EXHIBIT 99.1
                                                             ------------

                      PRESS RELEASE DATED APRIL 1, 2002

                           NEWELL RUBBERMAID NAMES
                    ERNST & YOUNG AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

   FREEPORT, Ill., April 1, 2002 - Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL)
   today announced that its board of directors has appointed the
   accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP as the company's independent
   auditors, replacing Arthur Andersen LLP.  Andersen has served as the
   company's auditors since 1984.

   This appointment concludes a comprehensive review of the outside
   accounting services provided to the company and a rigorous process to
   select an independent auditor for 2002.  The company said its decision
   to change accountants was made to ensure that Newell Rubbermaid's
   shareholders continue to have the utmost confidence in the integrity
   of the company's financial statements.

   The company said that during Arthur Andersen's tenure as the company's
   auditor, it consistently met the company's strict standards of audit
   service and exhibited the highest levels of professionalism.  The
   company added that an orderly and expeditious transition will be
   completed in time for Ernst & Young to review the company's first
   quarter earnings report to be released on May 1, 2002.

   Newell Rubbermaid is filing a Form 8-K with the Securities and
   Exchange Commission detailing the change in independent public
   accountants.

   Newell Rubbermaid Inc. is a global marketer of consumer products with
   2001 sales of nearly $7 billion and a powerful brand family including
   Sharpie{R}, Paper Mate{R}, Parker{R}, Waterman{R}, Rubbermaid{R}, Blue
   Ice{R}, Calphalon{R}, Little Tikes{R}, Graco{R}/Century{R},
   Levolor{R}, Kirsch{R}, Shur-Line{R}, and Eldon{R}.  The company is
   headquartered in Freeport, Illinois and employs 49,000 people
   worldwide.  For more information, visit the company's web site at
   www.newellco.com.

   Contact:  Jesse Herron, Director - Investor Relations, 815-381-8150,
   fax, 815-381-8155, Ken Ross, VP Corp. Communications, or  Victoria
   Gilbert, Mgr. Corp. Communications, 815-381-8151, fax, 815-381-8176,
   all of Newell Rubbermaid Inc.