ɪn nˈaɪntiːnhˈʌndɹɪd nˈaɪnti sˈɪks, wˈɪtmɑːɹk ɛkspˈiəɹɪənst ɪts fˈoːɹθ kənsˈɛkjuːtˌɪv jˈɪɹ ʌv dᵻklˈaɪnɪŋ sˈeɪlz ænd ˈɜːnɪŋz, ænd ðə kˈʌmpəni ɐnˈaʊnst tʃˈeɪndʒᵻz tʊ ɪts ˈɑːpɚɹˌeɪɾɪŋ stɹˈæɾədʒi.
In 1996, Witmark experienced its fourth consecutive year of declining sales and earnings, and the company announced changes to its operating strategy.