Diageo Recognized as Top Diversity Employer in 2009 'Best of the Best' Annual Review

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Jan 25, 2010, 03:02 ET

NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Diageo, the world's leading spirits, beer and wine company and industry leader in promoting responsible drinking, has been named a leading diversity employer and will be featured in the 2009 'Best of the Best' Annual Review Series by Olive Tree Publishing, Inc., publishers of the Black EOE Journal, Hispanic Network Magazine, and Professional Woman's Magazine. The annual evaluation, now in its 18th year, sets the standard for identifying corporations that are providing the best career opportunities for minorities and is the most respected evaluation of corporate America's minority career advancement opportunities.

Diageo received the following honors:

2009 Top Diversity Employer for African-Americans

Black EOE Journal '2009 Annual Yearbook'

2009 Top Diversity Employer for Hispanics

Hispanic Network Magazine '2009 Best of the Best'

2009 Top Diversity Employer for Women

Professional Woman's Magazine '2009 Best of the Best'

"This honor is testament to what we have long considered a point of pride and standard of business here at Diageo: our commitment to diversity," said Danielle Robinson, Human Resources Director, Diversity and Early Career. "We attribute this recognition to the culture Diageo has worked hard to create. This is truly an inclusive environment where people feel valued and celebrated for their individual skills and contributions and can always be themselves."

This year, more than 900 U.S. companies were considered for these awards. The publications gathered data and performed extensive unbiased studies in such areas as diversity employment and supplier diversity. Studies were based on the evaluation of data from independent research organizations, market research reports, public information, 10-K annual reports, survey responses, interviews, and other available sources. These studies are a valuable resource for jobseekers, business owners, students, consumers, senior management, business associations, employment agencies and consumer groups.

"Diversity has become best-practice among the most successful corporations and a critical factor in recruitment and employee retention. Recognizing the excellence of those businesses that foster inclusive and supportive environments is critical to our goal of encouraging diversity commitments across businesses worldwide," said Mona Lisa Faris-Placey, President and CEO of Olive Tree Publishing. "In today's challenging economy, our readers and all minority groups need the support of their employers more than ever. Diageo, along with the other companies on our list, epitomize a commitment to diversity at its best."

Diageo has also received the following recent recognitions for inclusion and diversity:

2009 Top 100 Companies for Working Mothers
Top 100 Companies for Diversity by Savoy Professional Magazine 2008, 2009
Top 100 Places to Work Corporate Equality Index – Human Rights Campaign Foundation 2007 and 2008, 2009
100 Best Companies to Work for Canada 2009
Universum Ideal Employer Among MBAs 2009 Ranked #63 (Also listed 2008, 2007, 2006)
Kane's Social Responsibility Diversity Communications Award, 2009
2009 Top 25 Diversity Councils Award
2009 NAACP of Norwalk Community Social Responsibility Award
2009 NY Arts and Business Partnership Award
Corporate Partner of the Year - National Black MBA Association Greater Westchester/CT Chapter - 2007

About Diageo

Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) 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. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About Olive Tree Publishing:

Olive Tree Publishing is the publisher of the Black Equal Opportunity Employment Journal, the Hispanic Network Magazine, and the Professional Woman's Magazine. Founded in 1991, the Black EOE Journal is dedicated to promoting the advancement of African-Americans in all aspects of business and employment to ensure equal opportunity. For over a decade, the Hispanic Network Magazine has reported vital news influencing the Hispanic community and shared pertinent principles to empower each individual in achieving both business and employment/career success. Professional Woman's Magazine (PWM) is dedicated to promoting the advancement of multi-cultural diverse women in all aspects of business and employment, to ensure equal opportunity. For additional information, please go to http://www.hnmagazine.com

SOURCE Diageo