Accolade Reaction Promotion Group Named ASI ‘Top 40 Distributor’ for Second Consecutive Year

Corporate Merchandise Services Firm is Highest-Ranked Canadian Company, Moves up Seven Spots to Make List’s Largest Leap

Toronto –Accolade Reaction Promotion Group, Inc. (ARPG) – a division of Golf Town Canada Inc. and Canada’s leading corporate merchandise services firm – has again been named to the Advertising Specialty Institute’s (ASI) Counselor 2009 “Top 40 Distributor” list.

This marks the second consecutive year ASI has recognized ARPG as one of the industry’s leading revenue-producing firms. With a 35 percent increase in revenue – the largest year-over-year growth of all Top 40 Distributors – ARPG is the highest-ranked Canadian company on the 2009 list. Representing the largest jump of all distributors, it moved up seven spots in the rankings, from No. 31 in 2008 to No. 24, which can be attributed primarily to moderate organic growth and ARPG’s acquisition by Golf Town in May 2008.

“With many challenges facing our industry this year, this exciting news is something everyone at ARPG is proud of,” says Marc Roy, President of ARPG. “Our team’s dedication to outperformance for our customers, our partners and our colleagues is what we believe continues to make us the best corporate merchandise services firm in North America.”

ARPG showcases a wide range of logo-ready products – such as accessories, apparel, electronics, golf equipment, personal goods, jewelry, luggage and writing instruments – for companies to strengthen customer relationships, leverage sponsorships and reward employee performance. In 2008, the company was the first Canadian corporate merchandise services firm to achieve ASI Top 40 status, and was also named National Distributor of the Year by Promotional Product Professionals of Canada.

Golf Town, already a leader in logo products for golf events and other programs, purchased ARPG in May 2008 and has created a one-stop-shop for the promotional needs of businesses, meeting planners, sales and marketing executives, and human resource professionals.

Industry-best pricing includes selections from golf and non-golf brands like Adams, Apple, Ashworth, Ben Hogan,  Bose, Bridgestone, Bugatti, Bulova, Callaway, Citzen, Cleveland, Cobra, Cross, Danier Leather, Delta Tools, Dunning, FootJoy, Greg Norman, Hugo Boss, Kodak,  LaCoste, Maxfli, Mizuno, Motorola, Movado, Never Compromise, Nike Golf, Nintendo, Phillips, Pinnacle, Pioneer, Precept, Sony, Srixon, TaylorMade adidas Golf, Timex, Titleist, Top Flite, Toro, Tour Edge, Under Armour, Whirlpool, Wilson, Yamaha and more.

For more information:  www.arpg.ca (877.733.7800), www.golftown.com (905.479.0343).

About Accolade Reaction Promotion Group
Accolade Reaction Promotion Group, Inc. (ARPG) is Canada’s leading corporate merchandise services firm. It has been voted Canada’s Distributor of the Year by the Promotional Product Professionals of Canada for an unprecedented six consecutive years and in 2008 as Canada’s first Top 40 Distributor by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI). The clear leader in the Canadian Corporate Merchandise Services industry, ARPG employs 145 dedicated and energetic individuals including 46 sales executives within its offices in Calgary, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto. For more information: www.arpg.ca.

About Golf Town

Canada's largest golf retailer, Golf Town was founded in 1999 and has grown from one location in Scarborough, ON, to 47 superstores coast to coast. At an average size of nearly 18,000 square feet, these retail centres feature all the major name-brand products at the best price, ensuring customers find what they want, when they want it.

A centre of the Canadian golf community for individuals and organizations, Golf Town locations serve as sanctuaries where players of all ages and abilities try, buy, learn about and improve their games. The largest employer of CPGA professionals, Golf Town offers on-site lessons tailored to an individual's needs through its In-Store Academy.

The retailer has also established Canada's leading customer advantage initiative via its Leaderboard Membership Privileges Program. Benefits of this free membership include the chance to win a $500 gift card in a national monthly drawing; timely e-newsletters; members-only special offers on equipment, accessories, golf lessons, in-store events; and more.