In This Issue:

Publisher's Notes
Scoreboard Declares Bankruptcy
First Interleague Baseball Smart Card
Press Releases
Promotional News

Publisher's Notes

There will be no newsletter next week (March 29th) and no newsletter on April 12th. There is a chance that there may not be one on April 5th either, so it may be a few weeks. Don't worry, I will be on vacation, first to Las Vegas, and then back to Ithaca, NY. I'll try to get the April 5th issue in before I leave.

Additionally, I would like to invite everyone to check out the redesigned POL web site at: http://www.cardmall.com/pol It is still being worked on, but has a little more than just the issues. For readers of the e-mail version, images of phonecards will be used whenever possible. Producers who send in press releases can send sample cards or digital images for publication. Please contact me for further information on that.

NEWS / COMMENTARIES

Scoreboard Goes Bankrupt!

CHERRY HILL, N.J., March 19 (Reuters) - Score Board Inc said Thursday it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection because a drop in sports trading card sales had severely hurt its bottom line.

The sports card and memorabilia products company said in a statement that it had defaulted under its secured credit facility and is developing a strategic plan with its secured lender.

``The market for sports trading cards has experienced a contraction in recent years, resulting in diminished sales by both Score Board and its competitors,'' Score Board said.

In a statement, the company said that in 1996 it reported sales of $43 million. It said two years earlier in 1994 its sales were $109 million. The company did not give its 1995 sales results and officials were not available for comment.

The company has not yet reported its 1997 full year or fourth-quarter earnings. It released its most recent earnings figures on Oct 11, reporting 1997 third-quarter net income of $0.04 per share, or $549,000, versus $0.05 per share or $600,000 in the third quarter of 1996. Third quarter net sales were $13.3 million versus $14.6 million in the third quarter of 1996.

In the statement, Score Board said during the fiscal years ended Jan 31, 1995, and 1996, and the 11-month period ended Dec 31, 1996, it reported a net aggregate loss of $59.4 million.

The company said it was ``disappointed that the Chapter 11 filing was necessary, but we believe that it is the best way to protect all constituencies' interests.''

``We have a respected business franchise in the sports and entertainment marketplace and believe that its value can be preserved,'' it said.

In December, Score Board chairman Ken Goldin resigned. He was replaced by John White.

Commentary on Scoreboard

Ive been waiting for this news for about a year now. The impact on the phonecard industry and hobby will be minimal The damage has been done already. Scoreboard (Classic) has not produced a new issue of phonecards in well over a year, and almost every single issue of theirs no longer has valid phone time. Recently, the company has moved into sports memorabilia, offering collectors cards and redemption slips found in packs of cards. The company has a history of poor customer service in dealing with the redemption process. Of course, by filing Chapter 11, everyone who owns one of those redemption slips is a creditor, and if they do not successfully reorganize, they will probably be forever unredeemed. With their stock closing at 14 cents on Friday, it seems very unlikely they will pull themselves out of this.

Cubs / White Sox Smart Card

According to Krauses Sports Collectors Digest, a Smart Card has been issued by the White Sox to commemorate the first interleague game between the Cubs and White Sox. The face value of the card is $20, and can be used at the stadiums concession stand. The logos from both teams dominate the card. Additional cards will be issued throughout the season.

PRESS RELEASES

Elvis Die Cut Stamp Card

A new Elvis card has been produced by Tell-One. This unique card features a gold record background, and an Elvis stamp mounted off center. 500 cards were produced, each with 10 minutes of phone time that expire 4/99. Contact Tell-One at 516 868-7567, or e-mail them at rick@tell-one.com. Their web site is at http://www.tell-one.com

The "Marketing Atlas" Phonecard

Desiring a unique way to say thank you to his top clients, Marketing Background owner/publisher Larry Coffman had a phonecard created. The card was created to give as a gift to selected advertisers. 100 were produced, 50 with sixty minutes of phone time, and 50 with ten minutes. Cable & Wireless provide the phone time, and Gazelle Telecard issued the card. For further information, contact Gazelle at 206 935-3576, or e-mail them at metalcore@aol.com

Bettie Page Phonecard

Argo City Company is once again proud to announce the issue of series two Bettie Page phone cards. This time, both images are from the legendary Bunny Yeager, "The Worlds Prettiest Photographer".

The first card image is titled "Bettie in Jungleland". This beautifully hand-colored black and white photograph is from the illustrious series shot in a Boca-Raton jungle theme park in 1954. This showcases Bettie in a jungle setting complete with a leopard at her feet. The animal print outfit that Bettie wears has come full circle in the fashion world and is currently back in vogue. The second card image is titled simply "Bettie and Bunny". This rarely seen photo includes both the photographer and the model. This also has been exquisitely hand-colored to give it the nostalgic feel of an oil painting on canvas. A very rare moment as Bunny "gets into the act" so to speak.

"Bettie and Bunny" and "Bettie in Jungleland" phone card issues will be available in regular editions of 1000 and each will have three minutes pre-paid long distance phone time. Please contact Argo City for additional information at 800-345-9155 or ken@argocity.com. Web site is at http://www.argocity.com/

PROMOTIONAL NEWS

Toyota Newsletter & Phonecard

I found a free phone card offer in one of the freebie sites. 1-888-743-6627 (Toyota). You will have to get a newsletter, but they will also send a 5 or 10 minute phone card with it.

From: Peggy Werner

Energizer Phonecards

Energizer has 10 minute cards (yellow with bright red print and of course the pink bunny) in most sizes of batteries. I found them at Sams club here in the Tampa Bay area. I also have seen 15 minute cards advertised from a couple dealers.

From: Dan Ulrich

Pointcast

Pointcast, the push technology Internet news provider, is giving away phone cards to new users who download and register the (*free*) software and simply fill out an on-line form saying where to send the phone card. The card is for 20 minutes and is absolutely free, no strings attached. (However, my guess is you'll be added to someone's mailing list.)

After you register the software and input your e-mail address, they send you an e-mail about the offer. It takes "2-4 weeks" to get the card, and the offer lasts until 4/6/98.

Pointcast is at: http://www.pointcast.com

From: Jon Guljord

(Publishers Note: I did not try this one out)

Until Next Time,

Alan

Distribution

Phonecards On-Line is published by Alan Cohen. It is a weekly newsletter devoted to phonecards - Current news, viewpoints, and reviews of new issues. It is distributed free of charge, and available two ways.

1) On-Line on the World Wide Web. The address is: http://www.cardmall.com - All back issues are archived at the web site!

2) Direct e-mail. Send a message to: phoneline@cardmall.com

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