ACN Named the 22nd Fastest Growing Privately Held Company by Inc. Magazine.

TROY, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 14, 1998--American Communications Network (ACN) was named the 22nd fastest growing privately held company in the U.S. by Inc. magazine, which released today its annual ranking of the Inc. 500, a guide to America's fastest-growing privately held companies.

Established in 1993, ACN is an international, network marketing company that provides a full range of telecommunication products and services including long-distance, paging, and a newly released Internet Access product. "ACN has experienced tremendous growth in the telecommunications industry and has exploded to the $115 million dollar a year business it is today. We are very proud to receive this recognition, and look forward to our continued growth as we expand into other deregulated markets, as well as into Europe," said ACN CEO, David J. Thomas.

In this year's rankings, only seven percent of the companies named were in the telecommunications industry, and ACN was one of only 13 companies based in Michigan.

This is the 17th year that Inc. magazine has charted the progress of America's most successful companies. To be eligible for this recognition, a company must have demonstrated a sales increase from fiscal year 1996 to 1997. Other noteworthy alumni profiled in this report include Microsoft, Timberland, and Domino's Pizza.

"This honor is shared with our representatives, customers, employees, and suppliers - all of the people who have really made ACN what it is today. We anticipate much growth in the future, so the Inc. magazine ranking sets a great tone for the work we have ahead of us," Thomas said.

ACN is a firmly established, cooperative marketing company founded in January 1993. It is a privately held corporation with U.S. operations based in Troy, Michigan, and Canadian operations based in Mississauga, Ontario. ACN's focus is to help consumers save money on their telecommunication services, while helping entrepreneurs build successful independent businesses.

To be eligible for the 1998 Inc. 500 list, a company had to be independent and privately held through the 1997 fiscal year. In addition, the company had to have at least $200,000 in base-year sales (adjusted periodically for inflation), with an increase from 1996 to 1997. Sales figures for agencies were the net sales to the company. Tax forms and financial statements from certified public accountants were used in gathering information.