Happiness Express named master toy licensee for The Huggabug Club; Audrey and Judy Landers,...

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 20, 1995--Happiness Express Inc. (NASDAQ: HAPY) has been appointed master toy licensee for THE HUGGABUG CLUB, the new, live-action children's series debuting on public television stations across America in July 1995.

The company acquired the master toy license

from Huggabug Productions Inc. through Meridian Direct Inc., the exclusive worldwide licensing agent for THE HUGGABUG CLUB. The joint announcement was made today by Joseph A. Sutton, president and chief executive officer, and Isaac A. Sutton, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Happiness Express Inc.

Television stars Audrey and Judy Landers, who created and wrote the series, will launch the licensing program for THE HUGGABUG CLUB at a special appearance set for the International Licensing Show at The Hilton Hotel and Towers, Booth No. 921, in New York City on Tuesday, June 20, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Happiness Express, which plans to produce a complete line of plush toys and room decor products, will introduce its initial HUGGABUG CLUB line of plush characters at the Licensing Show. The line will be launched in the retail marketplace beginning Spring 1996.

The 32-part series of half-hour episodes, starring the Landers sisters, teaches children valuable educational and social skills through song, dance and play. THE HUGGABUG CLUB is executive produced by the Landers sisters and their mother, Ruth Landers, in association with WEDU/Tampa.

Joe Sutton said, "We are delighted to be associated with Ruth, Audrey, Judy and the entire cast of THE HUGGABUG CLUB. We're very excited about THE HUGGABUG CLUB characters who will translate into the most adorable plush toys for both boys and girls."

Rob Stone, president of Meridian Direct, said, "With Happiness Express' unique and creative application of character designs, we are confident that they will create a line of toys that will be treasured by kids and adults."

THE HUGGABUG CLUB features a regular cast of "Buggsters," multi-cultural children who meet at a magical treehouse to express their ideas and talk about concerns. With the help of club leaders, "Miss Audrey" and "Miss Judy" (played by Audrey and Judy Landers), the "Buggsters" can magically make three costumed characters, "Huggabug," "Miss Oops-a-Daisy" and "Auntie Bumble," appear with the help of a computer.