Thursday May 14, 7:05 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
In U.S. Toy Stores, It's Time For Teletubbies! -- First Product Based on
Public Television's Children's Phenomenon Available May 16
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 14, 1998--Beginning this weekend, Teletubbies will make their debut in toy stores
as Hasbro's (HAS:ASE) Talking Teletubbies become available exclusively at FAO Schwarz and Toys ''R'' Us nationwide on
Saturday, May 16. The Talking Teletubbies are the first products available in the U.S. based on the Teletubbies phenomenon
that has swept the globe.
To mark this arrival, a special celebration at FAO Schwarz's flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City will be held on
Saturday morning. Fun activities for children and caregivers visiting the store include face painting, juggling, funny-shaped
balloon hats, and a Teletubbies photo booth. FAO Schwarz will have 200 limited-edition, signed and numbered, Talking
Teletubbies available for this event.
Talking Teletubbies will also be available shortly thereafter at the following retailers: Zany Brainy, Noodle Kidoodle,
Imaginarium, Learningsmith, and Store of Knowledge.
Talking Teletubbies, available in each of the four characters -- Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po -- are soft, huggable toys
that talk and sing when children press their tummies, and are designed to extend the creativity and playfulness of this unique
series. The toys will be available for approximately $30.
Additional Teletubbies toys and games from Hasbro will be available in stores beginning September 1998, including soft toys,
plastic figures, puzzles and games, available under the company's Playskool and Milton Bradley brands. The range of toys are
designed for children ages one year and above.
Hasbro's Teletubbies products are available through a licensing agreement with the U.S. partner for Teletubbies, The itsy bitsy
Entertainment Company, launched to offer creators of unique properties a strong, dedicated partnership. Founded three years
ago by Kenn Viselman, The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company is known for marketing ''Safehaven Entertainment(TM)'' --
programs and products that maintain the highest level of consideration for positive parenting while enhancing children's lives,
allowing them to dream.
Hasbro is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys, games, interactive software, puzzles and infant
products. Both internationally and in the U.S., its Playskool(R), Kenner(R), Tonka(R), OddzOn(R), Super Soaker(R), Milton
Bradley(R), Parker Brothers(R), Tiger(TM) and Hasbro Interactive(TM) products, provide children and families with the
highest quality and most recognizable toys and games in the world.
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