Menudo Joins Natalie Cole, David Archuleta of “American Idol”
Fame, “10 Things I Hate About You” Star, Meaghan Martin, Jamia and
“Let’s Talk About Love” Song Contest Winner Itzel in Recording Special
Song to Benefit Save the Children
ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 2009--
The legendary Latin Boy Band Menudo burst onto the music scene from
Puerto Rico in the 1970s, and has since helped launch the career of
international superstar Ricky Martin. Today, more than two generations
later, a new version of Menudo is back with a contemporary look and
sound, and the same universal appeal. Now Menudo members, JC, JG, Carlos
Jr. and Monti are lending their collective voices to the Love. Hugs.
Peace.™ movement, a global giving and kindness campaign
created by Build-A-Bear Workshop® that offers young people
around the world fun and simple ways to show they care.
Menudo joins fellow singers, including GRAMMY® award-winning
Natalie Cole, David Archuleta of “American Idol” fame, singing sensation
Jamia, “10 Things I Hate About You” star Meaghan Martin and
“Let’s Talk About Love” singing contest winner Itzel, in adding their
own vocal talents to the movement’s signature song, “Let’s Talk About
Love.” Each artist has created a special rendition of the song to help
spread the message of sharing and love and benefit Save the Children®.
Menudo recorded two versions of their Latin rock rendition of “Let’s
Talk About Love,” one in English and one in Spanish. Jamia’s R&B version
of “Let’s Talk About Love,” along with Cole’s adult contemporary
rendition, Archuleta’s ballad style variation and Martin and Itzel’s pop
takes, is now available at www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace
or any participating Build-A-Bear Workshop store. Kids of all ages can
make a $1 donation to Save the Children and, as a thank you, receive a
free download card of “Let’s Talk About Love” performed by the artist of
their choice.
To date, nearly 240,000 kids from around the world have joined the
movement at www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace
and made a love, hugs or peace pledge to do a small act of kindness to
help make the world a better place. And, with the help of its Guests,
Build-A-Bear Workshop has raised more than $120,000 to support Save the
Children.
Whether pledging to conserve water, help clean up a local park, donate a
toy to a good cause, volunteer in their communities, or help a
grandparent or elderly person, young people are accepting the challenge
to make a difference one philanthropic act at a time.
“Love. Hugs. Peace. is about how everyone, no matter where you live in
the world, or what age you are, can help make a difference,” said Maxine
Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop and
creator of the movement. “Together friends can pledge to do good things,
and it can all start with a hug and a song!”
Song Offers Universal Appeal
“Let’s Talk About Love” was created to bring the Love. Hugs. Peace.
movement to life. Written especially for Build-A-Bear Workshop by Tena
Clark, founder and chief executive officer/chief creative officer of DMI
Music & Media Solutions, the powerful tune embodies the spirit of
kindness. Each artist that sings the song offers a unique style and
rhythm so that, while the message remains the same, the tune appeals to
fans of all ages and musical tastes.
Exclusive Merchandise
The Love. Hugs. Peace. movement is represented by three icons: a heart,
a teddy bear and a peace sign. These graphic elements are being featured
on various Build-A-Bear Workshop fashions and furry friends. Plus, an
exclusive series of Love. Hugs. Peace. bear-sized tees and a rhinestone
tank (prices range from $5 - $6.50) have been designed to keep the
momentum of the campaign going. Build-A-Bear Workshop is donating $.25
to Save the Children from the sale of these tees.
Virtual Components
Starting August 28, Menudo’s “Let’s Talk About Love” rendition will be
available on the playlist in buildabearville.com®, the
Build-A-Bear Workshop virtual world which today engages more than nine
million citizens. Through September 10, Menudo also will make a special
appearance on “The Chloe Show,” the virtual world’s celebrity interview
segment, and give out a virtual “dance move” to kids that watch the
show. In addition, citizens to the world can visit the theater to see
behind-the-scenes video of Menudo recording their song.
About Build-A-Bear Workshop
Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc. is the leading and only global company that
offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment
experience. Founded in 1997, the company and its franchisees currently
operate more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including
company-owned stores in the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, the
United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and franchise stores in Europe,
Asia, Australia and Africa. In 2007, the interactive experience was
enhanced - all the way to CyBEAR™ space - with the launch of
buildabearville.com, the company’s virtual world stuffed with fun. The
company was named to the 2009 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For®
list.
Build-A-Bear Workshop (NYSE: BBW) posted total revenue of $468 million
in fiscal 2008. For more information, call 888.560.BEAR (2327) or visit
the company’s award-winning Web site at www.buildabear.com.
Parental permission may be required to access buildabearville.com. Visit
buildabearville.com for details.
About Save the Children®
Save the Children® reaches girls and boys in the United
States and more than 120 countries. The contribution being made to Save
the Children through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Love. Hugs. Peace.
movement will support its immediate and long-term programs that help
ensure children are protected, healthy and well-nourished, learn and
develop, and live in food-secure and economically viable households. For
more information, visit www.savethechildren.org.
TRADEMARKS
We would like to thank you for your interest in covering our business.
As you write your story, we would ask that you use our full name: Build-A-Bear
Workshop® and that when referencing the process of making stuffed
animals you use the word “make” not “build.”
Build-A-Bear Workshopis our well-known trade name and our
registered trademark of Build-A-Bear Retail Management, Inc.
Build-A-Bear Workshop® should only be used in capital letters to
refer to our products and services and should not be used as a verb.
Source: Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.
For Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc.:
Wendy Bain, 314-727-5700,
x110
wendyb@blickandstaff.com
or
Kris
Brill, 314-780-1332
krbrill@swbell.net