Owens-Illinois, Inc., (NYSE: OI) announces that Barbara Owens has been named vice president and chief communications officer.

Owens will be responsible for leading O-I’s communications strategy through the planning, development and implementation of external and internal communications on a global basis. She also will provide strategic counsel to the senior leadership team. Owens and her team will work closely with the company’s business units and functions to develop an effective and consistent communications plan that is aligned with O-I’s strategic priorities and business objectives.

“We have worked with Barbara for more than two years and know that she brings the passion and the expertise necessary to enhance the role of communications in our organization,” said Jim Baehren, senior vice president of strategic planning and general counsel. “At O-I, we always have a focus on the long-term, and we are confident that Barbara’s vision will lead our communications effectively into the future.”

Owens joins O-I from Owens Communications LLC, her independent communications consultancy in Chicago, where she provided O-I with strategic guidance in various communications roles since 2007. During her 20 years in corporate communications, she has worked with General Motors, Bayer AG, Bayer Corporation, Gagen MacDonald, Immuno AG and Baxter Healthcare.

About O-I

Millions of times a day, O-I glass containers deliver many of the world’s best-known consumer products to people all around the world. With the leading position in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and Latin America, O-I manufactures consumer-preferred, 100 percent recyclable glass containers that enable superior taste, purity, visual appeal and value benefits for our customers’ products. Established in 1903, the company employs more than 23,000 people with 79 manufacturing facilities in 21 countries. In 2008, net sales were $7.9 billion. For more information, visit http://www.o-i.com.

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