ADVISORY/Matchbox Takes Manhattan!; The Matchbox Annual International Toy Show Scheduled for August 24th At New York's Chelsea Piers.

Assignment Editors/Television Writers

ADVISORY...for Saturday (Aug. 24)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHO/WHAT: Anticipated as the largest Toy Show in Matchbox history,
    Matchbox will culminate their 50th birthday celebration with their
    annual Matchbox International Toy Show at Chelsea Piers: Pier
    Sixty in New York City on Saturday, August 24th from 9:00AM to
    5:00PM. Kids, collectors and Matchbox enthusiasts from around the
    world are invited for a free day filled with fun, swapping,
    bidding and a look back at the Matchbox(R) brand over the past 50
    years!

    Justin Berfield, who plays `Reese' on the Emmy-award winning Fox
    Television series "Malcolm in the Middle," will be at the Toy Show
    to officially unveil the Matchbox(R) "Ultimate Collectible"
    vehicle to the public for the fist time. The "Ultimate
    Collectible" has been appraised at $50,000 and will be auctioned
    off, proceeds going to Ronald McDonald House Charities. In
    addition to playing `Reese," Berfield donates his time as a
    national youth ambassador for the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

    FUN ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE:

    Live bidding eBay auction - The Matchbox "Ultimate Collectible", a
one of a kind model of the Seagrave "Meanstick" fire engine crafted
out of gold and platinum, with lights made out of precious gems, will
be the cornerstone of a very special live eBay auction.

    Collectors from Around the world - As many as 200 collectors from
as far away as Australia, Germany and across the United States will
converge in New York City for this one day spectacular to display and
sell their private Matchbox(R) collections filled with rare and
valuable pieces.

    Start A Collection - For as little as a dollar, almost anyone's
dream car can be purchased in diecast scale and a lifetime of
collecting, swapping and fun can begin!

    Matchbox(R) Historic Display - From the earliest days of Jack
Odell's origina1 "Matchbox" vehicle to the intricate specifications of
today's detailed replicas, 50 years of Matchbox will unfold in a
historic timeline display.

    Matchbox(R) Across America 50th Birthday Tour - Complete with an
interactive Matchbox Birthday Truck, Matchbox Toy Tent and Matchbox
Hero City(TM) Rescue Course, this mobile birthday tour has traveled
the USA and is descending on New York City for this very special
event. Guests can learn how Matchbox vehicles are made, interact at
the Matchbox video game stations, hop on a Power Wheels(R) vehicle for
real driving fun and much, much more.

    Fun!Fun!Fun! - Clowns, jugglers, face painters and great prize
giveaways for children 12 and under.

    Memorabilia - Limited edition Matchbox Toy Show cars and shirts,
along with other memorabilia available for sale.

SHOW HOURS/WHERE:  Saturday, August 24th
                   9:00AM to 5:00PM
                   Toy Show open to
                   the public free of charge

                   Chelsea Piers: Pier Sixty in New York City
                   23rd Street & the Hudson River
                   New York
                   www.piersixty.com

                   Friday, August 23rd (9AM - 5PM):
                   Matchbox Across America 50th
                   Birthday Tour will be up and
                   running for live remotes and photo
                   opportunities.

                  PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES & GREAT VISUALS