Title: Going...Going...Gone! Hooray! Hits a Home Run With Cal Ripken, Jr. in Just Like Dad's

Source: Entertainment Wire, January 31st, 2000

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Going...Going...Gone! Hooray! Hits a Home Run With Cal Ripken, Jr. in Just Like Dad's
 

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Jan. 31, 2000-- 

Creator of Multi-Award-Winning Huggy Buggys 

Launches All-New Line of Role-Play Products for Children 

Endorsed by Baseball's All-Time "Iron Man" 

Premiering Exclusively at FAO Schwarz 

Hooray!, creator of the award-winning line of Huggy Buggys and Huggy Sport gear, is on a winning streak with the launch of Just Like Dad's, an all-new line of imaginative and realistic role-play products endorsed by baseball great, Cal Ripken, Jr. The launch of Just Like Dad's was announced today by Hooray!, the consumer products division of The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company, leading creators and marketers of quality pre-school entertainment properties known and loved by children and families worldwide. 

"We are thrilled to introduce our new Just Like Dad's line with the incomparable Cal Ripken, Jr.," said Alise Robinson, Director of Brand Development for Hooray!. "Every dad is a child's first hero, and Cal too is truly a hero - both on and off the playing field. We feel he is a perfect fit for this new line, which invites children to explore their imaginations and discover all of the wonderful things they can do and be." 

"I am proud to be associated with a product line that celebrates the valuable role that families everywhere play in the lives of their children," said Mr. Ripken. "Just Like Dad's offers children an exciting introduction to the grown-up world and allows them to follow their imaginations anywhere they want to go." 

The new Just Like Dad's line gives children ages 3 and up the chance to celebrate - and emulate - one of their very favorite role models, their dad! The realistic line of 11 "let's pretend" products, encourages children to embark on a rustic camping trip, hit a hole-in-one, conduct their own freight train and peek into the busy life of a CEO. The complete Just Like Dad's line to be introduced exclusively at FAO Schwarz just in time for Father's Day, June 2000 - includes: 

- Camping Set - featuring binoculars, lantern and canteen 

- Fishing Set - with fold-up chair, fishing rod, net and fish 

- Tool Set - complete with hammer, saw, wrench, protective eye gear, and all other tools a child needs to build it or fix it 

- Doctor Set - featuring stethoscope, blood pressure meter and realistic medical dress-up garb 

- Executive Set - including pager, calculator, clipboard and cellular phone 

- Chef Set - with cookie cutters, baking pan, apron and chef's hat 

- Little Engineer - complete with railroad engineer's hat, gloves and pocket watch 

- Little Contractor - featuring tool belt, tape measure and flashlight 

- Roadside Safety Engineer - with reflective Safe-Vest, reversible slow/stop sign, adjustable hard-hat and flashlight 

- Tee Ball Set - including bat, tee and ball 

Each new Just Like Dad's product (SRP $20-40) comes in its own reusable, clear carrying case for portable play. 

Baltimore Orioles third baseman, Cal Ripken, Jr. captured the nation's attention in 1995 when he surpassed Yankees legend Lou Gehrig's seemingly unbreakable record of 2,130 consecutive games played. Mr. Ripken's numerous achievements include distinction as the American League Most Valuable Player, the Major League Player of the Year and All-Star Game MVP. A true family man, Mr. Ripken has always had a strong bond with his father, Cal Ripken, Sr., the former Orioles' coach and manager, who passed away last year. After making history again recently in Baltimore by hitting his 400th homer, Mr. Ripken told journalists, "My dad is in my thoughts every time I come to the ballpark." 

Today, the "dress-up" or "role play" category is hotter than ever. Toy industry trade magazines report, "the dress-up business has undergone its own makeover from seasonal business to year-round sensation." 

Since their fall 1997 debut, each product in the Huggy Buggy line has been the recipient of a major award. Huggy Buggy products' top awards and honors for safety, quality, playability and appeal, include: five 1999 Parents' Choice Gold awards - one for each product in the line, 1998 Parents' Choice Approvals, recommendations by Dr. Toy as one of the "10 Best Toys for 1998" and "Best Vacation Children's Products for 1999," "National Parenting Publications (NAPPA) Honors Awards," "1999 National Parenting Center Seals of Approval" and "Toy of the Month" status by etoys. 

The new Huggy Sport line by Hooray! will debut at Toy Fair 2000 and hit retail stores nationwide beginning in mid-April. 

The Huggy Buggy line of products is available in over 1500 specialty shops nationwide, including Store of Knowledge, Learning Express, the Smithsonian Museum Shops, Museum of Modern Art, FAO Schwarz, Noodle Kidoodle, Zany Brainy, and Dapy. In addition, Huggy Buggy products may be found online at etoys, amazon.com, and itsybitsyE.com. 

Hooray! is the consumer products division of The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company (www.itsybitsyE.com), which was launched to offer creators of unique properties a strong, dedicated partnership for production, distribution, licensing and marketing. Founded in 1995 by Kenn Viselman, The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company is known for inspiring "Safehaven Entertainment(TM)" - programming and products that maintain the highest levels of consideration for positive parenting while enhancing children's lives, allowing them to dream! The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company is a member company of Handleman Company (NYSE:"HDL"). 

Hooray! - Hug Your Child Today! 

CONTACT: 

The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company 

Alison Grand, 212/989-3660 

E-mail: agrand@tibeco.com 

or 

BWR Public Relations 

Sheryl Dennis, 212/582-0700 

KEYWORD:  NEW YORK 

BW1191  JAN 31,2000 

5:12 PACIFIC