Malibu, Calif. - May 29, 2002 - Just as the summer begins to really heat-up, JAKKS Pacific announces a Limited Edition assortment of World Wrestling Entertainment™ action figures called The Draft™. The assortment of figures will begin hitting shelves worldwide mid-July, with new figures arriving at retailers throughout the following weeks.
"We expect a world-wide search for this new assortment of action figures based on WWE™'s recently televised Draft," stated Stacey Pauly, director of marketing, boys action, JAKKS Pacific. "Our retail partners are working closely with us to support this unique initiative, which will have secret assortments of Superstars in each case-pack arriving on a weekly basis over the -multi-week shipping schedule. Even they will be surprised at which figures they're receiving at any given time. Our strong base of World Wrestling Entertainment™ action figure collectors should really have fun with this one."
JAKKS Pacific's Draft™ assortment will be branded Raw® and SmackDown!® and will feature the top 20 draft picks from each brand's talent roster. Each figure will be produced as a Limited Edition, with quantities for individual Superstars varying from 3,000 figures to just under 30,000 figures. Dramatic packaging will reflect the two brands with a checklist provided on the back of the package to help fans collect them all! The six-inch Real Scan™ figures feature special metallic paints, a branded Raw® or SmackDown!® stand, and each also includes an official "Contract" which serves as the Certificate of Authenticity.
The Story Behind The Draft:
On March 25, 2002, World Wrestling Entertainment™ made history by creating two distinct divisions, Raw® and SmackDown!®, at a televised and highly anticipated Draft. Both divisions have a roster of top WWE™ Superstars, and each will maintain independent storylines and programming.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and leisure products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Arts & Crafts Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush and Dolls. The products are sold under various brand names including Flying Colors®, Road Champs®, Remco®, Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Toymax®, Funnoodle®, Laser Challenge™ and Go Fly a Kite®. The Company also participates in a joint venture with THQ Inc. that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment™ video games. For further information, visit www.jakkspacific.com.
