WHAM-O turns 60 this year, and the maker of Hula Hoop, Slip N Slide, Frisbee, SuperBall and Hacky Sack products is planning a year-long celebration that includes a Kid Inventor Contest, an Original Fun Commercial Contest, and nationwide radio promotions. Some history:
In 1948, childhood friends and USC students Arthur “Spud” Melin and Richard Knerr, founded WHAM-O as a leading designer/distributor of innovative, high-quality recreational activity products. WHAM-O initially set up shop in Knerr’s parents’ garage and introduced the Slingshot, the original product from which the company derived its name, based on the comic book sound of a target being hit. The Hula Hoop was invented in 1958; the SuperBall in 1963; the Hackey Sack in 1972 (sold to WHAM-O in 1983).
From the press release, here's the skinny on the contests WHAM-O is running:
WHAM-O will celebrate its iconic toy culture with two interactive contests designed to celebrate the colorful past and engage WHAM-O enthusiasts of the future. Because Melin and Knerr frequently experimented with toys in fun, wacky ways and were open to original and sometimes odd ideas, WHAM—O will entice its loyal fan base of creative, innovative boys and girls to tinker, test and create the next great WHAM-O toy through a “60th Anniversary Kid inventor contest.” Kids will be asked to submit their toy inventions for the opportunity to have their invention marketed and sold as the next great toy from WHAM-O. ** (go to WHAM-O.com/contest for info. It's for ages 6-17. Contest began Jan. 7th, goes through March 31st)
In paying tribute to WHAM-O’s history of zany and out-of-this world antics in its early TV commercials, WHAM-O will take a page from its illustrious past to create the ultimate online opportunity for today’s generation to take part in outdoor fun, Web 2.0 style, with the “Wacky Zany Original Fun Commercial Contest.” Today’s generation will have the opportunity to join the “Originator of Fun” to create and upload their best “WHAM-O style” vintage commercial online for a chance to win $5,000. **(check WHAM-O.com. I didn't see anything on this yet ... looks like it'll launch later in the year)
Additionally, WHAM-O will reach out to kids of all ages across the country to showcase “WHAM-O” talent and reward those with great historical knowledge of WHAM-O’s Frisbee-flyin’, Slip ‘N Slidin’, Hula-Hoopin’ past. The 60-year-old company will cross the airwaves nationwide with “wacky” promotional radio call-in contests that reward lucky listeners with iconic WHAM-O products. WHAM-O will also “go on the road” with “Team WHAM-O”, made up of world record book holders and talented experts who are specifically known for performing the best tricks with WHAM-O’s legendary products.
WHAM-O’s line of 60th Anniversary products will be available at major retailers nationwide. For more on WHAM-O’s 60th Anniversary, visit WHAM-O.com.
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