August 4, 2003 -- For the second time in three years, the ShopKo Advertising Division has chosen Quad/Graphics as its Vendor of the Year. ShopKo bases its selection on several criteria, including service, quality, technology and ‘going above and beyond.’ According to ShopKo Vice President of Advertising Kathy Friedland-Howard, Quad/Graphics won the honor over a broadcast agency as well as other print vendors and color separators, signaling the value we bring to this client of almost twenty years. “We’ve really changed from a traditional vendor relationship with Quad to form a partnership,” Ms. Friedland-Howard said. “One of the things we appreciate most about Quad is that it takes the time to know what we mean, not just what we say. It understands our business and our needs. Even in situations where we don’t have the technical expertise to clearly define something, Quad knows exactly what we’re looking for. Our standards are exceptionally high, but [Quad] always goes the extra mile to help us make sure we meet them.” Ms. Friedland-Howard also credits teamwork as a major factor in selecting Quad/Graphics for the award. “The relationship and trust we’ve built is the result of a strong collaborative effort. We’re very much a team and our focus is on the total value we bring to each other as partners,” she said. “That’s right,” said Susan Nelson-McNerney, ShopKo Photo Studio and Digital Production Manager. “Quad plays such a huge role in what we do. [Quad] is introducing us to new technologies, and in some cases, testing them with us to find out how we can both benefit from them. No other vendor works with us in the same way. We’re always finding unique efficiencies or cost-savings as a result of our partnership. And, that’s what doing business should be about.” “With Quad/Graphics behind us, we know we’ll move ahead,” said Ms. Friedland-Howard. “The training and support we get is phenomenal. We count on Quad for continuous feedback, both good and critical, to push us forward in new directions. The Quad team definitely keeps us on the leading edge of technologies and ways to better our business.”