EIF: National Initiatives

'ART INSPIRES' 6,000 STUDENTS TO NOMINATE THEIR TEACHERS FOR NATIONAL AWARD

Entertainment Industry Foundation and "Barbie Cares Supporting Children in the Arts™ Recognize Outstanding Arts Teachers Nationwide - 20 Finalists Announced and Awarded $5,000 for their Arts Programs

July 19, 2004

The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) has announced the names of 20 arts teachers from across the country that have been selected as finalists in the 2004 Barbie Arts Teacher of the Year Search™. One of these 20 inspirational teachers will be named the 2004 Barbie Arts Teacher of the Year™ in the fall at a press event in Los Angeles.

The 20 visual arts, music, dance, and drama teachers represent elementary and middle schools nationwide. Over 6,000 students nominated their teachers in this year's search. A list of the teachers and their schools is posted online at www.barbie.com/arts.

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Presented by the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), the Barbie Arts Teacher of the Year Search recognizes outstanding arts teachers whose talent and creativity have a lasting impact on children. The search is part of EIF's National Arts Education Initiative, which raises awareness and funds to support arts education for children in schools and communities throughout the nation. Through its worldwide cause-related program, Barbie Cares Supporting Children in the Arts™, Mattel's Barbie® Brand is a founding sponsor of EIF's initiative.

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"Creativity, artistry and imagination are essential parts of every childhood," said Tim Kilpin, Sr. Vice President, Girls Marketing and Design, Mattel, Inc." The children and teachers involved in this program are inspiring, and we are delighted to be in our third year of Barbie Cares Supporting Children in the Arts™ helping to preserve artistic outlets for children."

For the third year, elementary school students ages 6 to 12 submitted essays explaining why their teachers should win the honor of this year's Barbie Arts Teacher of the Year™. Each teacher that has been selected as a national finalist has been awarded a $5,000 grant for his or her arts program. The 20 students whose essays were selected have won a $100 Mattel toy prize package.

The Barbie® Brand and the Entertainment Industry Foundation have partnered for the third year to support arts education. Barbie Cares Supporting Children in the Arts™ is a worldwide initiative, including a $2 million commitment to EIF's National Arts Education Initiative.

"The Barbie Arts Teacher of the Year Search is EIF's way of honoring great teachers whose commitment to the arts has a profound and lasting impact on our children," said Lisa Paulsen, president and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation. "With help from the entertainment industry and the Barbie® Brand, the Entertainment Industry Foundation offers children nationwide greater access to arts education."

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The finalists will compete for the National Barbie Arts Teacher of the Year™ Award and an additional $10,000 grant for his or her school's arts program to be announced in September 2004.

For more information about the Barbie Arts teacher of the Year Search™, log onto www.barbie.com/arts or call 1-866-91-4ARTS.

ABOUT THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY FOUNDATION
Celebrating 63 years of giving, the Entertainment Industry Foundation represents the collective philanthropy of the entertainment industry. EIF has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars - and provided countless hours - to support charitable initiatives that address some of the most critical issues facing our society.

ABOUT MATTEL
Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie®, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced.The Mattel family of toys and games is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels®, Matchbox®, American Girl®, and Fisher-Price®, which also includes Little People®, Rescue Heroes™, Power Wheels®, as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 36 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands --- today and tomorrow.

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Contact:

Dana Sterling
EIF
323.860.9165

Michelle Einkauf
Mattel, Inc.
310.252.3520

Click here to learn about 2004's National Finalists

Click here to learn about 2003's Regional Winners