Since this initiative was first announced on September 24, 1998, the number of broadcasting and cable companies committed to using the service has increased from 153 to 176 with the addition of Fox Sports Net regional networks and Hearst/Argyle Television Inc. stations.

"The quick adoption of Spotdata by so many stations and cable providers in the short time since it was announced is clear evidence that the broadcast and cable industries have a growing commitment to electronic invoicing," said Wayne Ruting, Columbine JDS President and CEO. "We are equally pleased with the fine support for the Spotdata EI initiative that has been demonstrated by software vendors serving the advertising industry."

To facilitate industry participation, Columbine JDS has published an open standard that will allow agency software vendors to configure their media systems for electronic invoicing over the Internet. Two software vendors, Professional Software Systems, Inc. (PSS) and Marketing Resources Plus (MRP) have committed to support this standard during the first quarter of 1999.

Signing up for the new system is a simple process. To register for Spotdata EI services, participants use an on-line form at the Spotdata EI web site (www.spotdata.com), which also provides a demonstration of the system and detailed information on hardware and software requirements.

Spotdata uses a secure industry clearinghouse where broadcasting and cable companies send their invoices and agencies retrieve them using an easy-to-follow web interface. Once the invoice files are received at the clearinghouse, Columbine JDS consolidates them and sends an e-mail to each agency notifying them that their invoices are ready for download. Spotdata EI provides secure data protection and encryption to protect invoice data as it is delivered to the agency or media buyer.

The new system will also continue to support the EI Express distribution of invoices.
EI Express is a joint venture between CJDS and Donovan Data Systems that has been successfully distributing invoices to advertising agencies since the mid-1980s.

Spotdata EI View and Print, which will be available later in January, will allow users to view and print invoices directly from their web browser and search for individual invoices by station call letters or invoice number. Spotdata EI View and Print makes invoice detail easily accessible and reduces paper and storage costs by allowing users to print only the invoices they need to review on paper.

Further information on Spotdata can be found on the World Wide Web at www.spotdata.com.

Columbine JDS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Big Flower Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:BGF). Big Flower Holdings, Inc. is a leading advertising, marketing and information services company specializing in targeted advertising inserts and circulation-building newspaper products, customized direct mail and direct marketing services and digital services, including outsourced digital premedia and computer-based management systems for the broadcast industry. For the twelve months ended June 30, 1998, the Company's pro forma revenues were approximately $1.7 billion, including the recently completed acquisitions.

CJDS offers complete technology solutions for the advertising buying/selling process within electronic media markets (broadcast, cable, radio, wireless, DBS, agencies, and national sales reps). The company boasts the most complete array of software solutions, connectivity products and consulting services available to the industry. CJDS products and services work for clients in all 50 states, throughout Canada, and in more that 30 countries worldwide. The company, founded in 1964, is headquartered in Denver, Colorado with offices in New York, California, Tennessee, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Hong Kong. More information on Columbine JDS can be found on the worldwide web at www.cjds.com.