The Print Shop Ensemble III By Broderbund Software Features On-Line Greeting Projects, And Instant Access To The Internet; New Windows CD-ROM Also Offers Oversized Cards, Photo Graphics, Decorative Frames, Spell Checker and Thesaurus

Business Wire, August 19, 1996

NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 19, 1996--Broderbund Software, Inc. (NASDAQ:BROD) announces the release of The Print Shop(R) Ensemble(TM) III loaded with on-line capabilities and internet features to produce a powerful new productivity tool. Users can now send "cyber messages" to friends with the new Online Greetings project, design oversized cards, and add photos and decorative frames to their creations. The Print Shop Ensemble III also offers instant access to the Internet through AT&T Worldnet Service Software. Within the program users can link to Broderbund's Print Shop Connection(TM), an Internet site designed especially for Print Shop enthusiasts.

Broderbund, which recently aquired clip art leader T/Maker(R), also released today, The Print Shop(R) Deluxe III on Windows CD-ROM. These two new products, along with the addition of The Print Shop(R) for Windows floppy, are part of a three-tiered size strategy announced by Broderbund in February. The extended line provides more entry points and the option of lower prices into the most popular home productivity software. The three-tiered strategy has driven increased sales of The Print Shop line and bolstered market share. Products in The Print Shop line have sold more than 10 million units to date.

"The productivity market has become increasingly competitive. We are responding by offering a broader selection of Print Shop products at new prices that are dramatically lower," explains Jan Gullett, Broderbund Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. "We expect to satisfy more consumers and sell a much greater volume of software based on this approach. This is just one way we are committed to maintaining our leadership role in this category."

Broderbund is aggressively supporting the expanded Print Shop line this fall with channel promotions at the store level. These promotions include pallet and full standing displays and consumer mail-in rebates. The launch is supported by the largest adverstising campaign in Broderbund's history.

New Features in The Print Shop Ensemble III

-- On-Line Greetings -- Now sending a note to friends and family is only a click away. With The Print Shop Ensemble III, users can create their own electronic greetings and simply send them through the Internet. Whether it's a Birthday, Get Well or Anniversary card, the recipient will be thrilled to receive a personalized message via computer e-mail.

-- Access to the Internet -- With the AT&T Worldnet access that ships with The Print Shop Ensemble III, users can transport themselves from the program to The Print Shop Connection, their Internet source for free seasonal graphics, photo images, designer hints and tips, craft projects and special offers. For those already on the Internet, they can simply use their Internet browser to reach this site.

-- Oversized Cards -- The Print Shop Ensemble III now makes 8-1/2" x 5-1/2" oversized greeting cards. With a combination of photo images, a wide variety of card stock and photo-quality printing, users can easily create cards that look like they were bought from a store.

-- Enhanced import/export capabilities -- Users can load any JPEG, TIFF, BMP, EPS, and WMF files into their Print Shop projects. Just drag and drop favorite graphics found on the Internet or passed along by friends and family into Print Shop creations.

-- Personalized Photographs and Frames -- New Photo Accessories allow users to import their favorite photos into The Print Shop Ensemble III and then insert them into clever, pre-designed frames. These decorative and zany frames add character to photos that can then be used to create fun and formal announcements for events such as weddings, birth of a new baby and graduations as well as report and presentation covers for school and work.

-- The Print Shop Idea Guide -- The Print Shop Ensemble III includes a multimedia Idea Guide for those power users who are looking for new ideas to enhance their Print Shop projects. Terrific for ideas and instruction on creations such as gift certificates, table runners and party games.

-- Spell Checker and Thesaurus -- Not only will new Print Shop creations be the talk of the town, with The Print Shop Ensemble III's new spell checker and thesaurus, they're also guaranteed to be letter perfect documents each and every time!

-- More, More, More! -- The Print Shop Ensemble III now has over 5,500 graphics, over 1,000 ready made designs, 100 PhotoDisct images, over 100 Photo Accessories, 100 TrueType fonts and 1,000 Quotations, Phrases and Verses.

Availability, Pricing and System Requirements

The Print Shop Ensemble III is shipping as a Windows '95 CD-ROM with an approximate street price of $50. Users will need to be running at least a 33MHz 486, 8MB RAM, 15MB hard disk space, SVGA monitor (640 x 480, 256 colors), and Windows supported printer.

Other New Programs in The Print Shop Family

Also currently shipping to stores are The Print Shop Deluxe III, compatible with both Windows '95 and Windows 3.1 CD-ROM for an approximate street price of $30, and the Windows 3.1 floppy version of The Print Shop for an approximate street price of $15.