RC2's The First Years® Brand Announces New Agreement with Natus Medical for GumDrop™ Line

OAK BROOK, Ill., Sept. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- RC2 Corporation (Nasdaq: RCRC) announced that its The First Years brand, a leader in mother, infant and toddler products, has signed a multi-year product licensing agreement with Natus Medical Incorporated (Nasdaq: BABY) to manufacture and distribute a line of GumDrop pacifiers, accessories and other related items. The First Years' GumDrop product line is slated to debut at retail in early 2011.

Improving the Soothie® nipple design, GumDrop Pacifiers are uniquely contoured to naturally fit baby's face, eliminating the need to cut or trim the pacifier. Created with a familiar nipple shape that supports breastfeeding and is loved by babies, GumDrop pacifiers are made of a soft, single piece of silicone, are lighter than other pacifiers and provide a handle hole for a pacifier clip. GumDrop Pacifiers are available in two sizes, newborn (0 to 3 months) and infant, and come in playful green, blue, orange, pink and purple colors. In addition to pacifiers, The First Years' GumDrop line will include pacifier clips and cases.

"We're excited to partner with Natus Medical on the development and launch of our new GumDrop line," said Peter Henseler, President of Learning Curve Brands. "Trusted and used by hospitals and parents nationwide, GumDrop Pacifiers' unique shape offers a natural fit for baby and a safer pacifier that contours to the face and does not obstruct breathing.  We look forward to bringing these innovative new products to retail in 2011."

Natus Medical is a leading provider of healthcare products used for the screening, detection, treatment, monitoring and tracking of common medical ailments in newborn care. Natus helps families enjoy healthy lives through innovative medical products and services.

About RC2 Corporation

RC2 Corporation (www.rc2.com) is a leading designer, producer and marketer of a broad range of innovative, high-quality products for mothers, infants, and toddlers, as well as toys and collectible products sold to preschoolers, youths and adults. RC2's mother, infant, toddler and preschool products are primarily marketed under its Learning Curve® (www.learningcurve.com) family of brands which includes The First Years®, Lamaze® and JJ Cole® Collections brands, as well as popular and classic licensed properties such as Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Special Agent Oso, Chuggington, Dinosaur Train, John Deere, Disney's Winnie the Pooh, Princesses, Cars, Fairies and Toy Story, and other well-known properties. RC2 markets its youth and adult products primarily under the Johnny Lightning® (www.johnnylightning.com) and Ertl® (www.ertl.com) brands. RC2 reaches its target consumers through multiple channels of distribution supporting more than 25,000 retail outlets throughout North America, Europe, Australia, Asia Pacific and South America.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this release contain "forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words or phrases such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "expect," "intend," "may,'' "plans," "potential," "target," "should," "will" and "would." Such forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual results and future developments could differ materially from the results or developments expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to make any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this release or to update them to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release.

GumDrop™ is a trademark of Natus Medical Incorporated.

SOURCE RC2 Corporation