Public Relations -- Becker Associates, LLC.

       BECKER ASSOCIATES ANNOUNCES

OTHELLO RECEIVES DR. TOY’S 'BEST CLASSIC TOYS 2003' AWARD

STAMFORD, CT  (April, 2003) - The Toy Industry celebrated its 100th anniversary this year.  Othello, manufactured by Mattel has been selected by Dr. Toy as one of the Best Classic Toys in 2003.

What is a classic toy?  According to Stevanne Auerbach, “Classic toys are lasting favorites of those children who played with them. They are toys that are enduring, encourage your child's involvement, are “child-powered” and of course fun.  [Dr. Toy has] carefully surveyed the toy marketplace to collect a range of great classic toys. These are the 33 winners of "Dr. Toy's 2003 Best Classic Toy Product" Search.”

Othello is positioned for children 8-12 and costs about $14.99 at retail.  Introduced in the United States in 1975, Othello will celebrate its 30^th Anniversary in 2004.  For more information, call Mattel at 800-736-9444 or go online to www.Mattel.com.

 OTHELLO NAMED TO TIA'S TOP 100 TOYS OF THE CENTURY LIST

HIGHLIGHTING ONE HUNDRED OF THE CENTURY'S MOST TREASURED TOYS

Toy Fair 2003

Toy Industry Association Announces Its "Century of Toys List"
List Highlights One Hundred of the Century's Most Treasured Toys

Business, Entertainment & Feature Editors

As Part of the American International TOY FAIR(TM) Centennial Celebration

From Lionel(R) trains to Lite-Brite(R), there's a toy on this list for everyone. Toy Industry Association (TIA(TM)) has released a list of one hundred of the industry's most memorable and creative toys from the past century. The list is part of the industry's celebration of the 100th Anniversary of American International TOY FAIR(TM) to be held in New York City on February 16 - 19. Fashioned to highlight momentous toys from the past 100 years, the list will set the stage for a week of activities that salute the history and inventiveness of the toy industry.

TIA has owned and managed the American International TOY FAIR since 1932 and is honored to acknowledge the power of toys and play for children the world over. Only a small fraction of successful and innovative products that have been introduced during the last 100 years are featured on the "Century of Toys List," which consists of unforgettable products from all types of play including activity sets, board games, dolls, ride-on toys, action figures and more.

"As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of TOY FAIR, this list allows us to pay tribute to the toys that have brought joy and happiness to children for decades. By looking through the Century of Toys list, people of all ages will be reminded of the thrill that toys have contributed to their lives," said Neil Friedman, Chairman of TIA and President of Mattel's Fisher-Price Brands. "By looking at this list, we'll all be wondering which toys previewed during TOY FAIR 2003 this February will be honored throughout the next century," he continued.

Selecting toys for the Century of Toys List involved a very stringent review process, which began with a list of criteria to establish the benchmark. With an initial list in hand, a variety of veterans throughout the industry, including members of the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, toy design professionals, and the TIA Executive Committee were involved to narrow down the list of 100, and helping to ensure the integrity of the list.

"The 100th anniversary of TOY FAIR in New York City affords us the perfect opportunity to honor our industry's vast contributions through the many toys and playthings introduced over the past century," said Thomas Conley, President, TIA. "Because TOY FAIR is known as the premier toy show in the world, we can't help but experience a sense of wonder and excitement as we anticipate the many ways the toy industry will captivate the imagination of children in the years ahead," he concluded.

The public is invited to view the list at their leisure, by visiting TIA's website: www.toy-tia.org.

TIA, formerly known as Toy Manufacturers of America (TMA(R)), was established in 1916 as the trade association for North American producers and importers of toys, games and entertainment products for children and families. TIA also owns and operates American International TOY FAIR(TM), a trade-only event, held each February at the Javits Convention Center and at showrooms in Manhattan's Toy District.

Toy Industry Association, Inc.

Century of Toys List

Manufacturer

Year Product at time of Current

Introduced Name Introduction Manufacturer

1900 Lionel Trains Lionel LLC Lionel LLC

1903 Crayola Crayons Binney & Binney &

Smith, Inc. Smith, Inc.

1903 Flinch Card Game Flinch Game Winning Moves,

Company Inc. (license

of Hasbro,

Inc.)

1903 Teddy Bears Ideal Commonwealth,

Gund, Russ

Berrie and

others

1906 Model T Ford Tootsietoy/ Tootsietoy/

diecast car Strombecker Strombecker

Corp. Corp.

1913 Erector Sets A.C. Gilbert BRIO

Corporation

1913 Tinkertoys Toy Tinkers Playskool,

div. of

Hasbro, Inc.

1915 Raggedy Ann doll P.F. Volland Applause and

Playskool,

div. of

Hasbro, Inc.

1916 Lincoln Logs John Lloyd K'NEX

Wright, Inc. Industries,

Inc.

1917 Radio Flyer Wagon Radio Flyer, Radio Flyer,

Inc. Inc.

1923 Madame Alexander Madame Madame

collectible dolls Alexander Alexander

1929 Yo-Yo Duncan Toy Duncan Toy

Company Company

1930 Mickey Mouse (and Minnie) California Disney

plush dolls Stuffed Toys Consumer

Products

1932 Tripoley Game Cadaco, Inc. Cadaco, Inc.

1934 Sorry Game Parker Hasbro, Inc.

Brothers

1935 Monopoly Parker Hasbro, Inc.

Brothers

1937 Betsy Wetsy doll Ideal Mattel, Inc.

1938 View-Master 3-D Viewer View-Master Fisher-Price,

div. of

Mattel, Inc.

1942 Nok-Hockey Carrom Games Carrom Games

1947 Tonka Trucks Tonka Hasbro, Inc.

1947 John Deere Die Cast The Ertl Racing

Tractor Company Champions/The

Ertl Company

1947 Magic 8 Ball Alabe Crafts Mattel, Inc.

1948 Cootie Schaper Milton

Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1948 Scrabble Game Selchow & Milton

Righter Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1948 Slinky James James

Industries Industries

1949 Candy Land Milton Milton

Bradley Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1949 Clue Parker Hasbro, Inc.

Brothers

1950 Silly Putty Peter Hodgson Binney &

Smith, Inc.

1951 Ginny Dolls Vogue Doll Vogue Doll

Company Company

1952 Mr. Potato Head Playskool Playskool,

div. of

Hasbro, Inc.

1953 Colorforms Colorforms University

Games

1953 LEGO Building Sets LEGO Systems, LEGO Systems,

Inc. Inc.

1954 Matchbox Cars Lesney Mattel, Inc.

1955 Wooly Willy Smethport Smethport

Specialty Specialty

Company Company

1956 Play-Doh Kenner Hasbro, Inc.

1956 Original Ant Farm Uncle Milton Uncle Milton

Industries Industries

1956 Yahtzee Game E.S. Lowe Milton

Company Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1957 Corn Popper push toy Fisher-Price Fisher-Price,

div. of

Mattel, Inc.

1957 Frisbee Wham-O Wham-O

1958 Hula Hoop Wham-O Wham-O

1959 Barbie Mattel, Inc. Mattel, Inc.

1960 BRIO Classic Wooden BRIO BRIO

Railway Corporation Corporation

1960 Etch-A-Sketch The Ohio Art The Ohio Art

Company Company

1960 Game of Life Milton Milton

Bradley Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1961 Slip N' Slide Wham-O Wham-O

1961 Troll dolls Thomas Dam, Thomas Dam,

Inc. Inc.

1962 Chatter Telephone Fisher-Price Fisher-Price,

div. of

Mattel, Inc.

1963 Easy Bake Oven Kenner Hasbro, Inc.

1964 G.I. Joe Hasbro, Inc. Hasbro, Inc.

1965 Creepy Crawlers Mattel, Inc. JAKKS Pacific

1965 Operation Milton Milton

Bradley Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1965 See 'n' Say Mattel, Inc. Mattel, Inc.

1966 Twister Milton Milton

Bradley Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1967 Battleship Milton Milton

Bradley Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1967 Big Wheel ride-on Marx Toys Various

manufacturers

1967 Ker Plunk Ideal Toy Mattel, Inc.

Company

1967 Lite Brite Hasbro, Inc. Hasbro, Inc.

1968 Hot Wheels and Mattel, Inc. Mattel, Inc.

Racing Sets

1970 Nerf Balls Parker Hasbro, Inc.

Brothers

1971 Mastermind Invicta Pressman Toys

Plastics,

Ltd.

1972 Uno Card Game International Mattel, Inc.

Games

1973 Shrinky Dinks K&B Spin Master

Innovations Toys

1974 Dungeons and Dragons TSR, Inc. Wizards of the

Coast, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1974 Playmobil people & Playmobil Playmobil

playsets

1975 Othello Gabriel Mattel, Inc.

Industries,

Inc.

1976 Magna Doodle Mego Toys Fisher-Price,

div. of

Mattel, Inc.

1977 Star Wars action figures Kenner Hasbro, Inc.

1978 Hungry Hungry Hippos Hasbro, Inc. Milton

Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1978 Rubik's Cube Ideal Hasbro, Inc.

1978 Simon Electronic Game Milton Milton

Bradley Bradley, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1979 Cozy Coupe Ride-On Little Tikes Little Tikes

1979 Strawberry Shortcake Kenner Bandai

1982 Stompers die-cast Schaper None

vehicles

1982 Trivial Pursuit Selchow & Hasbro, Inc.

Righter

1983 Cabbage Patch Kids Coleco Mattel, Inc.

1983 Care Bears Kenner Play Along

1983 My Little Pony Hasbro, Inc. Hasbro, Inc.

1984 Transformers Hasbro, Inc. Hasbro, Inc.

1985 Scruples Game Henry Makow Hasbro, Inc.

1985 Teddy Ruxpin Worlds of Hasbro, Inc.

Wonder

1986 Pound Puppies Tonka Mary Meyer

1987 Koosh Ball OddzOn Hasbro, Inc.

1987 Pictionary The Games Hasbro, Inc.

Gang

1988 Teenage Mutant Ninja Playmates Playmates

Turtles Toys, Inc. Toys, Inc.

1989 Super Soaker Larami Hasbro, Inc.

1992 Barney the Dinosaur plush The Lyons Mattel, Inc.

Group

1992 K'NEX Building Sets K'NEX K'NEX

Industries, Industries,

Inc. Inc.

1993 Magic: The Gathering Wizards Wizards of the

collectible card game of the Coast Coast, div.

of Hasbro,

Inc.

1993 Mighty Morphin Power Bandai Bandai

Rangers

1995 Lamaze Learning products Learning Learning

Curve Curve

International International

1996 Beanie Babies Ty Ty

1996 Tickle-Me Elmo Tyco Fisher-Price,

Preschool div. of

Mattel, Inc.

1997 Bass Fishin' Game Radica Games, Radica Games,

Ltd. Ltd.

1997 Tamagotchi Bandai Bandai

1998 Furby Tiger Toys Tiger Toys,

div. of

Hasbro, Inc.

1998 Rescue Heroes Fisher-Price Fisher-Price,

div. of

Mattel, Inc.

1999 Groovy Girls Manhattan Manhattan Toys

Toys

1999 LeapPad LeapFrog LeapFrog

2000 Razor scooter Razor Razor

2001 Jumbo Music Block Neurosmith Neurosmith

PRESS RELEASE #2003-7

BECKER ASSOCIATES ANNOUNCES JAMES R. BECKER,

WORLD-FAMOUS TOY INVENTOR AND CO-DEVELOPER OF OTHELLO, TO BE AT LICENSING INTL 2003

STAMFORD, CT (March, 2003) - Becker Associates, the exclusive licensor for Othello Brand Merchandise Worldwide, will be at Licensing International 2003, Booth # 4335.

JAMES R. BECKER

For over 55 years, Jim Becker has devoted his energy and life's blood to developing and licensing products in the Toy Industry.  He helped create global licensing as we know it today.  Before Jim, no one redeveloped items made for the US and modified them to appeal and sell in foreign markets, including the most difficult of all to penetrate, Japan.  He also innovated the concept of adapting Japanese and European toys and games for the American market.  In those days, the 1940s-1970s, global marketing didn't exist; global companies didn't exist and neither Hasbro nor Mattel had worldwide distribution or subsidiaries in most foreign markets; they used sub-licensees.  

When Othello^® was first created by Japanese game enthusiast, Goro Hasegawa in 1971, he chose one of the leading toy inventors in the world, James R. Becker, to help him develop and market the game.  Inspired by the ancient Japanese strategy game 'Go', Hasegawa sought to create a game that was rich in strategy, but still approachable by the casual player.  Becker simplified the game play, coined the tagline, ‘A Minute to Learn…A Lifetime to Master’^® and named this new game after Shakespeare's classic play, because of the black and white chips.  Othello^® was first introduced in Japan in 1973, by Tsukuda Original Co., who at Becker’s suggestion organized the Japanese Othello^® Association.  Today, Othello^® Associations exist in over 20 different countries.  In 1975, Anjar licensed the item to Gabriel Industries for the U.S. market.  Othello has now become one of the best-selling classic, licensed strategy games of all time.  In 1977, Becker organized the first World Othello Championship™, bringing together many licensees from all over the world to share ideas, advertising and marketing strategies on an annual basis.

The Othello Brand can now be found on merchandise that includes Othello Slot Machines manufactured by IGT, the largest slot machine manufacturer in the world. The Othello Slot Machine has been nominated for the Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Products of 2002.  The Othello brand can also be found on Othello^® Instant and Online Lottery Tickets, which Becker Associates recently licensed to MDI Entertainment. The brand also includes Parity, the Othello Card Game and Othello Key Chains. Since its introduction, Othello has appeared in virtually every format as these platforms have become available including Atari 2600, Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Gameboy, computer CD-ROM games, coin-op arcade machines, and handheld electronic games.  Recently, Othello was recognized by Playthings Magazine, the principle Toy Industry publication, as one of the ‘Classic Toys and Games of the 20th Century’ still in production.  Other prestigious awards that Othello has won include the Parents’ Choice Classic Toy Award and Games Magazine's Hall of Fame. Othello game sales have exceeded $600 million and more than 40 million games have been sold in over 100 different countries, making Othello the most successfully licensed strategy game in the world. 

Jim created the concept of World Othello Championships and Othello Victory Dinners.  The 26th Annual World Othello Championship was held November 2002, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  Fifty-two contestants representing 19 countries competed for prize money and the coveted 'Othello Cup'.  I remember twenty-five years ago, the Victory Dinners would be comprised of a room filled with Presidents from major toy companies around the world, watching a reel of Othello TV commercials in as many languages as the countries they represented, discussing their strategies for Othello-- comparing what worked and what didn't-- and adapting successful Othello marketing strategies for their own country. 

Jim Becker was a pioneer representing Japanese products in the U.S. This approach was brilliant and unprecedented.  He also partnered with inventors and manufacturers to develop and represent their ideas for licensing around the world. 

Prior to founding Anjar, Jim was President of the Lakeside Toys, where he worked for Zom Levine, one of many bosses, including Mort Levy and Jerry Fryer, who went on to become lifelong friends.  At Lakeside, Jim developed another innovative product that BECAME A CATEGORY.  Based on the TV show, and working with Art Clokey, Jim developed Gumby and Pokey which were an instant success.  These toys were extended to include a multitude of licenses including Bozo, Laurel and Hardy, and others, and along with Barrel of Monkeys became another craze created by Jim in the 1960s.

In addition to Othello, Gumby, Pokey and Barrel of Monkeys, Jim’s other product development credits include the Disappearing Magic Milk Bottle, as well as Nerf Ping Pong, Elmo’s Trike, Barbie ‘Really Works’ Activity Toys, and ‘Land Before Time’ Hand Puppets, Shirt Pocket Games, GI Joe Earthquake Vehicle, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Foldable Flying Saucers, the Betsy McCall Fashion Designer Set, Grabbin’ Dragons and over 500 others. 

Jim used his expertise, his charisma, his sense of humor and the strength of his personal relationships to create one of the most successful product development and licensing companies in the world, Anjar Inc.  Anjar is an acronym for Jim's four sons: Arto, Neil, Jonny and Roger.  He has been an inspiration and mentor to me, his sons and countless others. His integrity is such that when a street inventor calls the TIA or a major company trying to show a new product concept, they are often referred to Anjar Co.  It’s a rare person who has not played with at least one of Jim's famous toys, Whether it is Gumby, Pokey, Barrel of Monkeys or Othello, he has touched the lives of so many. 

Jim's newest project is the Annual Toy Industry Reunion held every December in Palm Beach, FL. This year 103 veterans of the Industry came together for the Fourth Annual Dinner to laugh and reminisce.

Married for over 49 years to Frances, his son, Jonathan is now a principal at Anjar Co. and continues to uphold his high business ethics, principles and integrity.  Following World War II, Jim Becker’s initiatives sparked the beginnings of modern product licensing from the Orient to the U.S., Europe and the rest of the World, changing the industry in a profound way. 

       BECKER ASSOCIATES ANNOUNCES

INVENTOR OF OTHELLO^® AVAILABLE FOR AUTOGRAPHS

STAMFORD, CT  (April, 2003) - Becker Associates, the exclusive worldwide licensors of Othello Brand Merchandise, is proud to announce that James R. Becker, the co-Inventor of Othello, Founder of Anjar Co. and former President of Lakeside Toys, will be available for autographs from 9:00-9:30 a.m. June 10th, June 11th and June 12th at the Javits Licensing 2003 Show, Booth #4335. 

Jim will also be available each day from 2:00-2:30 p.m. to play Othello with anyone who would like to challenge him to a game.  Becker Associates 2003 Introductions include Othello Instant and Online Lottery Games and Othello Slot Machines.

        BECKER ASSOCIATES CHALLENGES YOU TO TRY TO BEAT THE INVENTOR OF OTHELLO^®  

STAMFORD, CT  (April, 2003) - Becker Associates, the exclusive worldwide licensors of Othello Brand Merchandise, is proud to announce that James R. Becker, the co-Inventor of Othello, Founder of Anjar Co. and former President of Lakeside Toys, will be available to play Othello with anyone who would like to challenge him to a game June 10th, June 11th and June 12th at the Javits Licensing 2003 Show, from 2:00-2:30 p.m., Booth #4335. 

Jim will also be available for autographs from 9:00-9:30 a.m. each day.  Becker Associates 2003 Introductions include Othello Instant and Online Lottery Games and Othello Slot Machines. 

BECKER ASSOCIATES INTRODUCES INSTANT AND ONLINE LOTTERY GAMES AT LICENSING INTL 2003

STAMFORD, CT (March, 2003) - Becker Associates, the exclusive licensor for Othello Brand Merchandise Worldwide, will be at Licensing International 2003, Booth # 4335.

Licensing 2003 Introductions include Othello Instant and Online Lottery Games, Othello Slot Machines and Othello CD-ROM Games which will join Othello Board Games, Handheld Electronic Games, Computer Games, Othello Key Chains and Othello Card Games in an expanded line of Othello Brand Merchandise. Playthings Magazine recently selected Othello in their list of ‘Classic Toys of the 20^th Century’. Othello was also featured in this year’s T.O.T.Y. Awards slide show; has been recognized as a classic game in the book recently published by the Toy Industry Association, Toys: Celebrating 100 Years of the Power of Play, and been included in TIA’s list: ‘100 of the Century’s Most Treasured Toys’, in addition to garnering other prestigious awards, such as the Parents’ Choice ‘Classic Toy Award’ and Games Magazine’s ‘Hall of Fame’. The Othello Slot Machine was awarded ‘Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Products of 2002’.

Othello was co-invented by James R. Becker and George Hasegawa in the early 1970s. In 1975, Anjar licensed the item to Gabriel Industries for the U.S. market. Known as ‘The Game of Games’ and taking ‘A Minute to Learn…A Lifetime to Master’, Othello has become one of the best-selling, licensed strategy games of all time. James R. Becker, the inventor, will be at Booth #4335 to autograph games.

MDI Press Release 12-4-2002

Othello®: The World's Best Selling Licensed Strategy Game Lands in MDI Entertainment's Portfolio of Lottery Game Properties

December 4, 2002

HARTFORD, CT - December 4, 2002 - MDI Entertainment, Inc. (OTC BB: LTRY) today announced its acquisition of exclusive marketing rights to instant and online lottery games for Othello®, the best-selling, licensed strategy game in the world.

Immensely popular amongst game enthusiasts, Othello® has sold more than 40 million units worldwide, according to Anjar Co., the game's international licensor. MDI signed a three year agreement with Becker Associates, the exclusive worldwide licensor of Othello® merchandise, for territories that include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden.

"An engaging strategy game with a huge and loyal following, Othello® presents the opportunity for a new and unique genre in the lottery game arena," said Steven Saferin, President and CEO of MDI Entertainment, a leader in licensed lottery promotions for more than 15 years.

"In addition, we have the situation in which hundreds of thousands of Othello® enthusiasts may be introduced to Lottery games while millions of loyal lottery players may be introduced to the popular board game," Mr. Saferin said.

Othello® was invented by Japanese game enthusiast, Goro Hasegawa in 1971. He chose one of the leading toy inventors in the world, James R. Becker, to help him develop and market the game. Inspired by the ancient Japanese strategy game 'Go', Hasegawa sought to create a game that was rich in strategy, but still approachable by the casual player. Becker simplified the game play, coined the tagline, 'A Minute to Learn...A Lifetime to Master'® and named this new game after Shakespeare's classic play, because of the black and white chips.

Othello® was first introduced in Japan in 1973, by Tsukuda Original Co., who at Becker's suggestion organized the Japanese Othello® Association. Today, Othello® Associations exist in over 20 different countries.

In 1977, Becker organized the first World Othello Championship(tm), bringing together many licensees from all over the world to share ideas, advertising and marketing strategies on an annual basis.

The 26th Annual World Othello Championship(tm) was held November 6-9, 2002, in Amsterdam, with fifty-two contestants representing 19 countries competing for thousands of dollars in prizes and the coveted 'Othello® Cup'. No other licensed game can boast this number of consecutive world championship tournaments.

The publicity that these tournaments have created has been extraordinary. In 1979, during the fourth World Othello Championship(tm) in Rome, a private audience with the Pope at the Vatican was arranged, where a custom-made Othello® was presented. The Pope said he was a big fan of Othello®.

MDI has the largest and most experienced team of national and international lottery sales and marketing experts, and they are already creating lottery ticket designs, game play styles, exciting prize packages and blockbuster promotions for this property.

MDI is a global leader in licensed lottery games and promotions. Lottery game themes and ticket designs make prominent use of MDI's widely recognized brands, cultural icons and celebrities through MDI's exclusive brands licensing programs. In addition to cash prizes, official logo and nostalgic merchandise and memorabilia are selected by the lotteries for prize packages. Instant winners, and second chance winners from bonus drawings, can land the additional prizes with non-winning tickets and special entries, all adding extra value to the lottery tickets.

MDI lottery brand licenses and turnkey promotions provide lotteries with most of the labor intensive tasks that accompany mass market merchandise prize management and fulfillment, and secure, random drawings.

MDI's services also include game and ticket design, merchandise prize fulfillment, management of second-and third-chance draws, fully-staffed customer service, coordination of winner travel & accommodations, staff training, advertising and marketing support, consumer research and Internet marketing and advertising.

The company's portfolio of licensed lottery properties includes but is not limited to NBA/National Basketball Association, Betty Boop™, Elvis Presley®, I Love Lucy®, Magic 8 Ball®, FIFA World Cup™ Soccer, Universal Studios Monsters™, SPAM , The Hulk™, The Honeymooners™, Louisville Slugger®, Pink Panther™, Wheel of Fortune®, Jeopardy!®, Harley-Davidson®, The Hollywood Sign™ and Hollywood Walk of Fame™, Ray Charles, Hollywood Squares™, TABASCO®, Lionel®, and race car drivers including Jeff Burton®, Mark Martin®, Matt Kenseth®, and Bill Elliott®.

*********************************

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" for forward-looking statements. Certain information included in this press release (as well as information included in oral statements or other written statements made or to be made by MDI) contains statements that are forward-looking, such as statements relating to the future anticipated direction of the lottery industry, plans for future expansion, various business development activities, planned capital expenditures, future funding sources, anticipated sales and potential contracts. Such forward-looking information involves important risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect anticipated results in the future and, accordingly, such results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of MDI. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those relating to development and expansion activities, dependence on existing management, financing activities, domestic and global economic conditions, changes in federal or state tax laws and market competition factors.

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© 2000 All Rights Reserved. MDI Entertainment, Inc. All Images & Photographs All Rights Reserved. No content or imagery can be used or duplicated without the express written consent of MDI Entertainment, Inc.

       BECKER ASSOCIATES GRANTS LICENSE FOR

INSTANT AND ONLINE OTHELLO LOTTERY TO MDI ENTERTAINMENT

STAMFORD, CT (December 4, 2002) - Becker Associates, the exclusive licensor for Othello Brand Merchandise worldwide, has recently signed an agreement with MDI Entertainment to license Othello Instant and On-line Lottery Promotions, for territories that include the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden.   MDI, a global leader in licensed lottery games and promotions, has the largest and most experienced team of national and international lottery sales and marketing experts. They are already creating lottery ticket designs, game play styles, exciting prize packages and blockbuster promotions for Othello.  Othello® game sales have now exceeded $600 million and more than 40 million games have been sold in over 100 different countries, making Othello the best selling licensed strategy game in the world, according to Anjar Co., the game's international licensor.  Becker Associates has developed an extensive line of Othello products which are now available for licensing.  First introduced as a game in Japan in 1973, the Othello Brand can now be found on merchandise that includes: Parity, the Othello Card Game, Othello Key Chains, and Othello Slot Machines, manufactured by IGT, the largest slot machine manufacturer in the world, who has just begun national distribution. The Othello Slot Machine has been nominated for the Top 20 Most Innovative Gaming Products of 2002.    Recently, Othello was recognized by Playthings Magazine, the principle Toy Industry publication, as one of the classic toys and games of the 20th Century still in production.  Other prestigious awards that Othello has won include: the Parents’ Choice Classic Toy Award, Games Magazine's Hall of Fame and Playthings Magazine's Classic Toys and Games of the 20th Century. Since its introduction, Othello has appeared in virtually every format as these platforms have become available including Atari, Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Gameboy, coin-op machines, CD-ROMs, and hand-held electronic. The 26th Annual World Othello Championship was held November 6-9, 2002, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.  Fifty-two contestants representing 19 countries competed for thousands of dollars in prizes and the coveted 'Othello Cup'.  No other licensed game can boast this number of consecutive world championship tournaments. The World Championship has been held in recent years in Athens, Barcelona, Copenhagen, London, Milan, Paris, Tokyo, Stockholm and Melbourne.   Othello is an instantly recognizable 'classic' game brand.  With sales that exceed all other licensed strategy games, Othello clearly has had a significant impact on American gaming culture.  As suggested by its tag line, 'A Minute to Learn…A Lifetime to Master,' Othello encompasses a unique combination of attributes: simplicity and strategic depth.  The striking 'black and white' look, the simplicity of the game and its strategic depth, provide the endearing qualities that have helped make Othello the most successfully licensed strategy game of the 20th Century.

Othello and A Minute to Learn… A Lifetime to Master are registered trademarks of Anjar Co. © 1975, 2002.  All Rights Reserved.

 It's 'to be' for Othello merchandise

By Staff
Playthings Extra -- 06/13/02

It may not be classic Shakespeare, but it's classic nevertheless.

With over $600 million in retail sales and more than 40 million games sold in over 100 countries, Othello is ready to be licensed internationally. And Becker Associates is set to do just that.

The company was granted the exclusive international licensing rights for Othello Brand Merchandise. Available categories, Patti Becker told Playthings Extra, include school supplies, food, apparel, stickers, stationery and paper goods, among others.

Introduced 27 years ago in the United States, Othello has generated worldwide organizations that exist in over 20 countries. It's also generated a lot of attention from celebrities, including the Pope, who was presented with a Deluxe Othello during a private audience.

In addition, an annual World Othello Championship has been held for 25 consecutive years, last year's being held in New York City. Anjar Co., Mattel Games and Tsukuda Co. were co-sponsors of the event.

Playthings: It's 'to be' for Othello merchandise~It may not be classic Shakespeare, but it's classic nevertheless. With over $600 million in retail sales and more than 40 million games sold in over 100 countries, Othello is ready to be licensed internationally. And Becker Associates is set to do just that.

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'A Minute to Learn...A Lifetime to Master!', Baby Get Well, Battle Dome, Breaking Point, Cat and Mouse, Family Table Tennis, Fireball Island, Foldable Hip Hoop, Go for Broke, Goops, Got A Minute, Grand Master, IFO, Kaboomers, Match II, Mini Boomerang, Othello, Quick Quiz, Roll ‘n Paint, Shirt Pocket Games, Shirt Pocket Puzzles, Shot Glass Game, Sliders, Sparkle Art and Whiplash are trademarks of Anjar Co.  Angel Cat Sugar is a  trademark of Tact Communications.