Pico Rivera, CA ? February 28, 2013 ? Aurora World, Inc. (http://www.auroragift.com)today announced the winning entry from its first ever consumer facing “Design a YooHoo & Friends Contest.” Janessa Chong from Malaysia and her colorful rainbow-inspired “Marshmallow” beat out hundreds of other designs from around the world. Aurora will release the limited edition Marshmallow (3600 pieces) plus five new dinosaurs for its best selling YooHoo & Friends line (over 23 million sold), hitting shelves April 2013.


“We were floored by Janessa’s design and it is an honor to award her the winning dinosaur. Janessa and everyone at Aurora hopes Marshmallow brings smiles, joy and happiness to the hearts of children and collectors everywhere,” says Michael Kessler, SVP of sales and marketing. “We thought this contest would be a fun way to roll out our new dinosaur-themed YooHoos. Dinosaur toys continue to be big with kids because they are fascinated with the creatures, and they stir up the imagination. We are also addressing our collectors who are always looking for the newest YooHoo & Friends animals to add to their collections.”


Joining Marshmallow (Triceratops) in the YooHoo & Friends dinosaur line is Rexee (Tyrannosaurus Rex), Stegee (Stegosaurus), Woolee (Wooly Mammoth), Toothee (Saber Tooth Tiger) and an endangered Sloth named Speedee. Aurora’s most popular plush animal line expects an epic expansion for 2013 to include over 30 new styles in all “with more to come soon,” says Kessler. The YooHoo & Friends line is based on animals from around the world (many of which are rare and endangered). Each YooHoo & Friends animal makes a fun sound when squeezed and all new hangtags describe each YooHoo character in detail.


Aurora products are available in more than 25,000 specialty stores and gift shops worldwide as well as online at http://shop.auroragift.com. For more information, visit http://auroragift.com, email info@auroragift.com o