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Budco's President and CEO Honored with Entrepreneurial Award

2 July 1999

Budco's President and CEO Honored with Entrepreneurial Award By Michigan Business Community

             Budco Recognized for Operating Growth and Commitment
                             To Urban Development

    DETROIT, July 2 -- Michigan business leaders honored William
"Bud" Brian, President and CEO, Budco, as one of 10 winners at the 1999
Michigan Entrepreneur of the Year awards ceremony held last month in Dearborn.
Brian's achievements matched the annual competition's nomination criteria:
Outstanding entrepreneurs who make significant contributions to social and
community efforts as well as increase their revenue during a two-year period.
    Categories of the competition included Financial Services, Technology,
Manufacturing and Service.  Brian, the winner of the Service category,
operates the $46 million Detroit-based marketing firm, Budco.  Known as the
"dialogue company," Budco helps corporations build communication with their
customers.  The firm executes dialogue with its in-house marketing resources
through printing, teleservicing, creative services and information
technologies.
    "On behalf of the entire Budco family, we're honored to accept this
prestigious award," said Brian.  "Recognition like this gives us the incentive
to continue focusing on what we do best:  provide first-class marketing
products and services for corporations who value dialogue with their
customers."
    While reviewing more than 100 nominations, judges considered each
organization's financial growth, growth in number of employees, the story
behind the success of the entrepreneur and the unique characteristics that set
the entrepreneur apart from competitors.
    "What differentiates us from our competitors is our ability to produce all
of our products and services in-house," said Brian.  Also differentiating
Budco is its mission to create employment opportunities for inner-city
residents.  More than 50 percent of Budco 700 employees currently reside in
Detroit.
    "Budco was never only about making money," said Brian.  "The real driver
has been the desire to create jobs because of the important role they play in
peoples' lives.  Business is ultimately responsible, not the government, to
contribute to the vitality of our communities and cities through jobs."
    From 1996 to 1998, Budco sales soared from $26 to $46 million.  Through
product expansion and acquisitions, the company predicts its revenue will
continue to grow  during the next five years.
    Brian serves numerous Detroit organizations, including the Detroit
Economic Growth Corporation, Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program and
Downtown Detroit, Inc., as a member of its Board of Directors.
    Founded in 1989 by Ernst & Young L.L.P., the Michigan Entrepreneur of the
Year awards program is nationally sponsored by USA Today, the Nasdaq-Amex
Market Group, CNN and CNNfn and the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial
Leadership.  Michigan sponsors include Crain's Detroit Business, Comerica
Bank, Dykema Gossett P.L.L.C., American Eagle/American Airlines and the Grand
Rapids Business Journal.
    Budco is a Detroit-based marketing firm that helps corporations build
dialogue with their customers.  Founded in 1982, the company is dedicated to
creating employment opportunities for individuals residing in urban
environments.  With 1998 sales of $46 million, Budco's clients include Ford
Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler AG, Ameritech, Health Alliance Plan and Walt Disney
Co.  This release and other information about Budco are available for viewing
and downloading at Budco's website at http://www.budco.com.