Spellbound Entertainment signs master toy license with Fisher-Price for The Koala Brothers™
London October, 2003 — UK based rights holder Spellbound Entertainment announces major new toy deal for its debut property, The Koala Brothers™.
Spellbound Entertainment has secured preschool toy leader Fisher-Price as its master toy partner for North America and Latin America with exclusive rights to create toys based on the adventures of The Koala Brothers™. The deal was brokered by Spellbound's US marketing agency, Big Tent Entertainment.
The Koala Brothers™ is the first and much anticipated property of Spellbound Entertainment, headed up by Peter Curtis (Bob The Builder, Rubbadubbers) and business partner, Nick Barrington. With its firmly-placed emphasis on respect for others, kindness and emotional support, the series received its premiere earlier this month in the UK on the BBC and will soon debut in more than 100 million homes across North America.
The series will air on Disney Channel during its learning-based programming block for preschoolers, Playhouse Disney from early 2004. In addition, The Koala Brothers™ has also attracted an expansive list of blue chip broadcasters including Super RTL in Germany, ABC in Australia and TV Ontario in Canada as well as a string of outstanding licensing partners. In its first year, the series will reach a viewing audience of over 130 million homes.
As part of the newly announced partnership, Fisher-Price will create a wide range of innovative preschool and toddler toys based on koala brothers, Frank and Buster, and their community of colorful outback friends. Available at retail stores nationwide beginning in Fall 2005, the engaging new offerings include an assortment of plush as well as traditional, preschool toys.
New games and puzzles inspired by The Koala Brothers™ also will be created under the company's Fisher-Price Brand by Mattel with additional items to be developed for the famous View Master® product line. Further, Spellbound Entertainment has granted Fisher-Price a non-exclusive worldwide license for The Koala Brothers™ software for electronic learning systems such as the toy maker's popular "PowerTouch™ Learning System" and "Learn Through Music System".
The new Fisher-Price partnership follows closely on the heels of The Koala Brothers™ publishing agreement with Random House Children's Books, the world's largest English language children's trade book publisher. Both the Random House publishing program and the Fisher-Price toy agreement provide the respective new licensees with the rights to develop product for the property based on The Koala Brothers™ TV series, consisting of 26x30-minute episodes, produced in stop-frame model animation.
"We are thrilled to add Fisher-Price to our core list of leading licensees for The Koala Brothers," said Peter Curtis, Spellbound's Joint Managing Director. "Parents and caregivers throughout Europe and North America have long trusted Fisher-Price for the high-quality standards and play value provided by its products. This extraordinary level of care and commitment makes the company a perfect fit for The Koala Brothers™, a property that underscores integrity and respect for others."
"We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Fisher-Price, a company that is celebrated the world over for its beautifully made toys and its considerable marketing and distribution expertise," said Richard K. Collins, CEO of Big Tent Entertainment. "We strategically selected Fisher-Price for its product development capabilities, which will help us translate The Koala Brothers™'' 'We're here to help' message into an engaging product range that benefits the whole child. Fisher-Price has both the vision and know-how to meet this important goal."
"Spellbound Entertainment's exciting and fresh new property has all the makings of an overwhelming success at retail," said Kevin Curran, General Manager, Fisher-Price Friends. "With its lovable lead characters and positive emotional messages ("Help is on its Way!") The Koala Brothers™ is exactly the kind of new preschool property we want to partner with. We couldn't be happier about sharing the property's exceptional, pro-social content with preschoolers through our new toy line."
Additional licensing opportunities abound with the rich characters, settings and pro-social themes of The Koala Brothers™. The standout new series takes place in the Australian Outback and features a delightful group of indigenous animals, including Mitzi the possum, who is often in such a hurry that she walks right out of her flip-flops, and Ned the little wombat, who has a habit of hitching up his trousers, which always seem to be falling down.
The Koala Brothers™ is set in the Australian outback and features koalas, Frank and Buster, Ned a little wombat who lives in a caravan in their front yard and Mitzi, a cute little possum who keeps the boys in check!
The series of 52 x 10 minute episodes are currently in production in the UK and will also be available as 26 x half hours.
"The Koala Brothers™ has all the ingredients to become a global children's classic — charming characters, great stories, a unique look and a strong message that it's good to help others", said Peter Curtis, Executive Producer for the series. "We're extremely proud of the series and confident that The Koala Brothers™ will be spreading their message to young children around the world for many years to come!"
Help is on its Way!
Editors Notes:
Spellbound Entertainment Limited was formed in 2002 by Peter Curtis, previous Head of Creative Development at HIT Entertainment PLC, and Nick Barrington, former executive at Endemol Entertainment UK PLC. Curtis, whose credits include serving as Executive Producer of Bob The Builder and creator of Rubbadubbers, is Executive Producer of Spellbound Entertainment's The Koala Brothers™ and the company's Joint Managing Director. Spellbound Entertainment controls all rights to The Koala Brothers™ brand internationally and manages all TV distribution, home entertainment, publishing and licensing rights for the property.
Fisher-Price, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT) and located in East Aurora, New York, is the leading brand of infant and preschool toys in the world. Some of the Company's best-known "classic" brands include Little People®, Power Wheels® and View-Master®. The Fisher-Price brand includes some of the most popular and widely recognized character brands from Barney™ and Blue's Clues™ to Disney, Dora the Explorer™, Sesame Street® and Winnie the Pooh. The Company also develops and markets juvenile products called babygear (nursery monitors, infant swings, high chairs and more). The Company's web site can be found at www.fisher-price.com, providing valuable articles and resources to new and expectant parents.
Big Tent Entertainment Inc. is a marketing agency specializing in the integrated management of entertainment brands. Formed in 2002, the company focuses exclusively on building entertainment brands with an emphasis on children and families. Amongst its other properties, Big Tent has a long-term agreement for all North American rights to Miffy & Friends, one of the world's largest brands for toddlers and infants. Spellbound appointed Big Tent Entertainment as its North American agent for The Koala Brothers earlier this year.
For further information contact:
OR
Alison Grand, Grand Communications on 1 (212) 584 1133
Spellbound Entertainment Limited.
Sue Holbrook, Spellbound Entertainment on 44 (0) 797 112 9008
Or by email: sue@sueholbrook.com
Or by email: alison@grandcommunications.com
6 Primrose Mews, Sharpleshall Street, Primrose Hill, London NW1 8YL, UK
Tel: +44 207 483 2172. Fax: +44 207 2059. Email: info@spellbound.uk.com