Feb 28, 2013

YooHoo & Friends Design Contest Winners Announced

Aurora World, Inc. ( http://www.auroragift.com ) today announced the winning entry from its first ever consumer facing “Design a YooHoo & Friends Contest.” Janessa Chong from Malaysia and her colorful rainbow-inspired “Marshmallow” beat out hundreds of other designs from around the world. Aurora will release the limited edition Marshmallow (3600 pieces) plus five new dinosaurs for its best selling YooHoo & Friends line (over 23 million sold), hitting shelves April 2013.

“We were floored by Janessa’s design and it is an honor to award her the winning dinosaur. Janessa and everyone at Aurora hopes Marshmallow brings smiles, joy and happiness to the hearts of children and collectors everywhere,” says Michael Kessler, SVP of sales and marketing. “We thought this contest would be a fun way to roll out our new dinosaur-themed YooHoos. Dinosaur toys continue to be big with kids because they are fascinated with the creatures, and they stir up the imagination. We are also addressing our collectors who are always looking for the newest YooHoo & Friends animals to add to their collections.”

Joining Marshmallow (Triceratops) in the YooHoo & Friends dinosaur line is Rexee (Tyrannosaurus Rex), Stegee (Stegosaurus), Woolee (Wooly Mammoth), Toothee (Saber Tooth Tiger) and an endangered Sloth named Speedee. Aurora’s most popular plush animal line expects an epic expansion for 2013 to include over 30 new styles in all “with more to come soon,” says Kessler. The YooHoo & Friends line is based on animals from around the world (many of which are rare and endangered). Each YooHoo & Friends animal makes a fun sound when squeezed and all new hangtags describe each YooHoo character in detail.

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 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 Learning Express, top gift chains such as Hallmark and Claire’s as well as hospital gift shops, fine florists, candy stores and gift/stationery stores worldwide.