Dakotah, Inc. signs licensing agreement with Disney debut of Mickey & Co. and Baby Mickey & Co.; Introductory collection focuses on Polarfleece and Damasks

Business Wire, Oct 4, 1996

WEBSTER, S.D.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 4, 1996--DAKOTAH, INC. (NASDAQ/NNM: DKTH) a leading home textiles Company, has signed a licensing agreement with DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC. for its Mickey & Co. and Baby Mickey & Co. brands.

The debut collection will be shown at the October Home Textiles Market in New York City October 7, 1996 through October 11, 1996.

Mickey and Co. and Baby Mickey & Co. are the premier brands from Disney targeted at better department stores and specialty stores. Characters featured in these brands will include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Pluto and Goofy.

DAKOTAH has the license to produce comforters, throws, pillows, duvets, shams, baby blankets and baby pillows in the following fabrics: Polarfleece, damasks, velvets, matelasse and more.

"You cannot imagine how excited we are to have this license," said George Whyte, President and Chairman of DAKOTAH, INC. "Everybody loves Mickey Mouse. He is an international icon."

The introductory collection will feature about a dozen Polarfleece embroidered throws and decorative pillows, six Polarfleece embroidered baby blankets, baby pillows and toddler nap rolls. Embroideries run the gamut in style, but focus on the classic Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse that the world has come to love.

"Polarfleece is an ideal fabric for Mickey & Co. and Baby Mickey & Co. The colors are terrific. The fabric doesn't pill, it's lightweight, thermal and embroiders beautifully," commented Mr. Whyte.

There also will be a collection of three damasks that will be made into bed coverings, decorative pillows and throws. "The damask designs are sophisticated, subtle and keyed into popular living room and master bedroom colors," continued Mr. Whyte.

In addition to Mickey & Co. and Baby Mickey & Co., DAKOTAH, holds the licenses for Polarfleece, Harley-Davidson, Elvis Presley, Campbell Soup Co. and more than 100 American colleges and universities. DAKOTAH`s criteria for adding licenses is to bring classic American icons to home furnishings.

The initial Mickey & Co. and Baby Mickey & Co. will be available at retail stores in Spring 1997.

DAKOTAH, INC. designs and manufactures decorative pillows, bedroom ensembles, decorative throws, table linens and other home accessory products. The Company has showrooms nationwide including New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Seattle and Oakland.

Mickey & Co. is the premier brand from Disney Consumer Products, offering design driven products that embody the style, wit and sophistication of Disney's archival characters.

CONTACT: TROY JONES, JR. (605) 345-4646

MARCI COHEN (212) 683-7666

LEONARDO ZANGANI (908) 788-9660