MALIBU, Calif., August 18, 2004 -- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. announced today that the Company's Play Along division will debut a new generation of Cabbage Patch Kids(R) in a specially designed "Patch" at the Minneapolis Mall of America on August 18, 2004, from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. American Idol(TM) star Paula Abdul and Cabbage Patch Kids creator, Xavier Roberts, will help usher in a new era of Cabbage Patch Kids with a celebration filled with music, laughter and fun, highlighted by a group recitation of the original Cabbage Patch Oath of Adoption, lead by Roberts and Abdul.
Cabbage Patch Kids first captured the hearts of millions in the 1980s and became the decade's biggest sensation. The magical feeling created by the first Cabbage Patch Kids will be alive and stronger than ever as a new
generation of Cabbage Patch Kids makes their long awaited arrival during the fun-filled event. Children can win a trip through the magical Cabbage Patch to adopt a 'Kid' of their very own, autographed by its original creator, Xavier Roberts. All are welcome to bring in previously "adopted" Cabbage Patch Kids to join in the celebration!
Other activities during the celebration include: Well Baby Check-Ups, games and prizes hosted by Radio Disney, live entertainment including "deliveries" from Mother Cabbage and music from Jive recording artist J-Me whose self-titled, debut album will be in stores August 24, 2004.
Each Cabbage Patch Kids is special and unique. Will yours have blue eyes or brown? Will your 'Kid' have freckles? What will be your 'Kids' name? The event will conclude with a mass adoption oath for new Cabbage Patch Kids "parents" who promise to love and care for their Cabbage Patch Kids. It's a one-of-a-kind celebration!
The same executive team -- Roberts and Alfred R. Kahn, now the Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. -- behind the success of the Cabbage Patch Kids two decades ago reunite and join toy manufacturer Play Along Toys for the re-launch of the 'Kids' to a whole new generation of parents.
About Play Along, Inc.
Play Along, Inc., a division of JAKKS Pacific, Inc., is a producer of popular children's products such as Care Bears(TM) toys, Curly Qs(R) dolls, Teletubbies(R) toys, and The Lord of the Rings(R) figurines. New for the summer of 2004 -- the Cabbage Patch Kids(R)! For more information, visit the company's web site at www.playalongtoys.com or the Care Bears(TM) website at www.care-bears.com.
About Original Appalachian Artworks
Original Appalachian Artworks, Inc. (OAA), founded in 1978 by Cabbage Patch Kids creator Xavier Roberts, is a privately held corporation located in Cleveland, Georgia. Headquarters to the world famous Cabbage Patch Kids brand and home to BabyLand General Hospital, one of Georgia's top tourist attractions, OAA also manages a wide range of other projects while continuing to deliver hand-stitched one-of-a-kind, soft-sculpture Cabbage Patch Kids. www.cabbagepatchkids.com.
About 4Kids Entertainment
Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; product development; and Web site development. For further information, please visit the company's Web site at www.4KidsEntertainment.com.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.:
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and leisure products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Arts & Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys and Dolls. The products are sold under various brand names including Play Along(R), Flying Colors(R), Road Champs(R), Remco(R), Child Guidance(R), Pentech(R), Trendmasters(R), Toymax(R), Funnoodle(R), Go Fly a Kite(R) and ColorWorkshop(TM). The Company also participates in a joint venture with THQ Inc. that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment(TM) video games. For further information, visit www.jakkspacific.com.
(C)2004 Original Appalachian Artworks Inc., All Rights Reserved.
