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The Idea Factory Goes "Out-Of-This-World" for Its First Sports Promotion
Philadelphia 76ers to Hold the First NBA Meanies Night Giveaway

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 14, 1999-- The Philadelphia 76ers and the idea factory have teamed up to
introduce Alien Iverson(TM) -- a Meanies(TM) Special Edition inspired by the ``out-of-this-world'' game of point guard Allen
Iverson. The Sixers will launch the first Meanies(TM) Night featuring a giveaway of Alien Iverson(TM), a plush bean bag toy
created as a parody of the 76ers point guard. ``Alien'' Iverson comes complete with a goatee and cornrows like his human
counterpart, but has his own green skin color and tattoos that would make any current player take notice. While Allen Iverson spins a basketball on his finger, the eight-inch tall ``Alien'' balances the Earth on his.

During the ``out-of-this-world'' Sixers Meanies(TM) Night, ``Alien'' Iverson will be given to the first 5,000 children to enter the First Union Center on April 16, 1999. The game is a key Eastern Division match-up versus the Indiana Pacers. Rold Gold Hard Sourdough Pretzels, a division of snack food giant Frito-Lay, will sponsor the Meanies Night giveaway. Meanies(TM) logos and a picture of Alien Iverson(TM) will appear on 270,000 tray liners at Wendy's Philadelphia.

Alien Iverson(TM), guaranteed to become a collector's item with sports and beanbag fans, is a special edition from the Meanies(TM) collection. Attached to each ``Alien'' Iverson doll is a numbered hangtag featuring a limerick in homage to Allen Iverson:

With each jumper Alien's hurled,

Another team has come unfurled.

His crossover dribble,

Makes opponents just quibble,

`Cause his game is out of this world!

The Meanies(TM) were manufactured by the idea factory as a backlash to the popular, adorable stuffed beanbag plush toys that have taken the country by storm. The Meanies(TM) line of irreverent beanbag toys, starring memorable characters such as Splat the Road Kill Kat(TM) and Bull Clinton(TM), are some of the hottest collectibles in the beanbag market.

According to Glenn Rudin, the idea factory Vice President Marketing, ``Meanies are tailor made for sports promotions. Their tough and edgy personalities match the demographics of today's highly demanding sports fans.''

``The Meanies are psyched to work with the Sixers. Both the idea factory and the Sixers are having great seasons we're both young, hip and cool,'' adds the idea factory Vice President Sales, Lance Kushner.

``We constantly strive to bring more value and excitement to our fans,'' comments Dave Coskey, 76ers Vice President of Marketing and Operations. ``With Alien Iverson, we're trying a less traditional route and combining one of the hottest trends ever in toys and collectibles, with the most exciting player in professional basketball. We believe it's a winning combination.''

The Sixers local advertising campaign for Alien Iverson will feature the most famous martian -- Ray Walston, the star of My Favorite Martian, his television series in the 1960's. Walston's contribution is well timed as he makes an appearance in the recently released motion picture, My Favorite Martian, based on his classic television show.

Based in New York City, the idea factory was founded by Lance Kushner and Glenn Rudin and is a full service toy and novelty company boasting the most creative designers and outstanding quality. the idea factory recently launched the much in demand Spice Girls and Star Trek® Alien Beans(TM) beanbag collectibles and plans to introduce WCW beanbag collectibles this spring. the idea factory has created product for prestigious clients that include Disney, Ringling Bros., Polygram, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios and 7-11 Stores. Visit www.meanies.com or www.the-ideafactory.com.

The Philadelphia 76ers are a subsidiary of Comcast-Spectator, a Philadelphia based sports and entertainment management firm which also owns the First Union Center, the First Union Spectrum, the Philadelphia Flyers, the Philadelphia Phantoms and Comcast-SportsNet. Visit Comcast-Spectator on the worldwide web at www.comcast-spectacor.com.

The Meanies(TM) are Manufactured by the Idea Factory Ny, Ny 10018 Under License by Topkat LLC, 1997, 1998, 1999.