TAGGIES LAUNCHES LICENSEES FOR CHILDREN’S BOOKS, PLUSH, TOYS, BEDDING & APPAREL

SPENCER, Mass. (July 10, 2006) – Award-winning children’s products manufacturer Taggies, Inc. announces an alliance with four “heavy hitters” -- the most powerful, respected brand-name innovators in the field -- to create a full range of products complementing Taggies’ core line of blankets and “comfort” items.

At a recent joint licensing meeting, Taggies presented its vision for global brand strategy to its licensees: publishing giant Scholastic, Inc.; plush powerhouse Mary Meyer; Grand Toys International subsidiary International Playthings, Inc.; and apparel/linens producers Rashti & Rashti.  The parties – all prominent in the premium/specialty and mid-market retail environments -- agreed to collaborate in building the Taggies® brand worldwide, while maintaining Taggies’ focus on uniquely interactive products that comfort children and aid caregivers.

“With the union of such talented, creative people from throughout the infant and juvenile categories, the Taggies® brand is poised to ‘explode’ in growth,” said Danielle Ayotte, who with Julie Dix co-owns Taggies, Inc. “Uniting this broad range of industry experience and knowledge will launch Taggies into a significant product and market expansion.”

At retail, a cross-merchandised department of Taggies® product will sustain 8-20 linear feet of display, offering high “store within a store” potential.

Taggies has won numerous awards for its patented product line, based on the concept of multi-textured, looped ribbon tags that babies and children love to rub.  Since 2003, Taggies has partnered with Scholastic Inc. in creating the popular soft-cover “My First Taggies® Book” series and hard-cover “My First Taggies® Book” nursery rhyme series.

Mary Meyer is one of America’s major plush toymakers, and the first fruits of the Mary Meyer-Taggies collaboration – integrating the playful Mary Meyer spirit with uniquely tactile Taggies® blankets, toys and books – are flying off retail shelves.

International Playthings, among the largest suppliers to the North American specialty industry, dedicates itself to developing and distributing innovative, entertaining products with integrity, superior play value, and developmental enhancement. The International Playthings-Taggies activity toy line launched with tremendous success in February 2006.

Taggies’ newest licensee, Rashti & Rashti, is creating expansive and dramatic new juvenile bed, bath, linen, and apparel lines. Focused on emotional and tactile development, the Spring 2007 launch will be an industry revolution: soothing and playful “Taggie” patented functionality, perfectly blended with fresh design.

Taggies® products, sold at independent specialty stores nationwide, may be ordered online at www.taggies.com and by phone at 1-877-4-TAGGIE. 

For more information about Taggies or to schedule an interview with Danielle Ayotte and Julie Dix, please contact Elizabeth Waldman Frazier at Waldmania Public Relations: 415.334.2787 or waldmania@comcast.net