Camp Rock's Meaghan Martin and David Archuleta Also Add Talents to Movement's Song "Let's Talk About Love"

WESTPORT, Conn. (April 16, 2009) — What do GRAMMY® award-winning singer Natalie Cole, Camp Rock star Meaghan Martin and David Archuleta of American Idol fame have in common? They all have joined the 2009 Love. Hugs. Peace.™ movement, a global giving campaign created by Build-A-Bear Workshop® that offers young people around the world fun and simple ways to give back and support Save the Children. These artists have added their vocal talents to the movement's signature song, "Let's Talk About Love," each creating a special rendition that helps spread the message of sharing and love and benefits Save the Children.

Natalie Cole supports the Peace. Love. Hugs. movement. Credit: Matthew Rolston

"When Build-A-Bear Workshop invited me to be part of its Love. Hugs. Peace. movement, I couldn't resist," said Natalie Cole, the latest artist to support the cause. "As a mom, I always tried to instill in my son the importance of giving back. The Love. Hugs. Peace. movement teaches that lesson beautifully."

Cole's adult contemporary version of "Let's Talk About Love" will be released in May; Martin's more pop-style take on the song debuts Friday, April 17. Archuleta's ballad version of the song, (click here to watch it on our YouTube channel) unveiled in February, is still available, and additional artists are set to jump on board to record the song as the movement continues throughout the year. 

Kids (and adults) can visit www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace or any participating Build-A-Bear Workshop store and receive a free download card of "Let's Talk About Love" performed by the artist of their choice as a thank you for their $1 donation to Save the Children. From April 17 through April 30, for each Meaghan Martin song download, Build-A-Bear Workshop will match its guests' donations up to an additional $10,000 to Save the Children.

To date, with the help of its guests, Build-A-Bear Workshop has already raised more than $100,000 to support Save the Children. In addition, nearly 150,000 kids from around the world have joined the movement at www.buildabear.com/lovehugspeace and made a love, hugs or peace pledge to do something small to make the world a better place.  Whether it's making a promise to volunteer time to a cause, share a special moment with a friend, assist a grandparent or elderly person, write a thank you note or help save the earth, young people are accepting the challenge to do their part to make a difference one act of kindness at a time. 

"Love. Hugs. Peace. is about how everyone, no matter how young or old they are, can help to make the world a better place," said Maxine Clark, founder and chief executive bear of Build-A-Bear Workshop and the mastermind behind the movement. "Together friends can make a world of difference, and it can all start with a hug and a song!"

David Archuleta's version of the song was released in February, 2009.

Song Offers Universal Appeal

"Let's Talk About Love" was created to bring the Love. Hugs. Peace. movement to life. Written especially for Build-A-Bear Workshop by Tena Clark, founder and chief executive officer/chief creative officer of DMI Music & Media Solutions, the powerful tune embodies the spirit of giving. Each artist that sings the song lends a unique style and rhythm so that, while the message remains the same, the tune appeals to fans of various ages and music genres.

Eight-time GRAMMY award-winner, Natalie Cole's Still Unforgettable CD won two GRAMMY Awards and an NAACP Image Award this year. This was the long-awaited follow up to Cole's 1991 critically acclaimed album Unforgettable ... With Love, a jazzy tribute to her father, Nat King Cole. Cole also is an actress and best-selling author and believes it is good for the soul to do things for others.  For more information about Natalie Cole's current tour dates, please visit her website: www.NatalieCole.com.

Seventeen-year-old Meaghan Martin, who will reprise her character Tess in Disney's upcoming Camp Rock 2, is also a regular on ABC Family's 10 Things I Hate About You. 

New Exclusive Merchandise

The Love. Hugs. Peace. movement is represented by three icons: a heart, a teddy bear and a peace sign. These graphic elements will be featured on various Build-A-Bear Workshop fashions and furry friends throughout the year.  Plus, an exclusive series of Love. Hugs. Peace. bear-sized tees (prices range from $5 - $6.50) has been designed to keep the momentum of the movement going.  Build-A-Bear Workshop will donate 25 cents to Save the Children from the sale of these tees.  A new Love. Hugs. Peace. rhinestone tank will debut both in-store and online on April 17 to coincide with the launch of Meaghan Martin's song rendition. 

Virtual Components 

The movement extends to buildabearville.com®, the Build-A-Bear Workshop virtual world which today engages more than 8 million citizens. Note: Parental permission may be required to access buildabearville.com. The Chloe Show, the virtual world's celebrity interview segment, will feature a special behind-the-scenes interview with Meaghan Martin from April 17-30.  And, when guests make their $1 donation to Save the Children to receive the Meaghan Martin song download card, they will also get an exclusive virtual outfit code to use in buildabearville.com. 

Build-A-Bear Workshop, Inc., is the only global company that offers an interactive make-your-own stuffed animal retail-entertainment experience. The company currently operates more than 400 Build-A-Bear Workshop stores worldwide, including company-owned stores in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and France, and franchise stores in Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. Founded in St. Louis in 1997, Build-A-Bear Workshop is the leader in interactive retail. Brands include make-your-own Major League Baseball® mascot in-stadium locations, Build-A-Dino® stores and friends 2B made® doll locations. In December 2007, Build-A-Bear Workshop extended its in-store interactive experience online with the launch of its virtual world at www.buildabearville.com.

Save the Children reaches girls and boys in the United States and more than 120 countries.  The contribution being made to Save the Children through the Build-A-Bear Workshop Love. Hugs. Peace. movement will support its immediate and long-term programs that help ensure children are protected, healthy and well-nourished, learn and develop, and live in food-secure and economically viable households.