WHAM-O Salutes 60 Years of High-Flyin', Slip Slidin', Hula-Hoopin' Super Bouncin' Fun as America's Storied Innovator of Imaginative Play
2008 Marks Iconic Toy Maker's 60th Year Of Engaging America's
Young And Old With A Yearlong Celebration That Includes Online
Commercial Contests, Special 60th Anniversary Products And A Search
For The Next Great Kid Toy Inventor
EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--WHAM-O, Inc., the originator of innovative outdoor fun, is marking
its 60th year of engaging kids of all ages with toys that spark the
imagination through free-spirited play with a yearlong salute to the
iconic company's legendary and sometimes "zany" history. WHAM-O's 2008
celebration plans include a 60th Anniversary Kid Inventor Contest, An
Original Fun Commercial Contest, Nationwide Radio Promotions,
Traveling Team WHAM-O Media Tour and will commemorate the anniversary
with its iconic product line-up that includes the Hula Hoop(R), Slip N
Slide(R) Mega Shark, Frisbee(R) Pro Classic with U-Flex(TM),
SuperBall(R) and Hacky Sack(R) Striker(TM).
In 1948, childhood friends and University of Southern California
college students Arthur "Spud" Melin and Richard Knerr, founded WHAM-O
as a leading designer/distributor of innovative, high-quality
recreational activity products. WHAM-O initially set up shop in
Knerr's parents' garage and introduced the Slingshot(R), the original
product from which the company derived its name, based on the comic
book sound of a target being hit. With toys that range from zany to
basic, WHAM-O has since provided endless hours of affordable,
interactive amusement for all ages and skill levels.
"For over 60 years, WHAM-O's iconic brands have given consumers
innovation, quality, value, and fun, and have built WHAM-O into the
globally successful, year-round seasonal products company that it is
today. From off-the-wall novelty items to classic toys and sporting
goods, WHAM-O's products have sparked imaginations, engaged people
with active fun, and brought endless enjoyment to backyards, beaches,
parks, and playrooms the world over," said Mojde Esfandiari, WHAM-O's
president and CEO. "Our creative team is as bright and imaginative as
our celebrated products, which have come to define summertime fun
and have inspired people of all ages to get outside and enjoy life for
more than 60 years."
In acknowledgment of that 60-year history, WHAM-O will celebrate
its iconic toy culture with two interactive contests designed to
celebrate the colorful past and engage WHAM-O enthusiasts of the
future. Because Melin and Knerr frequently experimented with toys in
fun, wacky ways and were open to original and sometimes odd ideas,
WHAM--O will entice its loyal fan base of creative, innovative boys
and girls to tinker, test and create the next great WHAM-O toy through
a "60th Anniversary Kid inventor contest." Kids will be asked to
submit their toy inventions for the opportunity to have their
invention marketed and sold as the next great toy from WHAM-O.
In paying tribute to WHAM-O's history of zany and out-of-this
world antics in its early TV commercials, WHAM-O will take a page from
its illustrious past to create the ultimate online opportunity for
today's generation to take part in outdoor fun, Web 2.0 style, with
the "Wacky Zany Original Fun Commercial Contest." Today's generation
will have the opportunity to join the "Originator of Fun" to create
and upload their best "WHAM-O style" vintage commercial online for a
chance to win $5,000.
Additionally, WHAM-O will reach out to kids of all ages across the
country to showcase "WHAM-O" talent and reward those with great
historical knowledge of WHAM-O's Frisbee-flyin', Slip 'N Slidin',
Hula-Hoopin' past. The 60-year-old company will cross the airwaves
nationwide with "wacky" promotional radio call-in contests that reward
lucky listeners with iconic WHAM-O products. WHAM-O will also "go on
the road" with "Team WHAM-O", made up of world record book holders and
talented experts who are specifically known for performing the best
tricks with WHAM-O's legendary products.
WHAM-O will commemorate its 60 years of providing summer fun with
its enduring, iconic product line-up of world-famous favorites,
including some exciting updates, each designed with an energy and
enthusiasm that has made the name WHAM-O synonymous with fun. These,
iconic products include:
Hula Hoop(R) - An idea that was inspired by Australian children
using bamboo rings for exercise, WHAM-O first created a rendition of
this pastime in 1958. Also celebrating a milestone anniversary this
year, the Hula Hoop was an overnight success with a resulting fad that
spread so quickly and unexpectedly that production of all other WHAM-O
products was suspended to meet demand. Well-known for the recognizable
"shoop-shoop" sound made when used, what better time to commemorate
this classic childhood favorite than on the anniversary of the
60-year-old toy innovator, WHAM-O.
Slip 'N Slide(R) Mega Shark - Summer fun will be an adventure with
this exciting "Shark Attack" Slip 'N Slide with water-powered shark
jaw. It opens and closes continuously - without electricity - and kids
can slide into the open mouth and get wet, or knock the shark's head
off." End the ride by sliding into the inflatable splash zone.
Frisbee(R) Pro Classic with U-Flex(TM) - Celebrate WHAM-O's 60th
anniversary with this versatile Frisbee in six hot new colors -
perfect for all ages and skill levels. The product's U-Flex(TM)
Technology makes it a cinch for anyone to grip, throw and catch this
Frisbee. If a competitive game of Ultimate is more your style, the
Official 175g Ultimate Frisbee Disc works well and is heavy enough to
play a rousing game with. Perfect for the beach, park or backyard,
these Frisbees are sure to be an "ultimate" success with everyone.
SuperBall(R) - A collaboration created by WHAM-O and Chemist, Norm
Stingly in 1963, the "out-of-this-world" SuperBall(R) is made of an
amazing material called Zectron(TM). Compressing 50,000 lbs. of
energy, the SuperBall(R) bounces higher than any other ball on the
market and will provide hours of bouncing fun.
Hacky Sack(R) Striker(TM) - Invented in 1972 and sold to WHAM-O in
1983, the original footbag, Hacky Sack(R), became an instant craze.
The game of Hacky Sack is challenging as well as fun for all ages, and
with this 14-panel, soccer ball look-alike, soccer and Hacky Sack
lovers alike can test their foot-eye coordination by attempting to
keep the ball in the air - just as they would with a full-sized soccer
ball. Take it a step further and learn a freestyle trick or two, even
create your own. The possibilities are endless.
WHAM-O's line of 60th Anniversary products will be available at
major retailers nationwide. For more on WHAM-O's 60th Anniversary,
visit www.WHAM-O.com.
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
