Westbury, NY, December 3, 1997 - 1-800-FLOWERS, the world's largest florist, today announced a new program designed to link a select number of the hottest and most-established Web sites on the Internet to 1-800-FLOWERS' award-winning Web site.

The program, dubbed Fresh Sites, includes the following new partners of 1-800-FLOWERS: EarthLink Network, New Century Network, Hotbot, Switchboard, PC World Online, Preview Travel, ThirdAge.com and Women's Connection. They join 1-800-FLOWERS' existing interactive partners, including AT&T WorldNet, Microsoft Network, Physicians' Online and America's Choice Mall.

The Fresh Sites program is the result of intensive banner testing during the previous fiscal year, and is the culmination of 1-800-FLOWERS' four years of experience with interactive revenue-sharing (first introduced in America Online's Marketplace). But unlike many others utilizing on-line revenue-sharing programs, 1-800-FLOWERS is pursuing a selective approach to Web-based partnerships.

"We really do believe that less is more-we have very high expectations of our select Fresh Site partners," 1-800-FLOWERS Director of Interactive Services Donna Iucolano said. "Working with only the cream of the on-line crop will allow us to focus on a more effective partnership. Not only do we want this program to generate product sales for us, we want to work with these Fresh Sites in a collaborative way, to help them introduce and develop electronic commerce strategies that will work for them and other retailers."

"We are thrilled to be partnering with 1-800-FLOWERS," said Mary Furlong, CEO and Founder of Third Age Media. "1-800-FLOWERS brings a wealth of experience in on-line commerce and another trusted name to the Third Age community."

Considered a leader and pioneer since beginning its interactive efforts in 1992, the 1-800-FLOWERS Interactive Services Division employs a team of 20 technology, operations, marketing and Internet experts, and has partnerships with more than 20 interactive industry leaders, including America Online and Microsoft. Today, 10 percent of the 1-800-FLOWERS' annual sales are derived from its interactive efforts, totaling approximately $30 million. The site was recently named a PC Magazine Top 100 Web Site.

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.