2009-12-07 22:13:39 -

iShares, a global leader in Exchange Traded Funds, announced today that in celebration of iShares 529 Plan’s new sponsorship of the Museum of Discovery, it has invited its longtime partner Cirque du Soleil ® to perform two acts on Thursday, December 10 at the Museum. The presentation will begin at 10:30 a.m. and is open to the public.

Visitors to the museum that morning will get a rare opportunity to experience the magic of a Cirque du Soleil performance in an intimate setting. In keeping with their mission of igniting a passion for science, Museum experts will educate attendees on the science behind circus acts.

“iShares is proud to be a sponsor of the Museum of Discovery. We have great respect for the

Museum’s commitment to creativity, innovation and education, and we recognize that its mission aligns perfectly with our own,” said Stephen Jobe, director of 529 programs at iShares. “We designed the iShares 529 Plan to reflect these same core values, and to better arm financial advisors with a product that helps them address their clients’ goal of saving for college for the next generation. We're also proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the U.S. Touring Shows of Cirque du Soleil and it gives us great joy to have Cirque participate in the launch of our partnership with the Museum of Discovery.”


The iShares 529 Plan is a college savings plan sponsored by the State of Arkansas. It is available through financial advisors, and is the only 529 plan with all Exchange Traded Funds as the underlying investments.

With Exchange Traded Funds at its core, the iShares 529 Plan breaks new ground in the 529 plan arena by offering unique benefits, including low expenses and transparency.

“We are founded on the notion that education and innovation are two of the major pillars that support the development of our young residents here in Arkansas and beyond,” said Nan Selz, executive director of the Museum of Discovery. “The iShares 529 Plan reminds us that those elements involve not just the will to learn, but the will to save and plan as well. We welcome their partnership and look forward to working together for years to come.”


iShares has a long running relationship with Cirque du Soleil.

“We were attracted to Cirque du Soleil because it is a highly regarded, unique and creative company that we feel matches well with the innovative iShares Exchange Traded Funds we offer investors,” said Michael Latham, head of iShares at BlackRock. “iShares has revolutionized the investment landscape, becoming the world's largest family of Exchange Traded Funds, while Cirque du Soleil has revolutionized their own category and in doing so, have also created one of the world's most admired brands.”


For more information, please visit www.ishares529.com : or www.amod.org : .



About iShares: iShares is the global product leader in exchange traded funds with over 380 funds globally across equities, fixed income and commodities, which trade on 16 exchanges worldwide. iShares is owned by BlackRock.



About BlackRock: BlackRock is a leader in investment management, risk management and advisory services for institutional and retail clients worldwide. With approximately $3.2 trillion under management as of September 30, 2009 (pro forma), BlackRock offers products that span the risk spectrum to meet clients’ needs, including active, enhanced and index strategies across markets and asset classes. Products are offered in a variety of structures including separate accounts, mutual funds, iShares (exchange-traded funds), and other pooled investment vehicles.
BlackRock also offers risk management, advisory and enterprise investment system services to a broad base of institutional investors through BlackRock Solutions ® . Headquartered in New York City, the firm has over 8,500 employees in 24 countries. For additional information, please visit BlackRock’s website at www.blackrock.com : .



About the Museum of Discovery: Founded in 1927, the Museum of Discovery is Little Rock’s oldest museum. It remains a fixture of the River Market District in Downtown Little Rock attracting visitors of all ages. With over 25,000 square feet of hands-on, interactive exhibits, the Museum is a family destination “where you have worlds to discover.” The Museum’s mission is to ignite a passion for science, technology and math in a dynamic, interactive environment. The Museum of Discovery is a Smithsonian Affiliate, accredited by the American Association of Museums and a member of the Association of Science and Technology Centers and the Association of Children’s Museums.


For more information about the iShares 529 Plan, contact your financial advisor, call 1-888-529-9552 or visit www.ishares529.com : to obtain a Program Description and Participation Agreement which includes investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider it carefully before investing or sending money. Upromise Investments, Inc. Co-Distributor and Underwriter; BlackRock Fund Distribution Company, Co-Distributor.


If you are not an Arkansas taxpayer, consider before investing whether your or the designated beneficiary’s home state offers any state tax or other benefits that are only available for investments in such state's qualified tuition program.

The iShares 529 Plan is a college tuition savings program sponsored by the State of Arkansas and is administered by the Arkansas 529 Plan Review Committee. Upromise Investments, Inc., and Upromise Investment Advisors, LLC, serve as the Program Manager and Recordkeeping and Servicing Agent, respectively, with overall responsibility for the day-to-day operations, including marketing and co-distribution of the Plan. BlackRock Fund Distribution Company also has responsibility for co-distribution of the Plan. BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A.
serves as Investment Manager for the Plan. The Plan’s portfolios, although they invest in exchange traded funds, are not exchange traded funds. Units of the Portfolios are municipal securities and the value of units will vary with market conditions.



Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. and BlackRock Fund Distribution Company are subsidiaries of BlackRock, Inc., none of which is affiliated with Upromise.

© 2009 BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. iShares ® is a registered trademark of BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A.

All other trademarks, servicemarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.



* Not FDIC Insured * No Bank, State or Federal Guarantee * May Lose Value

Media RelationsiShares:Christine Hudacko, 415-670-2687 christine.hudacko@blackrock.com : mailto:christine.hudacko@blackrock.com orMedia
RelationsiShares 529 Plan:Jamie Giller, 781-449-3244 Jamie@ebbenzallgroup.com : mailto:Jamie@ebbenzallgroup.com orMuseum
of Discovery:Katherine McManners, 501-396-7050