4imprint Acquires Adventures in Advertising Franchise, Inc.; Forged Company Expected to be Positioned as No. 5 in Promotional Products Industry.

Business Editors

OSHKOSH, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 2, 2001

4imprint(R)(FTSE: FOUR.L), the nation's largest direct marketer of promotional products, has acquired Boston-based Adventures in Advertising Franchise, Inc., (AIAFI), one of the fastest-growing distribution networks serving the promotional products industry.

The combined organization will include more than 400 franchised distributors and 600 associates worldwide with total billings exceeding $225 million. The acquisition will rank 4imprint as the fifth-largest distributor network in the world. AIAFI billings on behalf of its franchisees this year are expected to exceed $100 million, more than doubling last year's.

By merging 4imprint, the industry's leading direct marketing company, with a franchisee-based distributor, 4imprint/AIAFI is creating a new business model providing consumers with the power to do business in whichever format they choose. Customers will be able to order promotional products the way they prefer, through an AIA franchise, via catalog or though the company's Internet site.

"Our backgrounds have many complementary strengths which position us as a leader in the rapidly changing promotional products industry," said Dick Nelson, president and CEO of 4imprint. "This new alliance will allow us to serve all of our customers more efficiently, customizing our services according to their needs."

Another unique feature of this acquisition is that each company will keep its individual brand identity. The arrangement will enable AIA franchisees to continue to grow their businesses while utilizing advanced technology and enhanced services offered by 4imprint. The officers of AIAFI, Dan and Kurt Carlson, will continue to hold their same responsibilities through long-term contracts under the agreement.

"We look forward to helping AIA franchisees maintain their customer base and identify new opportunities," said Nelson.

"We're extremely pleased with the growth potential of our franchise members under this agreement," says Dan Carlson, founder and chairman of AIAFI. "This is an ideal opportunity for our independent franchise distributors to take their business to the next level. Our common goal is to be the vendor of choice for our customers."

About 4imprint:

4imprint, North America's seventh largest distributor of imprinted promotional products, is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis. with offices in U.K., Germany, France and Hong Kong. The 15-year old-company is a part of 4imprint Group plc, a Manchester, U.K.-based supplier of marketing and promotional products and is traded on the London stock exchange under the symbol FOUR.L. 4imprint stock can also be purchased through local brokerage firms using American Depositary Receipts (ADR). Additional information can be found at www.4imprint.com.

About Adventures in Advertising:

Adventures in Advertising Franchise, Inc., based in Quincy, Mass., is network of individually owned and operated professional, promotional product and corporate apparel distributorships. Founded in 1981, AIAFI began franchising in 1994 and has over 400 franchises across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, with projected 2000 billings of $100 million.