THE WIGGLES

ANNOUNCE THE “TAKING OFF!” NORTH AMERICAN TOUR, AUGUST 17-OCT6 2013

**The Number One Children’s Entertainment Group Introduces, a New Cast Including the First-Ever Female Wiggle, a New TV Show, CD & DVD and a New Partnership with

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital **

The times are a changin’ and so are The Wiggles. After 21 years of entertaining children around the globe, The Wiggles will introduce three new cast members including the first-ever female member, Emma Watkins. These vibrant new Wiggles will bring the “Taking Off!” worldwide tour to over thirty-five major cities across North Americabetween August and October to support their new album of the same name available on Razor & Tie.  The Taking Off! DVD is slated for release later in August, a new television series recently added on Treehouse (CAN) and will debut on Sprout August 19th (USA). Continuing with their charitable efforts, The Wiggles are now a proud sponsor of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, the global leader in finding cures and saving children with cancer and other deadly diseases.  

Always educational and entertaining, The Wiggles includes a fun group of people and characters including Blue, Red, Yellow and Purple Wiggles with Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Wags the Dog and Henry the Octopus on board for an extra wiggly good time. "The Wiggles are all about getting kids to eat healthy and moving through dance. They're known for delighting generations of children and families who are captivated by their unique brand of music, fun and learning" said Paul Field, Managing Director of The Wiggles. Founding member Anthony Field, known as the Blue Wiggle noted, “The new cast will truly connect with today’s generation.” New members, Simon Pryce (Red Wiggle), Emma Watkins (Yellow Wiggle) and Lachlan Gillespie (Purple Wiggle) round out the group of talented musicians and entertainers. Anthony added,"Their energy and dedication to the brand is invigorating, and we are especially thrilled to add our "First Lady" Emma who, literally, has been a fan since she was a little girl. It was her dream come true."  Paul went on to say, “Little girls finally have a female Wiggle to look up to. InAustralia, the “Mini-Emma-Army” is becoming a national phenomenon with girls coming out in droves to each show dressed up as Emma in replica outfits complete with lots of bows.”

This will be the first time that North American audiences will get to meet the new line-up and hear new music, as well as sing along to their favorite hits all incorporated into their live show. Taking Off! features 21 new feet-stomping songs including the catchy soon-to-be favorite, “Do The Propeller!” as well as "Beep! Beep! Buckle Up!” "Emma (with the Bow in Her Hair)" and classics such as “Rock-A-Bye Your Bear” and “Get Ready To Wiggle.”    

The Wiggles have sold more than 23 million DVDs and videos, 7 million CDs and 8 million books worldwide and touched the lives of millions of children and families around the world.  Major celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Robert De Niro, Sarah Jessica Parker and Chris Martin are among their many fans. They have performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and on several national TV shows including “The Today Show”, “The View” and “Fox & Friends.”  “The New York Times” declared The Wiggles as “the band that rocks the cradle” and “TIME” mused, “The Wiggles may be singing and dancing their way into the heart of a toddler near you.”

The Wiggles brand continues to thrive, establishing major partnerships with Wicked Cool Toys, video and music partners N Circle and Razor & Tie and entertainment partners, Sprout TV, SiriusXM Radio and Corus Entertainment inCanada.

For a complete list of tour dates and ticket information for the “Taking Off!” tour, please visit:  www.thewiggles.com.