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NEW YORK, NY – September 8, 2005 -- The 19th Annual International ARC Awards -- the world’s largest annual report competition - were presented this evening at a gala ceremony in the Ritz-Carlton Ballroom of THE RITZ-CARLTON Hotel, Battery Park. The winners were deemed the best out of a record number 1,900 entries, and represent the best work in the year 2004. ARC Award nominations increased 5% over last year’s record total.

This year’s BEST OF SHOW trophy was captured by Harley-Davidson, Inc., which was nominated by VSA Partners, Inc., Chicago, IL. This year’s theme was captured in the title We Ride With You. Judges praised the excellent personal tone, giving the readers a solid sense of connection between customer and company. “A first rate report. Well written and well designed.” “Excellent Chairman’s Letter -- it captures the reader’s interest immediately.” “The book displays a genuine love for the company.” “We loved seeing the customers interspersed with staff and managers, all dressed in H-D clothes.” “The size of the AR stands out, emphasizing the uniqueness in the company and its customers.”

The PLATINUM ACHIEVEMENT Award, honoring the design agency which places the most wins for its clients, was also presented to VSA Partners, Inc.

The ARC Awards presented the TITANIUM ACHIEVEMENT Award, honoring the agency with the highest percentage of wins to BCN Communications, Chicago, IL.

Dr. William Lutz, author, TV commentator, and Professor of English at Rutgers University, served as Master of Ceremonies. He presented 36 Grand Awards to the individuals whose work demonstrated the highest degree of achievement in annual reports.

VSA Partners, Inc. for
Harley-Davidson, Inc.

VSA Partners, Inc. for 42 Awards
The Greatest Number of Wins on Behalf of their Clients

BCN Communications for
The Greatest Percentage (59%) of Wins on Behalf of their Clients

COVER DESIGN
People/Portraits

Mike Klodnicki & Associates for
CONSTELLATION ENERGY

COVER DESIGN     
Objects

Critt Graham + Associates for
FLOWERS FOODS

COVER DESIGN
Various

Metal for
CAMDEN

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
Standard Annual Report

VSA Partners, Inc. for
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.

CHAIRMAN’S LETTER
Signed with Presidentr

VSA Partners, Inc. for
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

INTERIOR DESIGN
Traditional Format-USA

VSA Partners, Inc. for
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.

INTERIOR DESIGN
Traditional Format-
International

Paragraphs Design for
COCA-COLA FEMSA, S.A. DE C.V. (Mexico)

INTERIOR DESIGN
Distinctive Format

HGB Hamburger Geschäftsberichte GmbH for
TCHIBO HOLDING AG (Germany)

WRITTEN TEXT
U.S.A.

VSA Partners, Inc. for
HARLEY-DAVIDSON, INC.

WRITTEN TEXT
With 10-K

Mike Klodnicki & Associates for
CONSTELLATION ENERGY

WRITTEN TEXT
International

Xact Advertising Agency Arge CC for
CAPITAL BANK GRAWE-GRUPPE AG (Austria)

INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Black & White

Emerson, Wajdowicz Studios and
Doctors Without Borders for
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS/
MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES

BCN Communications for
GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION

INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY
Various

Mensalia/Rosebud, Inc. for
JUGEND AM WERK STEIERMARK (Austria)

Foley/Freisleben LLC for
CALAVO GROWERS, INC.

Mensalia/Büro X Wien for
WIENERBERGER AG (Austria)

VSA Partners, Inc. for
SILICON VALLEY BANCSHARES

Cahan & Associates for
MAXYGEN, INC.

Curran & Connors, Inc. for
THE WARNACO GROUP, INC.

Bruketa & Zinic for
PODRAVKA D.D. (Croatia)

Eisenberg And Associates for
DENBURY RESOURCES INC.

NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Social Services & Human Development

Emerson, Wajdowicz Studios and The Rockefeller Foundation for
THE ROCKEFELLER FOUNDATION

NOT-FOR-PROFIT
Various Organizations

SamataMason for
SESAME WORKSHOP

VSA Partners, Inc. for
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY

OVERALL PRESENTATION
Traditional Size

BCN Communications for
HNI CORPORATION

OVERALL PRESENTATION
Special Size

Howry Design Associates for
FIRST REPUBLIC BANK

OVERALL PRESENTATION
Digest Format

And Partners, NY for
VF CORPORATION

OVERALL PRESENTATION
Special Production Techniques

see see eye for
NEENAH PAPER, INC.

OVERALL PRESENTATION  
Unique Format

Curran & Connors, Inc. for
LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT

VSA Partners, Inc. for
BELL CANADA ENTERPRISES

GERMAN SPEAKING
COUNTRIES

Aha Puttner Red Cell Vienna for
VERBUND (Austria)

The Design Associates Ltd. for
SOLOMON SYSTECH (INTERNATIONAL) LIMITED

Paragraphs Design for
COCA-COLA FEMSA, S.A. DE C.V.

Addison Corporate Marketing for
M&C SAATCHI PLC (United Kingdom)

This year, nearly 1,900 entries in 12 major categories were submitted by some 800 different companies from 25 countries representing over 200 industries.  During a three-week period, the distinguished international panels of judges read and evaluated the annual reports.

Judges ranked the annual reports with a score between one and one hundred.  The top 25% scoring annual reports won Gold, Silver, Bronze and Honors Awards.  Entries with average scores above 92 received Gold Awards.  Only 7% of entries were classified as Golds.   These Gold Award annual reports were then passed on to the Final Round of Judging, who selected the BEST OF CATEGORY Winners.

Criteria used to choose winners included Cover Design, Chairman’s Letter, Writing, Interior Design, Financial Presentation, and Overall, how well the spirit of the company is reflected in the annual report.

Preliminary and final judges represent top level investor relations executives, financial executives, writers, designers, and photographers from over 67 different agencies and corporations in the United States, Austria, Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

In accordance with the global stature of the ARC Awards, all winners will be exhibited at the Museum  für Kunst und Gewerbe (Museum of Art and Commerce) in Hamburg, Germany starting September through October.

The ARC Awards is sponsored by MERCOMM, INC., the world’s only independent awards organization, founded with the mission to advance the standards of excellence in the fields of corporate communications.  The MerComm Awards Programs are free from advertising, membership dues, or outside sponsorships.  Entrants may review the judges’ evaluations, and are guaranteed fairness and impartiality.  As such, the ARC Awards is considered the most highly respected and prestigious competition in the industry.