PHOENIX, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Janex International, Inc.,
(OTC Bulletin Board: JANX) today announced that it has signed a new,
definitive agreement with the DaMert Company, Inc., under which Janex will
acquire DaMert for a combination of stock and cash.  DaMert is a leading
designer, manufacturer, and distributor of over 200 specialty toy products
with a customer base of over 4,000 retail stores and distribution in 35
countries.  For the year ending December 31, 2000, DaMert's revenues are
expected to be approximately $6 million.   The closing of the transaction is
subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions.
    As part of the deal, AMRESCO Financial, holder of approximately $2.8
million in DaMert debt, has agreed to convert $1.3 million of such debt into
Janex common stock at the rate of .87 cents per share, for an aggregate of 1.5
million shares.  An additional $400,000 of the debt will be paid by Janex at
the closing of the acquisition, leaving a balance of approximately $1.1
million owing to AMRESCO.
    Vincent Goett, Janex's Chairman stated, "With the flexibility and vote of
confidence AMRESCO has given us, we believe that Janex is on track with its
growth plan.  We expect that this acquisition will add significant toy
research and development expertise, valuable distribution channels and will
jumpstart Janex's overall strategy to become a serious contender in the toy
industry."
    Dan Lesnick, President of Janex stated, "DaMert's focus on high quality
toy products is a perfect fit to our business strategy.  We are looking
forward to developing new products and technologies and moving DaMert into the
mass market business."
    According to Fred DaMert, President of DaMert Corporation, it is the
Company's product strategy that has the potential to make it successful.  "Our
products must have a balance of gift/play value coupled with educational
qualities.  Our prices are affordable, generally $5 to $25 suggested retail.
The new Janex will have the ability to be a formidable force in the toy
industry, with manufacturing, distribution and creativity that we expect
should rival the best of its competitors."
    The DaMert Company has been a leader in the development of games, puzzles,
brainteasers, glow-in-the-dark, activity kits and science toys for the past 27
years.  DaMert's Berkeley, California facility will become the operating hub
for Janex's toy business.
    DaMert has been the recipient of numerous product awards from various toy
testing organizations including Family Fun's T.O.Y. of the Year, Parent's
Choice, National Parenting Center, Dr.Toy, and Oppenheim toy Portfolio.
Recently, Parenting Magazine featured GoGetter 1 (TM) as one of the Toys of
the Year 2000.
    Historically, Janex has been a manufacturer and marketer of children's
products including children's toys, water activity products, and other
products marketed under the names Janex and Malibu Fun Stuff.
 
    Certain information in this news release does not relate to historical
financial information and may be deemed to constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995.  Such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that
could cause the company's actual results in the future to differ materially
from its historical results and those presently anticipated or projected.
    Among these risks and uncertainties are general economic conditions,
especially during peak buying seasons for the company's products; competitive
pricing and program changes; manufacturing performance; the company's
relationship with its sales, manufacturing and distributing entities; the
Company's ability to fund its operations; the Company's ability to integrate
the operations of DaMert into those of the Company; the company's ability to
respond to customer change, orders and delivery schedules; demographic trends;
the company's ability to control costs; to attract and retain high-quality
employees; and the company's ability to maintain its customer base and
finalize significant transactions.
 
SOURCE  Janex International, Inc.
    -0-                             12/01/2000
    /CONTACT:  Dan Lesnick, President, 732-935-0707, ext. 210; or Vincent W.
Goett, Chairman, 602-468-0089, both of Janex International/
    (JANX)
 
CO:  Janex International, Inc.; DaMert Company, Inc.; AMRESCO Financial
ST:  Arizona, California