Largest-ever gathering of people dressed as Superman raises United Way awareness

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Sept. 28, 2011) -

Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available via Marketwire on the picture wire of the Canadian Press

They may not be faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive or able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but today Nexen Inc. employees accomplished something in support of the United Way that no other group has ever done - and they have the Guinness World Record to prove it.

At noon, 437 Nexen employees dressed up as Superman and gathered for 10 minutes under the watchful eyes of official Guinness Book of World Records adjudicator Amanda Mochan, who officially confirmed a new record for "World's Largest Gathering of People Dressed As Superman". The Nexen Superman count shatters the previous record of 288 participants at an event organized by the Cuchulainn Gaels athletic club in Omeath, County Louth, Ireland, in August 2010.

"On behalf of Guinness World Records, I would like to congratulate Nexen employees for setting a new world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Superman. Not only was it a fun team-building activity, but the record perfectly tied in with the upcoming Nexen United Way campaign theme of "Be a Superhero," said Mochan.

In order to be counted in the record attempt, each costume had to have: a full body cover outfit in blue, red underpants over the blue outfit, an S on the chest in red and yellow, a yellow belt, red boots or full boot covers in red, and a red cape. Each staff member paid for a portion of their costume with a partial subsidy from Nexen.

The world record kicked off the Nexen 2011 United Way campaign in true superhuman style. Nexen is a proud supporter of the United Way of Calgary and Area, which is now in full swing with the 2011 "Change Starts Here" campaign. Last year's city-wide campaign raised $51.7 million to be invested in Calgary's non profit organizations.

"We wanted to show what can be accomplished when people support a great cause and put their best effort into making their community a better place to live. You can succeed, inspire others and have a a lot of fun," said Pierre Alvarez, Vice President Corporate Relations for Nexen. "Now the real work begins. Nexen's United Way campaign is officially underway and we want to increase participation and funds raised." In 2010, contributions by Nexen and its employees totaled $1.4 million.

"Change starts when a community comes together to make a difference - and that's exactly what happened at Nexen. Nexen's campaign is not only creative, it is inspiring. Today's event shows the impact we can make and the change that is sparked when great minds come together and share a vision. United Way congratulates each and every community superhero at Nexen, and we thank them for their continued leadership and support," says Ruth Ramsden-Wood, President of United Way of Calgary and Area.

Nexen Inc. is a Canadian-based global energy company listed on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges under the symbol NXY.

Editors note: Photo courtesy of Nexen Inc.

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Nexen Inc.
Patti Lewis
403-699-6119 or Cell: 403-861-8449
www.nexeninc.com