The Winning Toy Inventor Will Receive $2,000 Cash And Profits From WHAM-O Making And Distributing Their Toy

Emeryville, CA (January 8, 2008) - 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® 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® came from an Australian kids' game involving bamboo rings and the bounce behind the Super Ball® 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™. 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).