8-K

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C. 20549

                            --------------------

                                  FORM 8-K

                               CURRENT REPORT
                   PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                       SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):  January 22, 2003

                           NEWELL RUBBERMAID INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

            Delaware                  1-9608              36-3514169
   (State or Other Jurisdiction    (Commission          (IRS Employer
        of Incorporation)          File Number)      Identification No.)

   29 East Stephenson Street, Freeport, Illinois          61032-0943
     (Address of Principal Executive Offices)             (Zip Code)

       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (815) 235-4171







   Item 5.   Other Events and Required FD Disclosure.

        On January 22, 2003, the Registrant issued a press release
   announcing the appointment to its board of directors of Dr. Thomas E.
   Clarke, president, new business ventures for Nike Inc.  The
   Registrant's board of directors appointed Dr. Clarke to fill a newly
   created vacancy and will nominate him for election at the Registrant's
   annual shareholders' meeting May 7 in Chicago.  A copy of the press
   release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by
   reference.


   Item 7.   Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Statements and
             Exhibits

        (c)  Exhibits.

             Exhibit
             Number              Description
             ------              -----------

             99.1                Press Release dated January 22, 2003.







                                 SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
   1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
   behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

                                      NEWELL RUBBERMAID INC.


   Date:  January 22, 2003       By:  /s/ Andrea L. Horne
                                      ----------------------------------
                                      Andrea L. Horne
                                      Vice President - Corporate
                                        Development







                                EXHIBIT INDEX

   Exhibit No.         Description
   -----------         -----------

   99.1                Press Release dated January 22, 2003

EX-99

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

                    PRESS RELEASE DATED JANUARY 22, 2003

                         NEWELL RUBBERMAID APPOINTS
               NIKE'S THOMAS CLARKE TO ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

   FREEPORT, Ill., January 22, 2003 - Newell Rubbermaid Inc. (NYSE: NWL)
   today announced the appointment of Dr. Thomas E. Clarke, president,
   new business ventures for Nike Inc., and an executive with broad
   experience in the consumer products industry, to its board of
   directors.  Newell Rubbermaid's board appointed Dr. Clarke to fill a
   newly created vacancy and will nominate him for election at the
   company's annual shareholders' meeting May 7 in Chicago.

   In announcing his appointment, Newell Rubbermaid's chief executive
   officer Joe Galli cited Dr. Clarke's extensive global brand
   management, marketing and product development expertise and
   organizational development experience.

   Dr. Clarke, age 51, joined Nike in 1980 after completing his PhD in
   Biomechanics from Pennsylvania State University and has spent his
   entire professional career with the company.  In his current role with
   Nike, Dr. Clarke is responsible for the recently created new business
   ventures operation, which targets new product markets and
   diversification efforts for Nike Inc. worldwide.  During his six-year
   tenure as president and chief operating officer, Nike more than
   doubled revenue, progressing from $3.8 billion to over $9.0 billion.
   Most notably during this time period, Nike increased business outside
   the U.S. by 20% per year, grew apparel almost fourfold to a $3 billion
   worldwide business and established credibility in the most important
   global sport, football.

   "We are very pleased that Tom has agreed to join us and look forward
   to the extensive brand development and marketing expertise he brings
   to our board of directors," said Mr. Galli.  "Tom played an integral
   role in the globalization of Nike and will be instrumental in
   contributing to the strategic direction of Newell Rubbermaid."

   About the Company

   Newell Rubbermaid is a global marketer of consumer products with 2001
   sales of nearly $7 billion and a powerful brand portfolio including
   Sharpie{R}, Paper Mate{R}, Parker{R}, Waterman{R}, Colorific{R},
   Rubbermaid{R}, Stain Shield{TM}, Blue Ice{R}, TakeAlongs{TM},
   Roughneck{R}, Calphalon{R}, Little Tikes{R}, Graco{R}, Levolor{R},
   Kirsch{R}, Shur-Line{R}, BernzOmatic{R}, Goody{R}, Vice-Grip{R},
   Quick-Grip{R}, Irwin{R} and Lenox{R}.  The company is headquartered in
   Freeport, Ill. And employs approximately 48,000 employees worldwide.







   Company Contacts

   Jesse Herron, Director - Investor Relations, (815) 381-8150

   Victoria Gilbert, Manager - Corporate Communications, (815) 381-8151