Bensalem, PA, June 9, 2006 - - Silkies®, the largest direct mail brand of hosiery products in the U.S., won a Benjamin Franklin Award for Direct Marketing Excellence by the Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association (PDMA) in a ceremony on June 8, 2006.

Judged by a panel of direct marketing experts, Silkies was recognized in the Mail: Consumer Products Category for the development and concept of its Sculptz Shapewear piece. The categories included mail, TV/Infomercial, multi-media, radio, and self-promotion.

We are so excited to receive this honor from the PDMA,” said Karen Arbegast, vice president of marketing and customer service of HCI Direct, Inc., parent company to the Silkies brand. “We take pride in the work we create, and to be recognized by such a distinguished panel of judges, is an honor.”

For over 25 years, the Benjamin Franklin Award in Direct Marketing Excellence has been a prestigious Philadelphia tradition which celebrates significant achievements in the direct marketing industry. Over 200 direct marketers from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Virginia attend the award ceremony.

HCI Direct, Inc. is a premier direct marketing company serving the women’s market. The company’s mission is to deliver quality products and personalized service, building long-term customer relationships. For more than 30 years, HCI Direct has manufactured, marketed and distributed Silkies®, the largest direct mail brand of hosiery in the U.S. Other HCI Direct brands include Silkies Enriche skincare and PainVanish pain relieving cream. To date, the company has approximately one and a half million active customers. Headquartered in Bensalem, PA, HCI Direct is one of the few direct marketing companies with integrated manufacturing and fulfillment operations.