SAN ANTONIO — He’s an absorbent yellow short-order cook in an underwater city called Bikini Bottom with millions of devoted fans who watch his every move and buy almost anything that bears his trademark big-toothed smile. Nickelodeon’s happy-go-lucky SpongeBob SquarePants, the star of his own wildly popular, highly-rated television series, is turning up on everything from T-shirts to food packaging to professional race cars on NASCAR tracks.

And now, check writers can show their affection for the animated phenomenon with checks and related accessories that feature the whimsy and humor of SpongeBob and his pals, lovable Patrick, thrill-seeking Sandy Cheeks, cheapskate Mr. Krabs and grumpy Squidward.

Available from Clarke American, Inc., a leading provider of checks and check-related products, SpongeBob check and accessory products include a colorful, five-scene check series; a set of coordinating address labels; and a leather checkbook cover depicting SpongeBob and his friends. All products can be purchased separately or in a ValuePack‚ – a value-priced collection of the checks and accessories – through one of the more than 4,000 financial institutions nationwide that Clarke American serves.

“We chose the SpongeBob character as an addition to our product line because he is so popular with adults,” explains Linda Roothame, Clarke American senior product marketing manager. “Although Nickelodeon originally targeted SpongeBob to children ages 6 to 11, the series has attracted millions of adults – from college students to middle-aged professionals – and has turned the lead character into a pop icon. The appeal comes from the show’s outrageous brand of humor that is just as entertaining for adults as it is for children. Because of the show’s growing audience, we have received customer requests to feature the SpongeBob characters on our products, and we’re happy to oblige.”

SpongeBob and his friends join other cartoon characters already available on Clarke American check designs – Scooby-Doo, Tom and Jerry, Maxine and Betty Boop. “Check products featuring cartoons have a loyal following, says Roothame, and are among Clarke American’s most requested designs. The checks say the person using them has a sense of fun.”

So, are you looking for SpongeBob? He’s as close as your financial institution. Clarke American is making it easy to enjoy and share the colorful underwater world of a new American classic every time you write a check. Your financial institution can put SpongeBob in your checkbook today.

Clarke American provides checks and check-related products, contact center services and direct response marketing solutions for the financial services industry. Each year, the company produces more than 10 billion personal and business checks in a variety of formats for more than 4,000 financial institutions throughout the country. More than 3,300 Clarke American associates serve the financial services industry through a network of electronically linked production facilities and customer service centers across the United States.

Clarke American is a recipient of the 2001 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award given by the U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information, visit www.clarkeamerican.com.

For information about this press release contact
Mike Hannan
(210) 697-1299
Cary Corbin
(830) 609-1932