Mr. Stein will direct the $4.5 million advertising effort, driving traffic
to residential and office stores and building the retail brand. Division
president Brian Stahl said, ``Barry is an experienced marketing communications
professional with exceptional skills in strategic planning, creative
direction, sales promotion and electronic merchandising technologies. He is a
great addition to the Aaron's team.''
Formerly, Mr. Stein served as director of advertising for Abbey Carpet
Company in Naples, Florida; advertising manager for Dupont Corporation's
Flooring Systems Division; and General Manager for the communications division
of Maxim Group. He holds a B.S. degree from the University of Cincinnati.
Carroll/White Advertising will assist with the launch of the division's
1999 campaign and the move represents an integral strategy to build brand,
reduce cost and increase earnings through creative, effective advertising.
Carroll/White has been the agency of record for the Aaron's Rental Purchase
division since 1992, working in virtually every phase of that division's sales
and marketing operations.
Aaron Rents, Inc., based in Atlanta, has a total of 416 stores in 32
states for the rental and sale of residential and office furniture and
accessories, consumer electronics, household appliances and convention
furnishings. The Company manufactures furniture at five plants in Georgia and
Florida.
Note: Forward looking statements in this news release are based on current
expectations, which are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results
may vary materially from these expectations due to such factors as changes in
general economic conditions, competition and pricing, customer demand and
other issues.