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Contact:
Sarah Bell Haberman, Haberman & Associates
612-338-3900 / sarah@habermaninc.com

AD IN UTNE MAGAZINE DRIVES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INTEREST TOWARDS IPO BY REEDS, INC., MAKERS OF GINGER BEER AND OTHER NATURAL BEVERAGES AND PRODUCTS

MINNEAPOLIS -- February 27, 2006 -- For one savvy CEO, the November-December issue of Utne magazine came loaded with more than its usual enlightened mixture of news, information and lifestyle stories: A full page ad in the 21-year-old magazine yielded far more investment dollars than Reed's, Inc. colorful CEO Chris Reed expected for his Initial Public Offering. Reed's makes all-natural Reeds Ginger Beer and other natural beverages and candies. Utne readers, who regularly spend more on organic foods, "green," and other higher-end products without batting an eye, have indicated interest in nearly half the amount that Reed is out raising still in the new year to expand the brand nationally with the $8 million dollars the company hopes to capture with its IPO.

"It was a tremendous response, well beyond our expectations!" exclaims Reed, who founded the company in 1989. "We knew Utne had a significantly wealthy customer base but we didn't know how actively it would get involved with a small company like ours through an IPO advertised just once in its pages. But around 500 people stepped forward to participate. I would say that anyone thinking about advertising there, or using a similar strategy to go public, to seriously consider Utne. It's proven to be a highly effective method to reach the people who know our product and have a good feeling about it and what they read in the pages of the magazine, including the ads."

"The Reeds' experience confirms what we have known all along about the spending power of Utne's readers and their choices in supporting companies and products that they care about," notes Judy Rudrud, Utne President and Publisher. "As an independent media company, we can provide similar platforms of growth for others." In fact, the May-June issue of Utne will feature a full-page color ad placed by Hemptown Clothing Inc. (NASD OTCBB: HPTWF), a leading provider of environmentally responsible natural fibers and bio-technical eco-textile research, inviting Utne readers to learn more about investment opportunities.

About Reeds Inc.
Reed's Inc. has been an innovative company since its inception 15 years ago. With a passion for ginger, founder Chris Reed holds the vision that continues to create top selling natural food products fueling the company's growth to this day. His non-alcoholic Ginger Brews are unique in the beverage industry being brewed from fresh ginger, spices and fruits.

Award-winning gourmet product lines include: Reed's Ginger Brews, Reed's Ginger Juice Brews, Reed's Ginger Candies and Reed's Ginger Ice Creams. In addition, we have acquired the award-winning Virgil's Root Beer and China Cola product lines. Reed's products sell at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Trader Joe's, Costco, Safeway, Krogers and other upscale markets and supermarket chains nationwide and in Canada. Visit online at www.reedsinc.com

About Utne
Since 1984, Utne has been a leading voice in independent media, bringing readers a visceral and informed point-of-view on issues ranging from the environment to the economy and from politics to pop culture -- the kind of stories you'll find in the mainstream media months or years from now. Reaching a total audience of nearly 700,000, Utne taps into the pulse of what's emerging in culture by engaging with the most visionary thinkers and doers of our time and by reading thousands of indie publications, web sites, blogs, newly published books, films and other off-the-beaten-path sources. Read more at www.utne.com.

For more information -- or to interview Chris Reed or Judy Rudrud about this story -- please contact Sarah Bell Haberman at 612-338-3900/ sarah@habermaninc.com