The Real Star of the Academy Awards(R)

The Real Star of the Academy Awards(R)

'And the Envelope Please' is One of Entertainment's Most Recognized Phrases

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- It's not about who's going to be there, or even what celebrities will be wearing. On Hollywood's biggest night it all comes down to the envelope.

According to a new national online survey conducted by the Envelope Manufacturers Association Foundation (EMAF) and GolinHarris, "And the envelope please" is one of the most familiar phrases in the entertainment world and more than 97 percent of those surveyed associate the phrase with the upcoming Oscars(R) ceremony. In fact, the opening of the envelope is the 'most anticipated moment' of the evening.

The survey compared the phrase "And the envelope please" to other popular sayings in the entertainment vernacular including:

"Gentleman start your engines"
"It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings"
"Is that your final answer?"
"You're going to Hollywood, dawg"
"They killed Kenny" and more

"It's no surprise that envelopes have a starring role," said Tonya W. Muse, executive director of the EMA Foundation. "We've always known of the power of envelopes to touch our lives every day, everywhere, including on Hollywood's most important night."

More than 60 percent of survey respondents said that the opening of the envelope is one of the most anticipated moments of the evening, ranking higher than such factors as what celebrities are wearing, speeches from award recipients, or special performances during the broadcast. Survey respondents cited security (48 percent) and privacy (29 percent) as the reasons they believe envelopes are used to reveal the award winners.

Since 1941, more than 2,400 envelopes have been presented at the Academy Awards(R) ceremony. This year's award announcement is contained in a white textured envelope measuring 8" x 5 1/2" lined with red foil and a gold Oscar(R) statuette in the upper left hand corner. It is manufactured by Beacon Litho, Inc. based in Commerce, Calif.

According to the survey, more than half of the respondents are definitely or probably planning to watch the March 5th Academy Awards telecast.

EMA's survey results are based on a representative sample of 500 Americans, weighted to reflect US 2002 age and gender census demographics and projectable to the U.S. online population ages 18+, with a 4.4% margin of error at 95% confidence rate.

The EMA Foundation for Paper-Based Communications is an organization united to support the paper-based communications industry by designing and implementing a key research and education agenda for companies in the industry and the customers they serve.

Source: Envelope Manufacturers Association Foundation

CONTACT: Matt Escoubas, +1-703-741-7514, or Kelly Miller, +1-703-741-
7508, or Sarah Hagenbush, +1-703-741-7506, all for the Envelope Manufacturers
Association Foundation

NOTE TO EDITORS: The EMA Foundation is available to provide more information about the survey and Beacon Litho, Inc. Contact Matt Escoubas, 703-741-7514, Kelly Miller, 703-741-7508, Sarah Hagenbush, 703-741-7506.

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