PTC Tells Federated to Stop Sponsoring Graphic TV Shows

CINCINNATI, Ohio (May 18, 2007) � At today�s annual Federated shareholders meeting, the Parents Television Council�, asked the company to refrain from sponsoring television programs that contain violent, sexual and profane content during prime time viewing hours. Glen Erickson, manager of advertiser programs for the PTC, made a statement at the meeting and excerpts follow:

�I am here today because Federated consistently advertises on programming that contains graphic violence, excessive sexual content and foul language and we think this needs to stop.

�Chairman Lundgren, the PTC has been here before with little to no response from Federated. Surely, you understand how Federated�s irresponsibility in the media marketplace can undermine your good brand names. Macy�s is a family-friendly name. It is a shame that that the parent, Federated cannot demonstrate leadership as a responsible corporate citizen as reflected in the support of the company�s consistent pattern of advertising on some of the most violent and vulgar programming on television.

�It appears to me, and to the Parents Television Council�s 1.1 million members, that Federated does not have media guidelines in place to keep its name off of programs containing graphic and explicit content.

�The PTC�s message to Federated is this � your advertising dollars reflect your corporate values. I doubt the Board of Directors or the shareholders would be proud of this program that your media dollars supported.

�I am here today to plead with you, on behalf of millions of Americans, to stop underwriting sleaze and adopt responsible advertising guidelines that will keep Federated off of programming that contains foul language, gratuitous sex, and graphic violence. Please embrace your responsibility to society by being an economic, intellectual and social asset to the television viewing community.

�Will Federated continue paying for the �cultural sewage� that is delivered into our homes on a nightly basis? Or, will Federated be a responsible corporate citizen and dedicate its advertising dollars toward sponsoring pro-social, family-friendly programming?

�The Parents Television Council would like your response to this question by the first of June so that we may let our 1.1 million members know whether or not Federated is dedicated to responsible advertising and not to return to sponsoring some of the most offensive and violent programming on television. I hope that I will be able to tell them that Federated is adopting advertising guidelines that reflect its corporate values.�

To schedule an interview with a PTC representative, please contact Kelly Oliver (ext. 140) or Megan Franko (ext. 148) at (703) 683-5004.

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The Parents Television Council™ (www.parentstv.org®) is a non-partisan education organization advocating responsible entertainment. It was founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity on television and in other media. This national grassroots organization has more than 1.3 million members across the United States, and works with television producers, broadcasters, networks and sponsors in an effort to stem the flow of harmful and negative messages targeted to children. The PTC also works with elected and appointed government officials to enforce broadcast decency standards. Most importantly, the PTC produces critical research and publications documenting the dramatic increase in sex, violence and profanity in entertainment. This information is provided free of charge so parents can make informed viewing choices for their own families.