Spellbound Entertainment signs master toy license with Fisher-Price for The Koala Brothersô

London October, 2003 ñ UK based rights holder Spellbound Entertainment announces major new toy deal for its debut property, The Koala Brothersô.

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 Brothersô.Ý The deal was brokered by Spellboundís US marketing agency, Big Tent Entertainment.

The Koala Brothersô is the first and much anticipated property of Spellbound Entertainment, headed up by Peter Curtis (Bob The Builder, Rubbadubbers) and business partner, Nick Barrington.Ý 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.Ý

The series will air on Disney Channel during its learning-based programming block for preschoolers, Playhouse Disney from early 2004.Ý In addition, The Koala Brothersô 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.Ý 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.Ý 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 Brothersô also will be created under the companyís Fisher-Price Brand by Mattel with additional items to be developed for the famous View MasterÆ product line.Ý Further, Spellbound Entertainment has granted Fisher-Price a non-exclusive worldwide license for The Koala Brothersô software for electronic learning systems such as the toy makerís popular ìPowerTouchô Learning Systemî and ìLearn Through Music Systemî.Ý

The new Fisher-Price partnership follows closely on the heels of The Koala Brothersô publishing agreement with Random House Childrenís Books, the worldís largest English language childrenís trade book publisher.Ý 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 Brothersô TV series, consisting of 26x30-minute episodes, produced in stop-frame model animation.Ý

îWe are thrilled to add Fisher-Price to our core list of leading licensees for The Koala Brothers,î said Peter Curtis, Spellboundís Joint Managing Director.Ý ìParents and caregivers throughout Europe and North America have long trusted Fisher-Price for the high-quality standards and play value provided by its products.Ý This extraordinary level of care and commitment makes the company a perfect fit for The Koala Brothersô, a property that underscores integrity and respect for others.î

ìWe 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,î said Richard K. Collins, CEO of Big Tent Entertainment.Ý ìWe strategically selected Fisher-Price for its product development capabilities, which will help us translate The Koala Brothersôíí ëWeíre here to helpí message into an engaging product range that benefits the whole child.Ý Fisher-Price has both the vision and know-how to meet this important goal.î

ìSpellbound Entertainmentís exciting and fresh new property has all the makings of an overwhelming success at retail,î said Kevin Curran, General Manager, Fisher-Price Friends.Ý ìWith its lovable lead characters and positive emotional messages (ìHelp is on its Way!î) The Koala Brothersô is exactly the kind of new preschool property we want to partner with.ÝÝ We couldnít be happier about sharing the propertyís exceptional, pro-social content with preschoolers through our new toy line.î

Additional licensing opportunities abound with the rich characters, settings and pro-social themes of The Koala Brothersô.Ý 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 Brothersô 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.

ìThe Koala Brothersô has all the ingredients to become a global childrenís classic ñ charming characters, great stories, a unique look and a strong message that itís good to help othersî, said Peter Curtis, Executive Producer for the series.Ý ìWeíre extremely proud of the series and confident that The Koala Brothersô will be spreading their message to young children around the world for many years to come!î

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.Ý Curtis, whose credits include serving as Executive Producer of Bob The Builder and creator of Rubbadubbers, is Executive Producer of Spellbound Entertainmentís The Koala Brothersô and the companyís Joint Managing Director.Ý Spellbound Entertainment controls all rights to The Koala Brothersô brand internationally and manages all TV distribution, home entertainment, publishing and licensing rights for the property.Ý

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.Ý Some of the Company's best-known "classic" brands include Little PeopleÆ, Power WheelsÆ and View-MasterÆ.ÝÝ The Fisher-Price brand includes some of the most popular and widely recognized character brands ñ from Barneyô and Blueís Cluesô to Disney, Dora the Explorerô, Sesame StreetÆ and Winnie the Pooh.Ý The Company also develops and markets juvenile products called babygear (nursery monitors, infant swings, high chairs and more).Ý 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.Ý Formed in 2002, the company focuses exclusively on building entertainment brands with an emphasis on children and families.Ý Amongst its other properties, Big Tent has a long-term agreement for all North American rights to Miffy & Friends, one of the worldís largest brands for toddlers and infants.Ý Spellbound appointed Big Tent Entertainment as its North American agent for The Koala Brothers earlier this year.

For further information contact:

Sue Holbrook, Spellbound Entertainment on 44 (0) 797 112 9008

Or by email sue@sueholbrook.com

Alison Grand, Grand Communications on 1 (212) 584 1133

Or by email: alison@grandcommunications.com