STUDIO CITY, Calif. and NEW ORLEANS–May 7, 2002– Wendy’s will serve as presenting sponsor for Hallmark Channel’s upcoming original series “Adoption” which will premiere on the network Saturday, June 1 (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT) and begin airing in its regular prime time slot beginning Sunday, June 2 (8-9 p.m. ET/PT). In addition, Hallmark Channel will collaborate with the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to produce special feature spots that will air within each episode. The sponsorship will feature on-air; on-line and local market components.

“We are so pleased to have Wendy’s and The Dave Thomas Foundation participating as a national presenting sponsor in this program and national outreach effort,” said Lana Corbi, President and CEO, Crown Media United States for Hallmark Channel. “The Dave Thomas Foundation’s extensive experience and knowledge with adoption and foster care facilities further substantiates Hallmark Channel’s planned outreach program and expands the reach of Adoption on both a national and local level.”

“We hope that our partnership with Hallmark Channel will help a group of very special children find permanent, loving homes,” said Denny Lynch, president of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. “As Dave Thomas often said, if just one child is adopted, all our efforts will be worth it.”

The series will open with an “‘Adoption’ Presented by Wendy’s” introduction for every episode. An in-show feature will be specially produced by The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption which will air during each episode and provide the Foundation the opportunity to educate the viewing audience with current issues facing adoptive and foster families. Hallmark Channel will feature on-air public service campaign spots sponsored by Wendy’s in addition to the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption PSAs, which will run outside of “Adoption” on the network.
On-line on Hallmark Channel’s website ( www.hallmarkchannel.com ), Wendy’s will sponsor an “Adoption Stories Site,” where viewers will have the opportunity to share their personal experience with issues of adoption. Selected stories may be featured in an episode of “Adoption.”

In addition to its on-air, on-line presence with the channel, Wendy’s will feature “Adoption” on its in-store tray liners to celebrate National Adoption Month, November 2002.