OPMR Optimal Grp. CL a (MM)

WowWee, an Optimal Group company (NASDAQ: OPMR), has announced the retail launch of the new paw-sitively adorable WowWee Alive Baby Animal species, Alive Sleeping Cuties(TM), and Alive Minis, a huggable and life-like collection of domestic and exotic plush pets that respond to love and attention. Complete with adoption papers ready for signing, these soft, huggable companions are interactive playmates offering the realistic experience of nurturing a baby animal.

The new cuddly WowWee Alive Baby Animals include four new species - a Koala Joey, Husky Puppy, Seal Pup, and Leopard Cub - that feature soft bodies perfect for snuggling and animated facial and vocal expressions triggered by users' nurturing touch. Responding to owner's affection via touch sensors, the baby animals respond when caressed on the head or back with various expressions including blinking eyes, moving mouths, and realistic noises. The baby animals also feature an internal tilt sensor that enables them to sense when they are turned over and then react with an appropriate response. The award-winning WowWee Alive Baby Animals line launched in 2008 with four species - the Lion, Polar Bear, White Tiger, and Panda Bear Cubs - and was a recipient of the National Parenting Center's 2008 Seal of Approval and a winner of the iParenting Media Awards - 2008 Outstanding Products Award.

A new set of pajama pals, the WowWee Alive Sleeping Cuties, have also joined the Alive animal kingdom - and each comes with its very own blanket. Featuring soft fur and a poseable head, the new pets make gentle slumbering sounds and have irresistible puppy-dog eyes that blink with affection. These adorable sleepy pets lift and lower their heads into wakeful or napping position when you caress them, making them the perfect naptime companion. The WowWee Alive Sleeping Cuties pets come in two varieties, Labradoodle Puppy and Beagle Puppy.

The WowWee Alive Minis are new plush, miniature (8-inch) snuggle pals available in four mini-cub species - Lion Cub, Leopard Cub, White Tiger Cub, and Panda Bear Cub. The mini-cubs yearn to be nurtured, featuring an interactive feeding bottle that triggers soft endearing sounds from snoring to gurgling that indicate the cubs' various moods. The mini-cubs also feature a tilt sensor allowing each cuddly companion to sense when it has been picked up or laid down and will react with realistic baby animal noises.

The WowWee Alive Baby Animals, Alive Sleeping Cuties, and Alive Minis are the ideal first-time pet, requiring no cleanup or food, only tender loving care. All varieties feature an easily accessible battery compartment and power switch in their bellies and volume control behind each animal's right ear. A battery-conserving "Sleep Mode" feature allows each animal to power down while peacefully snoring if left unattended for five minutes. Each also comes with a family portrait and feature fun facts on the packaging about each animal.

The WowWee Alive Baby Animals and Minis took to the red carpet this month as a hot feature in the Teen Choice 2009 Gift Bags (produced by Backstage Creations) and "Celebrity Retreat" at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, the telecast of which was hosted by the Jonas Brothers and aired on August 9 at 8:00 p.m. on FOX. The teen celebrities that stopped by the retreat included Jordan Sparks, Shawn Johnson, Brenda Song, and Frankie Jonas, all of whom signed their favorite Alive species, which were then donated to City of Hope, a renowned comprehensive cancer center in Los Angeles.

The WowWee Alive Baby Animals can also be spotted in their very own virtual "WowWee Alive Care Center" on KidsCom.com, a safe, fun and educational virtual world geared toward kids ages 8-14. KidsCom.com, which was one of the earliest kids-only sites on the Internet, gives children an opportunity to learn more about climate change while playing games that test skills and knowledge, taking care of a virtual pet, and making new friends. Children can also engage in fun animal trivia, a concentration game, and a "Who Am I?" game, all of which the WowWee Alive Baby Animals are a part.

The WowWee Alive Koala Joey, Husky Puppy, Seal Pup, and Leopard Cub are currently available at major retailers nationwide including Toys"R"Us, Target, Wal-Mart, and the WowWee Online Store for the approximate retail price of $59.99 and include four "AA" batteries. The WowWee Alive Minis are also currently available at major retailers including Toys"R"Us, Target, Wal-Mart, and the WowWee Online Store for the approximate retail price of $19.99 and include two "AA" batteries. The WowWee Alive Sleeping Cuties will be available at Target stores beginning October for the approximate retail price of $34.99 and include four "AA" batteries. All products in the Alive animal kingdom are appropriate for ages three and up.

Information about WowWee's diverse product portfolio - including the latest product announcements for 2009 - is featured on www.wowwee.com.

About WowWee

WowWee, an Optimal Group company, is a leading designer, developer, marketer and distributor of innovative hi-tech consumer robotic and entertainment products. The WowWee group of companies maintains operations in Hong Kong, Carlsbad, California; Brussels, Belgium; and Montreal, Quebec.

For more information, please visit the Company's web site at www.wowwee.com.

Contacts: Media Contacts: 360 Public Relations Mike Rush 617-585-5792 mrush@360publicrelations.com Scott Goldberg 847-549-1220 scmigo@aol.com