FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

Newell Rubbermaid Inc. Signs FLW Outdoors Sponsorship
 

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (March 25, 2002) — FLW Outdoors announced Monday that
Newell Rubbermaid Inc., a global marketer of consumer products whose
well-known brands include Sharpie®, Rubbermaid®, and Little Tikes®, among
others, is the newest member of its world-class sponsorship team.

The agreement gives Newell Rubbermaid access to FLW Outdoors’ broad lineup
of Wal-Mart fishing tournaments, which in 2002 comprise 170 events in five
circuits ranging from the high-profile $5.1 million Wal-Mart FLW Tour to the
$7 million Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League for weekend anglers. Overall, FLW
Outdoors and its sponsors could award up to $22 million in cash and prizes
to anglers this season.

Newell Rubbermaid is one of a growing number of marketing powerhouses to
recognize competitive fishing’s appeal to an estimated audience of 77
million outdoor enthusiasts nationwide. Since the introduction of the
Wal-Mart FLW Tour in 1996, FLW Outdoors has become the avenue of choice for
companies looking to reach a previously untapped market. In fact, 39
industry-leading sponsors have signed on for the 2002 season!

“When evaluating sponsorship prospects, it quickly becomes clear that FLW
Outdoors offers a unique opportunity for companies to form lasting bonds
with an extremely loyal customer base,” said Steven Scheyer, president of
Newell Rubbermaid’s Wal-Mart Division. “We are extremely proud of our new
association with such a well respected organization.”

Starting immediately, Newell Rubbermaid will be featured on “FLW Outdoors,”
which airs Saturday’s at 3 p.m. EST, 2 p.m. CST and 3 p.m. PST on the PAX TV
network. The television series features live broadcasts from each Wal-Mart
FLW Tour stop, the Ranger M1 and the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League
All-American plus live studio coverage of competitive fishing news — a first
for the sport.

The company’s sponsorship also includes a distinctive Chevy Silverado tow
vehicle and specially designed Ranger boat with Newell Rubbermaid logos for
use in Wal-Mart FLW Tour events, signage at tournaments, creation of a
Newell Rubbermaid angler award program, advertisements in FLW Outdoors
magazine, inclusion in FLW Outdoors promotional and public relations
materials, and prominent display on the FLW Outdoors Web site.

Newell Rubbermaid products will be showcased in the Family Fun Zone set up
at each Wal-Mart FLW Tour event. Each Fun Zone features interactive games
and product displays that help sponsors build brand awareness and loyalty
with Wal-Mart customers.

“Newell Rubbermaid is a world-class company with premium brands in a variety
of consumer categories,” said Irwin L. Jacobs, FLW Outdoors chairman. “We
are thrilled to have the company, it’s brands and it’s employees as a part
of our sponsorship team.”

Newell Rubbermaid Inc. is a global marketer of consumer products with 2001
sales of nearly $7 billion and a powerful brand family including Sharpie®,
Paper Mate®, Parker®, Waterman®, Rubbermaid®, Blue Ice®, Calphalon®, Little
Tikes®, Graco®/Century®, Levolor®, Kirsch®, Shur-Line® and Eldon®.  The
company is headquartered in Freeport, Ill., and employs 48,800 people
worldwide.

FLW Outdoors is the world’s leading marketer of competitive fishing
tournaments through the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass
Fishing League, Texas Tournament Trail, and Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit.
Newell Rubbermaid is sponsoring each circuit.

FLW Outdoors sponsors are Wal-Mart, ALPO Pet Foods, BC Powder, BFGoodrich
Tires, Castrol, Chevy Trucks, Coleman, Conseco, Eagle Electronics,
Energizer, EverStart Batteries, Evinrude, Faded Glory, Frito-Lay, Fujifilm,
Garmin, Kellogg’s, Land O’Lakes, Maxwell House, Minn Kota, Newell
Rubbermaid, Pepsi, Poulan, Ranger Boats, Shop-Vac, Snickers, Stanley Works,
Stren, US Bank, Weed Eater and Yamaha Outboards. Associate sponsors are Abu
Garcia, Act II, Berkley, David Sunflower Seeds, Eagle Claw, Laker, Plano and
Solar Bat.

For more information about FLW Outdoors and its Wal-Mart tournament
circuits, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call 270-362-4880. For more information
about Newell Rubbermaid and its product lineup, visit Rubbermaid.com.

	Laker

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