Dec 12, 2013

Aurora Plush Toys and Dolls Win Parent’s Choice Foundation, Creative Child Magazine and Tillywig Awards

Leading plush toy and gift manufacturer Aurora World Inc. (www.auroragift.com) today announced multiple industry award wins including a 2013 Parents Choice “Approved” Award for LIL’ RAGGEDY ANN. Aurora’s best selling YooHoo & Friends™ line and Pop-Up Puppets were named “Preferred Choice” winners by Creative Child Magazine, which also honored Baby Talk – My Forest Friends as a “Top Toy of the Year.” Tillywig Toy Awards also honored Aurora’s YooHoo & Friends (Topsee™) and Baby Talk – My Forest Friends with 2013 “Top Fun” Awards.

“Aurora is thrilled to accept these awards from three top-notch review programs,” says Michael Kessler, Aurora’s SVP of sales and marketing. “Only a small percentage of plush products are chosen out of thousands of submissions from toy and gift manufacturers worldwide. Our team works tirelessly to bring the absolute highest-quality and affordable plush products to market; we are so proud of their hard work, and congratulate them on these wonderful award wins.”

LIL’ RAGGEDY ANN “Friendship” is the first licensed product from Aurora to win a Parents Choice “Approved” Award. The company’s distinct look shines through on these beloved rag dolls. LIL’ RAGGEDY ANN is “a younger version of RAGGEDY ANN with darling, cute pigtails, sun-kissed freckles and a smile that will win your heart,” says Kessler. There are two styles available including the award winner, “Friendship” (which looks similar to the original RAGGEDY ANN doll). “Kindness” is a brunette style with darker skin tone and purple trimmed dress (12″; SRP: $19; ages 18mos+).

Creative Child Magazine’s “Top Toy of the Year” award winner in the soft toys category and Tillywig’s 2013 “Top Fun” Award went to My Forest Friends, from Aurora’s Baby Talk line. Baby Talk gift sets provide an all-in-one, interactive, playtime experience designed to encourage learning and development in children through associated sights and sounds. Open Baby Talk’s three-dimensional centerpiece to find four related plush pieces inside (sizes vary, 6″-8″; SRP: $25). Toddlers can enjoy free play anywhere; it’s easy for parents to take Baby Talk on the go thanks to each set’s Velcro enclosure.

Creative Child Magazine presented “Preferred Choice” awards for Aurora’s Pop-Up Puppets line (puppet toys category) and Tinee™ the Elephant from the best-selling YooHoo & Friends line (plush toys category). Pop Up Puppets “are a fun way to stimulate your child’s imagination, helping them develop his or her learning and creative skills,” says Kessler (SRP: $16 each).

“We are proud of Tinee and all his new friends, which were released as part of an epic YooHoo & Friends line expansion earlier this year.” The multiple award-winning line is not only fun but via a special hangtag, educates consumers about each animal, many rare and endangered, and its habitat. Tillywig awarded YooHoo & Friends Topsee, an adorable giraffe available in pink and purple styles, with a 2013 “Top Fun” Award (5″, SRP: $7).

Aurora products are available in more than 25,000 specialty stores and gift shops worldwide as well as online at http://shop.auroragift.com. For more information, visit http://auroragift.com, email info@auroragift.com or call 888-287-6722.

About Aurora Aurora World, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of high quality, competitively priced plush toys, dolls and gifts. Aurora’s name reflects its extensive product lines and growing influence in the worldwide marketplace, as well as its international manufacturing, R&D and distribution resources. Founded in 1981, the company has headquarters in Korea, United States, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, and has ascended quickly to become a respected leader in the toy and gift industry. Aurora created the international plush toy phenomenon – YooHoo & Friends™ – and its corresponding free, interactive web site (www.yoohoofriends.com), appealing to young children and tweens alike. The company sells its products via a wide variety of retailers including major zoos, high-end toy stores such as FAO Schwarz, top gift and stationery chains such as Nordstrom, Hallmark and Papyrus, hospital gift shops, fine florists and specialty stores worldwide. Learn more at www.auroragift.com.

About Hasbro, Inc.

Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company dedicated to fulfilling the fundamental need for play for children and families through the creative expression of the Company’s world class brand portfolio, including TRANSFORMERS, MONOPOLY, PLAY-DOH, MY LITTLE PONY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING, NERF and LITTLEST PET SHOP. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, digital gaming and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its global customers with innovative play and entertainment experiences, in a variety of forms and formats, anytime and anywhere. The Company’s Hasbro Studios develops and produces television programming for more than 170 markets around the world, and for the U.S. on Hub Network, part of a multi-platform joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). Through the company’s deep commitment to corporate social responsibility, including philanthropy, Hasbro is helping to build a safe and sustainable world for future generations and to positively impact the lives of millions of children and families every year. It has been recognized for its efforts by being named one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies” and is ranked as one of Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s “100 Best Corporate Citizens.” Learn more at www.hasbro.com.