Guthy-Renker expands its reach in Japan by 65 percent; a series of new alliances gives Guthy-Renker access to more than 23 million Japanese homes.

PALM DESERT, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 1996--Guthy-Renker Tuesday announced a series of agreements with Japanese broadcasters which will increase its total reach to more than 23 million Japanese homes.

Guthy-Renker infomercials will air four times per week on TVH (TV Osaka) which reaches more than 5 million households, four times per week on TVH (TV Hokkida) reaching 2.1 million households and three times per week on TVQ (TXN Kyushuu) reaching 1.9 million households.

These agreements, along with its recent expanded relationship with TV Tokyo, give Guthy-Renker International access to more than half of the total Japanese market and represent a 65% increase in Guthy-Renker's Japanese reach and seven-fold increase in Guthy-Renker's weekly airings. The new broadcast alliances take effect on Oct. 1.

"Our relationships in Japan are proceeding on plan and we're thrilled by extended opportunities in the region" said Greg Renker, co-principal of Guthy-Renker. "We have also significantly expanded our telemarketing efforts and product offerings to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to partner with Japanese broadcasters."

Guthy-Renker's international network reaches more than 344 million homes in 50 countries worldwide, including the United States. The company is a leading producer of high-quality infomercials and products designed for home shopping and direct response television sales.

Guthy-Renker is a founding member of NIMA International, formerly known as the National Infomercial Marketing Association. NIMA International promotes the interests of all electronic retailers including infomercial, television shopping and short-form direct response companies as well as other interactive media marketers around the world. NIMA International elected Renker as its chairman of the board in 1996.

Guthy-Renker is based in Palm Desert and was co-founded in 1988 by Bill Guthy and Greg Renker. Guthy and Renker were recently cited as among "America's Smartest Young Entrepreneurs" by Fortune magazine and received an Entrepreneur of the Year award from Inc. magazine. The company enjoyed 60% revenue growth in 1995, a year in which two Guthy-Renker infomercials were among the top 10 in sales and in which the company won five NIMA industry awards.

CONTACT: Guthy-Renker

Eytan Urbas, 415/474-0205

or

Baker/Winokur/Ryder, Beverly Hills

Steven Jensen, 310/277-6200