L.L. Knickerbocker Receives Multiple Award Nominations; 1998 Toyfair Results in National Television Coverage; Slated for Marie Osmond and Richard Simmons
LAKE FOREST, Calif.--The L.L. Knickerbocker Co. Inc. (Nasdaq/NMS:KNIC) Friday announced that its attendance at the 95th American International Toyfair was met with much fervor as it launched six new collectible divisions and a 42-page retail collectible catalog.
Debuting at the '98 Toyfair were: Candy Spelling Fantasy Dolls, Collection of the Masters by Richard Simmons, The Edith Head Collection, The Honeymooners Collection, A Kodak Moment From Marie Osmond and Pendant Historical Romance.
Celebrities were in full force as Richard Simmons, Candy Spelling and Marie Osmond made personal appearances to promote their respective lines. Also featured at Toyfair was the company's previous core collectible base of the Annette Funicello Collectible Bear Co., Georgetown Collection, Knickerbocker Toy Co., Magic Attic Club and the Marie Osmond Fine Porcelain Collector Dolls.
The company has more than doubled the size of its booth from 500 square feet in 1997 to 1,200 square feet this year, and hosted a standing room only invitational breakfast to a packed room of excited retailers.
National television media included an exclusive story with Richard Simmons on "Hard Copy" and an exclusive with Marie Osmond on "Entertainment Tonight." Print media included USA Today, The Chicago Sun Times and The New York Times.
All industry collectible magazines attended the event and interviewed all lines for future articles. Richard Simmons and "Nanna" can be seen on the cover of the May Doll Reader with an in-depth feature story. Edith Head's "Lady Lou" is also debuting on a cover with an in-depth article in the March/April issue of Doll World.
Dolls magazine Award of Excellence nominations were presented to Georgetown Collections "Elsa," "Stephanie and Skydancer" and "First Dance," along with The Edith Head Collection's "Lady Lou." Doll Reader magazine's Doll of the Year nominations went to "Nanna" and "Norman" of the Collection of the Masters by Richard Simmons.
The award-winning Magic Attic Club catalog was also presented with a nomination from "Catalog Age." The bevy of nominations fueled sales at Toyfair, where one-third of all orders taken were new retail accounts.
Shows hosted by the home shopping giant QVC are planned for all collectible lines in the United States. QVC London will host Marie Osmond, Annette Funicello and Knickerbocker where, late in the year, there will also be shows hosted for Edith Head, Richard Simmons and Candy Spelling. The company has been informed that Saks Fifth Avenue is planning to introduce Knickerbocker Toy Co. for the first time as a retail customer.
"The 1998 American International Toyfair was one of the most exciting events in the company's history," said Louis L. Knickerbocker, president and chief executive officer. "We have worked long and hard to make the company what it is today, and the collectible products business is only one piece of it.
"The work appears easy in 'launching new collections' but the work and dedication of our skilled and professional management and employees are what make it happen. In some cases, several years can go into the development of product to reach the stage of launching. But the goal remains the same -- quality products at quality prices."
He added, "Toyfair launched our new collectible products and a wonderful new year for The L.L. Knickerbocker Co."
The L.L. Knickerbocker Co. is a diverse international company with operations in three strategic divisions: collectibles, jewelry and investments. The company markets all of its products worldwide. Through its investments division, it has a 50 percent equity interest in Arkenol Asia Inc., a 35 percent interest in Pure Energy Corp., and a 31 percent interest in Ontro Inc.
For more information, visit The L.L. Knickerbocker Co. Web site at www.knickerbocker.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors affecting the company's operations, markets, products, services and prices, and other factors. The company's actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of the factors described herein.
CONTACT: The L.L. Knickerbocker Co., Lake Forest
Louis L. Knickerbocker, 714/595-7900
or
Financial Sciences of America, Los Angeles
Fran Daniels, 310/278-4413
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