Diageo Selects Accenture to Develop and Support its Global ERP Systems

NEW YORK and LONDON; October 7, 2003 – Diageo, the world’s premium drinks business, and Accenture today announced a multi-year agreement under which Accenture will develop, implement and support Diageo’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems on a global basis.

Accenture will deliver and support a suite of systems, including SAP and Ariba, which underpin Diageo’s core back office processes. The global deployment of these systems is part of Diageo’s strategy to enhance business effectiveness and efficiency.

"This agreement marks an important step toward our goal of implementing our new operating model and our intent of more clearly leveraging our global scale to support each of our in-market businesses" said Robin Dargue, CIO, Diageo.

"Diageo has long been an industry leader in using innovation to enhance shareholder value, and this is yet another strong example," said John Zealley, a partner in Accenture’s Consumer Goods & Services practice. "With new ERP systems, Diageo will be able to focus on its premium brand portfolio and compete in a market that demands speed and efficiency."

About Diageo
Diageo is the world’s leading premium drinks business. With its global vision, and local marketing focus, Diageo brings to consumers an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across the spirits, wine and beer categories including Smirnoff, Guinness, Johnnie Walker, Baileys, J&B, Cuervo, Captain Morgan and Tanqueray, and Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines. Diageo trades in some 180 countries around the world and 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 www.diageo.com.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company. Committed to delivering innovation, Accenture collaborates with its clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. With deep industry expertise, broad global resources and proven experience in consulting and outsourcing, Accenture can mobilize the right people, skills, alliances and technologies to help clients improve their business performance. With more than 80,000 people in 47 countries, the company generated net revenues of US$11.6 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2002. Its home page is www.accenture.com.

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