In the News

Welcome New Oregon Retailer!

2008-10-10T12:11:00.000-07:00

We would like to welcome our newest Oregon retailer, Murray's Drug in Heppner, Oregon.

Murray's Drug joins Hermiston Drug & Gift as our first two Hugawugs retailers in Oregon. Both stores carry the full line of Hugawugs products.

Murray's Drug is located at 217 North Main in Heppner, Oregon.

Hugawug Birthday Party Ideas from Peppers and Pollywogs

2008-10-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that Peppers and Pollywogs, a wonderful online resource for children's birthday party ideas, has created a Hugawugs-themed birthday party. Lisa Kothari of Peppers and Pollywogs developed the party for children ages five and younger. It is a party full of silly fun, ABCs, 123s, and colors.

Also, we're sponsoring a Hugawugs giveaway package this week for Peppers and Pollywogs readers. Entries are due on October 5th.

Sneak Peek: New Hugawugs Books!

2008-08-28T10:57:00.001-07:00

Our two newest Hugawugs books have just arrived from our printer and we're excited to share them with you. Soon, the books will be available for purchase at local retailers and on our website.

But for now (drum roll please), enjoy the sneak peek of our newest titles:

The Hugawugs Bedtime

The Hugawugs 123s

Hugawugs Featured in Where Seattle Magazine

2008-07-28T16:30:00.000-07:00

The Hugawugs series of books and plush toys are featured in the July issue of Where Seattle Magazine. The eight Hugawugs characters are described as "fuzzy fun" and "soft, snuggly, silly companions for kids." For a list of local retailers selling the Hugawugs products, visit here.

Women's Health Article Features Hugawugs Book

2008-06-20T12:11:00.000-07:00

Our Meet the Hugawugs book is featured in a Women's Health article as one of their recommended "soothing stories for anti-nappers." Check it out here.

Article on UW Business Plan Competition

2008-05-30T09:50:00.000-07:00

The Foster School of Business has published an article chronicling the Business Plan Competition.

Novel Drug Delivery Technology Wins UW Business Plan Competition

Wugaboo Team Makes it to the Final Four

2008-05-25T12:14:00.000-07:00

Our team made it to the Final Four of the University of Washington Business Plan Competition!

Last Thursday, we began the morning as one of the Sweet Sixteen teams. After taking some time to bowl (a great stress-fighter), that afternoon we made it into the Final Four. After giving our presentation one more time to a new group of judges, we received one of the Finalists Prizes that evening at the Awards Dinner.

Our team consisted of Ryan Bergsman, MBA; Daniel Rossi, MBA; Katheryn Leonard, MBA; David Ray, L.L.M. Intellectual Property; Kristen Bergsman, Masters of Education; and Link Dyrdahl

The entire Business Plan Competition process is described below: "We had 89 student teams apply to the competition by sending us their 5 to 7 page executive summaries. Eighty-four judges screened that group down to 34 teams at the beginning of April. At the Investment Round in late-April, those 34 teams pitched their hearts out to about 150 judges. Sixteen teams advanced to the Sweet 16 and last Thursday, the Sweet 16 teams gave it their all and presented to the judges. Four incredible teams made it to the Final Round where they presented to seven judges."
~From the UW CIE

Congratulations to all the Sweet Sixteen and Final Four teams! And thank you to the Herbert B. Jones Foundation for our prize, and to all the CIE staff, volunteers, and judges who made the event possible.

Wugaboo Team Makes it to the Sweet Sixteen

2008-04-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

Our Wugaboo Entertainment team has made it to the next round of the UW Business Plan Competition. We are one of sixteen teams that will advance to the next stage of the competition.

From the UW's website:

"The Business Plan Competition, now celebrating its 11th year, is the marquee event of the University of Washington’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The competition is designed to promote student start-up ideas and venture creation by bringing together students with judges from the entrepreneurial community in a multi-stage, real-world challenge.The Investment Round is over and the top 16 teams will advance to the Sweet 16 Round on Thursday, May 22."

Stay tuned to find out how we do during the final round on May 22nd.

Hugawugs Featured in May Parents Magazine

2008-04-19T10:29:00.000-07:00

Peek inside the May issue of Parents Magazine and you'll find the Hugawugs board book, Meet the Hugawugs, highlighted on page 174.

Our books and plush toys are featured with the article, "I Don't Wanna Nap!" by Sharlene K. Johnson. Chosen as one of four "Soothing Stories for Anti-Nappers," our Meet the Hugawugs board book is a great choice for toddlers and preschoolers who need to settle down for some quiet time. In this book, you will join the eight Hugawugs friends as they share their favorite ways to have silly fun. From playing on the swings to jumping in the leaves, the Hugawugs have a fun-filled day that ends with a quiet nap.

A copy of Meet the Hugawugs paired with one of our soft plush character toys makes a great gift for the little napper in your life.

Wugaboo Enters the UW Business Plan Competition

2008-04-10T13:00:00.000-07:00

Wugaboo Entertainment has been accepted into the University of Washington's Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship 2008 Business Plan Competition.

We were one of 34 teams to make it through the screening round, from a total of 89 submissions. Our team consistes of Wugaboo's founders, as well as three MBA students and a law student.

To learn more about the competition, visit here.

Welcome New Hugawugs Retailer!

2008-03-25T15:41:00.001-07:00

We would like to extend a warm Hugawugs welcome to our newest retailer, Chamelion Design.

Chamelion is located in historic downtown Ballard at 5330 Ballard Avenue NW. This boutique is full of unique products for adults and children. From their kids' section popping with innovative gifts for infants and children, to their delicious selection of letterpress stationery, and their amazing furniture, rugs, and other home products, Chamelion has a little something special for everyone.

Read more about Chamelion Design here. Look for our Hugawugs brand board books and plush toys in their children's section. Pop on in and let them know that Wugaboo sent you!

Puget Sound Business Journal

2008-02-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

Is that your final answer? Judges of school business plan competitions get very involved
2/22/08 Puget Sound Business Journal

Wugaboo Vice-President Kristen Bergsman and her husband Ryan were recently quoted in a Puget Sound Business Journal article about the upcoming University of Washington Business Plan Competition.

Increasingly, it is the chance to meet and connect with experienced entrepreneurs, investors and service providers -- not only the cash prizes -- that spurs students to compete.

"Hopefully we can cultivate that network," said Ryan Bergsman, an evening MBA student at the UW whose team plans to submit a business plan for an actual company of which his wife Kristen, a student in the master's of education program, is vice president.

Kristen Bergsman said for students, accessing such professionals would normally be very difficult. "I wouldn't be tapped into that network without the competition," she said.

Click here to read the full article.

In Support of Playtime and True Toys

2008-02-18T11:48:00.000-08:00

At Wugaboo, we have enjoyed hearing from Moms, Dads, and Grandparents about how their kids develop relationships with their Hugawugs toys and books. We've heard of kids who take their Hugawugs to bed with them, or along for a ride in the stroller and carseat. We've heard of kids who develop nicknames for their Hugawugs and act out imaginative play with them.

We were particularly intersted to learn that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a report that supports a child's right, and need, for play. The report is titled, "The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds."

The report states that, "free and unstructured play is healthy and - in fact - essential for helping children reach important social, emotional, and cognitive developmental milestones as well as helping them manage stress and become resilient."

One important guideline suggested in the report: "Emphasizing the benefits of 'true toys', such as blocks and dolls, in which children use their imagination fully over passive toys that require limited imagination."

So let's hear it for giving kids of all ages time for free, unstructured play, and for providing them with "true toys" that get kids exercising their imagination muscles.

Welcome New Hugawugs Retailers!

2008-02-07T10:21:00.001-08:00

We would like to offer a warm welcome to two new Hugawugs retailers:

Oregon
Hermiston Drug & Gift
114 E. Main St.
Hermiston, OR 97838
(541) 567-3072

Montana
Cabinet Books & Music
320 Mineral Ave.
Libby, MT 59923
(406) 293-9111

Welcome to the Hugawugs family!

The Hugawugs Help Out WestSide Baby

2008-02-07T10:13:00.000-08:00

The Hugawugs love to help out in their community. Just recently, Wugaboo made a donation of a basket full of Hugawugs products for the 7th Annual WestSide Baby Benefit Tea, which occurs on Sunday, February 10.

What is WestSide Baby?
From their website: WestSide Baby is a nonprofit organization that collects previously owned items for children and babies and distributes them free of charge to South King County families in need. We work through local social service agencies already assisting low-income families. Agencies order items from us and deliver them to families who are homeless, living in transitional housing, or simply in need of a little help during a difficult time. We work toward a day when all babies and young children in our community have their basic physical needs met - enough diapers, food, adequate clothing, appropriate toys, books, and safe equipment for their care.

Since opening in 2001, we have distributed over $3.4 million worth of clothing, toys, baby gear, and other items. In 2007, we served more than 5,700 children!

Wugaboo to Attend NYC Licensing Show

2008-01-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

Look for Wugaboo at the Licensing International Expo coming up June 10-12 in New York City. We will have booth #1030, located near the Nickelodeon booth. If you will be at the Expo, we would love to meet you!

Play Zak Magazine Features Squidget Plush Toy

2007-12-27T15:53:00.000-08:00

Play Zak Magazine chose our Squidget 7" plush toy in their list of New & Notable Plush for 2007.

The Hugawugs - Squidget by WUGABOO LLC.

Squidget is one character in a collection of colorful, furry friends with embroidered smiling faces, plump round tummies, squiggly hair and outstretched arms just right for hugging. Each Hugawugs friend is made from super soft fabric with its own pattern of colors and shapes. The toys come with a colorful tag that describes the fun-loving personality of each character. Launch date: November 1, 2007. 11/14/2007 (Price: $7.99; Age: 0 to 4)

Have a Lead-Free Holiday

2007-12-17T10:01:00.000-08:00

The Hugawugs products were featured in a special Lead-Free Holiday gift giving guide in the December 13th issue of the Baltimore Examiner:

Lead-Free Holiday: A Selection of Safe Toys for Tots
"With plump bellies, squiggly hair and outstretched arms, the Hugawugs are just right for a little squeeze. The family of eight plushies includes a nerdy bookworm, a muddy speedster, a free spirit, and others. Available at TheHugawawugs.com."

~Baltimore Examiner, 12/13/07
/Baltimore%20Examiner%2012_13_07.pdf

The Hugawugs love BabyLegs

2007-12-12T10:11:00.000-08:00

Seattle-based kid's company, BabyLegs, is featuring the Hugawugs products in their "Friends of BabyLegs" column of their December e-newsletter.

BabyLegs produces adorable leg/arm warmers for babies and children that are all the rage. From black and white cow print to purple polka dots, there is a BabyLegs product for all occasions.

PlayZak Magazine Features the Hugawugs

2007-12-10T16:43:00.000-08:00

PlayZak Magazine has chosen three Hugawugs products to feature in its listing of "New Toys and Kids Gifts"

Book: The Hugawugs ABCs
This book tells about an alphabet adventure as the Hugawugs find letters all around them — at the park, in the kitchen and at the zoo. From Squidget’s apple to Jasper’s zebra friend, the Hugawugs learn their way from A to Z. “The Hugawugs products pair a book series with plush characters to offer children and their parents many sweet and silly ways to learn and play together,” Laurie Christomos of Dave Syferd & Partners told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 1, 2007. 11/14/2007 (Price: $7.99)

Book: Meet the Hugawugs

Kids can join the eight Hugawugs friends as they share their favorite ways to have silly fun. From playing on the swings to jumping in the leaves, the Hugawugs have a fun-filled day that ends with a quiet nap. “Each Hugawugs character has a unique personality based on some of the wonderful characteristics of young children,” Laurie Christomos of Dave Syferd & Partners told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 1, 2007. 11/14/2007 (Price: $7.99)

Plush Toy: The Hugawugs - Squidget

TD Monthly Chooses Hugawugs Book

2007-12-09T09:19:00.001-08:00

TD Monthly chose The Hugawugs ABCs for their list of "New and Notable Toys: Books."

This book tells about an alphabet adventure as the Hugawugs find letters all around them — at the park, in the kitchen and at the zoo. From Squidget’s apple to Jasper’s zebra friend, the Hugawugs learn their way from A to Z. “The Hugawugs products pair a book series with plush characters to offer children and their parents many sweet and silly ways to learn and play together,” Laurie Christomos of Dave Syferd & Partners told TDmonthly. Launch date: November 1, 2007. 11/14/2007 (Price: $7.99; Age: 0 to 4).

Hugawugs Event at Imagine Children's Museum a Blast!

2007-12-04T10:37:00.000-08:00

The Imagine Children's Museum in Everett hosted a special Hugawugs-themed event on December 3rd for the kids and parents who are part of the Play Patch and Explorers programs. Everyone enjoyed creating hug-themed crafts and gathering for a story time circle where museum educator Mary Jeffrey read the new book, Meet the Hugawugs.

Book author Link Dyrdahl and illustrator Eric Hibbs were on hand to sign books. Many parents stocked up on the Hugawugs books and plush toys to give as holiday gifts.

Thanks to Mary Jeffrey, Julie Vogel, and the participants of the Play Patch and Explorers program for making our first event a success!

Hugawugs Launch Party a Success!

2007-12-04T09:51:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, December 1st, despite Seattle's first dusting of snow for the season, Wugaboo LLC hosted a Hugawugs Launch Party. The party was our night to celebrate the November 1st launch of the Hugawugs product line. It was a fun evening of friends, food, drinks, and of course, Hugawugs.

Link and Kristen would like to thank the people who braved the weather to help us celebrate!

Special thanks to: Tracy Evans, Ryan Bergsman, our friends at BabyLegs and Cascade Trade Co., and Athena--inventor of the Wugatini.

(Top photo: A guest enjoys a sip of his Wugatini, our signature cocktail for the evening.)

Upcoming Event at Imagine Children's Museum (Dec. 3rd)

2007-11-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

Get a free Hugawugs plush toy!

Stop by the Museum Store at Imagine Children's Museum on Monday, December 3rd for a Special Offer. Buy a Hugawugs board book or plush toy and receive a free Hugawugs plush toy of your choice! Offer limited to one free plush toy per customer. The Hugawugs friends make a perfect holiday gift for the young children on your shopping list.

Imagine Children's Museum
1502 Wall Street
Everett, Washington 98201
http://imaginecm.org/

Special store hours on December 3rd from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Welcome!

2007-11-27T22:06:00.000-08:00

What’s new at Wugaboo LLC? Check here regularly for media coverage, event listings, special promotions, and more.