ADA, Okla., April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Oscar winning actor Lou Gossett Jr. will appear at the Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (NYSE: PPD) 2011 International Convention on Friday evening, April 8, addressing an estimated 11,000 independent associates from throughout the U.S. and four provinces of Canada.

Gossett's appearance at the annual PPD event is to help promote awareness of the new film, The Lamp, a production which will be used by PPD independent associates for private charitable fund raising events throughout the coming summer -- prior to the film's fall release.

The film, in which Gossett plays a starring role, is based on the book, The Lamp, written by Jim Stovall, president of Tulsa-based Narrative Television Network (www.narrativetv.com). Stovall the co-producer of the film, will also address the PPD assembly, provide a motivational presentation, discuss the film and introduce Lou Gossett. On Saturday morning, April 9, Gossett and Stovall will sign copies of a special PPD produced edition of The Lamp for associates.

In the film, Gossett plays a mysterious messenger (not a genie) who appears from a magic lamp, providing guidance to a married couple who suffer through a series of personal tragedies.  

PPD Founder and Chairman of the Board Harland C. Stonecipher has a cameo role in The Lamp , along with CEO Steve Forbes of Forbes magazine and CEO Paula Marshall of the Bama Companies.

"We're honored to have an Oscar award winning actor like Lou Gossett Jr. appear on the stage of our 2011 International Convention. Through his work as both an actor and humanitarian, Mr. Gossett demonstrates a principle that we of Pre-Paid Legal Services believe in: doing well by doing good," PPD Chairman Stonecipher said.

The PPD International Convention is an annual event organized to offer training and development activities to help associates develop specific sales and recruitment skills and to recognize associate success in business development.  

Pre-Paid Legal has approximately 600 employees at its corporate headquarters in Ada and an additional 50 employees in Antlers and 80 employees in Duncan.

About PPD

We believe our products are one of a kind, life events legal service plans. Our plans provide for legal service benefits provided through a network of independent law firms across the U.S. and Canada, and include unlimited attorney consultation, will preparation, traffic violation defense, automobile-related criminal charges defense, letter writing, document preparation and review and a general trial defense benefit. We have an identity theft restoration product we think is also one of a kind due to the combination of our identity theft restoration partner and our provider law firms. More information about us and our products can be found at our homepage at http://www.prepaidlegal.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, regarding our future plans and objectives and expected operating results, dividends and share repurchases and statements of the assumptions underlying such statements, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on certain assumptions that may not be correct. They are subject to risks and uncertainties incident to our business that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties are described in the reports and statements filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including (among others) those listed in our Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. Please refer to pages 20 - 23 of our 2010 Form 10-K for a more complete description of these risks. Additionally, these risks and uncertainties may include changes in associate recruitment and member retention. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements in this release.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the merger, Pre-Paid will prepare a proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). When completed, a definitive proxy statement and a form of proxy will be mailed to Pre-Paid's shareholders. BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING DECISION, PRE-PAID'S SHAREHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT REGARDING THE MERGER CAREFULLY AND IN ITS ENTIRETY BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED MERGER. Pre-Paid's shareholders will be able to obtain without charge, a copy of the proxy statement (when available) and other relevant documents filed with the SEC from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Pre-Paid's shareholders will also be able to obtain, without charge, a copy of the proxy statement and other relevant documents (when available) by directing a request by mail or telephone to Pre-Paid Legal, Attn: Randy Harp, One Pre-Paid Way, Ada, Oklahoma 74820, telephone: (580) 436-1234, or the investor relations section of the Company's website: http://www.prepaidlegal.com/newCorp2/investor/investor_home.html

SOURCE Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.