PAWTUCKET, R.I. -- April 25, 2002 -- Do you think you have or know America's toughest one-year-old? One that's TONKA "tough"? Well, prove it! To celebrate the arrival of the TONKA brand's "younger brother," the new TONKA JUNIOR line designed specially for children ages 1-3, Hasbro, Inc. is conducting THE TONKA JUNIOR SEARCH FOR AMERICA'S TOUGHEST ONE-YEAR-OLD.
Hasbro is looking for the one-year-old who most embodies what TONKA JUNIOR is all about: being rugged, active, boisterous and getting dirty - in a mom-approved way of course. The contest begins on April 25th and ends on May 31st and is open to all kids ages 12 months to 23 months (as of May 31, 2002). One grand prize winner will be named from a pool of entries submitted via videotape and from finalists named at local Hasbro-sponsored events. The grand prize winner will receive TONKA and TONKA JUNIOR toys for as long as he's TONKA-tough (to age 6), as well as a $5,000 U.S. savings bond. Winners will be named at the sole discretion of judges and the grand prize winner will be announced in June.
"Hasbro knows how little boys naturally like to play, and we designed the TONKA JUNIOR line to meet those needs," said Derek Stothard, vice president of marketing for Hasbro's TONKA brand. "So it just seemed logical to celebrate the arrival of new TONKA JUNIOR vehicles and toys by asking one-year-olds to do what they do best -- have a good time doing the tough stuff they love."
There are two ways to enter:
1. Parents all across the country can submit videotaped entries that show examples of their tough one-year-olds having a fun, tough time: at play, throwing and kicking balls, working with their favorite toy, munching down a snack, and scooting around the house or backyard.
2. Hasbro will also conduct local search events (starting on 4/25) in four markets: Denver, Providence, RI, Dallas, and Portland, OR. At these events, diaper-clad wannabes can show what they've got by jumping, climbing, and playing their way to glory. Local winners in each market will get a TONKA JUNIOR prize pack and automatically become finalists.
The TONKA JUNIOR product line debuts this spring for kids one to three years of age and offers a whole new generation a way to play tough! While the TONKA brand is well-known for its line of vehicles for kids ages 3 and up, such as the classic yellow MIGHTY DUMP TRUCK, the TONKA JUNIOR line was designed with the youngest toddlers in mind. TONKA JUNIOR products give little kids the chance to play the rough-and-tumble way they naturally like to play.
TONKA JUNIOR toys have easy features for littler hands and simpler play patterns that give toddlers an opportunity to have the kind of fun they see "big kids" having every day. TONKA JUNIOR toys have rounded edges and, true to the TONKA heritage, they can withstand years of the heavy-duty rough and tough play.
The products currently available in the TONKA JUNIOR line include: BOP 'N GO TRUCK, a motorized truck that kids can make go and return just by hitting the cargo on top with the pretend hammer (Approximate retail price: $19.99); JACK-IN-THE-CAB, a musical fire engine with a friendly fireman that pops up with "Pop Goes The Weasel" (Approximate retail price: $14.99); SHAPES & SOUNDS 4x4, a free rollin' musical vehicle that plays "If You're Happy and You Know It!" Put the colorful vehicle shapes the vehicle to hear different sounds! (Approximate retail price: $14.99); RUMBLIN' ROLLERS, hand-held vehicles that rumble and rock when you pull the hook, give it a push and it zooms to the job (Approximate retail price: $7.99).
Hasbro is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure time entertainment products and services, including the design, manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL, TONKA, SUPER SOAKER, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER and WIZARDS OF THE COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable play experiences in the world.
For additional information about Hasbro, visit the company's Web site at www.hasbro.com or www.tonka.com.
