Framingham, MA based Staples Inc. to award (5) small businesses with $50k each in free t.v. advertising, (or they can take $40k in advertising and $10k in cash!)

FRAMINGHAM, MA - The 6th annual Staples National Small Business Survey (NASDAQ: SPLS) found that seven out of 10 small business owners are optimistic about the future. Further, 52 percent of small business owners revealed they would grow their business through advertising and direct marketing if they had a larger marketing budget. To help address this need, Staples today launched the Staples “Give Your Small Business the Push It Needs” contest to make it easy for five small businesses to win up to $50,000 each in free television advertising in their home market.

"With more than 25 years of experience working with our core small business customers, we know that investing in marketing to grow a small business is essential, yet many do not have the money to do so," said John Giusti, vice president of small business marketing at Staples. "Staples wanted to do something unique to support small businesses in their local markets. The ‘Give Your Small Business the Push It Needs’ contest will help small businesses achieve their business goals in 2012 by providing an advertising boost to help their bottom lines."

The Staples survey revealed that more small business owners are turning to social media with 35 percent increasing their social media presence in the past year. Small businesses can enter to win the "Give Your Small Business the Push It Needs" contest by submitting a 15-second video about their company on Facebook.com/Staples. Of these submissions, five winning small businesses will be chosen to receive 15-seconds of advertising in a 30-second Staples television ad to run in their local market. The prize package is valued at up to $50,000 worth of local cable television airtime and includes $500 in Staples Copy and Print or Staples EasyTech™ services. Winners have a choice of either $50,000 in advertising or $40,000 in advertising plus $10,000 in cash.

"Successfully marketing your small business is the life blood of any company, but with limited budgets, entrepreneurs must be creative and resourceful", said Rieva Lesonsky, CEO and President, Grow Biz Media. "Any marketing boost that they receive from a program such as the Staples ‘Give Your Small Business the Push It Needs” can make all the difference in the world, especially in the current business climate."

Additional Survey Results

The Staples survey results also show a clear indicator of the current economic climate and need for additional marketing, including:

• Two-thirds (66%) of small business owners have some type of marketing and advertising budget for 2012. Among those small business owners, budgets average just over $2,000.

• Sixty percent of small business owners changed their sales and marketing efforts as a direct result of the U.S. economy. Results showed small business owners are using less traditional media (29 percent) and more viral marketing and word-of-mouth (33 percent) compared to last year.

About Staples

Staples, headquartered in Framingham, Massachusetts (USA), is the world’s largest office products company and a trusted source for office solutions. The company provides products, services and expertise in office supplies, copy & print, technology, facilities and breakroom, and furniture. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and now has annual sales of $25 billion, ranking second in the world in eCommerce sales. With 90,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia, making it easy for businesses of all sizes, and consumers

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