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BNP Paribas returns as Title Sponsor of 10th Annual ‘Taste Of Tennis' Event August 27th at The W New York Hotel

Premier Pre-US Open Party to Benefit The Food Bank for New York City

BNP Paribas, a European leader in global banking and financial services, today announced its continued support as title sponsor of the 2009 Taste of Tennis in New York City (www.bnpparibastasteoftennis.com). The annual event produced by AYS Sports Marketing and benefiting The Food Bank for New York City, is set for Thursday, August 27th at the W New York Hotel.

The sponsorship will designate BNP Paribas as the exclusive title sponsor for the star-studded culinary event, which teams top chefs and tennis stars. This year's lineup includes former US Open Champion Andy Roddick, former Australian Open finalist, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, BNP Paribas Open winner, Vera Zvonareva and tennis legend, Billie Jean King along with acclaimed chefs such as Alfred Portale of Gotham Bar & Grill and sports personalities including ESPN's Hannah Storm, who will serve as emcee.

“We're excited to welcome back BNP Paribas to the Taste of Tennis,” said Judi Lerner of AYS Sports Marketing. “Their involvement elevated this event to new heights last year and helped generate even greater support for The Food Bank of New York City and its important cause.”

BNP Paribas' partnership with the Taste of Tennis is just the latest in a long history of tennis lineage for the company. BNP Paribas has been involved with the sport for more than 36 years, when the bank began first sponsoring Roland Garros (the French Open) in 1973. Since then, BNP Paribas has constantly strengthened its commitment to support tennis both locally and worldwide. In 2009 BNP Paribas became title sponsor of the BNP Paribas Open, the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour premier tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California. The bank has been title sponsor of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas since 2001, of the
Fed Cup by BNP Paribas since 2005, and of the BNP Paribas Masters since 1986, as well as other major international tournaments including the WTA Bank of the West Classic in the United States, the Master Series Monte Carlo and the Internazionali BNL d'Italia.

Michele Sicard, Head of Corporate Communications for BNP Paribas in North America added, “We're delighted to be the title sponsor of the BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis for the second consecutive year. This event furthers BNP Paribas' commitment to tennis, which is one of the longest in the sport's history. It also enables us to give back to the community in New York.”



About AYS Sports Marketing
AYS Sports Marketing (www.aysworld.com) is a premier event management company, specializing in the creation, implementation and marketing of unique sports and entertainment events. Led by respected industry veterans Judi and Penny Lerner, AYS has forged a strong reputation for producing innovative global sport-food fusion events, including the BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis (U.S.), NAB Taste of Tennis (Australia) and the soon to launch Cooking with the Legends franchise. AYS also provides consultation services to companies seeking to market themselves more effectively via sports and entertainment.

About BNP Paribas
BNP Paribas (www.bnpparibas.com) is one of the 6 strongest banks in the world according to Standard & Poor's. With a presence in 85 countries and more than 205,000 employees, 165,200 of which in Europe, BNP Paribas is a global-scale European leader in financial services. It holds key positions in its three activities: Retail banking, Investment Solutions and Corporate & Investment Banking. The Group benefits from its four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. BNP Paribas also has a significant presence in the United States and strong positions in Asia and the emerging markets.
* Within it's peer group

BNP Paribas & Tennis
In 2008, BNP Paribas celebrated the 35th anniversary of its association with the tennis world. Since 1973, BNP Paribas has been actively involved in this sport, regularly increasing its support locally and internationally for professionals and amateurs, including families, schools and the community. For the first time in March 2009, BNP Paribas was the title sponsor of the BNP Paribas Open, known as the Grand Slam of the West in Indian Wells, California. Over the years, BNP Paribas has become the world's number 1 tennis sponsor. The bank has been the official sponsor of Roland Garros for 35 years, title sponsor of the Davis Cup since 2001, the Fed Cup since 2005, the BNP Paribas Masters since 1986 and the Internazionali BNL d'Italia since 2006. BNP Paribas actively supports numerous other international competitions such as the WTA Bank of the West Classic in California and the Monte Carlo Masters Series.