NEWTON, MA – March 7, 2011 – Firestone Financial Corp. the leader in coin-op equipment financing announced today its Platinum Partners inductees. Firestone Financial will bestow this recognition on selected manufacturers, distributors and operators in an awards ceremony prior to the start of Amusement Expo. Members of the Platinum Partners Club are chosen for their innovation and leadership roles in the industry and for being among Firestone’s top clients during the prior year.

Firestone Financial Platinum Partners speech

Thank you all for taking time out of your day to join us so that we may honor you, your achievements and contributions to the amusement industry.

My name is Larry Yaffe. I am the Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Firestone.

I would like to introduce, to everyone, the people from Firestone that are here today.

David Cohen, CEO & President
Scott Cooper, Executive VP & CFO
Jim Hines, VP of Amusement & Vending Sales
Carol Francis, Director of Marketing
Sal Cifala, Asst VP of Amusement & Vending Sales
Spencer Norton, Sales Executive in Amusement & Vending
Kurt Engelhardt – Associate Sales Executive in Amusement & Vending

These are just a few of the people that work hard to provide financing service to people and companies in this industry.

Our industry and our marketplace are always evolving. As I look around the room, and review the 2011 Platinum Partners list I see a group of companies that have changed, adapted and thrived in these challenging times. We are proud that we have had a hand in one way or another of contributing to your success. Firestone pledges to continue to evolve in order that we improve what we do, so that we can continue to meet the financing needs of this great industry.

I would now like to have Jim Hines, our amusement and vending leader, to come up and say a few words.

Today’s world is more social than ever before. Hence, the products today must be more social. They must create a compelling experience for the user that reaches far beyond the walls of location he is in and the product he is using at that point in time…but it still has to be fun! Our manufacturer partners understand this evolving landscape and have created products that continue to engage the consumers both young and old in traditional and brand new formats and for that we recognize you, congratulate you, and urge you to keep working to bring new products to the marketplace.

Our distributors we pay tribute to today have worked very hard to evolve in this ever-changing world, and all continue to play a critical role in moving this product through the pipeline to our operators. They continue to offer counsel to operators big and small on the purchases they make, and are the ones who will put a single game or jukebox on a truck to one of their best customers, hours away, no questions asked, simply because it is needed. These partners all understand the powerful role availability of capital in this industry plays. Our relationships with these distributors have in some cases gone back to the seventies…and they are not only our partners but also our friends. We thank you for continuing to utilize Firestone’s services.

Finally, our operators, who are our connection to the consumer. The operator works on the front lines of this industry. They are either setting equipment in locations, whether it be the bar, the bowling center, the FEC, or roller rink. They are the ones who see the trends, deal with the bar owners or the pizza place, determine what makes money and what doesn’t. They work their business 24/7, visiting locations and troubleshooting at all hours of the day and night. These operators we honor today understand how to use measured debt to build their business; and some of our histories go back decades with these customers. You are the key to our success and the continuation of the industry. As long as you are able to provide the salesmanship and service to your customers, we all will be here to support your efforts. We know you have other financing options and we want to thank you for letting Firestone be part of your success.

Now without further ado we would like to start the presentation of the awards for our Platinum Partners.

Jim Hines, Firestone’s Vice President of Sales, noted that all of the award recipients have had long term relationships with Firestone. “We have relationships with some of our customers that go back not just years, but decades. Our Platinum Partners have seen the industry go through some dramatic changes and have built sustainable businesses that are well positioned for the future. We are very excited to honor our colleagues.”

The 2011 Firestone Financial Platinum Partners Club honorees are:

AMI Entertainment Network
Apple Industries, Inc.
Bay Tek Games, Inc.
Raw Thrills, Inc.
TouchTunes Interactive Networks

American Vending Sales, Inc.
Brady Distributing Company
Green Coin Machine
H. Betti Industries, Inc.
Mountain Coin Machine Distributors
Moss Distributing
Shaffer Distributing Company

This is the first year the Firestone will be honoring operators, the inaugural Platinum Partners are:

Ace Amusement Service, Inc. - FL
All Florida Amusements, Inc. - FL
Alligator Computer Systems - OH
Automated Services LLC - CT
Barberio Music Company - TX
Ferris Music Service, Inc. - ME
Games People Play of Richmond -VA
M&A Group, LLC - FL

Firestone Financial in following its annual tradition has made a contribution to the American Amusement Machine Charitable Foundation (AAMCF) in honor of the Platinum Partners. David Cohen, Firestone’s President and CEO and Jim Hines, Vice President of Sales serve on the board of the foundation.

About Firestone Financial Corporation
Since 1965, Firestone Financial has been helping businesses by providing equipment financing nationwide. The company is focused on cultivating long term relationships in the industries that we serve. Today we provide competitive financing solutions for the amusement, carnival, coin-op, fitness, and vending industries. To learn more visit www.firestonefinancial.com.

Medalist Marketing Corporation – WA
Miele, Inc. –PA
Music Vendors, Inc –NC
Number One Vending Service –FL
Paramount Vending, Inc. – FL
Stanton Automatics, Inc. - NY
Variety Specialties & Amusement - IL
West Coast Amusements –CA

Contact: Carol Francis, Director of Marketing
1.800.851.1001 extension 276
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