JAKKS Pacific Inc. Signs Major Toy- Licensing Agreement With B.A.S.S. Inc. for New Line of Fishing Toys and Die-Cast Collectibles

Business Wire, June 16, 1998

MALIBU, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 1998--JAKKS Pacific Inc. (Nasdaq/NM:JAKK) Tuesday announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with Bass Anglers Sportsman Society (B.A.S.S.) Inc. to design, manufacture and market worldwide a new line of fishing toys with accessories and die-cast collectibles.

The line, which will be called BASSMASTER, will include toy fishing poles and accessories based on popular fishing boats, cars and trucks with trailers, plus products from B.A.S.S. tournaments and special events. These new toys and collectibles will be available in stores starting spring 1999.

"With sport fishing now a $34 billion industry and more than 60 million Americans enjoying fishing every year, we believe that the market potential and demand for this line is tremendous," said Stephen Berman, president and chief operating officer of JAKKS Pacific.

"Most children go fishing with their parents, so these new toys will enable kids to have fun fishing at home with their folks with die-cast and plastic boats, trailers, trucks and kid-sized toy fishing poles and accessories.

"This new agreement reflects our commitment to 'evergreen' branded products," continued Berman. "Sport fishing has long been a favorite pastime, and today, more Americans fish than play golf and tennis combined. We look forward to our alliance with B.A.S.S. and to creating quality products that appeal to kids and adults of all ages."

"JAKKS and B.A.S.S. are bringing the spirit of innovation and creativity to introduce the sport of fishing to the youngest generation of fishermen through the JAKKS Pacific Inc. BASSMASTER line," said Helen Sevier, chief executive officer and president of B.A.S.S.

"We are extremely proud to be associated with JAKKS and eagerly await introducing the BASSMASTER line to B.A.S.S. members and fishing enthusiasts alike."

B.A.S.S. is the country's leading fishing organization and has media properties reaching more than 10 million readers and viewers monthly through three magazines -- BASSMASTER Magazine, B.A.S.S. TIMES, SOUTHERN OUTDOORS -- and a weekly TV series, "The BASSMASTERS."

B.A.S.S. also sponsors BASSMASTER Casting Kids, an annual fish contest that attracts more than 300,000 kids nationwide, and the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail, which culminates in the "SuperBowl" of fishing, The BASS Masters Classic, with more than 100,000 attendees. B.A.S.S. has 46 state federations and 2,700 local chapters that sanction more than 20,000 tournaments annually.

JAKKS Pacific and its affiliates develop, manufacture and market toys and related products for children, including action figures featuring characters from the World Wrestling Federation(R), die-cast collectible and toy vehicles under the Road Champs(R) and Remco(R) brand names, Child Guidance(R) pre-school toys and a line of fashion dolls and accessories.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual future results or events may vary materially from those described herein.

    CONTACT:  JAKKS Pacific Inc., Malibu
               Elaine Fugedy, 310/456-7799
                    or
               B.A.S.S. Inc.
               Ann Lewis, 334/272-9538
                    or
               Silverman Heller Associates
               Lori Parks/Eugene Heller, 310/208-2550