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HSN Improvements to Acquire Alsto Catalog and Web Business From Dick Blick Holdings

Deal Part of Long-Term Growth Strategy for Parent Company HSN

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. and GALESBURG, Ill., Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- HSN Improvements, LLC, a direct marketing subsidiary of the TV and Web retailer HSN, and Dick Blick Holdings, a branded direct marketing and e- commerce business, jointly announced today that HSN Improvements will acquire Alsto, a catalog and Web site featuring high-quality products for the home, from Dick Blick Holdings. The transaction is anticipated to close at the end of December.

A leading catalog and online provider of outdoor decor and furnishings, Alsto will broaden HSN's growing portfolio of popular catalog brands, including HSN Improvements and Home Focus. The acquisition is consistent with parent company HSN's long-term strategy of identifying and pursuing acquisitions that will complement its impressive roster of electronic retail businesses.

"HSN offers millions of customers a tremendous array of products across many different retail platforms, whether it's on TV, online or via direct mail catalogs," states Ken Ellingsen, President of HSN Catalog Services. "Acquiring a catalog such as Alsto, with its compelling assortment of unique products and great prices, will give our customers even more ways to find high-quality products at a tremendous value."

"The divestiture of our Alsto brand is consistent with our continued focus on becoming the leading reseller of fine artist supplies in the United States," adds Robert Buchsbaum, Chief Executive Officer of Dick Blick Holdings. "We are happy to see that HSN will continue to provide Alsto customers with the tremendous service and quality products they have grown accustomed to over the years."

About HSN Improvements, LLC:

A direct mail subsidiary of TV and Web retailer HSN, HSN Improvements, LLC hosts a distinct collection of highly-respected consumer catalogs and Internet sites, offering innovative and unique products that enhance the look, organization and function of your home and yard. Its portfolio of popular retail brands includes HSN Improvements and Home Focus.

About Dick Blick Holdings:

Dick Blick Holdings is a leading reseller of fine artist supplies to professionals, students, hobbyists, educators and educational institutions. It mails millions of catalogs annually to customers in support of its website, http://www.dickblick.com, and operates 34 retail stores under the Dick Blick and The Art Store brand names. Its primary operations are in Galesburg, Illinois.

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Source: HSN Improvements, LLC

ADVO Declares Quarterly Dividend

WINDSOR, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 10, 2006--ADVO, Inc. (NYSE: AD) announced today that its Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.11 per share of common stock payable on February 3, 2006, to stockholders of record on January 20, 2006.

ADVO is the nation's leading direct mail media company, with annual revenues of more than $1.2 billion. Serving 17,000 leading national, regional and local retailers, the company reaches 113 million mailboxes, or 90 percent of the nation's households, with its ShopWise(R) shared mail advertising. At the same time, the company's industry-leading targeting technology, coupled with its unparalleled logistics capabilities, enable retailers seeking superior ROI to target, version and deliver their print advertising directly to consumers most likely to respond.

Demonstrating ADVO's effectiveness as a print medium, the company's "Have You Seen Me? (R)" missing child card, distributed with each ShopWise(R) package, is the most recognized mail in America. This signature public service program has been responsible for safely recovering 140 children. The program was created in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the U.S. Postal Service in 1985.

ADVO employs 3,700 people at its 23 mail processing facilities, regional sales offices and headquarters in Windsor, CT. The company can be visited online at www.advo.com.

Contacts
ADVO, Inc.
Chris Hutter, 860-285-6424

Post office investigating postcards attacking Schauner
By Chad Lawhorn

Friday, April 1, 2005

Lawrence postal officials have launched an investigation into possible federal violations of postal law related to an anonymous, spurious postcard attempting to link City Commissioner David Schauner to domestic abuse.

Schauner, who is in the middle of a tight re-election battle, has denied all allegations of domestic abuse and denounced the postcard as a political cheap shot. No one has taken responsibility for mailing the card which was received by registered women voters across the city.

Judy Raney, Lawrence postmaster, confirmed today that she has no record of the postcards being appropriately registered with the Lawrence Post Office. Because of the type of stamp that was used on the mailing, Raney said postal regulations required that a report be filed with the post office's bulk mail department.

Raney said she has turned the matter over to postal investigators to determine if violations were committed.

"The content of the postcard is not our problem right now," Raney said. "The incorrect use of a pre-sorted stamp is the issue."

Raney said she was not certain of exact fines or penalties that an individual could face for improperly mailing the postcard.

"What I can tell you is that we're absolutely taking it seriously," Raney said.

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