Small-Business Owners Vie for Chance to Appear in a Super Bowl Commercial

Business Wire, Nov 23, 1998

"MBE created the 'See Your Small Business on the Super Bowl Search' to honor the millions of individuals who have the dedication, determination and passion to strike out on their own and make their business dreams come true," added Amos. "This is how the MBE network was started, and how our more than 3,000 franchisees started their businesses."

The Mail Boxes Etc. "See Your Small Business on the Super Bowl Search II" will award one lucky small business a grand prize of being featured on MBE's nationally televised commercial during Super Bowl XXXIII on Jan. 31, 1999. In addition to appearing in MBE's commercial, the winner will receive $5,000. Second and third place winners will receive $2,000 each.

The search was conducted between August 1 and October 15, 1998, and was open to self-employed, independent contractors working from home, or principals of small businesses with 20 or fewer full-time employees.

Entry forms asked small-business owners two questions: -0-

1.  In 25 words or less, tell us how your small business demonstrates
    the entrepreneurial spirit of small business in America; and

2.  In 25 words or less, tell us what you'd say about your small
    business to 130 million Super Bowl viewers.

Ten finalists will be named in December and the grand prize winner will be announced the first week of January 1999.

MBE has bought commercial time on the three previous Super Bowl telecasts, and last year conducted its first national search for a small business to appear in its advertisement. Last January's winners, Robert Lange and Charles Davey, co-owners of Pocket Pump, displayed their hand-held, squeeze-action air pump to Super Bowl viewers.

Mail Boxes Etc. a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Office Products Company (Nasdaq:OFIS), is the world's largest franchisor of retail business, communication and postal service centers. There are more than 3,600 centers operating worldwide, with master licensing agreements in place for the development of the MBE business in 62 countries around the world.

In the United States, MBE centers are owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., USA, Inc. Outside the United States, MBE centers are owned and operated by MBE master licensees or their franchisees. MBE maintains a Web site at http://www.mbe.com.

U.S. Office Products Co. (USOP) is one of North America's leading providers of office supplies, office furniture, and office breakroom products featuring Starbucks(R) Coffee. It also owns and operates Mail Boxes Etc. and Blue Star Group Limited, a leading supplier of office products and business services in New Zealand and Australia. In addition, USOP owns a 49% interest in Dudley Stationery Limited, the second largest stationer in the United Kingdom. USOP's web site can be found at www.usop.com

US Office Products is one of North America's leading providers of office supplies, office furniture, and office breakroom products featuring Starbucks coffee. USOP also owns and operates Mail Boxes Etc. and Blue Star Group Limited, a leading supplier of office products and business services in New Zealand and Australia. USOP's website can be found at www.usop.com.