EXHIBIT 99.1
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                                PRESS RELEASE
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      Newell Rubbermaid Appoints Three Key Executives To Expanded Roles

   ATLANTA, September 2, 2003 - Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL) today
   announced that to accelerate the deployment of the Newell Rubbermaid
   Operational Excellence initiatives throughout the corporation, and to
   further streamline the senior management operating structure, it has
   appointed three key executives to expanded roles effective
   immediately.

   James J. Roberts has been named Group President and Chief Operating
   Officer of the Rubbermaid / Irwin Group, and Karl F. Kahofer has been
   promoted to the role of Group President for Rubbermaid / Irwin's
   European and Asian Pacific businesses. Robert S. Parker has been named
   Group President and Chief Operating Officer of the Sharpie / Calphalon
   Group.  Roberts and Parker report to Joseph Galli, Chief Executive
   Officer, and Kahofer reports to Roberts.

   In a statement Galli said, "This streamlined senior management
   operating structure will simplify the rollout of companywide
   initiatives critical to our success, including the Newell Rubbermaid
   Operational Excellence program.  Under Jim and Bob s leadership we
   will now be able to drive 'NWL OPEX' faster and more consistently
   throughout the company, leading to improved overall operating
   results."

   Roberts joined Newell Rubbermaid as Group President of the Irwin Group
   in April 2001.  Over the past two and one-half years he has delivered
   exceptional results.  His successful integration of two key
   acquisitions and his leadership of NWL OPEX both represent important
   achievements for the corporation.

   Karl Kahofer has been President - Irwin Home Decor & Tools - Europe &
   Asia Pacific.  He joined the company in August 2001 and has done an
   exceptional job leading his team through a comprehensive restructuring
   plan and in delivering consistently outstanding results.

   Bob Parker is a 20-year veteran of the Sanford (Sharpie) writing
   instrument business.  As Group President of the Sharpie Group since
   1998, he has done an outstanding job developing this business into a
   $1.5 billion global writing instrument business delivering exceptional
   results.

   For financial reporting, the company's segment disclosures for the
   Rubbermaid, Irwin, Sharpie and Calphalon groups will remain the same.







   Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

   The statements contained in this press release that are not historical
   in nature are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements
   are not guarantees since there are inherent difficulties in predicting
   future results, and actual results could differ materially from those
   expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.  For a list of
   major factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
   from those projected, refer to Newell Rubbermaid's first quarter 2003
   10-Q, Exhibit 99.1, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   About Newell Rubbermaid

   Newell Rubbermaid Inc. is a global marketer of consumer products with
   2002 sales of over $7 billion and a powerful brand family including
   Sharpie{R}, Paper Mate{R}, Parker{R}, Waterman{R}, Colorific{R},
   Rubbermaid{R}, Stain Shield{TM}, Blue Ice{R}, TakeAlongs{R},
   Roughneck{R}, Brute{R}, Calphalon{R}, Little Tikes{R}, Graco{R},
   Levolor{R}, Kirsch{R}, Shur-Line{R}, BernzOmatic{R}, Goody{R}, Vise-
   Grip{R}, Quick-Grip{R}, IRWIN{R}, Lenox{R}, and Marathon{R}. The
   company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and employs approximately
   43,000 people worldwide.

   Company Contacts:
   David Honan, Vice President Investor Releations, 770-670-2215
   Dean Werner, Director Corporate Communications, 770-670-2215