ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2006--Build-A-Bear
Workshop(R) announced today it has given $1 million to World Wildlife
Fund (WWF) through the sales of its WWF Collectibear(R) stuffed animal
series. For each plush animal sold one dollar goes to WWF to protect
and conserve wildlife around the world.
Six years ago Build-A-Bear Workshop introduced the Giant Panda,
the first in a series of co-branded stuffed animals. Since then, a new
furry friend has been launched each year, many representing animals in
danger around the world. In addition to the Giant Panda, Build-A-Bear
Workshop has sold the Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Lion, Polar Bear and the
Giraffe. The Giraffe, the newest in the series of stuffed animals is
available in all Build-A-Bear Workshop stores and on the company's Web
site at www.buildabear.com. Each WWF Collectibear(R) animal comes with
a collector's medallion featuring the WWF official panda logo and a
numbered Certificate of Authenticity, further enhancing its value to
collectors.
"We are a company with heart and it has always been a priority for
us to be an involved and committed community partner," said Maxine
Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop. "Our
Guests have tremendous compassion for animals in need and it is with
their help that we have been able to reach this milestone for the
World Wildlife Fund. We are proud of our partnership with WWF and
their great work."
"Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) has been an essential partner in
furthering our conservation goals," said Terry Macko, vice president
of membership at World Wildlife Fund. "The WWF Collectibear(R) stuffed
animals not only raise funds to support our work but also bring
awareness to the plight of threatened and endangered animals."
About Build-A-Bear Workshop
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the only global company that offers
an interactive make-your-own-stuffed animal retail-entertainment
experience. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, the company currently
operates more than 200 stores in the United States and Canada. The
addition of franchise stores in Europe, Asia and Australia make
Build-A-Bear Workshop the world leader in interactive retail. In
November 2004, the company expanded the make-your-own concept from
stuffed animals to dolls with the opening of its first friends 2B
made(R) store, in which Guests can make their own dolls. Build-A-Bear
Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $362 million in fiscal
2005. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit the
company's award-winning Web sites at www.buildabear.com and
www.friends2bmade.com.
About World Wildlife Fund
Known worldwide by its panda logo, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) leads
international efforts to protect endangered species and their
habitats. Now in its fifth decade, WWF works in more than 100
countries around the globe to conserve the diversity of life on Earth.
With more than 1 million members in the U.S. and another 4 million
worldwide, WWF is the world's largest privately financed conservation
organization.
WWF directs its conservation efforts toward three global goals:
saving endangered species, protecting endangered habitats and
addressing global threats such as toxic pollution, over-fishing and
climate change. From working to save the giant panda and bringing back
the Asian rhino to establishing and helping to manage parks and
reserves worldwide, WWF has been a conservation leader for more than
40 years.
For more information visit www.wwf.org.
TRADEMARKS
We would like to thank you for your interest in covering our
business. As you write your story we ask that you use our full Name:
Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) and that when referencing the process of
making stuffed animals you use the word "make" not "build."
Build-A-Bear Workshop(R) is our well-known trade name and our
registered trademark of Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. Build-A-Bear
Workshop(R) should only be used in capital letters to refer to our
products and services and should not be used as a verb.
MULTIMEDIA AVAILABLE:
http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=5095715
CONTACT: Build-A-Bear Workshop
Shawn Bertani, 314-423-8000 Ext. 5366
or 314-452-6391
shawnb@buildabear.com
or
Donna Coble, 314-423-8000 Ext. 5402
or 314-378-5436
donnac@buildabear.com
SOURCE: Build-A-Bear Workshop
