Rating Scale:

***** (5-Star): "Excellent Opportunity"
**** (4-Star): "Good Opportunity"
*** (3-Star): "Average Opportunity"
** (2-Star): "Below Average Opportunity"
* (1-Star): "Poor Opportunity"

Company:

Impressions On Hold International

Centercourt Rating:

***** (5-Star)

Business Type:

Franchise

Description:

Digital on hold advertising and marketing systems.

Mailing Address:

Impressions On Hold International
6218 S. Lewis, Suite 116
Tulsa, OK 74136

Telephone:

800-580-HOLD/918-744-0988

Fax:

918-744-0989

E-Mail:

sales@impressionsonline.com

Web Site:

www.impressionsonline.com

Direct Link Topics:

Program Summary
Program History
Program Description
Franchise Components
Rating Summary

Program Summary:

Impressions On Hold International views on-hold messages as selling tools - prerecorded advertisements that replace the silence or radio programming customers usually hear when put on hold, with creative commercials, information, and the kind of impression-making messages that reflect a specific customer's "message".

The company's unique service maintains itself as an excellent vehicle to introduce new products and services, as well as a method of educating a captive audience. More importantly, Impressions On Hold provides an image medium that gives small companies a professional feel and large companies a personal touch.

Impressions On Hold International has designed a comprehensive national and international franchise program based on its unique concept. Protected business territories, access to advanced digital recording equipment, degreed scriptwriters and professional voice talents combine with training and ongoing support programs to make Impressions On Hold a "full service" franchise ideal for today's business marketplace.

Program History:

A graduate of Oral Roberts University, John "Bengy" Bersin founded Impressions On Hold in 1991. Having developed a strong interest in the advertising industry, Bersin felt the "on-hold" advertising medium represented significant growth potential. After over two years of learning everything there was to know about on-hold communications technology, Bersin and his wife, Heidi, founded Impressions On Hold.

After an additional three years of operations, Impressions On Hold initiated a national franchise program offering in 1994. The offer of the company's franchise program on an international scope was initiated shortly thereafter. As of the end of 1996, the company has 60 franchises in the United States and will be aggressively seeking increased domestic and international expansion in 1997.

Program Description:

With accounts such as Xerox, Marriott Hotels, Allstate and Farmers Insurance Group, Impressions On Hold's program has an established reputation in today's corporate marketplace. This reputation and experience is passed on to all Impressions On Hold franchise owners.

With the Impressions On Hold International communications team, and today's most progressive digital recording equipment, franchisees receive the highest-quality audio programming available. Professional scriptwriters and voice talents combine to provide messages with a true marketing edge. The company has a vast library of licensed music designed to flavor the dialog with the tone of music that fits virtually every style of business format.

Since production is handled internally from creation to completion, Impressions On Hold franchisees know their on-hold programming will follow the marketing objectives outlined at the onset. The company's digital state-of-the-art studio production facilities assure clients that they will receive a professional sound.

Once a client's programming is produced, Impressions On Hold franchisees offer a digital on-hold system which features easy installation, crisp sound reproduction, the best manufacturer's warranty in the business and almost no maintenance. Moreover, the company's system works with the majority of current phone systems.

Impressions On Hold International franchisees are provided with training, marketing materials and support programs designed to assist them in promoting the company's on-hold services to a multitude of commercial and retail businesses residing in their protected territories.

Franchise Components:

Impressions On Hold International offers a full-service franchise package designed to be operated as a home-based business. Licensing for a protected 15,000-business population in a defined geographic area is available with the company's Major Market Package.

Package components include, but are not limited to:

• Sales and marketing items including Custom Demo Marketing Kits
• Office Communications System including an on-hold system for the franchisee's office
• 3 day corporate training program and 2 days of personal on-site training
• Training and Operating Manual
• Sales Support Training Videos
• Free Lead package available through National Appointment Setting Team
• Ongoing Service and Support

Additional components:

Initial Franchise Fee: $30,000

Market Extension Fee: $15,000 optional - includes an additional 15,000 businesses

Initial Investment: $5,000 to $10,000 - does not include Initial Franchise Fee

Royalty: 4%

Advertising Royalty: 1%

Rating Summary:

Impressions On Hold International's Franchise Program has been rated as a 5-Star (*****) franchise offering by InterAct Concept Development Corp., a franchise and business opportunity management and marketing firm with 12 years of experience in the franchising industry.

The factors that led InterAct to assign its highest franchise program rating include high scores involving the following components:

1. Unique product with applications for small, medium and large commercial and retail businesses.

2. Excellent growth potential mirroring established growth trends in voice mail and other computerized office answering systems.

3. Limited competitor base.

4. Home-based business with minimal start-up costs, and access to expansion territories.

5. Full-service franchise program offering a series of professional in-house services available to franchisees.