National Geographic Expands Holiday Product Line at The Museum Company
Includes Items Which Tie-in to “Africa,” an 8-Part Series Airing on PBS

WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 2001)—The adventurous world of National Geographic™ comes alive this fall through a widely expanded collection of branded gift items available exclusively through The Museum Company and its 100 stores in the U.S. and Canada.

Through a licensing agreement, The Museum Company has produced a vast collection of National Geographic toys, T-shirts, tote bags, umbrellas, and other gift items that reflect the Society’s spirit of exploration, conservation, and education. All new for this holiday season, the exclusive National Geographic collection will also include several items themed around Africa.

(The Africa-themed product line is being released in connection with AFRICA, the series which premiered Sept. 9 on PBS and airs for eight consecutive Sundays at 8:00 PM/ET. AFRICA examines the diverse cultures, peoples, wildlife, and terrain of the African continent. AFRICA is a co-production of National Geographic Television and Thirteen/WNET New York.)

The Museum Company will celebrate the rich, diverse African culture through its offering of fun, educational, National Geographic gifts such as a leopard figurine, African Animal Origami, Leopard tote bag, umbrella and scarf, Lion plush toy, Cheetah stained glass and puzzles, Lion Folio, and T-shirt.

Some of the other National Geographic theme products available exclusively at the more than 100 Museum Company stores in the U.S. and Canada beginning in October include:

• Birds, Bugs, Flowers, and Butterflies—a variety of species are adorned on T-shirts, wood items, plates, mugs, scarves, tote bags, coasters, and jewelry.
• Fish—includes novelty liquid filled art sets, mouse pads, and journals.
• Maps—leather albums, compass watches, totes, kaleidoscopes, umbrellas, and desk accessories.
• Weather—lightning-inspired umbrella, 3-D tote bag, T-shirt, and Folio.

This marks the second season that The Museum Company is producing and carrying National Geographic products. Sales of the merchandise in 2000 far exceeded expectations and the retailer significantly increased the product range for this holiday season. All National Geographic’s net proceeds from licensing support vital exploration, conservation, research, and education programs.

The National Geographic Society is one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations. Founded in 1888 for the increase and diffusion of geographic knowledge, the Society reflects the world through magazines, books, maps, television, and interactive media. Recently launched in the U.S., the National Geographic Channel broadcasts in 134 countries and reaches nearly 120 million households in 20 languages worldwide.

National Geographic magazine reaches more than 40 million readers worldwide every month. The Society’s three other magazines—Adventure, Traveler, and World—reach another five million readers. National Geographic Enterprises includes licensing, a catalog business, travel expeditions, e-commerce, and retail. These units oversee the merchandise related to the National Geographic brand worldwide. Additional licensing partnerships include agreements with First USA Bank for a National Geographic MasterCard, and The Museum Company for gifts, art prints, and stationary. To learn more about National Geographic, log onto www.nationalgeographic.com.

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September 2001