WHAM-O(R) Names Winner of its 60th Anniversary Kid Inventor Contest

  Nine-Year-Old From East Northport, NY Receives Grand Prize Of $2,000 And

 The Chance To Have His Creation Stand Alongside Frisbee(R), Hula Hoop(R),

      Slip 'N Slide(R) And Hacky Sack(R) As The Next Iconic WHAM-O Toy



    EMERYVILLE, Calif., Aug. 19 /EMWNews/ -- WHAM-O, Inc., the

originator of innovative outdoor fun, announced today that John Bisbal III

of East Northport, New York is the winner of the company's 60th Anniversary

Kid Inventor Contest. In saluting WHAM-O's storied, and sometimes "zany,"

history of redefining fun with off-the-wall toys and imaginative

inventions, WHAM-O's Kid Inventor Contest encouraged kids between the ages

of 6-17 to tinker, test, create and submit their ideas for the next great

WHAM-O toy by visiting the contest website. After reviewing hundreds of

submissions from the U.S. and Canada, John's submission scored highest, as

determined by a panel of WHAM-O judges, in terms of originality, uniqueness

of approach, marketability and mass appeal.



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    "Of all the great toy concepts we reviewed, John's was closest to

WHAM-O's spirit of innovative outdoor fun, and its history of providing

children and adults with imaginative toys that spark creativity and

encourage social interaction," said Chris Guirlinger, WHAM-O's Vice

President of Marketing and Licensing. "We are very excited to work with

John on the possibility of turning his winning concept into the next great

WHAM-O toy."



    The wining invention is designed for both outdoor and indoor use and

tests the user's skill and aim by catapulting balls from a specially

designed launcher. In addition to winning the $2,000 Grand Prize, John's

invention will be reviewed for inclusion in WHAM-O's 2010 toy line-up, and

if made, John will receive a portion of the profits from the manufacturing

and distribution of his toy.



    When asked what inspired him to create his invention, John answered, "I

don't know. It just came to my head. I was reading Nick Magazine and there

were only two days left until the end of the contest, so I said to my dad,

'let's try to come up with something,' and it just came to me."



    Launched in January 2008, the WHAM-O 60th Anniversary Kid Inventor

Contest was created to salute the inspirations that have resulted in some

of WHAM-O's most enduring, popular toys such as the Frisbee(R), created by

Walter Morrison after playing a game of "toss" with a popcorn lid; the Hula

Hoop(R), inspired by an Australian kids' game involving bamboo rings; and

the Super Ball(R), which came about when chemical engineer Norman Stingley

unwittingly created a plastic product that bounced uncontrollably.



    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 Slip 'N Slide, Frisbee, Hula Hoop, Hacky Sack, and

SnowBoogie(TM). WHAM-O is also 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 and

CHURCHILL Fins, designs and manufactures a core offering 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

http://www.wham-o.com or call toll free 1-888-WHAM-O-50 (1-888-942-6650).