FTD AND FTD MEMBERS RECEIVE STRONG MEDIA COVERAGE THIS VALENTINE'S DAY
Support and Incredible Media Coverage Result in Profitable Partnership

DOWNERS GROVE, IL. (March 5, 2004) - FTD and its member florists worked closely together through public relations outreach to local media outlets positioning local FTD florists as the experts this Valentine's Day and showcasing a profitable partnership between FTD and its members. FTD Members proudly displayed the FTD Brand in their shops, marketed FTD Branded products to their communities and the results paid off through sales and incredible media coverage. Thousands of media stories ran mentioning the Valentine's Day holiday in major print publications and on TV stations across North America; FTD and specific member florists were mentioned in many of these media stories.

Following are highlights of stories that ran this Valentine's Day.

FTD Members Highland Florists in Chattanooga, TN received TV coverage on their local FOX affiliate this Valentine's Day. The newscasters interviewed Highland owner Ray Skates (FTD New Member Award Winner 2002). Skates said that although red roses were the number on choice for flower buyers, they weren't the only arrangements in demand. "The mixed arrangements were a lot stronger this year than they've been in the past. We did real well with our FTD arrangements," said Skates.

A local Decatur, IL newspaper The Decatur Herald and Review ran a story on Valentine's Day flowers referencing four local FTD Member Florists, Tiger Lily Flower and Gift Shop, Houran's - Decatur Florist and Greenhouse, The Wild Daisy and Main Street Florist. The article included a survey conducted by the National Retail Federation finding that of the men surveyed, more than 64 percent said they would purchase flowers as gifts on Valentine's Day.

The Fayetteville Observer in Fayetteville, NC reported gift ideas for Valentine's Day shoppers including a feature on Dale's Florist in Fayetteville, NC. Kay Williams, manager of Dale's, was quoted saying "We're getting a lot of FTD orders that we've been filling," adding that she suspects most of those are being placed by or for soldiers overseas.

The News & Record in Greensboro, NC ran an positive story about flowers for Valentine's Day which included two local FTD Members, Scruggs Florist Inc. and Central Floral Gardens Inc.

Some media took a more general approach to the flower story this Valentine's Day such as the NBC television affiliate in New Orleans, LA which ran a story on purchasing flowers for Valentine's Day suggesting consumers purchase flowers from a florist who is associated with FTD or another wire service. They also said that the best way to make sure you get your money's worth is to simply place your flower order in person at a local florist.

A few media outlets took the investigative approach in order to share their insight with consumers such as the local ABC affiliates in San Francisco and New York City. The stations both twisted their Valentine's Day story into a test order in order to communicate the best quality of flowers available to consumers. Both TV stations discovered that the quality of the FTD roses were the best. FTD congratulates My Flower Shop in San Francisco, CA and Academy Floral in New York City for fulfilling these surprise "test" orders resulting in great ratings for the FTD Brand.

FTD conducted media outreach spreading the word that consumers should order early this Valentine's Day and directing media to local FTD Members as a resource. This outreach included statistics from a recent FTD Member survey, as well as a personalized local pitch to local media and inspired stories around North America including The Wall Street Journal, The Florida Times Union, The Washington Post, Fremont News Messenger, Arizona Republic, Jackson Daily Progress, Danbury News-Times, as well as TV stations in Dallas, Denver, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Greensboro, Fresno, Huntsville, South Bend, Florence and many more.

A Successful Philanthropic Story from FTD Member Norton's Florist
Norton's Florist in Birmingham, AL extended joy spread this Valentine's Day with awareness. Norton's partnered with the local chapter of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and a local college sorority to increase awareness about breast cancer and help save lives.

Gus Pappas, owner of Norton's, is on the board of his local Komen chapter, a relationship stemming from a previous partnership he had conducted with his five locations. This Valentine's Day, Pappas developed a way to work together to help raise awareness and to receive extra hands in the shops to make it happen. The outreach included a donation Norton's made for each hour of service and every delivery made by volunteers from both the sorority members and Komen affiliates, as well as spreading awareness through informational materials to hundreds of flower recipients during the 14th's deliveries. Pappas named the program "Flowers for a Cure".

As the idea bloomed, so did the media attention, driving all local TV stations into his stop, following the story, the outreach and deliveries. With surrounding lives touched by breast cancer, Norton said that his shops' outreach really began to make sense the night before the 14th, when he took a few minutes to sit down and read the materials that were being handed out to floral recipients.

"It's easy to get wrapped up in the PR and attention, but what really hit me was that night before they brought over the materials they were giving out, and I realized that we had a chance to save some body's life by doing this," said Pappas.

Norton's plans on conducting a similar program this Mother's Day, as well as working closely to raise money in October - National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are more than 100 Komen affiliates in the U.S. alone, visit www.komen.org to contact your local affiliate and see how your shop can help make a difference.

FTD Announces Strong Branded Product Results
FTD reports high increases in all FTD Branded product sales this Valentine's Day. Following are the 2004 percent increases from 2003 consumer holiday sales.

• V1, The FTD Valentine's Day Bouquet increased 51% from 2003.
• V2, The FTD Sweethearts Bouquet increased 166% from 2003.
• V3, The FTD I Luv You Beary Much Gift increased 321% from 2003.

FTD is working closely with FTD Member florists to prepare for upcoming Mother's Day with consumer and FTD Member-selected products and efficient services to help the holidays run as smoothly as possible. FTD Members are encouraged to contact their local FBC with any questions of how FTD can be a strong partner this holiday season and every day.

About FTD
FTD, Inc., supported by its worldwide FTD brand, is a leading provider of floral services and products. FTD's Florist Business primarily markets floral products and services to approximately 20,000 FTD members and other retail locations offering floral products in the U.S. and Canada and connects approximately 29,000 additional florists through affiliated or related organizations in 150 countries outside of North America. FTD's Consumer Business is a direct marketer of flowers and specialty gifts, primarily through the www.FTD.COM Web site and 1-800-SEND-FTD telephone number. Additional information about FTD is available at its Web site, www.FTDI.com.

Press Contact
Bridget Farrell
FTD Inc.
3113 Woodcreek Drive
Downers Grove, IL 60515
Tel: 630 724 6120
Fax: 630 724 6621
Email: bfarrell@ftdi.com

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