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To: Larry S. who wrote (20714)	9/13/1999 1:40:00 PM
From: Larry S.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 53068

Zany news: - September 13, 1999 13:18 Zany Brainy, Inc. Signs Exclusive Agreement with The Vermont Teddy Bear Company KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 13, 1999-- Customers to Make Personalized Vermont Teddy Bears in the Stores Zany Brainy, Inc. (Nasdaq National Market: ZANY), a leading specialty retailer of high quality toys, games, books and multimedia products, today announced it has signed an exclusive license agreement with The Vermont Teddy Bear Company(R) (Nasdaq National Market: BEAR) for the worldwide rights to install the Make-A-Friend For Life(R) program in its stores. "The Make-A-Friend for Life program provides Zany Brainy with a new source of interactivity for our stores," stated Keith C. Spurgeon, Chairman and CEO of Zany Brainy, Inc. "Store interactivity and exclusive merchandising have become the hallmarks of Zany Brainy, making us a destination store of choice in toy retailing." The Make-A-Friend For Life program allows customers to stuff, sew, dress and accessorize a personalized Vermont Teddy Bear in the store. This process takes approximately twenty minutes and the finished bear costs between $14.99 and $24.99. The Vermont Teddy Bear Company will supply Zany Brainy stores with the Huffin' Puffin(TM) stuffing machines and related products, including unstuffed teddy bears, outfits and accessories, needed for in-store manufacturing. Zany Brainy will install the interactive kiosks in ten stores beginning in October. The ten selected locations are: Wynnewood, PA; Newport Beach, CA; Thousand Oaks, CA; Rockville, MD; Wayne, NJ; Northbrook, IL; Edina, MN; Birmingham, AL; Durham, NC; and Alpharetta, GA. The Company plans a national rollout of the program beginning next year. "Our decision to expand The Make-A-Friend-For-Life program nationally was based upon our on-site test conducted this past year in our Marlton, NJ store," continued Mr. Spurgeon. "The Marlton test had strong sales results and received positive customer feedback." Mr. Spurgeon concluded, "We pride ourselves on offering exclusive products that make learning fun and encourage the emotional and physical development of children. The synergy that exists between the Zany Brainy product mission and the high quality, traditional product ideals of The Vermont Teddy Bear Company makes this partnership an ideal fit for us." About Zany Brainy Zany Brainy, Inc. is a leading and rapidly growing specialty retailer of high quality toys, games, books and multimedia products for kids. The Company is a different kind of toy store with a unique product mission and a passionate commitment to its customers. Zany Brainy believes learning should be fun. Its products entertain, educate and spark the imaginations of children up to 12 years of age. The Company combines a distinctive merchandise offering with superior customer service and daily in-store events to create an interactive, "kid-friendly" and exciting shopping experience for children and adults. The Company presently operates 98 stores in 26 states. Certain statements in this report set forth management's intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future based on current facts and analyses. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in such statements. Additional information on factors that may affect the business and financial results of the Company can be found in filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CONTACT: Zany Brainy, Inc., King of Prussia Robert A. Helpert, (610) 278-7800 or The MWW Group, New York Investor Relations, (212) 704-9727 Robert Ferris -- rferris@mww.com Marjorie Kaschak - mkaschak@mww.com