Press release: 1996-12-18: Sega's Pico once again recognized as the leading children's edutainment system

This is an unaltered copy of a press release, for use as a primary source on Sega Retro. Please do not edit the contents below. Language: English Original source: The Free Library

Sega's Pico once again recognized as the leading children's edutainment system; Parents, educators and kids give Pico two thumbs up.

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 1996--Sega of America proudly Wednesday announced that Pico, the best-selling electronic learning aid (ELA) for pre-schoolers ages 3-7, has received top honors from a variety of organizations recognizing exceptional products designed for children.

Technology & Learning magazine has awarded Pico Storyware "The Berenstain Bear's: A School Day" and "Smart Alex and Smart Alice: Curious Kids" with this year's highly coveted Award of Excellence. "Scholastic's The Magic School Bus: Going Places" has also been recognized as Dr. Toy's 100 Best Products, making it the third year in a row that a Storyware title and the Pico hardware system have been included in Dr. Stevanne Auerbach's annual review. The National Parenting Center has given "Disney's The Lion King: Adventures at Pride Rock" its prestigious Seal of Approval.

NAPPA (National Parenting Publications Awards), which recognizes the best in quality of children's products, has selected the Pico Storyware titles "A Year at Pooh Corner," "Disney's The Lion King: Adventures at Pride Rock," "Smart Alex and Smart Alice: Curious Kids" and "Scholastic's The Magic School Bus: Going Places" as this year's Honors Award winners.

"Pico has proven itself as a valuable learning tool not only by virtue of its retail sales but by the honors Pico has received since its 1994 introduction," said Lydia Gable, director of marketing, Pico. "Sega is very pleased with the contributions to children's education for which Pico has been credited."

Sega of America was the first in the industry to introduce an electronic learning aid with a combined hardware/software system. The Pico edutainment system plugs into the television and plays like a videogame while educating like a computer. With the help of the Magic Pen, a jumbo, crayon-like stylus, children can create new magic on the TV each time they play.

Pico's Storyware provides an entertaining approach to teaching youngsters how to count, spell, solve problems, match, read and create art, giving them a head start on learning and using computers. Pico is also a tremendous forum for parents to interact and get involved in their child's early education.

The Pico system retails nationwide for $139 while Storyware titles range in price from $39.99 - $49.99.

Sega of America is the arm of Tokyo-based Sega Enterprises Ltd. responsible for the development, marketing and distribution of Sega products in the Americas. Sega Enterprises Ltd. is a nearly $3.6 billion company known as a leader in interactive digital entertainment media, with operations on five continents. Sega of America's World Wide Web site is located at http://www.sega.com .

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CONTACT: Manning, Selvage & Lee

Sabrina Skacan, 213/782-6600 x257

[email protected]

or

Sega of America

Angela Edwards, 415/802-3908

[email protected]
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