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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FRANKLIN ELECTRONIC PUBLISHERS INTRODUCES THE NEW MERRIAMWEBSTER DICTIONARY & MP3 PLAYER FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL
Learn While Listening - Reference Device Speaks Volumes
BURLINGTON, New Jersey August 03, 2006 Franklin Electronic Publishers (AMEX:FEP), a leading developer of innovative electronic handheld devices, today announced the availability of its MWD-480, Merriam-Webster Dictionary & MP3 Player. This is Franklins first popularly priced electronic reference device incorporating MP3 capabilities for audio books, podcasts, and music. The new electronic Merriam-Webster Dictionary & MP3 Player from Franklin includes 274,000 definitions and a built-in audio player. Reference features include Phonetic Spell Correction, a Confusables function that distinguishes commonly confused words, a Crossword Puzzle Solver, five games, and a local/world clock. The MWD-480 also contains a memory expansion slot that accepts standard SD memory cards allowing the user to store additional content and a USB cable to transfer audio files from a PC. Our new MWD-480 goes beyond standard reference devices, said Mike Crincoli, Franklins Vice President of North American Operations. This multi-purpose dictionary has been designed to address the needs of a wide range of users, from students to professionals. Combining the dictionary with an MP3 player allows us to market to a rapidly growing segment of the population that relies on technologies such as podcasting for information." According to a recent Nielsen//NetRatings report, over 9.2 million users have recently downloaded an audio podcast. In addition, eMarketer states that the audience for podcasts has shown meteoric growth, particularly in the US. It is variously projected to reach between 20 million and 80 million by 2010.1 The Franklin Merriam-Webster Dictionary & MP3 Player is currently available nationwide at $79.99 at Office Depot, Office Max, and Staples and at www.franklin.com. 1. Mike Chapman, Podcasting: Who's Tuning In? eMarketer, 2006
About Franklin Franklin Electronic Publishers Incorporated (AMEX:FEP) is a world leader in electronic handheld information, having sold more than 37,000,000 electronic books since 1986. Current titles available directly or through partners number more than 26,000 in sixteen languages under license from world class publishers, such as Merriam-Webster and HarperCollins, focused in five genres: Learning, Language Learning, Travel, Spiritual, and Leisure. The Company also licenses its underlying technology to an array of partners including Adobe, Sun Microsystems and Ademco (a division of Honeywell). Franklin distributes ROLODEX Electronics branded organizers worldwide and SEIKO branded reference products in North and South America, Australia and the European Community. Franklins products are available at 43,000 retail outlets worldwide, through catalogs, and online at http://www.franklin.com. ROLODEX is a registered trademark of Berol Corporation, a subsidiary of Newell Rubbermaid Inc. SEIKO is a registered trademark of SEIKO Corporation.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed throughout this release, including, but not limited to, those that are stated as Franklins belief or expectation or preceded by the word should are forward looking statements that involve risks to and uncertainties in Franklins business, including, among other things, the timely availability and acceptance of new electronic books, and other electronic products, changes in technology, the impact of competitive electronic products, the management of inventories, dependence on key licenses, titles and products, dependence on third party component suppliers and manufacturers, including those that provide Franklin-specific parts and other risks and uncertainties that may be detailed from time to time in Franklins reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

In cooperation with

Franklin Global SpellEvent 2010

Overview

Franklin Electronic Publishers in cooperation with TESOL announces the second annual Franklin Global SpellEvent Championship for EFL (English as Foreign Language) students, ages 15 years old and younger. 12 Countries will participate in the local events. Participating countries for 2010 are: Argentina, Chile, China, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia, Senegal, South Korea, Turkey and United Arab Emirates. The first and second place finishers of these *winners will be invited to New York City for the Championship SpellEvent to be held in August 2010. (*Franklin will provide travel for both students and (1) one parent or legal guardian per student). For over 100 years. Spelling competitions have been a tradition at schools for students of all ages to improve their English skills in the United States.
Local participating Schools will receive:
4 Franklin MWD-460A electronic Dictionaries 4 Merriam Websters Advanced Learners Dictionary Franklin Global SpellEvent brochures
Local winning students will receive:
All expenses paid trip to U.S. to compete in the final rounds All expenses paid trip for (1) one parent or guardian per student Franklin/Merriam Websters Electronic Collegiate Dictionary Eligible to win $10,000 scholarship Local TESOL Affiliates, with the assistance of Franklin, will be responsible for coordination local preliminary events. Local rounds will consist of a single elimination spelling competition until 2 Students remain. It is recommended that local events be held by May 31, 2010. To allow time for travel arrangements.
In the event either of the 2 winners cannot attend the finals in New York City: the 3rd and 4th place finisher will be selected as an alternate representative. The four finalists at the local event will all receive Franklin products as prizes.
Local preliminary rounds will be conducted entirely in English. Local TESOL affiliates will provide:
One person designated as the pronouncer One person fluent in English who will serve as the MC (Master of Ceremonies) for the event. Adequate facilities to conduct the local competition Stage, microphones, speakers, chairs, tables to accommodate the local event
Local preliminary rounds must be limited to a maximum of 48 participants.
175 Practice words will be provided on the spellevent.org site on or about November 15, 2009 First round will be the practice round at the local event. Each student will have the opportunity to spell a word provided by the pronouncer. This will assist in helping each participant to better understand the format of the event. The local events will be single elimination format. 1st and 2nd place finishers will win the right to compete in New York City in August 2010.

Spelling Rules

The Pronouncer will say the word. At this point the student must repeat the word correctly back to the Pronouncer to ensure that they understand the word. The Pronouncer will have the discretion to continue to prompt the student to pronounce the word correctly until they are satisfied that the student understands the word completely.
At no point will the student be given the option to use pen/pencil and paper as an aid to deciphering the spelling of a word.

Once the Pronouncer is satisfied that the student understands the word, the student may ask for the following: Any alternate pronunciations of the word The definition-including part of speech, as found in the Merriam-Websters Advanced Learners Dictionary To have the word used in a sentence
After a student has exhausted all of their options they will be asked to spell the word within the allowed time frame as provided in the SpellEvent rules. Once a student begins to spell a word they may not: Stop and start over-this will constitute a misspelling if they change the spelling in the process Ask for more time or further information
After the student has spelled the word: The judges will determine whether the word was spelled correctly. All of the Judges decisions are final. If the word was spelled correctly they will be advised that it is correct by the pronouncer. If the word was spelled incorrectly they will be informed by the ringing of the bell, the correct spelling will then be provided by the pronouncer.

Suggestions:

Hold rehearsal Spelling Competitions to acclimate the Students and Teachers with how the competition will transpire. Begin building awareness early and often. Remind the students often that travel to the U.S. will be required to participate in the final round.