Coinstar Inc. Appoints Two Top Sales and Marketing Officers.

BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 1999--Coinstar Inc. (Nasdaq:CSTR) today announced the appointment of Ian Melanson to the position of Vice President of Sales and Marketing and the promotion of Bill Booth to the position of Vice President of Retail Development.

"These key appointments add depth and stability to our marketing team as we begin the new year," said Dan Gerrity, president and COO of Coinstar Inc. "Ian and Bill are respected industry professionals committed to rapidly growing our business."

As Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Ian Melanson will be responsible for the overall growth of the Coinstar(R) network, the continued growth of top-line revenue, and the development of new products and services that leverage the company's nationwide supermarket-based network.

Mr. Melanson's experience includes McKinsey and Co., where he created business concepts for some of North America's most respected retailers and consumer products companies. As a member of McKinsey's marketing and retailing practices, Mr. Melanson developed leading-edge micro-marketing approaches for his clients.

Mr. Melanson is also a brand management expert, having developed and managed major product introductions in his nearly five years with Procter & Gamble Inc.

As Vice President of Retail Development, Bill Booth will lead the national sales force responsible for placing Coinstar units in new retail locations. In addition, he will oversee the relationships between Coinstar Inc. and its retail partners.

Mr. Booth joined Coinstar in 1995 as Director of Retail Account Development and was later promoted to Executive Director of Retail Development. The Coinstar network has grown during Mr. Booth's tenure from roughly 50 installations to more than 4,800 today.

Prior to joining Coinstar, Mr. Booth was Senior Director of Retail Marketing Services for Catalina Marketing Corporation where he expanded their retailer network of electronic couponing systems. His experience also includes account development positions with Citicorp POS and Datachecker Systems Inc.

Coinstar Inc. develops, owns and operates a network of automated, self-service coin counting and processing machines that provide consumers with a convenient means of converting loose coins into cash. More than 4,800 Coinstar machines are installed in 37 states throughout the U.S. Consumers can call 1-800-928-CASH or visit http://www.coinstar.com for the location of the nearest Coinstar machine.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from the results identified or implied in any forward-looking statement discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the risks that are more fully described under the caption "Risk Factors" included in the most recent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Coinstar, Inc.