LIVONIA, Mich., Jan. 23 -- Valassis reports that the company has been recognized by FORTUNE magazine as one of the "100 Best Places to Work for in America'' for the fifth consecutive year. This year, Valassis ranked 29th on FORTUNE's annually published list. Valassis has been recognized and ranked by FORTUNE since the magazine began publishing the "100 Best Companies to Work for in America'' list in 1997. Only 28 companies have remained on the list since its inception. "We feel extremely fortunate to have received this important award during a time when so many employees of so many other companies have sacrificed their jobs to this very difficult business environment,'' said Alan F. Schultz, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Valassis. "Since September 11, we have been more focused on cost-containment, and have depended on the continued motivation and positive attitude that Valassis employees are famous for in order to keep our culture alive. We're indeed among the lucky few.'' FORTUNE considers a number of factors when evaluating companies, such as some of the life-balancing perks offered to Valassis employees, including on- site fitness centers, on-site doctor, hair salon and dry-cleaning services. Robert Levering and Milton Moskowitz, best-selling authors of The 100 Best Companies to Work for in America, helped FORTUNE evaluate its 2001 "100 Best'' list. FORTUNE works in conjunction with the Great Place to Work Institute and conducts a survey of employees from nominated companies. Two-thirds of a company's score is based on how randomly selected employees responded to the Great Place to Work Trust Index, a survey instrument measuring the quality of workplace culture. The list of "100 Best'' companies is chosen from an ever- growing pool of candidates; 279 this year alone. Typically, FORTUNE's "100 Best'' list appears in its January issue, however, following September 11th and a change in the economy, they asked related questions of participants before making their decision this year and moved the publication date back a month. The "100 Best Companies to Work for in America'' list is currently available at www.fortune.com . The complete list will be available in the February 4, 2002 issue of FORTUNE magazine, which will be on newsstands beginning January 28th.