WHAM-O Taps Imaginative Kid Inventors for Its Next Big Toy, Celebrating 60 Years...

WHAM-O Taps Imaginative Kid Inventors for Its Next Big Toy, Celebrating 60 Years of High-Flyin', Slip Slidin', Hula-Hoopin' Super Bouncin' Fun

The Iconic Toy Company Known For "Zany" Inventions Like The
Frisbee, Hula Hoop, and Slip 'N Slide Looks To Kids Ages 6 to 17 For
The First-Ever WHAM-O Kid Inventor Contest

The Winning Toy Inventor Will Receive $2,000 Cash And Profits From
WHAM-O Making And Distributing Their Toy
EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--2008 marks the 60th anniversary of WHAM-O, Inc., the originator of
innovative outdoor fun, and its line-up of off-the-wall novelty items,
classic "basic" toys and sporting goods that spark the imaginations of
"kids" of all ages. To salute its storied and sometimes "zany"
history, WHAM-O is searching for its next great toy idea from its most
innovative and engaged audience - kids. Starting today, WHAM-O is
launching its search for the next great WHAM-O toy invention with the
kick-off of the "WHAM-O 60th Anniversary Kid Inventor Contest."

The contest highlights the means from which many of WHAM-O's
greatest toy ideas were originated. The Frisbee(R) came from inventor
Walter Morrison who created the original Pluto Platter after playing a
game of "toss" with a popcorn lid, while the inspiration for the Hula
Hoop(R) came from an Australian kids' game involving bamboo rings and
the bounce behind the Super Ball(R) came from Norman Stingley, a
chemical engineer who unwittingly created a plastic product that
bounced uncontrollably.

For complete contest information, rules, guidelines and submission
information, kids and their parents can go to the main contest page on
WHAM-O's website, found at http://www.wham-o.com/contest/.

"This contest will give kids the chance to take a break from their
televisions and video games, and share their imaginative ideas with
one of the world's most inventive toy companies, and if they are the
winner, the world," said Chris Guirlinger, vice president of Marketing
at WHAM-O. "WHAM-O inventions have often given kids an outlet for
creative thinking and this contest does just that. In the end, one
innovative kid will take part in the process of having his or her toy
idea evolve into a sellable, marketable toy, which will be featured
around the country as part of the legendary WHAM-O toy lineup."

The 60th Anniversary Kid Inventor Contest is open to kids ages 6
to 17 years old who live in the U.S. or Canada. Toy inventions must be
submitted between Jan. 7, 2008 and March 31, 2008 for consideration,
complete with a description of the toy and how it is used. The toy
engineers at WHAM-O will choose the winner of the contest. Information
about the contest as well as former WHAM-O inventions will be featured
in the interactive, online winter Nick Mag found at
http://winter.nickmag.com/.

Finalists will be announced in April 2008 and the winner will be
announced before the start of summer.

ABOUT WHAM-O, INC.

Headquartered in Emeryville, California, WHAM-O, Inc. has provided
children and adults with innovative, imaginative toys that spark
creativity and encourage social interaction and get kids playing for
60 years. Founded in 1948, and inheriting its name from the sound that
its flagship product, the WHAM-O Slingshot, made when connecting with
its target, WHAM-O, Inc. continually redefines the concept of fun by
remaining simple, uncomplicated and without age boundaries. WHAM-O,
Inc. makes simple, fun, affordable, interactive products for all
seasons. The company's rich history and solid reputation for
innovation, quality and value, makes WHAM-O, a dominant force in
today's toy and sporting goods industries, and includes category
leading brands such as the Original Slip 'N Slide, Frisbee, Hula Hoop,
Hacky Sack, and SnowBoogie(TM). WHAM-O also, is the exclusive licensee
for SEA-DOO and SKI-DOO inflatable water and snow tubes, towables,
islands and pool products. WHAM-O, along with its other brands MOREY
and BZ Bodyboards, CHURCHILL Fins and Riva Snowboards, designs and
manufactures a core of more than 70 products that are carried by
virtually every toy, sporting goods and mass retailer in the world.
For more information please visit www.wham-o.com or call toll free
1-888-WHAM-O-50 (1-888-942-6650).

The Pollack PR Marketing Group
Lisa Townsend/Matt Gold, 310-556-4443
ltownsend@ppmgcorp.com
mgold@ppmgcorp.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008