Kids Go Bananas for Foohy(R) 'Name That Monkey' Contest

Kids Go Bananas for Foohy(R) 'Name That Monkey' Contest

-- Nationwide search for monkey moniker no joke despite April 'Foohy' Day launch

OAK BROOK, Ill., April 3 /PRNewswire/ -- It's time for even more monkeyin' around! Foohy(R), the popular tween brand of innovative and unique school supplies, is up to new tricks. A market leader in fun, funky markers, erasers, rulers and much more announces the launch of a nationwide contest to name the Foohy monkey mascot.

"This is no joke," said John Travers, Foohy general manager. "The monkey that represents our brand can't get a driver's license, an email address and not even a bus pass without a name. So we're challenging kids to monkey around with some ideas and come up with a name that will make some noise for Foohy."

To enter the "Name That Monkey" contest, kids ages seven through 14 are being asked to scratch their heads and visit http://www.foohy.com/ beginning April Fools Day (April 1). Contest runs through May 15. Traditionally, a day set aside for playful pranks, Foohy has re-named the hoaxer's holiday to April "Foohy" Day in a nod to the contest's tongue-in-cheek take on one monkey's missing birth certificate.

There may be up to two winning entries, each of which will receive a four- day/three-night trip to Los Angeles for two, including tickets to the 2007 Nickelodeons Kids' Choice Awards. If only one entry wins, one grand prize trip for four will be awarded.

Kids can help pick the grand prize winner by voting for their favorite at http://www.foohy.com/ where the Top Ten monkey names will be posted on or about May 24. Voting period ends on June 11 and the winner will be posted online in early July. For official rules and details visit http://www.foohy.com/ .

To support the "Name That Monkey" contest, Foohy is going bananas with a television, print and online advertising blitz on Nickelodeon. All advertising outreach with Nickelodeon during the contest will be tagged with the "Name That Monkey" contest and will encourage kids to enter online.

"We are anxious to hear the monkey names that kids come up with," said Travers. "George, Magilla, Chunky, Dunston -- great monkey names that are sadly already taken. We know there's still a Matilda or an O'Foohy out there someplace -- a name just right for our Foohy monkey."

Foohy will also launch a new Web site home for the monkey on April 1 featuring fun, interactive games for tweens to play such as "Mad Monkey" and "Extreme Sport Challenge." Travers says an entirely new creative look to the Web site will have tweens jumping up and down for more.

Foohy makes school and play fun by taking ordinary school supplies and adding quirky twists.

NEW Foohy(R) Fooz(TM) Erasers

Foohy Fooz erasers offer "lava" flow action and a contoured base that lets the eraser fit easily into the curve of fingers. The Fooz Eraser conveniently attaches to backpacks, key chains and more to accommodate tweens on-the-go. Also, this eraser must-have is packaged with four different eraser color options so tweens can choose their color. Foohy Fooz erasers are available in 4-packs including the eraser base with fluorescent yellow/hot pink or fluorescent yellow/bright blue fluid and four interchangeable erasers that come in orange, yellow, red and blue for the suggested retail price of $2.84.

NEW Foohy(R) Mini Metallic and Glitter Markers

New mini markers from Foohy are perfect for backpacks, pockets, purses and more. Unlike other metallic and glitter markers, no pumping or shaking is required to get bright, sparkling color. Available in a variety of colors including yellow, aqua, purple, silver, red, orange, green and blue, these mini markers are certified AP non-toxic and are available in 4-packs, as well as an 8-pack combo for the suggested retail prices of $2.84 and $5.69, respectively.

About Foohy(R) and Sanford(R)

Foohy is a brand of Sanford, a business unit of Newell Rubbermaid. Sanford is a worldwide leader in the manufacturing and marketing of writing instruments, art products and office organization, including such well known brands as Sharpie(R), Paper Mate(R), Parker(R), Waterman(R), EXPO(R), uni- ball(R) and Rolodex(R), among others. Sanford makes more than 6,000 products ranging from markers, pens and pencils to professional art products and fine writing instruments. For more information on Foohy visit http://www.foohy.com/ .

Source: Sanford

CONTACT: Rebecca Dewbray of Foohy, +1-630-481-2188,
Rebecca.dewbray@sanfordcorp.com

Web site: http://www.sanfordcorp.com/
http://www.foohy.com/

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