wheel Concepts, DUBS and Confederate Motors. It will showcase an exhilarating collection of cars and motorcycles with incredible custom and factory upgraded interiors and exteriors, upgrades, revised engines, custom leathers and paints, and custom-built wheels, including: a custom 2010 Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead coupe; 2009 Ferrari 599gtb; 2002 Ford Excursion 7.3 Diesel; 2008 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel; the brand new 2010 Spyker C8 Spyder; 2010 Bentley Supersports; Porsche Carrera GT; Lamborghini Super Veloce; two 2010 Confederate P120 Fighter Limited Edition motorcycles and a 2020 Confederate B120 Wraith motorcycle.

THE CAUSE
The Gala Preview of the New York International Auto Show is a critical source of funding for East Side House Settlement, as approximately half of ESH’s funding comes from private philanthropy. With the unwavering support from The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association and The New York International Automobile Show, ESH has been able to establish and fund a highly successful college preparation program, which is crucial in promoting education and employment for the residents of Mott Haven in the South Bronx.
“We are excited to partner with some of New York’s most influential leaders in the auto industry,” said John Sanchez, Executive Director, East Side House Settlement. “Proceeds raised from the gala will be essential toward benefitting the motivated students that we serve and in continuing our efforts to create opportunities for the people of the South Bronx.”
“This is a very exciting year for the Auto Show, as we celebrate the 100^th anniversary of The Greater New York Automobiles Association, and our eleven year partnership with East Side House,” said Candida Romanelli, Director, New York International Auto Show. “It is so important that we, as an industry, continue our efforts toward helping young people attain their goals through education and employment.”
Over the past four years, 220 students have been accepted to college and over 100 have received scholarship assistance as a result of this event.

# # #

ABOUT ESH
East Side House Settlement is a high quality social services agency. East Side House serves the Mott Haven section of the South Bronx, within the poorest Congressional district in the United States, only six miles from midtown Manhattan. All the proceeds from this event go directly to East Side House to fund expansion of a state-of-the- art computer technology center, which brings the information super highway to the South Bronx — crucial to education and employment — and a highly successful college preparation program with a 95% success rate in a neighborhood with a high school dropout rate that exceeds 50%. This program is the model for a new neighborhood college preparatory high school, sponsored by East Side House, which serves 350 youngsters and opened in September 2002

ABOUT the 2010 New York International Auto Show
Showcasing the latest motor trends, the 2010 New York International Auto Show will reveal an expansive collection of cutting-edge design and extraordinary innovation. More than four floors of displays from the world’s automakers will feature some of the hottest cars and trucks ever seen all under one roof. This includes more sneak peeks, more brand new 2010 and 2011 production models and more concept vehicles than ever before. NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

TELEVISION INDUSTRY HEAVY HITTERS LAUNCH SCHOLARSHIP APRIL 9TH AT THE COLLEGE TELEVISION AWARDS TO COMMEMORATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Commemorating the 20^th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act with the Major Launch of a $40,000 Scholarship Program

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA- The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation announced that television producer/philanthropist/disability rights activist Loreen Arbus, the first woman television executive in America to head up programming at a network, and Robert David Hall, star of the hit series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”, will present the Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarships at the 31^st Annual College Television Awards gala on April 10 at the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood.

“The Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship is a tremendous addition to the College Television Awards,” said Television Academy Foundation Executive Director Terri Clark. “We are grateful for Loreen’s support. This is a meaningful way to salute her extensive work on behalf of disabled Americans as well as perpetuate the legacy of her parents.”

“I am honored to be presenting the first-ever Focus on Disability Scholarships to two student producers who heighten awareness of the largest minority in the U.S. -- people with disability,” said Loreen Arbus. “As co-founder of the Media Office of the California Governor’s Committee for Employment of Disabled Persons, it has been my great good fortune to have interacted over the years with Robert David Hall, who I so admire for his tireless work and passionate commitment to debunking disability stereotypes in Hollywood.”

The Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship is a joint partnership between The Loreen Arbus Foundation, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation and The Foundation of the Alliance for Women in Media. The scholarship focuses specifically on the needs, achievements, contributions and stories of people with disabilities, and commemorates the 20^thAnniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Loreen Arbus Focus on Disability Scholarship will be given to two aspiring student television producers.

The two scholarships will be presented April 10^th at the 31^st Annual College Television Awards, the Television Academy Foundation’s annual celebration of the best in student television, digital and film work in the U.S. One honoree, determined by the Television Academy Foundation, produced a moving documentary. The second honoree, representing the Alliance for Women in Media (formerly AWRT), produced a powerful public service announcement. Each will receive a $10,000 scholarship from The Loreen Arbus Foundation. The winning work will be showcased at a special screening on Sunday April 11^th at the Television Academy Foundation's Leonard H. Goldenson Theatre in North Hollywood. Tickets to the College Television Awards can be purchased through the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation website.

“I am thrilled that the idea I had to create this scholarship is being brought to light by these two wonderful organizations,” said Loreen Arbus.

Loreen Arbus: Bringing groundbreaking advocacy for people with disabilities and carrying on a family legacy

Holding the distinction of serving as the first woman in the U.S. to head programming at a network (at both Showtime and Cable Health Network/Lifetime), Loreen Arbus is committed to her work with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), the organization co-founded by her parents, Isabelle and Leonard H. Goldenson, Founder/Chairman, ABC. The fifth-largest U.S. health agency, UCP serves and advocates on behalf of more than 54 million Americans with disabilities.

Commemorating the 20^th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act

In 1968 - more than 20 years prior to the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) -- the Goldensons successfully lobbied to create Section 502, The Architectural Barriers Act which for the first time prohibited discrimination on the basis of disability. Mrs. Goldenson’s unique ideas resulted in Federal laws mandating shaved corners of street curbs, lowered public telephones, enlarged restroom cubicles, ramps in public buildings, and designated “handicapped” parking in every city in the United States. Recognized as the predecessor to the ADA, Section 502 directed communities around the country to take steps towards greater accessibility for people with disabilities.

About The Loreen Arbus Foundation

The Loreen Arbus Foundation supports a broad scope of charitable interests, including scientific and medical research; women and girls; people with disabilities and other minorities; gender and racial equity in media; the arts; the environment and world peace.

About Loreen Arbus

Loreen Arbus is President/Executive Producer of Loreen Arbus Productions, Inc., a multi-tiered production company that develops nonfiction programming for network, cable, syndication and the Internet. Ms. Arbus is the author of six nonfiction books, an Emmy® nominee and regular contributor to several national magazines and newspapers. She is a member of The Writers Guild of America, The Authors Guild, and The Producers Guild, and serves on 11 nonprofit boards. Widely recognized for her humanitarian and professional accomplishments, she has received The Heart of Giving Award presented by President Bill Clinton in 2001 and was chosen as one of 40 Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World in 2002.

About the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation

Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation preserves and celebrates the history of the medium while educating and guiding those who will shape its future. Prominent among its many initiatives are the Archive of American Television, education programs such as the College Television Awards and its renowned student internship program, all of which utilize the resources of the Television Academy. For more information about the Foundation, its many programs and services, please visit emmysfoundation.org.

About The Foundation of the Alliance for Women In Media: The Foundation for the Alliance for Women In Media is the philanthropic arm of The Alliance for Women in Media (formerly the American Women in Radio & Television), supporting educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields. The Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including The Gracie Awards^®, a live gala that honors exemplary programming created for, by and about women. For more information, please visit awrt.org.

Haute Hotels: Here's Looking at You Kid-If You Want to Stay in Times Square in Manhattan, The Casablanca is a Fabulous Choice, Recommended by Whom You Know

Previously we featured The Casablanca in Big Apple Business:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2010/03/big-apple-business-casablanca-hotel.html
That includes all kind of background information that you should read, and in Haute Hotels, we tell you what we think.

We are pleased to announce it has graduated to Haute Hotels! A little bit of Morrocco in Times Square, it brings a unique sophistication in an area of the city that is overcommercialized, over-"tourist"ed, and truly needs it. When you "round up the usual suspects" among hotels in this part of town, you will find there is nothing more charming than The Casablanca. If you as discriminating in a good way as we are at Whom You Know, you will find The Casablanca will not disappoint you one bit.

Celebrated as one of New York City's most popular boutique hotels, the Casablanca Hotel is a hidden gem, located just steps away from vibrant Times Square, in Midtown Manhattan. The charming boutique hotel was inspired by the romance of the movie "Casablanca." This oasis of luminous Moroccan glamour and hospitality is only outshined by the talented and eager to please staff. The Casablanca Hotel is an intimate European-style family-owned boutique hotel in midtown Manhattan where guests can relax in front of a fireplace at Rick's Café, featuring an upstairs club room.

We were pleased to see our Mover and Shaker, Garret Corcoran during our stay:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/09/movers-and-shakers-garret-corcoran-vice.html

The Casablanca is the second HK Hotel we have recommended. It joins Hotel Elysee, which we absolutely loved:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2010/03/haute-hotels-hidden-gem-on-east-54th.html

We arrived and found our room to be clean, pleasant and sophisticated. We definitely felt as though we were on a vacation far away from Manhattan, which was quite nice! As Rick says in the movie, "There are certain sections of New York I wouldn't advise you to try to invade," we will say in return that The Casablanca Hotel is a section of New York you SHOULD invade!

The bathroom was fabulously clean, uber-important in our book. In particular this bathroom was great because it had a window out to 43rd Street. For those of you reading this that don't live here, windows in Manhattan bathrooms are not regular; they are a luxury. Also quite smart was the shower rod. It had a curve to it which prevented the shower curtain flowing into you during the shower. We wish all hotels did this that used curtains instead of a glass door.

When you walk in, you do feel as though you're entering the movie! The stairway is quite gracious and the imagination of those involved with The Casablanca is wonderful, as the spirit of the movie transcends into all components of the hotel. The front desk even has copies of the movie Casablanca that you can watch during your stay, and we do recommend that. Make sure your tv is set to AV2 for the movie-there are excellent new flat screens! We did see many couples here so it is known as a romantic getaway but it is also enjoyed by business travelers who want a nice home to return to after a crazed Manhattan day, which we'd say is about every day.

The Whom You Know Haute Hotel panel commented:

A hidden gem of a boutique hotel. The Casablanca Hotel really is located at the cross roads of the world! Right in the middle of the vibrant Times Square in New York City. This wonderfully quaint boutique hotel was inspired by the Casablanca movie. Be sure to ask for a copy of the movie when you check in, it really will put you in the mood of the whole hotel.

As a guest of the Casablanca Hotel, I was invited to check out Rick’s Café located on the second floor of the hotel. Rick’s Café serves complimentary refreshments 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I thoroughly enjoyed lounging on the sofa prior to dinner enjoying complimentary fine wine and cheese. Every evening from 5pm to 8pm, guest can enjoy complimentary Processo, fine wines and cheeses. You could see this was a hit with the other guests of the hotel, by the number of people enjoying Rick’s Café. A lavish complimentary Euro style breakfast and newspapers are available there in the morning. The open space is so inviting and warm; cozy up to the fireplace is a real treat.

The Casablanca has only 48 luxury rooms, so your time feels very intimate and romantic. You are not treated as a number, I felt like a valued guest. The rooms are very comfortable with meticulous attention to detail throughout. The unique archways, the beautiful bedroom ceiling fan and the paintings are just some of the unique detail you will remember and enjoy during and after your luxurious stay.

The bedrooms take their inspiration from Morocco. Color, color, color! The essential soundproof windows made it easy to have a quiet restful night in one of the noisiest areas of the city. Our mini suite was just perfect for a getaway home from home.

As a guest you are welcome to enjoy complimentary wireless internet, you are able to utilize the hotel computer.

If you haven’t walked around Manhattan enough during your stay, you are welcome to have a complimentary work out at the nearby New York Sports Club.

All the complimentary facilities mentioned are exactly that, complimentary. This is not the norm in New York City; you can only imagine the great savings from having all of this offered to you.

The Casablanca Hotel employees were all exceptional and eager for me to enjoy my entire stay. Thank you to the doorman who always so graciously greeted and assisted me, the entire hotel team makes the Casablanca Hotel such a wonderful enjoyable place to stay!!

Shown below: Rick's Cafe

Whom You Know recommends the Casablanca!

Play it again, Sam.

This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Casablanca Hotel

147 West 43^rd Street

New York, NY 10036

Telephone (212) 869-1212

Facsimile (212) 391-7585

E-mail rooms@casablancahotel.com

Website www.casablancahotel.com

US toll-free (888) 922-7225

Owner HKHotels/ Henry Kallan

General Manager John Taboada

Director Sales & Marketing Adele Gutman
For reservations, call Casablanca Hotel at (212) 869-1212 or visit www.casablancahotel.com

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

READ THIS: ON THE BRINK: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System By Henry M. Paulson, Jr.

It is a lousy, rainy day outside in Manhattan. A couple of weekends ago, we thought spring was here, but today the weather has a lot in common with the economy.

A lot of Americans have no idea what exactly happened to the economy.

They should. It is all in the details.

They know it is not great, but do they know WHY? A lot of people grow up worshiping people in the sports and entertainment world, and that is fine, we like them too, but people should also be aware of the financial wizards and intelligent people in the world that we hope we feature in Movers and Shakers. Do you know what a stock is? Do you know what composes a bond? Do you know that the Fannie that you sit on is not the only one and that Freddie goes beyond Flintstone? Embracing your education and being on the honor roll or dean's list far supercedes any extracurricular in our book. It is not only important to do well academically, it is also important to know what is going on in the world around you and understand why big problems happen. You might learn something from it.

At Whom You Know, we attempt to be non-political because excellence is not about politics. Ever to Excel is something we embrace, and have embraced for many years. We firmly believe in personal responsibility, risk management, and doing what you say. You have to mean what you say, do what you say, and be good for your word to be featured on Whom You Know. This is not as common as you might think. If we find out you are not, your post will be pulled. Many, many factors contributed to the downfall of our economy.

One big factor that makes us very angry is that people that did not understand risk took on more risk than they could support and they expect other people to pick up their mess. We believe that people should clean up their own mess, and should read the details, and if you don't understand them, ask questions until you do! So if you know anything about the financial mess our country and the world is in, you could say we do place blame on people that signed up for a loan or a mortgage and did not fulfill their commitment. We also place blame on the Clinton administration, as you will read below.

A lot of people blame Wall Street, but we think this is mainly out of ignorance.

So-if you are one of those people you should read this book. In On the Brink, Henry Paulson gives a detailed play-by-play from his perspective of how he did his best to solve what he could. We think that it is written well for the regular reader and that is the audience Paulson must have been seeking when he chose the language he did. It is very simple to understand, so simple in fact that if you have a background in finance it might frustrate you (Paulson even defines spread in the most colloquial of terms) - but we hope this appeals to the masses. The everyday American needs to know and understand what happened, if for no other reason other than that of history not repeating itself.

Previously we recommended Larry McDonald's book, which we really liked:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2009/09/read-this-colossal-failure-of-common.html

To understand all that has gone wrong, you must understand all of the factors and perspectives involved. To put this review of Paulson in greater context, we will quote ourselves from the McDonald review:

"What you, the reader, needs to realize is that this was a national problem before it was a Lehman Brothers problem. McDonald eloquently and succinctly lays forth facts that are irrefutable. Right off the bat on page four he states how the government during the Clinton administration incentivized banks to lend to those who were not necessarily credit-worthy, to put it nicely as we do try to do at Whom You Know- in order to achieve a good community reinvestment act rating. The repeal of Glass-Steagall also played an instrumental role as a catalyst to this financial collapse.

In the book, we get a close-up account of the participants in the Lehman collapse, especially those who saw it coming with a helpless, angry certainty. We meet those at the top, whose reckless, pedal-to-the-floor addiction to growth finally demolished the nation’s oldest investment bank. The Wall Street we encounter here is a ruthless place, where brilliance, arrogance, ambition, greed, capacity for relentless toil, and other human traits combine in a potent mix that sometimes fuels prosperity but occasionally destroys it.

The book reveals never-before-told stories about how those at the helm refused to heed warnings that the company was headed for an iceberg. McDonald also introduces us to the hard-working, devoted people who valiantly fought to get Lehman off its disastrous course. Ultimately, he shows us that it was a crash that didn’t have to happen. Other revelations include:

There were several attempts within the company to stave off disaster, but those at the helm refused to listen
Never-before-told efforts to save Lehman in the last days, including a call to the White House by the former president’s cousin
How anyone who warned of impending disaster or that the company’s addiction to leverage and risk was dangerous was fired
The secret mutiny by high-powered managing directors that set up a coup against chairman and CEO Richard Fuld and president and chief operating officer Joe Gregory
The details of a call between a Lehman managing director and Hank Paulson in 2007
That the team running the company was totally disconnected to the people on the trading floor and to the complexities of today’s financial products
There were major warnings starting as early as May 2005 that could have pulled Lehman back from the madness of the housing market
How a dinner between Dick Fuld and Hank Paulson may have sealed Lehman’s fate"

Although we don't know Paulson or Fuld personally, we get the feeling that there is no love lost between the two, so we can't help but wonder if in Fuld's case, which means Lehman's case - It's Not Who You Know, it's Whom You Know.

To add insult to injury, if you are an avid reader of Read This on Whom You Know, as if there weren't enough problems there were people most notably like the MF, that compounded the problem. We love Alexandra Penney's perspective:
http://www.whomyouknow.com/2010/03/read-this-bag-lady-papers-by-alexandra.html

Whom You Know recommends On the Brink by Henry Paulson. It unpatriotic not to read it!

***

ON THE BRINK: Inside the Race to Stop the Collapse of the Global Financial System (Business Plus/Grand Central Publishing; February 1, 2010; $28.99; Hardcover) by Henry M. Paulson, Jr. is a riveting, first-person account from the man who was at the epicenter of a perfect economic storm. More than a dramatic re-telling of the financial crisis, ON THE BRINK also reveals Paulson’s thinking behind the actions and decisions that were taken to avert a global financial meltdown.

When Hank Paulson, the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, was appointed in 2006 to become the nation's next Secretary of the Treasury, he knew that his move from Wall Street to Washington would be daunting and challenging.

But Paulson had no idea that a year later, he would find himself at the center of the world's most cataclysmic financial crisis since the Great Depression. Major institutions including Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers, AIG, Merrill Lynch, and Citigroup, among others—all steeped in rich, longstanding tradition—literally teetered at the edge of collapse. Worst of all, the credit crisis spread to all parts of the U.S. economy and grew more ominous with each passing day, destroying jobs across America and undermining the financial security millions of families had spent their lifetimes building.

ON THE BRINK is Paulson's fast-paced retelling of the key decisions that had to be made with lightning speed. Paulson puts the reader in the room for all the intense moments as he addressed urgent market conditions, weighed critical decisions, and debated policy and economic considerations with of all the notable players—including the CEOs of top Wall Street firms as well as Ben Bernanke, Timothy Geithner, Sheila Bair, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain, and then-President George W. Bush.

More than an account about numbers and credit risks gone bad, ON THE BRINK is an extraordinary story about people and politics—all brought together during the world's impending financial Armageddon.

Henry M. Paulson, Jr., served under President George W. Bush as the 74^th secretary of the Treasury from July 2006 until January 2009. He is proud to support the work of Homeownership Preservation Foundation, which owns and operates the Homeowner’s HOPE Hotline, 888-995-HOPE, a service that counsels families to avoid foreclosure.

Business Plus Hardcover
Publication date: February 1, 2010
$28.99; 480 pages
ISBN: 9780446561938

Visit us: www.HachetteBookGroup.com

Williams Sports - Powered by Williams Formula One Team Technology - Announces Plans to Exhibit at the 2010 China Golf Show in Beijing

Williams Sports announced today that they will exhibit at the 2010 China Golf Show held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, China, April 16th thru the 18th and debut their new line of golf equipment for 2010 in Booth #202. With nearly 6,000 sq. feet of expo space, Williams Sports will by far have the largest Booth of any manufacturer exhibiting at the show.
The Williams Sports booth will also feature an AT&T Williams Formula One racecar to commemorate the new partnership between Williams F1 and Williams Sports. Appropriately enough, the 2010 China Golf Show coincides with The 2010 Shanghai Formula One World Championship Chinese Prix, which is held April 17th thru the 19th in Shanghai, and draws all of the top F1 teams and drivers in the world.

AT&T Williams has been one of the most recognized names in Formula One for over thirty years. Today, it is still led by its founders, Sir Frank Williams and Patrick Head. The partnership between Frank Williams and Patrick Head is the most successful in Formula One history.

Williams Sports has beengranted the exclusive global licensing rights to produce golfequipment and accessories that mirror the high standards of AT&T Williams.The long standing tradition and success of this team will betranslated into industry leading products that will carry thetradition into the golf sector, a new world of opportunity andexposure. Williams Sports will be utilizing the extensiveteam of Williams' engineers and testing equipment tocreate the most highly advanced golf products whiletesting all critical design aspects to ensure theproduct is the best the industry has to offer.

Frank Williams, Williams F1's Team Principal said, "We are at the start of a fascinating period of business development. We have much proprietary know-how which we are now bringing to wider consumer as well as industrial applications, and our engagement with Williams Sport is a clear example of applying our knowledge usefully in areas outside of Formula One. I have great hopes for its potential to revolutionize design in golf equipment."

Williams Sports first launched its new line of golf equipment, powered by Williams Formula One Team Technology, at the 2010 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando, FL in January and at The Japan Golf Fair in Tokyo in February, and the response was absolutely overwhelming.

"We knew going into these two shows that Formula One Racing is extremely popular all over the world," said Michael Lee, of Williams Sports. "What we didn't know was exactly how the fans would react to the revolutionary F1 Technology that we have now introduced to the golf industry. The fact is...the response has been even better than we expected! These clubs are designed to maximize playability and performance in a way that no other company in the industry has ever seen before. That's how cutting edge this technology is!"

Williams Sports will be introducing three Series of clubs: the Players Series, Gold Series and Black Diamond Series, as well as an extensive line of apparel and accessories for 2010.

The Players Series is aimed at the core global golfer. This line is the lifeline of the Williams Sports product line. This series will feature equipment designed for the everyday golfer that seeks the highest in quality and performance from their equipment. This line will be the platform for all series of equipment that Williams Sports produces. This series will target 75% of the global golfing population and will set the bar for bar of excellence in the golf industry in all aspects of design, performance, and production.
The Gold Series from Williams Sports will target the golfer that is looking for something outside the traditional realm of golf club styling. This series will share the same technological and aerodynamic advancements that are the core foundation of the entire Williams Sports line. The Gold Series will separate itself from the other series by modifications to the cosmetics and finish of each product. The most noticeable and recognized difference will be the exquisite 24 karat gold plating on all exposed metal surfaces. To compliment this finish, we have chosen a rich metallic color to bring out the luster of the gold plating. The Gold Series will be the perfect choice for the golfer that is looking for the combination of luxurious styling in an ultra-high performance product designed to perform at the highest level.
The Williams team of engineers understands the core basis and essentials of performance. It's crucial for all performance based equipment to be designed around the individual operating it, whether it's a Formula One race car or a golf club. At Williams F1, a custom seat is created to mold perfectly to the driver's body. From there, the engine and suspension are engineered to match the style and characteristics of the driver. The Williams Sports Black Diamond Series will feature the same formula for performance and success. This is not just a club series...this is The Ultimate Golf Experience! Understanding each individual golfers needs are unique, a Williams Sports expert club maker will custom fit and tailor each pieceof equipment to the specific needs of the player. Maximizing and utilizing all fitting aspects will ensure the highest level of success that the Black Diamond Series can offer. The player will also receive a personalized 100% Italian leather custom Williams golf bag handmade in Italy by Schedoni, and will be a VIP Guest of the team of any F1 event of his choosing*. The Black Diamond Series package carries a price tag of US $50,000.00.

For more information on Williams Sports and their line of golf equipment for 2010 visit: www.williams-sports.com

MASTERPIECE LONDON RACES TO THE FINISH LINE WITH MAGNIFICENT £3 MILLION BUGATTI

Masterpiece London is delighted to announce two exciting additions to its impressive starting grid with the internationally-acclaimed classic car specialists, Fiskens and Coys joining the line-up. Some great cars are set to be offered, with a £3 million 1932 Bugatti from Coys in pole position, having successfully raced in some of the most famous early Grands Prix.

These two prestigious exhibitors will be showcasing a dazzling array of fine historical automobiles: a major attraction for Masterpiece London - the brand new fair taking place at the former Chelsea Barracks, London SW1 between 24 and 29 June. Masterpiece London represents the next generation of fairs, combining fine and decorative art with premium collectors’ items.

Coys, the historic motor car specialists founded by Wilfred E Coy, is one of the world's truly innovative motoring and aviation entrepreneurs. The 1932 Bugatti Type 51 Grand Prix motor car is representative of the exceptional calibre of vehicle they offer, having been raced by legendary driver Jean Pierre Wimille and one of the finest surviving examples of its kind.

Another highlight will be the superb showcase of classic cars from Fiskens, including cars such as a magnificent Aston Martin DB4 GT, which competed on a multitude occasions at some of the most high-profile Swiss races between 1962 and 1965. This handsome French Blue Aston Martin frequently challenged its Jaguar E-Type and Ferrari 250 GTO contemporaries at events such as the Rally de Geneva, St-Ursanne-les Rangiers and Mitholz-kandersteg hill climbs.

Masterpiece London offers motoring enthusiasts a rare opportunity to admire a fine selection of high calibre classic cars ranging from early 20^th Century Rolls-Royces and Bentleys to expertly-restored 1960s competition models and a chance to acquire a very special example of some of the world’s finest historic models.

Offering the ultimate in elegance, quality, luxury and sophistication, Masterpiece London will be a truly exceptional experience. Visitors in need of refreshment will be able to enjoy, for the first time under one roof, a spectrum of fine food brought to the fair by Urban Caprice, the catering and production arm of Caprice Holdings. The restaurants and clubs at the fair will include satellites of The Ivy, Bam-Bou, Scott’s and Harry’s Bar, and Le Caprice will have a full restaurant on site.

The historic Bugatti and the equally-remarkable Aston Martin form part of an amazing procession of usual and exceptional masterpieces at the Fair. Exquisite pieces from the diverse worlds of arms and armour, contemporary furniture, antiquities, clocks, ceramics, haute couture, watches, fine antique jewellery, textiles, rare antique books, paintings, modern works of art and other objets d’art will also appear in this showcase of excellence from around the world.

Thomas Woodham Smith, Chairman of the Masterpiece London Board comments: “Masterpiece London will offer something for everyone, whether you are a fine art connoisseur or a new collector looking for that once-in-a-lifetime treasure.”

www.masterpiecefair.com

Masterpiece London will take place at the former Chelsea Barracks, Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1 on 24 – 29 June 2010.

Opening Times:

PREVIEW by invitation only:
Wednesday 23 June 2010

Open to the public:
Thursday 24 June
11.00–18.00

Masterpiece Gala Evening
19.30–22.00

Friday 25 June to Tuesday 29 June
11.00–20.00

Tickets to Masterpiece London cost £20 per person and can be purchased from April online at www.masterpiecefair.com or by telephoning +44 (0)20 7499 7470.

For the latest news and developments go to www.masterpiecefair.com, join our Facebook group Masterpiece London or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MasterpieceUK