Nothing is easier to access and more reliable
than a paper copy of your taxes," said John Burke, senior vice
president of business services at Staples. Our successful realignment
gives us an excellent foundation for future growth .S.01 billion in 2004, and include such leading consumer brands as
Moen, Titleist, Jim Beam, Aristokraft , Therma-Tru, FootJoy and Master
Lock. For 2005, on a continuing operations basis, Fortune Brands is
targeting diluted EPS before charges/gains to grow at a double-digit
rate, consistent with its long-term growth goal. Major spirits and wine
brands sold by units of Jim Beam Brands Worldwide , Inc. Fortune Brands', ACCO's and
GBC's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans
or strategies is inherently uncertain and actual results may differ
from those predicted .6% 22.4 $53.)

The above measures are used to determine the returns generated by
operating subsidiaries and to evaluate and identify cost-reduction
initiatives.

shredder tock

More information is available at www.S. (NYSE:FO):

Combined ACCO-GBC Enterprise Will Boast Exceptional Brand
Portfolio and Increased Scale in Growing Office Products
Market

Conference Call Today at 9:15 AM ET to Discuss Spin-Off and
Merger

In moves to enhance shareholder value, Fortune Brands, Inc.
shareholders of both companies.

Excellent Strategic Fit Creates Office Products Powerhouse

"ACCO and GBC are an excellent strategic fit, and we're excited
about our growth opportunities as a combined independent, publicly
traded company," said David Campbell , president + CEO of ACCO World,
who will lead the new company as chairman + CEO."

Brand Strength of Combined Company

ACCO World generated sales of $1.

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2 million 2004 returns had been filed electronically , up 2. In 2004, Staples saw an increase of
18% over 2003 in shredder sales.6 million
shredders that cross-cut paper into small pieces and destroy credit
cards, floppy and compact discs.
To make it easy for last-minute tax filers to get a free copy of
their tax return, mobile Staples Copy + Print Centers will be set up
at select post offices across the country on April 15th.staples. With 2004 sales of $14.4 billion,
Staples serves consumers and businesses ranging from home-based
businesses to Fortune 500 companies in 21 countries throughout North
and South America, Europe and Asia. Combining our two
companies' strengths will increase our product breadth and provide
excellent opportunities to increase efficiencies. Its leading
brands include:

-- GBC (the global leader in binding and laminating equipment and
supplies, and a leader in personal and desktop shredders)

-- Quartet (a leader in wholesale presentation boards and
accessories in North America)

-- Ibico (a leader in binding and laminating equipment and
supplies in Europe)

By combining geographic strengths, the new company will also have
leading positions in key geographic markets. These
products are designed to help people enhance printed materials and
organize and communicate ideas.
This material is not a substitute for the registration statement
ACCO and GBC will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the transaction, or the proxy
statement/prospectus -information statement to be mailed to
stockholders.
($6.5 $21.

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private auditing standards.

About the Cawley Group (TCG)

The Cawley Group , LLP, is a New Jersey-based, strategic Public and
Media Relations consulting firm specializing in hands-on, customized
communications services and support for entrepreneurial start-up,
small cap and established companies.1 billion. In addition, the
spin-off will not impact Fortune Brands' current dividend rate.
The company also noted that ACCO World has a minority shareholder,
whose interest is approximately 2%, who will receive a proportionate
amount of the pre-spin dividend and new company shares.gov, or by
directing a request when such a filing is made to ACCO World
Corporation, 300 Tower Parkway, Lincolnshire, IL, 60069, Attention:
Investor Relations; or by directing a request when such a filing is
made to General Binding Corporation, One GBC Plaza, Northbrook, IL,
60062 , Attention: Investor Relations.

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Headquartered outside of Boston,
Staples operates approximately 1 ,680 office superstores and also
serves its customers through mail order catalog, e-commerce and
contract businesses.
The Cawley Group, a New Jersey-based public relations consultancy,
will handle external communications for Royal, including corporate
positioning, media relations, consumer and product promotions,
marketing initiatives and new product rollouts.

-- Fortune Brands shareholders of record will, in addition to
retaining all of their shares of Fortune Brands stock, receive
one share of Acco Brands Corporation for approximately every
4. ACCO's proven management team has the opportunity to create
significant value by merging with GBC, and the spin-off will provide
shareholders of both companies the opportunity to participate in the
new company's upside potential.S. Above all , we see excellent opportunities to drive
growth, enhance returns and create value for shareholders in the
future.gbc. These
forward-looking statements, which are based on certain assumptions and
describe future plans, strategies and expectations of Fortune Brands,
ACCO World and GBC, are generally identifiable by use of the words
"believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "estimate ," "forecast,"
"project," "plan," or similar expressions.

Facts About FORTUNE BRANDS

Number of Employees: 32,000

Sales: $7.

Net Income: $783.0
% of sales 12% 7%

Depreciation + amortization $29.
Investors believe these measures provide helpful supplemental
information regarding the underlying results of the businesses from
year to year.

endorsers embossers

com

About AICPA

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(www.

About Royal Consumer Information Products

Royal Consumer Information Products, Inc.S." The broad categories in which the combined company's
brands compete represent approximately $40 billion in sales in the
U. Our brands, product lines and cultures are a great
fit with ACCO's.3 million and operating income
before charges of $53.8 million
-- Office $1.5
Operating Income $109 .

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Staples Copy + Print Centers are full-service centers that make
copying and printing easy for small businesses and guarantee its
quality and service.

Royal Consumer Information Products Taps The Cawley Group for External PR

"ACCO has achieved
success over the past three years by creating low-cost state-of-the
art supply chains, highly efficient shared support services, and a
sharply focused go-to-market strategy. The merger with
GBC is the next logical step forward. As the world 's largest
supplier of branded office products, Acco Brands will support the
consumer's need for greater productivity - at work, at home, at school
and on the road."
Dennis Martin, chairman, president and CEO of GBC, said, "We're
very excited about the prospects of being a significant part of Acco
Brands Corporation, and we're confident that combining these two
complementary companies to make a larger, stronger one makes perfect
strategic sense.4 million in 2004. is a $7 billion leading consumer brands
company. Home and hardware brands include Moen
faucets, Aristokraft, Schrock, Diamond and Omega cabinets, Therma-Tru
door systems, Master Lock padlocks and Waterloo tool storage sold by
units of Fortune Brands Home + Hardware, Inc. income before charges $137.

signers jtf

With nearly two decades of
corporate communications and public relations agency expertise, The
Cawley Group offers in-depth public relations and marketing
communication capabilities to elevate and enhance revenues, reputation
and industry leadership.
Acco Brands has commitments for financing that will be used to
finance the dividend to Fortune Brands and the repayment of GBC's
existing debt. Also , Acco Brands' capital
structure will provide for more liquidity and an increased ability for
a broader range of shareholders to benefit from our future growth
prospects.2 billion and operating income
before charges of $137. In addition to its
strength in the U.S. Office
brands include Swingline, Wilson Jones, Kensington and Day-Timer sold
by units of ACCO World Corporation.

Headquarters: Lincolnshire, IL

Chairman and CEO: Norm Wesley
-------------- --------------------------------------------------------

Facts About ACCO World and GBC

2004 results (in millions)

ACCO World GBC

Net sales $1,175.

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"We have all become so comfortable storing and sending data
electronically , that many people are not keeping hard copies of
important documents. invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and
today is the world's largest office products company. With 65,000
talented associates, the company is committed to making it easy to buy
a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology,
furniture, and business services.
Acco Brands Corporation will be led by David Campbell as chairman
+ CEO and Neal Fenwick, ACCO World's chief financial officer, as CFO.

8 million

Top Selling Brands: Moen faucets, Titleist golf equipment, Aristokraft
cabinetry , Jim Beam bourbon, Therma-Tru door systems, FootJoy golf
shoes + gloves, Master Lock security products , Omega cabinetry,
Kitchen Craft cabinetry, Cobra golf clubs, DeKuyper cordials.3
international sales 48% 41%

Operating income $109.3%

Company Facts

Number of employees 4,300 3,600

Headquarters Lincolnshire, IL Northbrook, IL

Management David Campbell Dennis Martin
President + CEO Chairman, President + CEO

Product Categories and
Leading Brands

Workspace Tools: Swingline, ACCO, GBC, Ibico
Rexel
(stapling, punches, (personal and desktop
clips, fasteners) shredders, trimmers)

Document Presentation: Wilson Jones , GBC, Ibico
Rexel
(presentation (binding equipment +
binders) supplies, lamination
equipment + supplies)

Visual Communication: Boone, Apollo , Quartet
Nobo
(retail white (wholesale presentation
boards, overhead boards and accessories)
projectors)

Computer Accessories: Kensington

Storage + Organization: Wilson Jones, Rexel, Marbig

Personal Productivity: Day-Timer
-------------------------- --------------------------------------------

(1)Reconciliation of Operating Income Before Charges and the effect
on RONTA

ACCO World GBC
(in millions)

Op Income before Charges $137.

wheelwriters shredder

----Wait..org) is the national , professional organization of CPAs,
with approximately 350,000 members, including CPAs in business and
industry, public practice, government, and education; student
affiliates, and international associates. It also
develops and grades the uniform CPA Examination.----Royal Consumer
Information Products, Inc.)

-- Apollo (a leader in overhead projectors in the U.S.0 million in 2004, has leading positions in
laminating, binding, personal and desktop shredders and presentation
boards that will add strength in key product categories. Its operating companies have premier brands and leading
market positions in home and hardware products, spirits and wine, golf
equipment and office products . GBC's products are marketed
in over 100 countries under the GBC, Quartet, and Ibico brands.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements relating to future results ,
which are forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.5 million
-- Spirits + Wine $1.17 billion $333.
These measures may also be inconsistent with similar measures provided
by other companies.

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Tax payers who require an exact
copy of a previously filed tax return must file a Form 4506 and pay
the IRS a $39. "We
welcome TCG's contribution and the impressive capabilities in
technology and consumer marketing support it has placed at our
disposal. Royal's product line has evolved to include
typewriters , cash registers, digital postal scales, weather stations,
luggage tags, paper shredders, CD shredders , PDAs / electronic
organizer equipment, laminating pouches, typewriter ribbon, employee
time clocks , cash register ribbon, printing calculators, electric
pencil sharpeners, printer ribbon, employee postal scales, toner
cartridges, calculators and a wide range of imaging supplies
supporting today 's most popular printers, faxes and copiers.
The new company will have a single class of stock. We considered a range of alternatives for ACCO, and we believe
this spin-off and merger maximize value for shareholders. and Europe.)

-- ACCO (the leader in clips and fasteners in North America)

-- Rexel (a European leader in general office products)

GBC, which achieved sales of $712.8 million excluding Office
Products, +30%)

Business Segments: 2004 Sales 2004 Operating Income
-- Home + Hardware $3.

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The number of small businesses and
households that own a shredder is on the rise due to the increased
awareness of this growing issue. GBC's majority shareholder has agreed to
vote for the merger. include Jim
Beam and Knob Creek bourbons, DeKuyper cordials, The Dalmore single
malt Scotch, Vox vodka and Geyser Peak and Wild Horse wines. Fortune Brands, headquartered in
Lincolnshire, Illinois, is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under
the ticker symbol FO and is included in the S+P 500 Index and the MSCI
World Index. The company is headquartered
in Lincolnshire, IL. The company is headquartered in
Northbrook, IL.8 $50.

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Some of the services offered include digital
color copying and printing, self-copiers, laminating, cutting, folding
and various types of binding and many more ."
"One of the oldest and most respected names in consumer products
and office supplies, Royal Consumer Information Products continues to
innovate with high quality products that combine leading edge
technology and affordability," said Roger Cawley, Managing Partner
with TCG.

6 shares they own of Fortune Brands stock.
"Acco Brands Corporation will be built on the strength of great
brands, top-notch people, an effective strategy, stepped-up innovation
and a low-cost infrastructure. It is recommended that listeners log on 10 minutes prior to
the start of the call .

moveable stampsandengraving

Business Editors/News Editors/Community Editors

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.don't
shred those documents so fast! In an age when more and more people are
filing taxes electronically and being reminded to shred documents
containing personal information, Staples, Inc. (NASDAQ: SPLS) is
urging its small business and home office customers to keep a hard
copy of their tax returns. Experts recommend keeping a file of tax returns
and any records reported in the return including worksheets, payroll
records, receipts, year-end interest statements and canceled checks.
"The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants supports
electronic filing of tax returns and also recommends keeping a backup
hard copy of the return and related records, such as invoices or
receipts, for at least three years," said Tom Ochsenschlager, vice
president-taxation for the AICPA. For a complete list of
store locations, log on to www.----March 16,
2005--Fortune Brands, Inc. With increased scale and international reach, Acco
Brands Corporation will be well positioned to capitalize on growth
opportunities in the growing and fragmented global office products
market.

About Fortune Brands

Fortune Brands, Inc. RONTA
represents operating income (loss) before charges divided by the
average GAAP assets less intangibles, accounts payable and other
non-interest bearing liabilities .

imprinters stampsandengraving

com

About Staples

Staples, Inc.aicpa.

Business Editors

SOMERSET, N.
The merger of ACCO and GBC will establish an office products
powerhouse with a broad portfolio of leading brands.
"For Fortune Brands, we believe we can drive the greatest
shareholder value by sharpening the company's focus on growth in our
Home + Hardware, Spirits + Wine and Golf businesses. With consolidation
in the customer tier, large customers increasingly want to deal with
large suppliers with strong brands, and we'll be better positioned
than ever to compete in this environment. A live Internet
webcast of the conference call will be available in the Investor
Relations section of both the www.

About ACCO World Corporation

The ACCO World Corporation unit of Fortune Brands is a world
leader in branded office products.
Among the factors that could cause plans, actions and results to
differ materially from current expectations are: competition within
the office products , document finishing and film lamination
industries; the effects of economic and political conditions; the
ability of distributors to successfully market and sell our products;
the availability and price of raw materials; dependence on certain
suppliers of manufactured products; the effect of consolidation in the
office products industry; the ability to obtain governmental approvals
of the transaction on the proposed terms and schedule; the failure of
GBC stockholders to approve the merger; the risk that the businesses
will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings
and any synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or
may take longer to realize than expected; disruption from the
transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with
customers , employees or suppliers; as well as other risks and
uncertainties detailed from time to time in Fortune Brands', ACCO's
and GBC's respective Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

(Net tangible assets for ACCO World is a 13-point average and a
2-point average based on publicly available data for GBC.

trimmers whiteboards

Upon completion of the simultaneous spin-off
and merger, which is expected this summer, shareholders of both
Fortune Brands and GBC will receive shares in the newly created
company.

The transaction, which was unanimously approved by the boards of
directors of Fortune Brands and GBC, will be tax-free to U.

Spin-Off Creates Value for Companies' Shareholders

"We believe this is a win-win-win for Fortune Brands, ACCO and GBC
that will better position each company for long-term growth and
deliver greater value to our respective shareholders," said Fortune
Brands chairman + CEO Norm Wesley.14 billion and operating income of
$1.com
websites. The proxy statement /prospectus-information
statement and other documents which will be filed by Fortune Brands,
ACCO and GBC with the Securities and Exchange Commission will be
available free of charge at the SEC's website, www.
($697.

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The company sold over 1.staples. is a leading supplier of
office products and desk accessory supplies for the consumer and small
business markets .

Business Editors

LINCOLNSHIRE + NORTHBROOK, Ill. "We expect annual cost
savings to reach $40 million over the next three years, a portion of
which we plan to reinvest in the business . We look forward to combining our respective strengths
to serve our customers even better. With leading brands including
Swingline, Wilson Jones, Kensington, Day-Timer, Boone, Apollo and
Rexel, the company's innovative products help people work more
efficiently, more comfortably and more productively than ever before. Investors are urged to read the proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement which will contain
important information, including detailed risk factors, when it
becomes available .14 billion excluding Office
Products, +20%).5

Return on Net Tangible Assets
Before Charges(1) 36.

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. "We're hoping we can save
our customers future time and money by offering free copies of tax
returns. Todd
Althof, Vice President of Marketing and Product Development. Acco Brands Corporation plans to seek
listing on the New York Stock Exchange . We look forward to joining
forces with GBC and to benefiting from the best talent in both
organizations . and mainland Europe, ACCO is the #1 office
products supplier in Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom , Ireland and
Australia.

Conference Call Today at 9:15 AM ET

Fortune Brands, ACCO and GBC will host a joint conference call
today at 9:15 AM ET to discuss today's announcement.

About General Binding Corporation

General Binding Corporation (GBC) is a world leader in products
that bind, laminate, and display information enabling people to
accomplish more at work, school and home .

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J."
Before the benefit of any future synergies, the combination of the
$625 million dividend and shares of the new company imply an aggregate
value to Fortune Brands shareholders of approximately $1.
"Notably, the combined company will benefit from significant
operating synergies," Campbell continued.76 billion $598.5

Op.

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"
According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as of March 4th
39. It sets ethical standards
for the profession and U. Furthermore, our
confidence in the new Acco Brands Corporation is underpinned by the
dramatic success of the management team at ACCO in repositioning the
business to better compete in the marketplace, restoring top-line
growth and a high level of profitability, and creating long-term
value. Among its leading brands
are:

-- Swingline (the leader in stapling and punches in North
America)

-- Wilson Jones (a leader in ring binders in North America)

-- Kensington (fast-growing computer accessories and the leader
in computer security products worldwide)

-- Day-Timer (a leader in paper-based planners in North America)

-- Boone (a leader in retail white boards in the U. Individuals without Internet access may listen to the call
by dialing 1-706-643-3726 prior to 9:15 AM ET.1 billion.7 million
-- Golf $1.17 billion $109.8 $50.

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(NYSE:FO) and General Binding Corporation (NASDAQ:GBND) announced
today that Fortune Brands will spin off to shareholders its ACCO World
Corporation office products unit, and that ACCO will merge with
General Binding Corporation (GBC) to create the world's largest
supplier of branded office products with combined revenues of nearly
$2 billion.

-- GBC shareholders will receive one Acco Brands share in
exchange for each GBC share they hold.
The spin-off and merger are subject to regulatory approvals and
other customary closing conditions.8 million in 2004, +35%.0
Charges $27.5

Return on net tangible assets - or RONTA - is a measure of the
operating returns generated on a company's net tangible assets.

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, one of the nation's leading suppliers of
office products and desk accessory supplies for the consumer and small
business markets, today announced that it had retained The Cawley
Group (TCG) as its public relations agency of record.

Fortune Brands To Spin off ACCO World Office Products Unit; ACCO World To Merge with General Binding Corporation Creating World's Largest Supplier of Branded

"Fortune Brands has established a long track record of innovative
strategic actions, including high-return acquisitions, creative joint
ventures and high-impact partnerships, to drive shareholder value
higher. An Internet replay of the conference call will
be available on both websites within two hours of the completion of
the call. Information about the participants in
the solicitation will be set forth in the proxy
statement/prospectus-information statement when it becomes available.21 billion $153.4 $53.6 $2.

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Staples To Make Free Copies Of Tax Returns Starting April 1st; Company Stresses Importance of Keeping Hard Copies of Important Documents

00 fee. "We are thrilled to support a tradition of excellence that
has made Royal an industry leader. Fortune Brands, ACCO and GBC undertake no
obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the future.

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To make it easy, from April 1st though 15th
at Staples Copy + Print Centers in stores nationwide, Staples will
provide free copies of 2004 tax returns.

1
million from the same time last year.
"The Cawley Group brings us experienced communications expertise
and a solid understanding of our business as well as the strategic
opportunities within this competitive environment," said J."
Until today's selection, Royal has primarily handled its public
relations in-house. The new company,
to be called Acco Brands Corporation, will combine ACCO's Swingline,
Wilson Jones, Kensington, Day-Timer and Rexel brands with GBC's GBC
and Quartet brands. As
part of the spin-off, Fortune Brands will receive a cash dividend of
$625 million from ACCO.

-- When the deal closes, Fortune Brands' shareholders will own
66% of Acco Brands Corporation and GBC's shareholders will own
34%, a proportion that approximates the underlying
contribution of the two companies to the combined business. The merger is also subject to
approval by GBC shareholders . GBC's brands - market leaders in
binding, laminating, presentation boards and shredders - complement
our positions in the growing document presentation, visual
communication and workspace tools categories . GBC adds strength in these markets as well as a presence in
Asia and other markets.
The new company 's board of directors will be composed of nine members,
including Norm Wesley and three additional members from Fortune
Brands' board.
ACCO's annual sales exceed $1.sec.

GBC, its directors , and certain of its executive officers may be
considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection
with the proposed transaction.

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Documents that are not vital to record keeping should be shredded
to protect against identity theft.

The spin-off of ACCO sharpens Fortune Brands' focus on growing its
high-return Home + Hardware, Spirits + Wine and Golf businesses."
Acco Brands Corporation plans to establish long-term growth goals
that include low-to-mid single-digit sales growth, mid-to-high
single-digit operating income growth and double-digit growth in
diluted EPS. Three members of GBC's board will also join the Acco
Brands Corporation board.

Fortune Brands Expects Double-Digit Growth Post-Spin

Excluding office products, Fortune Brands' remaining three
segments generated sales of $6. Acushnet
Company's golf brands include Titleist, Cobra and FootJoy.32 billion in 2004, +18%.7 $712.