February 3rd, 1998

SAN JOSE, CA--The Communicator Awards, a national organization recognizing high standards in communications, has honored Tam Communications with its most prestigious award, The Crystal Award of Excellence for the educational videotape, Milk Cartons: The Way Back Home. Presented to only ten percent of entries, The Crystal Award of Excellence distinguishes those entrants whose ability to communicate elevates them above the best in the field.

The 30-minute video was produced by Tam Communications in conjunction with Child Quest International and the San Jose Police Department to help combat the alarming incidence of stranger abduction. The compelling story line engages school-age viewers with a combination of live action, animation and special effects. A variety of scenarios prompt children to break through their innate trust of adults to learn to discern and respond to threatening situations.

Based on actual interviews with convicted kidnappers, Milk Cartons was originally written by San Jose Police Department Officer Frank Swaringen and District Attorney Investigator Collette Swaringen. The immediacy and authenticity of the story translated well into the screenplay written by Susan O'Connor Fraser, and into the final videotape, directed by Tam Fraser and produced by Connie Segreto, all of Tam Communications.

Commented Tam Communications CEO, Susan O'Connor Fraser, "I feel extremely honored to receive this award. We knew from the start that we would do everything in our power to make this project a reality. Working with the support both from local law enforcement and from the celebrity community was wonderful. And now to receive a national award of this distinction makes us very proud."

Taran Smith, of ABC-TV's Home Improvement was moved to join the cast of Milk Cartons out of personal experience. Having been the target of attempted stranger abduction himself, he was eager to help other children learn how to respond to threatening situations. Smith plays the part of the protagonist Kevin, who discovers just how easy it is to become a kidnapping victim.

Further celebrity power is delivered by Erin Gray of Silver Spoons, playing the part of Kevin's mother, and Bryton McClure of Family Matters playing the victim of an abduction attempt. Bay Area actor Ralph Peduto, most recently seen in The Rock, plays the part of San Jose Police Officer Miller. In addition to an original score by Bay Area composer Pat Mosca, country recording artist Vince Gill contributed his single The Way Back Home to the project.

Milk Cartons' recent Hollywood debut provided further confirmation that the video contains lessons for adults as well as children. Commented Trish Williams, Founder and Executive Director of Child Quest International, "Since a child is reported missing every 40 seconds, the importance of teaching our children proper safety skills cannot be stressed highly enough. It was very powerful to watch Hollywood luminaries sit in utter silence while previewing the video, and then break into a standing ovation aftwerwards. We realized then that Milk Cartons delivers a crucial message to adults too."

Honored guest Steven Seagal expressed his support of the efforts of Child Quest International, citing his experience living in foreign countries where kidnapped children are sometimes forced into prostitution and slavery. The presence of Estelle Getty, Nichelle Nichols and Martin Dale, in addition to speeches by Milk Cartons' stars Erin Gray, Taran Smith and Brighton McClure, lent import to the event and provided hope that the goal of placing a copy of the video in every school in the country might soon be met.

Proceeds from the sale of Milk Cartons will serve to support the educational efforts of Child Quest International, a San Jose-based organization devoted to the protection and recovery of missing, abused, and exploited children. Copies of Milk Cartons may be obtained by writing to Child Quest International, Inc., 1625 The Alameda, Suite 400, San Jose, CA 95126, (408) 287-HOPE. The Child Quest web site is located at www.childquest.org.

Tam Communications is a leading digital media company, servicing corporate and entertainment clients by combining technical, creative, and communications expertise in the realms of video, interactive multimedia, and web. The company's expanding spectrum of original entertainment programming—developed for broadcast, cable, syndication, and other venues—airs worldwide. Tam Communications is a privately held company located in Scotts Valley, CA. Please visit our web site at www.tamcom.com.