The Tony Hawk Skateboard has been named the #1 toy of the year in the Family Fun Toy of the Year Awards, dubbed the "Oscars of the toy industry" by the Wall Street Journal.

Nearly 1000 children across the country tested the more than 450 toys that were entered into the Family Fun Toy of the Year program, according to Bob Domine, president of Digital Research, Inc., the Kennebunk, Maine research firm that administers the T.O.Y. Awards.

"It takes a truly exceptional toy to receive our 'kid-stamp' of approval," says Mr. Domine. "With such an endorsement from our kid testers, across all categories and both genders, the Tony Hawk Skateboard is sure to be one of the hottest toys this holiday season."

In addition to the Family Fun Toy of the Year award, the Tyco(R) R/C Tony Hawk Skateboard has also been selected as a hot pick in Toy Wishes: the Ultimate Toy Buying Guide and Sports Illustrated for Kids is featuring it in their holiday "Gear, Games and Gadgets" gift guide.

The Tony Hawk Skateboard is one of the coolest radio control toys to hit the market in the last 10 years, according to Jim Silver, co-publisher of Toy Wishes: The Ultimate Toy Buying Guide. "The combination of Tony Hawk, an extreme sports icon with the innovative success of Tyco(R) R/C, has brought to the marketplace a radio control skateboard that is sure to be a hard-to-find toy this December."

This radical R/C vehicle features the Tyco(R) R/C Adaptive Control System, a high-tech microprocessor system that lets the articulated rider figure and the board work together to perform incredible stunts, just like skateboard champion Tony Hawk. With the specially designed transmitter, kids control the direction and speed of the skateboard, the movements of the rider and all the super-cool thrashin' action.

"The popularity of the Tony Hawk Skateboard has surpassed our initial projections," explains Woody Rosenbach, vice president, marketing, Mattel, Inc. "We are doing our best to keep up with demand, but early indicators are pointing towards quantities being limited this holiday season."

The Tony Hawk Skateboard retails for approximately $60 and operates on one TMH(R) FlexPak(R) rechargeable battery pack, plus one 9-volt battery for the transmitter. (Batteries not included.)

Mattel, Inc.'s Boys/Entertainment division's portfolio of global brands includes some of the most popular products in the toy industry today [NYSE:MAT]. The division is comprised of three segments, which include Wheels, Entertainment products and Games. The Wheels segment includes, Tyco(R) R/C (www.tycorc.com), the leader in the radio control category according to NPD's TRST report, recognized for products that feature quality, innovation and adrenaline-pumping action, Hot Wheels(R) and Matchbox(R). Mattel Wheels appeals to guys ages two to 92 with boys, consumer products and collectibles. Mattel is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of family products. With headquarters in El Segundo, California, Mattel has offices and facilities in 36 countries and markets its products in more than 150 nations throughout the world.