BETHESDA, Md., April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AdvisorShares, a leading sponsor of actively managed Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), announced today that the Global Echo ETF (NYSE: GIVE) will open for trading on Thursday, May 24, 2012.  GIVE is a broadly diversified multi-manager ETF with a focus on Sustainable Investment themes, that seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation with an emphasis on absolute (positive) returns and low sensitivity to a blend of traditional financial market indices such as the S&P 500 Index, over a full market cycle. GIVE has four portfolio managers allocating to different investment strategies and asset classes:

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Fixed Income Strategies

• Community Capital Management, Inc. (Community Capital) of Weston, Fla. will employ an investment strategy focus on a thematic Sustainable Core Fixed Income Strategies (U.S. focus)

Equity Strategies

• Baldwin Brothers, Inc. (Baldwin Brothers) of Marion, Mass. will employ an investment strategy focus on Core Equity Strategies (Global) and Long only, with a thematic approach to investing in Sustainable Investment themes
• Reynders, McVeigh Capital Management, LLC (Reynders, McVeigh) of Boston, Mass. will employ an investment strategy focus on Core Equity Strategies (Global with a U.S. focus) and Long only, Sustainability, Concentrated Growth

Alternative Strategies

• First Affirmative Financial Network, LLC (First Affirmative) of Colorado Springs, Colo. acts as the funds allocation manager and will employ an investment strategy focus on Alternative Long/Short trend following

GIVE will directly support the Global Echo Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation co-founded by Philippe Cousteau Jr., providing funding solutions to many of the challenges facing the world community including social issues impacting women and children, environmental conservation and social entrepreneurship.  0.40% of the GIVE management fee will be contributed to the Global Echo Foundation. Additional amounts will be contributed by AdvisorShares to support Philippe's educational efforts and in addition, AdvisorShares will contribute additional basis points to charitable causes.

"I am thrilled about the partnership with AdvisorShares. Through my extensive travels and work around the globe, I have witnessed first-hand many of the challenges the world faces today. By launching GIVE, we are creating an innovative and transparent investment model that will help drive resources to address many of these global challenges.  GIVE's combination of strategic investment and sustainable philanthropy will not only create a positive impact for investors but help foster a legacy beyond monetary value," said Cousteau, Co-founder and Chairman of the Global Echo Foundation.

Noah Hamman, CEO of AdvisorShares, said, "We feel we're entering an exciting new chapter by not only adding another attractive and broadly diversified product to our existing suite of actively-managed ETFs, but providing a truly one-of-a-kind sustainability focused investment strategy with an innovative approach to combat some of our planet's biggest challenges.  We believe our partnership with Philippe Cousteau, Jr. and the Global Echo Foundation will allow investors to realize positive returns on their investment capital while still making a charitable impact for the betterment of the earth."

For media inquiries requesting more information on AdvisorShares, please contact Ryan Graham at 202-684-6442 or rg@advisorshares.com.  For financial professionals and investors requesting more information, please visit www.advisorshares.com or call the AdvisorShares Investment Consultant Team at 1-877-THE-ETF1 (1-877-843-3831).

For more information on the Global Echo Foundation, please contact Denise Godoy at 678-640-7651, and visit the website at http://www.globalechofoundation.org/.

About AdvisorShares

AdvisorShares is one of the leading providers of actively managed ETFs.  As of 4/16/2012 AdvisorShares offers 13 active ETFs with approximately $500,000,000 of assets under management, including:

Alternative Strategies

Tactical Strategies
Dent Tactical ETF (NYSE: DENT)
Cambria Global Tactical ETF (NYSE: GTAA)
Meidell Tactical Advantage ETF (NYSE: MATH)

Long/Short Strategies
Accuvest Global Long Short ETF (NYSE: AGLS)
Rockledge SectorSAM ETF (NYSE: SSAM)

Short Strategies
Active Bear ETF (NYSE: HDGE)

Domestic Equity Strategies
Madrona Domestic ETF (NYSE: FWDD)
TrimTabs Float Shrink ETF (NYSE: TTFS)

International Equity Strategies
WCM/BNY Mellon Focused Growth ADR ETF (NYSE: AADR)
Madrona International ETF (NYSE: FWDI)

Global Equity Strategies
Accuvest Global Opportunities ETF (NYSE: ACCU)

Income Strategies
Peritus High Yield ETF (NYSE: HYLD)
Madrona Global Bond ETF (NYSE: FWDB)

AdvisorShares provides educational support to help investors understand ETFs, and the underlying investment strategy for each of the AdvisorShares ETFs.  AdvisorShares continues to seek qualified sub-advisor investment partners to offer compelling investment strategies in an active ETF structure. Visit our website at www.advisorshares.com to learn more about us. Follow the AdvisorShares Team on Twitter or 'Like' us on Facebook.

Before investing you should carefully consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other information is in the prospectus, a copy of which may be obtained by visiting the Fund's website at www.AdvisorShares.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest.

Foreside Fund Services, LLC, distributor.

An investment in ETFs is subject to risk, including the possible loss of principal amount invested. The risks associated with each Fund include the risks associated with the underlying ETFs, which can result in higher volatility, and are detailed in each Fund's prospectus and on each Fund's webpage. The Funds may not be suitable for all investors.

Press Contact: Ryan Graham
AdvisorShares
202-684-6442
rg@advisorshares.com

SOURCE AdvisorShares