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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SPELLBOUND ENTERTAINMENT AND BIG TENT ENTERTAINMENT ADD AMERICAN GREETINGS AND SPINMASTER TO BURGEONING LICENSING PROGRAM FOR BREAKOUT PRESCHOOL SERIES THE KOALA BROTHERS
Leading Social Expressions Giant And Major Global Products Manufacturer To Create Exciting Lines Based On One Of The Year's Most Appealing New Children's Franchises
New Deals Come As Disney Channel Adds Additional Daily Telecasts of
The Koala Brothers Television Series Due To Viewer Demand
New York, NY, June 8, 2004 — Spellbound Entertainment and its North American marketing agent Big Tent Entertainment are saying G'day to two new prominent partners with the announcement of licensing agreements with global product giants American Greetings and Spinmaster for The Koala Brothers. The addition of American Greetings for a line of social expressions products and Spinmaster for novelty furniture and Aquadoodle activity sets bolster an already impressive licensing program for the engaging, new preschool property. The roster already boasts such other industry heavyweights as Fisher Price (master toy), Random House (publishing), Children's Apparel Network (boys & girls apparel) and Jay Franco & Sons, Inc. (juvenile bedding).
These latest deals come as The Koala Brothers television series, airing on Disney Channel as part of the Playhouse Disney block, continues to establish itself as one of Playhouse Disney's top performers, boosting time period ratings with preschoolers of both genders. . Since its debut in late-January, the visually stunning, stop-frame animated series -- centering on the adventures of good natured koalas Frank and Buster whose credo is "We're here To Help" -- has found such a loyal audience that Disney Channel will present the series in additional daily timeslots, a total of 12 telecasts each week. Beginning June 21, Disney Channel will present The Koala Brothers twice every weekday, continuing its 12:00 noon timeslot and adding an additional telecast at 7:00 a.m.— considered primetime for preschool programming. As of June 26, the series further expands to weekends, Saturday and Sundays at 7:00 a.m., broadening its viewing audience.
The U.S. success mirrors the show's popularity across the globe where it has become a sensation in countries ranging from England to Australia.
"It is really refreshing to see so many children responding to the characters and its kindhearted message," said Peter Curtis, Joint Managing Director of Spellbound Entertainment and Executive Producer of the television series. "This immediate success in the U.S. has all of our partners incredibly excited and committed to developing product lines that further allow the growing fan base to interact with the appealing characters and help them spread the series' mission of helping others."
Through the multi-year deal with American Greetings, The Koala Brothers adorable cast of characters and caring messages will be spotlighted on a wide range of social expressions products. These will include greeting cards, gift wrap and bags, paper party goods, stickers and Heirloom Collection ornaments. The initial products will launch in Fall 2005.
Meanwhile, Spinmaster will develop a complete line of foam based furniture inspired by the series, such as flip open sofas, chairs, and tri-mats, as well as decorative bed canopies. Spinmaster will also add The Koala Brothers to its best-selling Aquadoodle line. The initial Spinmaster products will also hit retail in 2005.
Rich Collins, CEO of Big tent Entertainment added, "it is exciting to be associated with a property like The Koala Brothers. As we have stated all along, we are looking to build this into a franchise that has long-term success in the marketplace. Adding the likes of American Greetings and Spinmaster who have such strong retail presence and incredible creative visions for the property will further help us achieve this objective."
About The Koala Brothers Television Series
The series' appealing characters and storylines, coupled with its emphasis on respect for others, kindness and emotional support, has struck a chord with audiences across the globe. In addition to its current U.S. success, the series consistently rates as the #1 preschool series in its time slot in the UK on the BBC and was the highest rated pre-school series in Australia on the ABC. A host of blue chip broadcasters across Europe, North and South America including Super RTL, TVOntario and Discovery Kids Latin America have also committed to carrying the series.
The Koala Brothers recently won Best Pre-School Series at the 2004 British Animation Awards.
About Spellbound Entertainment Limited
About Big Tent Entertainment Inc.
"Help is on its Way!"
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Jeffrey Klein, Judy Drutz |