Playmates Toys Showcases New Products At American International Toy Fair

Feb. 2003--Playmates Toys unveiled its' strongest product line-up of the last five years in New York today at the American International Toy Fair.

In 2003, Playmates will continue to build on the strength of established brands such as Disney and Waterbabies Dolls and The Simpsons figures and collectibles and has laid the foundation for profitable, long term growth with the introduction of several new promotional brands led by the launch this Spring of an all new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles product line.

New brands launching in 2003 also include; "Speedeez," the world's smallest, fastest and coolest assortment of micro vehicles and playsets, "Pro Zone" talking, Intelli-Tronic sports figures and playsets, "Lotta Littles" mini pets and environments and "Baby Bright Eyes" - the most magical doll of 2003, featuring remarkable, life like eye movements and expressions.

"The strong, early sales results of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles product line are very encouraging," said Playmates' President, Lou Novak. "These results validate the disciplined brand management strategy that we have adopted to insure the long term viability of all of the company's brands. The cornerstone of this strategy is our continued investment with our licensing and retail partners in the development and extensive promotion of innovative, value priced action figures and accessories, dolls, vehicles and collectibles."

Boys Toys and Collectibles:

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

They're back! Bigger, Badder and Greener than ever! This Spring, a whole new generation of children will get to know the sewer dwelling teens in an all new animated TV series from Mirage Studios and 4Kids Entertainment. The first episode of the series premiered on Saturday February 8th on the FOX Box and new episodes will run each Saturday morning throughout 2003. Playmates action figures and accessories reflect the new look of the Turtles, their friends and foes and the coolest vehicles to ever hit the streets of New York. Playmates extensive advertising and promotion campaigns will reach kids wherever they live throughout 2003.

The Simpsons

Heading into its fourth year, "The Simpsons" line of collectible figures and talking "Intelli-Tronic" environments will continue to grow in 2003. Hilarious voice response figures and World of Springfield "Screamers" join The Simpsons line-up in the year ahead.

Pro-Zone Major League Baseball and NASCAR

In classic Playmates' style, "Pro-Zone" figures and Intelli-Tronic environments add a whole new appeal to sports collectibles. "Pro-Zone" launches this Spring with a collection of Major League Baseball stars that come to life in the Pro-Zone "Home Plate" and "Pitching Mound" environments with audio highlight's of the players' careers voiced by ESPN commentator, Stuart Scott. NASCAR drivers will join the Pro-Zone collection in the Fall.

Speedeez

Get ready to race with the newest, fastest micro vehicle brand in the world - Speedeez! All Speedeez vehicles feature the "Turbo Ball" that allow these highly detailed replicas to really race. Playmates TV advertising will introduce a whole new way to play with hundreds of different, highly detailed vehicles and the Rapid Fire Loop Playset which really puts the Speed in "Speedeez." The HUMMER H2 Speed City Playset will join the Speedeez line-up in the Fall of this year.

Girls Toys:

Disney Dolls

In partnership with Disney Consumer Products, Playmates continues to expand and grow the world of Disney Princess dolls, accessories and playsets in the year ahead. "Before Once Upon a Time Little Princesses," Disney Princess Magic Talk Figures and environments will be joined this year by brand new Disney Stylin' Fun styling heads, Disney Perfectly Princess soft bodied dolls and a new TV advertised doll; Disney Princess Dancing Cinderella.

Waterbabies

First introduced by Playmates in 1991, over fourteen million Waterbabies dolls have been sold to date and 2003 holds more in store for this classic baby doll brand. New characters will be added to the hugely successful Disney Waterbabies segment throughout the year and a brand new assortment of Care Bears and Clifford the Big Red Dog Waterbabies are hitting store shelves this Spring.

Lotta Littles

Lotta Littles is this year's only line of classic, cute and highly collectible mini-pets that feature their very own accessories and transforming "Secret Playtime" places. There are hundreds of different Lotta Littles puppies, bunnies, kitties and ponies for little girls to collect and share.

Baby Bright Eyes

Playmates once again raises the bar in the doll category with the introduction this Fall of "Baby Bright Eyes." "Baby Bright Eyes" is the first doll to feature patented "NanoMuscle" technology that brings this beautiful doll's eyes to life with highly realistic, fluid and magical movements and expressions. "Baby Bright Eyes" responds with her eyes and baby sounds as little girls play with her. Playmates multi-million dollar TV ad campaign will launch "Baby Bright Eyes" this Fall.