NEWSPAPER COVERAGE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR SMALL BUSINESS ACCORDING TO NEW SURVEY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2001

NEWSPAPER COVERAGE MOST EFFECTIVE
FOR SMALL BUSINESS ACCORDING TO NEW SURVEY

Vancouver, BC - Twice as many business owners would rather see their stories covered in newspaper than by Internet or television media says a new survey rating media and their effectiveness in generating publicity.

The online survey by Reputations Inc., a small business public relations developer (www.reputations.com), shows 52% percent of respondents rate newspapers as the most effective PR tool by a margin of two-to one over the Internet, which was voted best by only 23% of respondents. Television was preferred by 19% of polled and radio was voted best by 6%.

Despite the growth of online news and 24-hour television, newspapers are still the most reliable avenue for informing customers about a business," says Wayne Hartrick, President and CEO of Reputations Inc. What makes this result more compelling is that the survey was done online and polled heavy Internet users who are obviously committed to the Web but remain convinced by a wide margin that print is still the best in getting their message out. However, while newspapers are still number one, it is significant to note that the Internet has quickly become the second most popular medium surpassing television."

The survey also found that when it came to spending money on public relations, businesses focussed efforts on getting their names in the newspapers and were overlooking television and radio for the PR campaigns. The businesses turned to their own news consumption habits to form their opinions saying that in their hectic schedules its difficult to get their attention and the newspaper is available when and if they have time. Others pointed to the tangible aspects of print media such as seeing newspapers at home, the office, on the plane or at hotels in the morning.

The Reputations Inc. survey was conducted in February and polled more than 500 online business users across North America about their views on daily and weekly media.

Reputations Inc. - developer of public relations tools and technology designed to help businesses do their own publicity - conducted the survey as part of its ongoing research into the trends impacting news consumption and business communication. Reputations Inc., including its division PRMadeEasy.com, was launched in 2000.

- 30 -

For more information contact:

Barry Forward
Executive Vice President, Reputations Inc.
(604) 689-3308
forward@reputations.com