Press Releases
June 10, 2011 – 4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Announces featured SLATE at Licensing International Expo 2011
4KIDS ENTERTAINMENT, INC. ANNOUNCES FEATURED SLATE AT LICENSING INTERNATIONAL EXPO 2011 FOR 4KIDS AND 4SIGHT LICENSING DIVISIONS
NEW YORK (June 10, 2011) – 4Kids Licensing and 4sight Licensing Solutions, both divisions of 4Kids Entertainment Inc. will showcase a diverse brand portfolio, including several classic properties –
Yu-Gi-Oh!, The American Kennel Club, The Cat Fanciers Association as well as The Dog and Friends from the Artlist Collection.
The Yu-Gi-Oh! brand, celebrating its 10th Anniversary in 2011, is a cornerstone of the 4Kids Licensing divisions’ represented slate. The animated series currently airs on TheCW4Kids Toonzai Saturday morning programming block and streams on www.4Kids.TV. Several events to commemorate the franchise’s milestone, including a Toonzai 500 episode stunt, are planned throughout 2011. The Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time movie premiered early spring in theatres to enthusiastic audiences across the U.S. and UK. Konami’s Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game products are a top seller at retailers worldwide with monthly new releases supported by organized play and extensive print and television advertising. 4Kids will also be presenting ZEXAL, the new Yu-Gi-Oh! series scheduled to debut in the U.S. during fall of 2011. Featuring all new characters and monsters, this fourth season of the popular franchise will engage the next generation of duelists!
The 4sight Licensing Solutions portfolio includes representation of the American Kennel Club, the seal of approval for dog lovers with 126 years of brand equity. The extensive licensing program has more than 25 key licensees with products carried at over 5,000 U.S. retailers. Expanded non-traditional retail placement is slated for Fall 2011. Pet Brands will be introducing a new and innovative product line that exceeds 150 SKUs, including dog toys, treats and rawhides. Additionally, the Cat Fanciers Association merchandise continues to be a retail success across all product categories. As leading authorities and trusted household brand names, both the American Kennel Club and the Cat Fanciers Association are poised for continued growth as consumer spending on pet products is expected to increase to $50 billion in 2011.
The Dog and Friends from The Artlist Collection has been a 4sight mainstay since 2004. The popular fish-eye photographic images of Dogs, Cats, Pigs, Ducks, Rabbits and Hamsters is a global success across a broad array of product categories that include apparel, plush, publishing, housewares and bedding. In 2011, 4sight is pleased to bring a new twist to this classic franchise. A fresh art direction with graphical images and illustrations, inspired by the original photo collection, will be launched later this year for the infant/toddler and teen/tween markets.
Meat or Die, featured on www.toonzaki.com, is a recent addition to the 4sight portfolio. Appealing to young-adults, this comedic, short-form animated series features two super rare dinosaurs, which walk the earth with the hope that someday they will eat meat again. Fans will be challenged to capture some “fresh prey or die trying” when the Meat or Die mobile App and casual gaming are unveiled later this year.
Max Adventures is a new property signed on by 4Kids Entertainment’s international office in London whose team will spearhead and consult on brand growth strategies. Originating in Asia, this popular TV series introduces Max the Lion, who protects his people against the evil Shadow Master and is forced to defend his rule. Aimed at K6-11, the show has impressive distribution across major broadcasters throughout Europe and is already making its mark with Max Adventures ice cream sold at retail, in restaurants and at leisure parks.
Dinosaur King continues to be a leading brand and solid performer across Europe under 4Kids Licensing. The animated series chronicles the adventures of three heroes, Max, Rex and Zoe in search of mysterious cards that have the power to bring dinosaurs back to life! Licensed categories include apparel, toys, collectibles, housewares, stationary, gifts and novelties.
4sight is pleased to feature the art banks of Pachanga and Hokusai at the show. Created by Ecuadoran artist Belen Ména, Pachanga is a stunning collection, inspired by the designs and color patterns of more than 300 different species of South America moths. The original artworks from the celebrated 18th century Japanese artist, Katsushika Hokusai have been re-imagined with a modern twist and contemporary design. Ideal for a sophisticated home and fashion line, this collection is targeted to department stores and specialty retailers.
4sight, through its international office in London, will be presenting is the Kennel Club and Crufts, one of the world’s most famous dog shows. Bred in the UK, these classic brands have rich heritage and broad awareness with extensive merchandise for all dog lovers. The licensing strategy for the Kennel Club is focused on securing partners that reflect the organization’s history and prestige. Crufts is marketed as a separate brand and appeals to a broader audience.
Another 4sight property managed by its London subsidiary is Chicaloca, the fashion lifestyle brand from South Korea, created by Studio 109. Embodying the independent attitude of the modern female teen, this inspirational collection has already been a proven success in Asia and Latin America. Having debuted in the UK at select retailers in 2010, this fashion property continues to expand with a broader presence in the later part of 2011.
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About 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
With U.S. headquarters in New York City, and international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (Pink Sheets: KIDE.pk) is a global organization devoted to the creation, development, production, broadcasting, distribution, licensing and manufacturing of children’s entertainment products. Through its subsidiaries, 4Kids produces animated television series and films, distributes 4Kids’ produced or licensed animated television series for the domestic and international television and home video markets, licenses merchandising rights worldwide to 4Kids’ owned or represented properties, and operates Web sites to support 4Kids’ owned or represented properties. Additionally, the Company programs and sells the national advertising time in “TheCW4Kids” five-hour Saturday morning block on The CW Television Network. It continues to be the #1 kid broadcast network on Saturday mornings.
Additional information is available on the www.4kidsentertainmentinc.com corporate website and at the www.4Kids.tv web streaming and game station site as well as at www.toonzaki.com, a web portal that features uncut anime episodes
The information contained in this press release, other than historical information, consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors beyond the Company’s control, including general economic conditions, consumer spending levels, competition from toy companies, motion picture studios and other licensing companies, the uncertainty of public response to the Company’s properties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations. The information contained in this press release, other than historical information, consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors beyond the Company’s control, including general economic conditions, consumer spending levels, competition from toy companies, motion picture studios and other licensing companies, the uncertainty of public response to the Company’s properties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations.
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