BOOST FOR LOCAL CHARITY AS PRONTAPRINT HARROGATE UNVEILS NEW IDENTITY Prontaprint Harrogate will be rewarded with the company’s new £3million brand identity this week after being identified as the top performing centre across the UK network in terms of sales growth due to support from Harrogate and regional businesses. To recognise this achievement, and to mark 25 years of service in the local area, joint partners, Geoffrey Maldwyn-Jones and John Harrison, are set to donate a proportion of all sales in June to Yorkshire Cancer Research which is based in Harrogate. Prontaprint Limited will also match the amount raised to help towards funding research into the cause of, and quest to find a cure for, cancer. BBC Look North presenter, Harry Gration, will unveil the centre’s new identity, and a specially designed ‘fundometre’ to track the amount to be donated to the charity, at a special event for businesses in the local area on Wednesday 16th May (4.30pm). The centre on Station Bridge was chosen to receive the new corporate identity, development training programme and enhanced business services on merit, following a stringent audit where it emerged as one of the leading Prontaprint centres in the UK in terms of its business growth, standards and service delivery. Already boasting an impressive range of clients, substantial investment has been made into leading edge technology over the past 18 months with the installation of the very latest state of the art Xerox digital equipment. Almost two years of market and brand research has been carried out to ensure that the developments position Prontaprint Harrogate at the forefront of the on-demand business print market within the area, communicating its offering more effectively with an enhanced business image. The centre has simplified its enhanced business services into five core areas – design, print, display, direct mail and finish, to give local businesses a better understanding of how Prontaprint can help with all their business design and print needs. Geoffrey Maldwyn-Jones of Prontaprint Harrogate comments: “The centre has grown from strength to strength over the past 18 months thanks to ongoing and enthusiastic support from local businesses. We’re proud to unveil the new identity and business positioning as one of the top performing centres in the network, and offer an even better facility to the people of Harrogate. “Having served the local business community for more than 25 years Prontaprint Harrogate has built a loyal customer base and want to give something back to the community. Donating a proportion of all our June sales to Yorkshire Cancer Research will go towards helping many Yorkshire families affected by cancer. We would encourage other local businesses to step up and do the same. John Harrison, also joint partner at Prontaprint Harrogate adds: “The introduction of our new brand identity is not just about smartening up our look and facia, but evolving our brand positioning to ensure we continue to predict the needs and exceed expectations of local businesses. ENDS

PRONTAPRINT NAMED FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR FINALIST AS NEW BRAND POSITIONING BOOSTS SALES BY 15% Just one year on from the launch of its distinctive new brand identity, Prontaprint has been nominated for the prestigious BFA (British Franchise Association) Franchisor of the Year award. The nomination comes as the company announces an average sales growth of 15 per cent year-on-year across its repositioned centres compared to the rest of the network. This year’s entry concentrated on ‘The Customer Focused Franchise’, demonstrating how the company has used customer relations to drive and sustain the growth and expansion of the network. Prontaprint focused on the trial and ultimate roll-out of its new brand positioning and how this has been effectively communicated to clients. Following a £3million investment and almost two years’ research into the market, brand development and training, the new brand positioning was piloted at seven Prontaprint centres across the country (Aberdeen, Dundee, Birmingham, Brighton & Hove, Carlisle, Wrexham and Victoria). They were chosen to represent a cross section of the print market in terms of size, service, demographic and location. As a result of the six month trial, a nationwide roll-out of the new brand positioning was launched last summer, beginning with Ireland and the South East in September, followed by Scotland and the North East in January this year. The roll-out is set to continue throughout 2007 in regional groups of 20 centres. Throughout the year, each trial centre has achieved particular business success as a result of the new brand positioning. Prontaprint Birmingham Central achieved its highest ever monthly sales and secured business with 30 previously lapsed clients. Prontaprint Wrexham moved to bigger premises and recorded in excess of £200k of new business - a 20 per cent increase in turnover. Prontaprint Aberdeen and Dundee experienced similar achievement with a move off the high street into industrial premises and investment in new technology triggering a marked increase in quality sales. Prontaprint Victoria encountered a strong upsurge in business from national charities and societies, generating double digit year-on-year growth, while Prontaprint Brighton and Hove landed international work and a sales growth of more than 19 per cent. Similar success was achieved at Prontaprint Carlisle. -2- The repositioning roll-out includes an intensive learning and development programme for Franchisees and their staff, enhanced business services and ultimately, a brand new corporate identity. A new positioning statement: “Trusted to deliver, every time.” has been introduced to reflect Prontaprint’s ‘can-do’ culture, alongside the strong use of illustration and a warm aubergine corporate colour to reinforce the human face of the brand. The move has been designed to differentiate Prontaprint in the marketplace and reinforce its position at the forefront of the on-demand business print market in the UK and Ireland, by communicating its offering more effectively with an enhanced business image. At the same time, the company has simplified its business services into five core areas – Design, Print, Display, Direct Mail and Finish. This gives clients a clearer idea and better understanding of how each centre can help with all their business design and print needs. Keith Davidson, Prontaprint’s Head of Marketing comments: “Our nomination for ‘Franchisor of the Year’ and the sales growth across repositioned centres is testament to the research, investment and hard work of both the Franchisor and Franchisees teams that has gone into developing the brand positioning. “The most forward thinking and ambitious Franchisees have set the benchmark for other centres to follow in order to meet the needs of businesses throughout the UK and Ireland. “The repositioning roll-out has moved Prontaprint away from the copy shop label. Increasingly business clients request a holistic solution for their design, print, display, direct mail or finishing needs. We are ideally placed to offer this with the new brand positioning and ‘can-do’ culture of the Prontaprint brand. “We now look forward to implementing this throughout the rest of the network and are proud to be named as one of the top franchisors in the country.” The winners will be announced at a gala luncheon at London’s Savoy Hotel on Thursday 24th May. -Ends-

SUPERBRAND PRONTAPRINT SCOOPS TOP BUSINESS AWARD Prontaprint has secured the accolade for ‘Best Overall Marketing Campaign’ in the prestigious Franchise Marketing Awards as a direct result of its £3million investment into a brand repositioning strategy. Following 18 months of research, the new strategy is now rolling out across the UK and Irish networks after a seven centre trial boosted sales by ten percent. Keith Davidson, Head of Marketing at Prontaprint, says: “These awards celebrate the industry’s most innovative and effective marketing campaigns. At Prontaprint we have not only demonstrated that effective integrated marketing boosts brand awareness, but that it has a direct impact on the bottom line.” This success was also noticed by business investor Boundary Capital, which purchased superbrand Prontaprint and sister company Kall Kwik in a deal earlier this month. Kealan Lennon from Boundary Capital added: “One of the key attractions in this deal was Prontaprint’s ability to differentiate itself in a very competitive market place and consolidate its business credentials with sustainable growth from the corporate print sector” Working with UK’s leading brand agency, The Partners, Prontaprint launched its new brand positioning with the key objectives of enhancing the company’s B2B image, differentiating the brand and communicating the service offering more effectively. The campaign covered advertising, direct mail, public relations, point-of-sale, client care and internet supported by a comprehensive six month learning and development programme for franchisees and their staff. Keith added: “Our award is a result of Prontaprint’s evolution and sets the tone for a business driven to succeed with renewed energy and focus. Strong client research and the implementation of a highly effective marketing strategy have enabled us to scoop this prestigious accolade and achieve profitable growth. “It is testimony to the hard work and effort that has gone into developing Prontaprint’s new brand positioning by both Franchisor, Franchisees and their centre teams. This partnership approach is also reflected in our dealings with corporate clients and a major reason why Prontaprint remains the brand of choice for business. ” The awards were judged by an influential panel of judges including representatives from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, British Franchise Association, Rees Pollock, Volkswagen Commercial and Lloyds TSB and were presented at a an award’s dinner at the Marriott London hotel during the British International Franchise Exhibition (23 -24 March 2007) -Ends-

NEW OWNERS FOR PRONTAPRINT CRAWLEY Business partners, Mark Dobson and John Wilkinson are no strangers to the world of print, a factor which has led them to face their biggest challenge yet as they take over the management of Prontaprint in Crawley. Whilst John benefits from the experience of already owning and running Prontaprint Brighton and Hove, Mark, who will take on the day-to day running of the centre, needs no introduction to the printing trade with a career in both marketing and sales within the print industry - a major factor in his decision to become a franchisee. The pair have wasted no time in developing the Prontaprint centre situated on Orchard Street from day one. They have already installed state-of-the art digital equipment and software with the aim of offering business clients across the region professional, high quality print and design in a rapid turnaround time. With the two centres now working together to offer an unrivalled service in the area, they have already secured work from blue chip clients including Virgin Holidays and Short Stay UK. This partnership will be key to the ongoing expansion and success of both businesses. Mark comments: “I’m really looking forward to developing the business. I have worked within some highly regarded companies within the print industry, but the prospect of trading under the Prontaprint name is extremely exciting. The Prontaprint brand is well-known and respected across the country and gives the centre a real edge when it comes to working with businesses across the region. “I have a fantastic team working alongside me and have great confidence in the Prontaprint ethos, name and business credentials. The hard work to ensure that the business grows from strength to strength is just beginning!” Keith Davidson, head of marketing at Prontaprint, adds: “We are always on the look out for experienced and enthusiastic franchisees and we have every confidence that Mark and John will embrace the challenge of running the Crawley centre. We wish them every success in their new venture.” -Ends-

NEW OWNER FOR SCARBOROUGH PRONTAPRINT CENTRE Local entrepreneur, David Mortimer, is no stranger to the challenge of setting up a new business, with the latest chapter of his career seeing him take over the management of Prontaprint Scarborough. Bringing a wealth of print experience to the Prontaprint centre situated within the Station Shops, David has wasted no time investing in the upgrade of the centre’s digital equipment and software with the aim of offering business clients across the region professional, high quality print and design services in rapid turnaround times. David is keen to expand the centre’s portfolio of high quality, on demand, digital services, which already include high volume, digital mono and colour print, with the addition of variable data and large format colour printing facilities. Having run several print centres for other print franchises around the country, David, along with his wife Tracey, was attracted by the progressive nature of the Prontaprint business and the stability of investing and trading under a nationally recognised business Superbrand. David comments: “I’m really looking forward to building on the success of the centre. I have had the opportunity to work with some very successful companies locally, but the challenge of trading under the Prontaprint brand name is extremely exciting. I have a fantastic team working alongside me and have great confidence in the Prontaprint ethos, name and business credentials. The hard work to ensure that the business grows from strength to strength is just beginning!” Keith Davidson, head of marketing at Prontaprint, adds: “We are always on the look out for experienced and enthusiastic franchisees and we have every confidence that David will embrace the challenge of running the Scarborough centre. We wish him every success in his new venture.” -Ends-

NEW OWNER FOR WOKINGHAM AND READING PRONTAPRINT CENTRE Local entrepreneur, Dhanita Tiwari closed a chapter on her career in teaching to take over management of the Prontaprint centre in Wokingham and Reading. Keen to develop the business situated in Broad Street, Dhanita has already set initial plans in motion with the aim of offering business clients across the region professional, high quality print and design in a rapid turnaround time. As well as recruiting new team members, including a full time designer, she has installed state-of-the-art digital equipment and software to achieve recognition alongside some of the most successful businesses in Prontaprint’s network of 175 centres. A former senior school teacher and mother of three, Dhanita took the decision to become her own boss and began to research potential franchise opportunities. She was attracted by the progressive nature of the Prontaprint business and the stability of investing and trading under a nationally recognised business Superbrand Dhanita comments: “I’m really looking forward to following a new career path and building on the success of the centre. It has been an exciting time taking on my own business and making changes from day one. I have a fantastic team working alongside me and have great confidence in the Prontaprint ethos, name and business credentials. The hard work to ensure that the business grows from strength to strength is just beginning!” Keith Davidson, head of marketing at Prontaprint, adds: “We are always on the look out for experienced and enthusiastic franchisees and we have every confidence that Dhanita will embrace the challenge of running the Wokingham and Reading centre. We wish her every success in her new venture.” -Ends-

NEW OWNERS FOR PRONTAPRINT COLCHESTER Not content with one business, ambitious husband and wife team, Danny and Anna Sedgbeer, have taken over their second Prontaprint centre in the region after just three years with the company and in the same week as the arrival of their first baby! Danny and Anna’s acquisition of the Prontaprint centre on North Street, Colchester, follows an impressive sales growth at their existing centre on Bridge Street, Bishop Stortford, of more than 30 per cent year on year. Despite a hectic schedule with their two new additions, initial plans for the new centre have already been set in motion with the installation of new equipment, including litho print technology, offering clients better quality print within faster turn-around times. Their aim is to develop the overall service offering to achieve recognition alongside some of the most successful businesses in Prontaprint’s network of 175 centres. Danny comments: “I’ve spent a large part of my working life in the print industry and hope to use my experience in the sector to develop and run a second successful business. We decided to take the plunge and invest in the Colchester centre following our success to date trading under the umbrella of a nationally recognised Business Superbrand. “Trading across both centres will give our clients the benefit of a bigger, experienced team with a much larger capacity to turn around jobs in an even quicker time using up-to-the minute technology. We’re thrilled with both of our new additions!” Keith Davidson, Head of Marketing at Prontaprint, adds; “We have every confidence that Danny and Anna will embrace the challenge of running a second centre. Their previous achievements have been exceptional and we wish them every success in their new business and family venture!” -Ends-

6,000 MILE JOURNEY TO PRONTAPRINT PORTSMOUTH Investing in your own business may seem like a bold move to make, but for entrepreneur, Riaan Lazenby, moving over 6000 miles from South Africa to take over Prontaprint Portsmouth is only the tip of the iceberg. Having arrived in the UK along with his wife and three children in mid November from Durban, Riaan reopened the centre in Montgomery Way, Portsmouth after little more than two weeks in the country. He has already set his plans to develop the centre in motion, with the aim of offering business clients across the region professional high-quality design and print in a rapid turnaround time. As well as recruiting a new team, he has installed two state of the art digital printers and the latest graphic design software to achieve recognition alongside some of the most successful businesses in Prontaprint’s network of 175 centres. A former commodities trading manager, Riaan was attracted by the progressive nature of the Prontaprint business and the security and stability of investing and trading under the umbrella of a nationally recognised Business Superbrand. Riaan says: “Having built a successful corporate career, I am looking forward to a new challenge. It has been an exciting time opening the centre so soon after arriving in the UK and making changes from day one. I have a fantastic team working alongside me and have great confidence in the Prontaprint ethos, name and business credentials. The hard work to ensure that the business grows from strength is just beginning!” Keith Davidson, head of marketing at Prontaprint, adds: “We really do look far and wide for experienced and enthusiastic franchisees and have every confidence that Riaan will embrace the challenge of running the Portsmouth centre. We wish him every success in his new venture and life in the UK.” -Ends-

TAKING TEA WITH CHERIE, DOWNING STREET INVITE FOR PRONTAPRINT STRATFORD-UPON-AVON Local Prontaprint owner, Alex Graham, was recently invited to join Cherie Blair for afternoon tea at 10 Downing Street in recognition of work undertaken for the heart rhythm charity, Arrhythmia Alliance. Alex provided all print and promotional materials from his centre on Greenhill Street for the charity’s annual awareness week, which aims to increase knowledge and understanding of cardiac arrhythmias (heart rhythm disorders). Over 250,000 leaflets, booklets and promotional items were produced by Prontaprint for the week and plans are already in place to make next year’s event even bigger. Stratford MP John Maples hosted a Parliamentary Reception at the House of Commons to recognise the charity’s work, with key supporters of the charity receiving an additional invite from Cherie to visit No. 10. Alex comments: “It was a tremendous honour to be invited to join key members of the Alliance at No. 10. Everyone involved enjoyed the occasion immensely. We were all able to view the majority of rooms inside and meet Cherie in person. The whole afternoon was a pleasure. Cherie was very down to earth, and didn’t even mind when I tried to offer Prontaprint’s services to Downing Street!” “It is very rewarding to be involved so directly with the founder of the charity, Trudie Lobban, and the Alliance. My father recently suffered from a heart rhythm disorder, and the advice given to me by Trudie was first class. He has now had a pacemaker fitted, allowing him to lead a much more normal life. However, he is one of the lucky ones as so many cases go misdiagnosed in the UK.” Trudie Lobban, founder and trustee of the Arrhythmia Alliance says: “It has been a pleasure dealing with Alex and Prontaprint over the past 15 years since I first began working in the charity sector, and ultimately founded the Arrhythmia Alliance. Prontaprint delivers a great job every time, however complex. They really do offer a first class service.” The week saw over 170 events taking place between 12-19 September and ended with the First UK Heart Rhythm Congress being held at the National Motorcycle Museum – for which Prontaprint provided all the printing materials and banners Ends.