Westbury, NY, November 18, 1997 - 1-800-FLOWERS, the world's largest florist, today announced that its president and founder, Jim McCann of Plandome, NY, was named a Toastmasters International Outstanding Speaker for 1997. Also named were Elizabeth Dole, president of the American Red Cross, and Margaret Thatcher, former prime minister of Great Britain.

Each year, Toastmasters International asks its 172,000 members to name the public speakers they admire the most. This year's top speakers are masters at delivering riveting, informative and entertaining speeches. When they speak, audiences listen-and remember.

"Obviously, to be named an Outstanding Speaker by an organization like Toastmasters International is a very high honor," McCann said. "Being in the company of world-renowned speakers like Elizabeth Dole and Margaret Thatcher is something I am very proud of, and something I think reflects very well on how successful we as a company have been."

Each of this year's nominees was evaluated by Toastmasters' Board of Directors in terms of their message and delivery. Factors such as the speakers' achievements or contributions to their respective fields also were considered. McCann, who speaks before corporate audiences around the world in an informal, entertaining style, was chosen as the 1997 Outstanding Speaker in the Commerce and Industry Category. Previous winners include Lee Iacocca, Jack Kemp, Gov. Mario Cuomo, Generals Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell, and others of similar status.

Since its founding in 1924, Toastmasters International has helped nearly three million men and women develop their communication and leadership skills. Headquartered in Southern California, the nonprofit educational organization has approximately 8,400 clubs and 172,000 members in more than 70 countries.

1-800-FLOWERS, headquartered in Westbury, New York, is the world's largest florist with $300 million in sales and more than 2,000 employees. Recognized as a leading integrated marketer, 1-800-FLOWERS is accessible through the company's stores, via the Internet (www.1800flowers.com), America Online (keyword: flowers) and other on-line services, and by calling 1-800-FLOWERS 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All 1-800-FLOWERS orders are hand-crafted to reflect the sentiments of the sender and are delivered only through the best neighborhood florists worldwide.