Farce Wars (tm) Press Release

Wednesday June 2, 9:50 am Eastern Time

Company Press Release

Farce Wars Meanies Mock the Galaxy ... in a Parody So Far, Far Away ...
Few Dare Enter - The Farce Has Hit The Stores!

What will the bad boys of toys think of next?

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 2, 1999-- Never ones to miss a parody opportunity - to say nothing of the most spectacular merchandising phenomenon of all time - the creative talents at TOPKAT and the idea factory today unveiled their take on the hottest license of the summer. The result - Farce Wars(TM): the Fantom Meanies(TM) - irreverent beanbag toys timed to the release of the much-awaited prequel.

Leading the edgy Farce Wars fleet is merciless Dark Gator(TM) - a reptilian creature cloaked in protective black suit and helmet. Joining him is Slobba the Mutt(TM), an overweight canine gangster up to no good with Chihuahua Crud(TM) in clutch (poking fun at a famous fast food promotion). Heroine Queen Armadillo(TM) and an excessively wrinkled Goata(TM) augment the super-galactic battalion. Completing the plush line are villainous Dark Mole(TM) with a combative, double-ended shovel - and innocent Anteater Dirtwalker(TM) - with Fantom Meanie action figure in hand.

Farce Wars: The Fantom Meanies will debut in t-shirt form soon, by licensor TOPKAT LLC, and can be ordered on www.meanies.com. Following in July, the beanbag dolls with super-galactic attitude will retail for $8 at specialty gift stores.

Unmasking the idea factory's latest plush parody, co-founder Lance Kushner said: ``With Farce Wars Meanies, we could not resist the opportunity to mock the craze, cottage industries and excessive behavior that has taken over the country for the most anticipated prequel of all time. Partner Glenn Rudin echoed Kushner's comments, exclaiming: ''The Meanies have really hit a nerve with America. Combining the Meanies with the new galactic feature is a great way to reach those who have a sense of humor towards all the hype and even those contributing to it.``

Launched by the idea factory in 1997 under license from TOPKAT, the irreverent Meanies were a backlash to the more adorable stuffed beanbag toys available today. Among the most memorable and collectible stars in the line are Splat the Road Kill Kat(TM) - a flattened cat sporting tire tread marks - and Lucky the Rabbit(TM), an angry, one-footed bunny whose missing paw is someone's key chain.

Recently, the idea factory hosted the first official NBA Meanies(TM) Night with the Philadelphia 76ers to celebrate the introduction of Meanies Special Edition Alien Iverson(TM) - a parody of point guard Allen Iverson. The event featured a product giveaway to 5,000 children at sold-out First Union Center, a TNT broadcast and a commercial starring ``My Favorite Martian's'' Ray Walston.

An additional product line, the Infamous Meanies(TM), features animal parodies of media figures caught in controversial predicaments. These include Bull Clinton(TM), an embarrassed stud immortalized with boxers down around his ankles, hoop star Dennis Rodmantis(TM), cone-shaped udder diva Moodonna(TM), talk show host Jerry Stinger(TM) and boxer Mike Bison(TM) - with a bloody ear clenched in his teeth.

The idea factory is a full-service toy and novelty company based in New York City. It creates high quality, innovative premium, in-venue and retail merchandise for such prestigious companies as Disney, Ringling Bros., Polygram, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios, WCW and Spice Girls.

For additional information on the Meanies, visit www.meanies.com. For the idea factory, visit www.the-ideafactory.com.

THE MEANIES(TM) ARE MANUFACTURED BY THE IDEA FACTORY, NY, NY 10018 UNDER LICENSE BY TOPKAT LLC, 1997, 1998, 1999.