(CYPRESS, Calif., December 14, 2002) � Making the season bright for children with life-threatening illnesses, Bandai America donated dolls from its new Strawberry Shortcake toy line at the Make-A-Wish Foundation's Family Day and Float Decorating Carnival in Duarte, CA. More than 150 children from the greater Los Angeles area attended the event, which included a meet and greet with Strawberry Shortcake, carnival activities and decorating the Strawberry Shortcake float for the 2003 Tournament of Roses Parade. The Rose Queen and her Court were also on hand to meet the children and preview the Strawberry Shortcake float.
A subsidiary of the world's third largest toy company, Bandai America recently announced that it was introducing a new line of Strawberry Shortcake dolls, playsets, plush and other toys with a "berry" fresh look that licensors American Greetings and DIC Entertainment have given to Strawberry Shortcake and her friends.
"We're pleased to have this opportunity to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation in their mission of fulfilling the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president, sales and marketing for Bandai America, Inc. "This is a fantastic organization, and we're honored to contribute to this very memorable event for the children here today."
In addition, 12-year-old Kate Lanto from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, will ride on the Strawberry Shortcake float, which pays tribute to the Rose Parade's theme, Children's Dreams, Wishes and Imagination. Entitled "Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Sweet World," Kate will join Daveigh Chase, star of Lilo & Stitch and Big Paw: Beethoven 5, who will be singing the Strawberry Shortcake theme song to a national television audience on New Year's Day.
About Strawberry Shortcake
Almost 20 years after the initial retail phenomenon, the classic girls' property will be re-introduced in early 2003 with direct-to-video/DVD movies and a comprehensive licensing and merchandising roll-out at retail. The Strawberry Shortcake stories follow the good-hearted and lovable adventures of Strawberry Shortcake and her friends who live together in the magical world of Strawberryland. With darling and mischievous characters like her sister Apple Dumplin', her friends Huckleberry, Ginger Snap, Orange Blossom, Angel Cake, and her pets Honey Pie, Custard and Pupcake, Strawberry Shortcake finds herself exploring magical lands while learning valuable lessons.
About DIC Entertainment
DIC Entertainment is a leading children's entertainment company with over 3,000 half-hours of programming in its prolific library, ranked as the second largest library of American animation. DIC has also amassed an incomparable family of domestic and international broadcasters who air DIC programming in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Australia. Some of DIC's popular properties include "Inspector Gadget™," "Madeline™" "Where On Earth Is Carmen Sandiego?™," "Sonic The Hedgehog™," "Super Mario Bros™," "Captain Planet™," " Sailor Moon™," and such new shows as "Super Duper Sumos™," "Liberty's Kids™," "Alienators: Evolution Continues"™ and "MaryKate & Ashley, In Action!™." Over 25 million children watch DIC's popular programs each week. DIC is a full service studio with production, development, distribution, home video, marketing and licensing departments.
About American Greetings, Inc. (NYSE:AM)
American Greetings Corporation is the world's largest publicly held creator, manufacturer and distributor of greeting cards and social expression products. Its staff of artists, designers and writers comprises one of the largest creative departments in the world and helps consumers "say it best" by supplying more than 15,000 greeting card designs to retail outlets in nearly every English-speaking country. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual net sales of approximately $2 billion. For more information on the Corporation, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com on the World Wide Web.
Strawberry Shortcake is a trademark of Those Characters From Cleveland, Inc. (TCFC), an American Greetings Company. Strawberry Shortcake character designs © 2002 TCFC. Used under license. All rights reserved.
