OPMR Optimal Grp. CL a (MM)

Editors note: Two photos are included with this press release on Marketwire's website.

Who fits snuggly into a plaid herringbone sport coat, wears his heart on his sleeve, and is accompanied by his loving friends Rita Robin, Alfie Mouse and Bobby Spider? Why, the forthcoming children's book protagonist Bear Crimbo, of course - the star of a classic in the making. WowWee, an Optimal Group company, today announced its plans to bring Bear Crimbo's heartwarming tale of friendship and hope to life with their WowWee Alive(TM) technology. Under its licensing agreement with Bear Crimbo property owner EMGIE, Inc., WowWee intends to make available worldwide its line of plush toys, figures and animatronic playmates from Bear Crimbo's simple yet magical world.

Based on the animatronic technology behind the award-winning WowWee Alive Cubs introduced in 2008, the interactive plush WowWee Alive Bear Crimbo will bridge literary fantasy and childhood play. The critically acclaimed WowWee Alive Cubs were a recipient of the National Parenting Center's 2008 Seal of Approval, a winner of the iParenting Media Awards - 2008 Outstanding Products Award, and a Toy Wishes All-Star for Holiday 2008. The Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC) has recognized the toys with a CTTC three-star rating - the highest level. Featuring interactive blinking eyes and audio content, Bear Crimbo's embedded technology will allow him to respond to children' affection via touch and tilt sensors. Bear Crimbo will be the ideal companion for long road trips, show and tell at school, and imaginative rainy day play.

Written by bestselling author Matt Goss, "Bear Crimbo" is the story of friendship and the acceptance of diversity, emphasizing the importance of little acts of kindness. In the story, the holiday dream of a toy bear is fulfilled through the hope, love and help of his three best friends of different species - a bird, a mouse and a spider. Published by Hilton Publishing Company Inc., which has over 50 years of publishing experience, including titles such as "The Pursuit of Happiness" by Chris Gardner, "Bear Crimbo" will be distributed by Ingram Publishing Services and will hit bookstores in September 2009. Additional information can be found at www.bearcrimbo.com and the book is currently available for pre-order at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble Online.

About the Author: Matt Goss

Matt Goss is the author of "More Than You Know," his autobiography published in 2005 by HarperCollins UK, which earned him a spot on the coveted Sunday Times of London Best Seller list. Before becoming a bestselling author, Matt enjoyed more than a decade of success in the entertainment spotlight. The album on which he made his debut as a lead singer sold 400,000 copies within its first week of release in the U.K. alone, and more than 5 million copies worldwide, which put it at the top of the charts in 19 countries simultaneously. Most recently, Matt wrote and arranged two songs for the blockbuster theatrical production of Cleopatra, currently running in Paris and wrote "Change Me," the hit song performed by Keri Hilson and Akon on Keri's "In A Perfect World" CD. To-date, Matt's record sales total more than 17 million copies.

Matt currently resides in Los Angeles, California where he is working on a prequel and sequel to "Bear Crimbo."

About WowWee

WowWee, an Optimal Group company (NASDAQ:OPMR), 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.

To view the photos associated with this press release, please visit the following links:

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20090601-Wowwee_alive_800.jpg

http://www.marketwire.com/library/20090601-Bear_Crimbo_800.jpg

Contacts: 360 Public Relations Mike Rush 617-585-5792 mrush@360publicrelations.com 360 Public Relations Stacey Clement 617-585-5774 sclement@360publicrelations.com