ITV Studios Global Entertainment Appoints Vivid As Master Toy Partner For
Thunderbirds are Go!

13 May 2013 – ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) has appointed Vivid as its master toy partner in Europe, Australia and New Zealand for Thunderbirds are Go! (w/t), the major new children’s television series co-produced by ITV Studios and Pukeko Pictures in association with Weta Workshop, which is set to premiere in 2015.

Vivid will produce a range of Thunderbirds are Go! toys, including figurines and vehicles; play sets; die cast models; role play and dress up toys; construction toys; board games and puzzles. The products will launch in the UK in 2015 to coincide with the premiere of the new series, 50 years after its first television debut. The products will then roll out to international markets.

Trudi Hayward, SVP Global Merchandising, ITV Studios Global Entertainment, said: “Vivid’s position as a leading international toy manufacturer and familiarity with the iconic Thunderbirds brand makes the company the perfect toy partner for the new series. Thunderbirds are Go! is set to bring the world’s most famous family of heroes to a new audience, and we look forward to seeing the toys that will help bring the show to life in homes across Europe, Australia and New Zealand.”

“We are delighted to be partnering again with ITVS GE on Thunderbirds as master toy partner,” states Vivid CEO Paul Weston. “The collective expertise of ITVS GE, Pukeko Pictures, Weta and Vivid make this a compelling must-have toy line for our retail partners across the world.”

ITV Studios and New Zealand based Pukeko Pictures, in collaboration with world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, The Lord of the Rings) are co-producing Thunderbirds are Go! a 26 x 30’ major new children’s series set to debut on ITV and UK’s CITV Channel in 2015. It is currently in pre-production.

This re-invention of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s iconic series will be produced using a unique mix of CGI animation and live-action model sets. Showcasing Pukeko Pictures’ and Weta Workshop’s ground-breaking creative and technical excellence, it will deliver a whole new level of action-adventure animation for today’s audience, whilst also affectionately paying tribute to the legacy of model locations from the classic series.

ENDS

 About ITV Studios Global Entertainment

ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) is one of the world’s leading international TV distribution and consumer products businesses. The consumer products division brings together home entertainment, promotions, licensing and publishing under one umbrella, with the merchandise and publishing operation bringing brands to life off screen, working with licensed partners and retailers to bring quality products to consumers. ITVS GE’s successful and diverse portfolio includes ITV Studios brands like Hell’s Kitchen USA and Come Dine With Me, wholly owned properties such as Thunderbirds and third party properties such as Cut The Rope, Babar and Matt Hatter Chronicles.

For more information, please contact:

Jessica Bromley 020 7157 3716 / jessica.bromley@itv.com

Tracey Jaques 020 7157 6185 / tracey.jaques@itv.com

About Vivid Group

Based in Guildford UK with offices in Paris, Frankfurt, Hong Kong and China, the Vivid Group is an independent, privately owned toy, games and stationery company that designs and markets in over 45 countries worldwide.  Key properties include Moshi Monsters, Crayola, AniMagic, Tickety Toc, Skylanders, Walking With Dinosaurs, The Hobbit, One Direction and Little Mix. The company is the number one British toy company.

For further information please contact:

Emma Arthur or Selina Dangerfield

Vivid Press Office, Norton & Company

Tel: 01608 812830

Email: selina@nortonandco.com or emma@nortonandco.com

Iconic Series is Back After 50 Years for a 2015 debut on CITV

ITV Studios is to re-invent the Classic Thunderbirds series 50 years on from its first television debut.

ITV Studios and New Zealand based Pukeko Pictures, in collaboration with world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, The Lord of the Rings) are to co-produce Thunderbirds are Go! (working title) a 26 x 30’ major new children’s series set to debut on ITV and UK’s CITV Channel in 2015.

This re-invention of Gerry and Sylvia Anderson’s iconic series will be produced using a unique mix of CGI animation and live-action model sets. Showcasing Pukeko Pictures’ and Weta Workshop’s ground-breaking creative and technical excellence, it will deliver a whole new level of action-adventure animation for today’s audience, whilst also affectionately paying tribute to the legacy of model locations from the classic series.

Featuring the world’s most famous family of heroes, International Rescue, Thunderbirds are Go! will blast the five brave Tracy brothers back on to television screens piloting their incredible vehicles into impossible rescues across the globe.

Thunderbirds are Go! will be executive produced by Estelle Hughes for ITV Studios, Giles Ridge for ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE) and Richard Taylor and Andrew Smith for Pukeko Pictures. The series head writer is Rob Hoegee (Generator Rex, Teen Titans, Ben 10, Slugterra.)

Thunderbirds are Go! is commissioned by Jamila Metran, Head of Programming for CITV, and is currently in pre-production.

Denise O Donoghue, Managing Director ITV Studios UK, comments:  “Thunderbirds is a highly respected brand that continues to hold recognition around the world. This cult series is often credited as changing the history of animation and action-adventure, and we look forward to taking the show to another level while retaining the much-loved heritage that has endured over the past fifty years.”

Jamila Metran, Head of Programming for CITV, adds: “Thunderbirds Are Go! will be a hugely exciting new show for the CITV audience. We’re delighted to be working with ITV Studios and the talented teams at Pukeko Pictures and Weta Workshop, whose success and innovation is renowned across the film and television industry. Thunderbirds is a much-loved British institution with significant global recognition, and our audience will relish this timely opportunity to discover the new series fifty years on.”

Richard Taylor, co-owner of Pukeko Pictures and Weta Workshop, says: “Thunderbirds was a hugely influential television series in my childhood.  Having watched it originally in black and white, it was only years later that I discovered the full and rich world that Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, Derek Meddings, Mike Trimm and their team created.  It is thrilling therefore to think we have the opportunity to work with ITV on this new series inspired by this most wonderful of British shows. I personally, together with the teams here at Pukeko Pictures and Weta Workshop, look forward to designing and creating an inspirational world that will engage the imagination of a whole new generation as it did for us nearly half a century ago.”

Andrew Smith, CEO of Pukeko Pictures, adds: “Pukeko Pictures is focussed on high-quality value-based programming, and we are thrilled to be associated with such an iconic brand, one that brilliantly encompasses family values, heroism and generosity.  We are very proud to partner with ITV Studios to create a new era of Thunderbirds.”

ITV Studios Global Entertainment retains worldwide rights to the Thunderbirds brand and is the global distributor for the Thunderbirds Are Go! television series and consumer products.

-Ends-

ITV Studios

ITV Studios is a global network of content development, distribution and production centres.

ITV Studios UK is the largest and most successful commercial production company in the United Kingdom, creating over 3,500 hours of original programming each year across a wide range of genres – from drama and entertainment, to factual and lifestyle.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment

Part of ITV Studios, ITV Studios Global Entertainment (ITVS GE), is one of the world’s leading international TV distribution and consumer products businesses, distributing content across all genres, from both its in-house production business and from leading producers from around the world.  The Consumer Products division brings together Home Entertainment, Promotions, Licensing and Publishing under one umbrella, partnering to more than 200 licensees worldwide.

About Pukeko Pictures

Pukeko Pictures is an independent entertainment production company focused on the development and production of excellent quality multi-platform entertainment for a global audience.  Pukeko Pictures was formed in 2008 by Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Martin Baynton, and is located in Wellington, New Zealand. With a connection to the world famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, Lord of the Rings), Pukeko Pictures is uniquely positioned in the creation of world-leading entertainment, harnessing the best in global talent and world-class production processes. Weta Workshop is not to be confused with Weta Digital, the VFX company owned by Peter Jackson.

Fans of The WotWots in Canada will soon be able to enjoy the adventures of SpottyWot and DottyWot on DVD with the release of Stripe a Lotty Wotty, which will hit shelves on January 29, 2013 for a suggested retail price of $14.99. The WotWots airs on Corus Entertainment’s 24-hour, preschool channel Treehouse.

Made up of seven episodes, each 11 minutes long, the DVD features the delightful alien duo, SpottyWot and DottyWot, as they nurture and stimulate the joys of learning, participation and discovery through their gentle and fun adventures.

The WotWots from Pukeko Pictures have come from outer space in their steam-powered spaceship to explore and marvel at the extraordinary diverse life on Earth with season one of the television series seeing SpottyWot and DottyWot arrive in the middle of a zoo.

The DVD features the following episodes:

Stripe A Lotty Wotty – The WotWots spot a very stripy animal and head off to investigate. SpottyWot decides he would like stripes as well, and comes up with a clever plan to get them.

Scary Sucky Noise - The WotWots hear a strange trumpeting sound and go to investigate. SpottyWot sees a large elephant trunk and decides it must be a long floppy ear.

Lanky Landing Legs – SpottyWot is fixing the long lanky legs of the spaceship when his sister spots two other long legs through the Sneak-a-peek, two long and very pink lanky legs.

Drowsy DottyWot – It is midday and the zoo animals are snoozing in the warm sunshine, even The WotWots are sleepy. But a new animal adventure soon has them wide awake.

Lumpy Bumpies – SpottyWot is making a crayon rubbing from the lumpy bark of a tree when DottyWot spots something else that’s lumpy and bumpy through the Sneak-a-peek.

Plodda Lotty – SpottyWot is in a mood to zoom and he’s frustrated that his sister is moving too slowly. But he’s very impressed when they spot a creature that does everything slowly.

Fluffy Puffies – DottyWot watches some amazing cloud shapes drifting by. She head out into the zoo with her brother to look for any animals as fluffy and white as the clouds.

www.wotwots.com

The internationally successful television series, The WotWots from Pukeko Pictures will soon begin broadcasting on CCTV 11’s programming block, Happy Playhouse. The pre-school series is currently broadcast in over 100 countries and has been very well received by both children and parents in China for its high quality animation and strong educational value.

The broadcast will go to air in early 2013 and will consist of 78 episodes, 26 of which have been co-produced with Pukeko Pictures’ Chinese partner, Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ). Renowned Chinese painter, Mr. Mi Jinming contributed to the specially co-produced episodes by adding classic Chinese Ink Painting elements to give the series a local and cultural touch-point.

Mr Li Chumbo, Deputy Director of the Program Department of CCTV11, and Director/Council Member of the Chinese Dramatist Association and Chinese Calligraphy Association sees the program as a unique cultural and artistic integration of New Zealand state of the art animation and Chinese drama and calligraphy.

“The WotWots was introduced in China on the CCTV broadcast platform in 2011. Since then, the popularity for DottyWot and SpottyWot has continued to grow and we are thrilled they will now be seen on the very popular Happy Playhouse programming line-up on CCTV 11. The integration of Mr. Mi Jinming’s Chinese Ink Painting elements will give the series a local relevance while still maintaining its universal themes” said Andrew Smith, Chief Executive, Pukeko Pictures.

The viewing audience of CCTV 11 enjoys close to 1/10th of the population in China and continues to grow significantly since the channel launched 10 years ago. Happy Playhouse has become a popular programme block for children, drawing in preschool, primary and middle school students as well as their parents nationwide based on its fun and educational focus.

This broadcast deal follows on from the recent partnership between Pukeko Pictures and Grand Entertainment Ltd (GZ) with the Animation School of the Beijing Film Academy to establish the “International Animation Technology Joint Research Centre” to actively promote the development of animated projects and open up the expanding international, Chinese and film and television markets.

Formed to promote film and television cultural exchange between China and New Zealand, and develop animation technology in the synergy of enterprise, academia and institutional research, the deal between the three parties will also provide a platform for collaboration in the film and television fields between Chinese entities and international enterprises.

LIONSGATE AND AMERICAN GREETINGS PROPERTIES EXTEND RELATIONSHIP WITH EXPANDED HOME ENTERTAINMENT DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT FOR NEW CARE BEARS SERIES

Extended Agreement Includes Multiple Existing Care Bears Series and Films and
Packaged Media and Digital Rights to Additional Properties

Santa Monica, CA — January 9, 2013 — Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF), a leading global diversified entertainment company, and American Greetings Properties (AGP), the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM), today announced a home entertainment distribution agreement for the new CGI Animated TV series “Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot.”  The agreement gives Lionsgate packaged and digital rights in both theU.S. andUK to all 26 episodes of the series, which debuted on The Hub in 2012.   In addition, the two companies are extending their existing contract, with Lionsgate retaining its rights to the two previous Care Bears television series and five Care Bears movies.

Under the new agreement, Lionsgate will also distribute three additional American Greetings properties in theU.S.through packaged and digital media.  The three series—the WETA produced show “The WotWots,” “The Twisted Whiskers Show” and “Maryoku Yummy”.  Finally, Lionsgate will acquireU.S.digital rights to three seasons of the classic Strawberry Shortcake series.

“We have enjoyed tremendous success over the years with the Care Bears franchise and are pleased to extend our relationship with the new ‘Care Bears: Welcome to Care-A-Lot’ series.  We look forward to helping the Brand grow to new heights with the combination of new entertainment content and American Greeting’s new Care Bears toy launch in 2013,” said Michael Rathauser, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Lionsgate. “Furthermore we are excited to have the opportunity to not only expand the Care Bears digital home entertainment footprint, but to also bring some of American Greetings’ other quality children’s entertainment to digital retailers for the first time; creating both new business opportunities and more awareness for these great brands.”

“We are extremely honored to continue our partnership with Lionsgate,” said Gia DeLaney, vice president of program sales for American Greetings Properties. “The Care Bears’ highly-anticipated return toU.S.television in June was a huge success and we are thrilled to continue bringing the series to fans through innovative avenues.” 

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales.  The Company has built a strong television presence in production of primetime cable and broadcast network series, distribution and syndication of programming and an array of channel assets. Lionsgate currently has 23 shows on 16 networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including the multiple Emmy Award-winning Mad Men, the critically acclaimed series Weeds, Nurse Jackie, the comedy Anger Management, which has been picked up for another 90 episodes by FX, the network series Nashville, picked up for a full season of 22 episodes by ABC, the syndication successes Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, its spinoff Meet the Browns, The Wendy Williams Show, Are We There Yet? and the upcomingOrangeIs The New Black, an original series for Netflix.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first installment of The Hunger Games franchise, the 13^th highest-grossing domestic box office release of all time, The Twilight Saga Breaking Dawn – Part 2, which has grossed more than $800 million at the worldwide box office, Texas Chainsaw 3D, The Possession, Sinister, The Expendables 2, Cabin in the Woods, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection and Arbitrage.  With the January 2012 acquisition of Summit Entertainment, the Company has now added the blockbuster Twilight Saga, which has grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office, to its current slate, giving the Company the two premier young adult franchises in the world. RecentSummit hits include Red, Letters to Juliet, Knowing and the Academy Award-winning Best Picture, The Hurt Locker.

Lionsgate’s home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 15,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company’s core businesses. The Lionsgate andSummitbrands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

About American Greetings Corporation
For more than 100 years, American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a creator and manufacturer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships to create happiness, laughter and love. The Company’s major greeting card lines are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods and American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards. American Greetings also has one of the largest collections of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com through AG Interactive, Inc. (the Company’s online division). In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the American Greetings Properties group. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.7 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets worldwide. For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.

About American Greetings Properties
American Greetings Properties (AGP) is the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation. Built upon the successful re-launches of Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake licensed products, which have garnered over $5 billion in retail sales worldwide combined since 2002, AGP develops multi-platform campaigns for its properties through digital media, entertainment, marketing and merchandising. In addition to Care Bears and Strawberry Shortcake, AGP’s active classic brands include Holly Hobbie and Madballs, as well as new properties Twisted Whiskers, Maryoku Yummy and TinPo.
Children can experience AGP online at www.agkidzone.com. For more information on AGP, visit www.agpbrands.com.

17 December 2012 – FremantleMedia has finalised a deal with award-winning writer Craig Pearce to develop the New York Times bestseller The Maid into a television drama series for international audiences. The as yet untitled series will be executive produced by Pukeko Pictures, the  television company co-founded by Richard Taylor, head of Weta Workshop; and written by Craig Pearce, whose credits include co-writing with Baz Luhrmann Romeo + Juliet, the Oscar-winning Moulin Rouge, and the highly anticipated The Great Gatsby, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire. This is the first project to come out of the Pukeko Pictures / FremantleMedia partnership announced earlier this year.

The Maid is the bestselling novel by Kimberley Cutter and tells the intriguing tale of a peasant girl who believes she is sent by God to save France. The saint and warrior Joan of Arc has captivated imaginations for centuries, but this story of Joan, the girl, is a new and gripping take on how a farmer’s daughter sought escape from her own personal oppression to lead thousands of French fighters against a brutal and prolonged English invasion.  The series will breathe life into the thrilling, action-packed final years of the Hundred Years War by chronicling them from not only Joan’s perspective but also those of the international noble houses that battled for control of the French throne and ultimately, the birth of a nation.

“The opportunity to work with one of the most talented screenwriters in Hollywood was something we could not pass up as we seek to drive FremantleMedia’s creation of high end scripted dramas into new and  exciting territory,” said Jeff Tahler, SVP Acquisitions and Development, Global Content, FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and Tony Optican, SVP Scripted Programming, FremantleMedia North America (FMNA).  “Craig Pearce is sure to captivate our imaginations as he tells the intriguing stories surrounding one of history’s most controversial heroines.”

Adam Fratto and Martin Baynton, who will serve as Executive Producers, have made this project a priority as Pukeko Pictures first major drama series.  “Kimberly’s book pulls the veil of mythology aside and shows the real girl at the heart of this extraordinary story,” said Fratto.  “We are thrilled that Craig — a master at making history accessible, visceral, and entertaining – shares our passion for this story.”

Richard Taylor, added, “This project is the perfect fit for everything New Zealand has to offer.  From our spectacular landscapes to the award-winning team here at Weta Workshop – an epic drama that can showcase everything from conceptual design through to manufacturing; utilizing all the skills we have honed on our feature work.”

In addition to teaming up with Craig Pearce and Pukeko Pictures, FremantleMedia recently announced a partnership with award-winner Marshall Herskovitz to develop a TV drama series inspired by the popular non-fiction book Hitlerland, by Andrew Nagorski. These newly formed relationships with top Hollywood talent demonstrate FremantleMedia’s continued commitment to develop and distribute large scale dramas for worldwide audiences.

David Ellender, Global CEO, FME said, “Our global drama strategy is delivering exciting film scale projects with the best writers, producers, creators and directors in the business. These are epic dramas and through our well-established internal and external global networks, we look forward to delivering them to viewers worldwide.”

FME’s global drama strategy has already resulted in a number of projects with high end partners including Wedding Band for TBS, with Mike Tollin (Smallville, One Tree Hill) and Hit & Miss for Sky Atlantic with creator Paul Abbot (Shameless, State of Play).

About FremantleMedia and FremantleMedia Enterprises

FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of television entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, which is in turn 92 percent owned by the international media company Bertelsmann. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia UK, FremantleMedia Australia, Ludia, @radical.media and Original Productions, amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 9,200 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours.

www.fremantlemedia.com

About Pukeko Pictures

Pukeko Pictures is an independent entertainment production company, focused on the development and production of excellent quality, multi-platform entertainment for a global audience. Pukeko Pictures was founded in 2008 by Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Martin Baynton, and is located in Wellington, New Zealand. With a connection to the world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, Lord of the Rings), Pukeko Pictures is uniquely positioned in the creation of world-leading entertainment, harnessing the best in global talent and world-class production processes.

Weta Workshop is not to be confused with Weta Digital, the VFX company owned by Peter Jackson.

For more information please contact:

Belinda Thomas-Dunphy, Acting Director of Global Communications, FME, belinda.thomas@fremantlemedia.com

Tel: +44 (0) 207 691 6911 / M: +44 (0) 7833 093 351

Kristina Kirk, Executive Director Communications, Americas, FME, kristina.kirk@fremantlemedia.com

Tel: 818-748-2521

Neil Schubert, Communications & Marketing, FremantleMedia North America, neil.schubert@fremantlemedia.com

Tel: +1 818 748 1148

Preschoolers won’t be able to resist the brand new cuddly toy range from the world famous children’s series, The WotWots seen regularly on The Hub.  Exclusively available online for a limited time, the super soft and cuteSpottyWot and DottyWot 12” plush toys are the perfect way to get cuddly with the alien siblings.

Beautifully presented in eco-friendly and reusable packaging in keeping with the environmentally rich values of The WotWots, the bright and vibrant plush toys have been created especially to meet the demand from parents and preschoolers worldwide.

Sold separately and suitable for ages newborn and upwards, the toys are available at the click of a mouse at online shopping destination, www.amazon.com for $14.95 US.

The WotWots is an enchanting pre-school series that follows the adventures of two adorable siblings from outer space, SpottyWot and DottyWot.  This delightful pair of enquiring minds have come to Earth to explore and to marvel at the extraordinary diversity of life on the blue planet. The show celebrates this joy of discovery and demonstrates the positive values that are the building blocks of a true and enduring friendship.

Season one of the internationally successful television series seesSpottyWot and DottyWot come to explore planet earth in their steam-powered spaceship and arrive in the middle of a zoo.  In season two, the alien siblings land on a farm and meet strange and friendly farm animals and also travel to the seashore.   Encouraging the love of animals, the season celebrates the joy of discovery and the extraordinary diversity of life on the planet.

The vibrant, energetic and colourful learning-based series from Pukeko Pictures is seen on regularly on The Hub.

www.wotwots.com

For further media information – Adele Feletto Publicity

M: 61 413 489 292 E: adele@adelefelettopublicity.com.au

Wellington, New Zealand, September 20 2012….

The WotWotscontinuesits growth through the appointment of agents in Latin America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand following recent dealsbrokered by American Greetings Properties (AGP), the intellectual property and outbound licensing division of American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM), which serves as a global licensing agent for the brand.

EXIM Licensing Group Inc. will represent the internationally successful brand in the Latin America region. In Canada, Segal Licensing has acquired the rights to represent The WotWotswith Stella Projects signed on in the Australian and New Zealand markets.  All agents have signed deals which include merchandising, events and publishing rights.

“These recent deals demonstrate the ongoing growth of The WotWotsboth locally and internationally.  The WotWots events have always been enormously successful, and, together with broadcast, strong demand has grown for The WotWotsmerchandise to be available in retail in these territories.We are pleased to have EXIM Licensing Group Inc., Segal Licensing and Stella Projects representing the brand in their respective markets”said Andrew Smith, Chief Executive, Pukeko Pictures.

The WotWots is an enchanting pre-school series that follows the adventures of two adorable siblings from outer space, SpottyWot and DottyWot.  This delightful pair of enquiring minds have come to Earth to explore and to marvel at the extraordinary diversity of life on the blue planet. The show celebrates this joy of discovery and demonstrates the positive values that are the building blocks of a true and enduring friendship.

Season one sees SpottyWot and DottyWot come to explore planet earth in their steam-powered spaceship and arrive in the middle of a zoo.  In season two, the alien siblings land on a farm and meet strange and friendly farm animals and also travel to the seashore.   Encouraging the love of animals, the season celebrates the joy of discovery and the extraordinary diversity of life on the planet.

AboutThe WotWots

The vibrant, energetic and colourful learning-based series from Pukeko Pictures is seen internationally on ABC4Kids in Australia, TVNZ Kidzone24 in New Zealand, HBO-Kids in Braziland on Corus Entertainment’s Treehouse in Canada.  The WotWots is broadcast in over 90 territories.  American Greetings Properties represents the brand for worldwide licensing and merchandising rights to the popular preschool property.

About Pukeko Pictures

Pukeko Pictures is an independent entertainment production company, focused on the development and production of excellent quality, multi-platform entertainment for a global audience. Pukeko Pictures was founded in 2008 by Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Martin Baynton, and is located in Wellington, New Zealand. With a connection to the world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, Lord of the Rings), Pukeko Pictures is uniquely positioned in the creation of world-leading entertainment, harnessing the best in global talent and world-class production processes.

About American Greetings Corporation

For more than 100 years, American Greetings Corporation (NYSE: AM) has been a creator and manufacturer of innovative social expression products that assist consumers in enhancing their relationships to create happiness, laughter and love.  The Company’s major greeting card lines are American Greetings, Carlton Cards, Gibson, Recycled Paper Greetings and Papyrus, and other paper product offerings include DesignWare party goods and American Greetings and Plus Mark gift-wrap and boxed cards.  American Greetings also has one of the largest collections of electronic greetings on the Web, including cards available at AmericanGreetings.com through AG Interactive, Inc. (the Company’s online division).  In addition to its product lines, American Greetings also creates and licenses popular character brands through the American Greetings Properties group.  Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, American Greetings generates annual revenue of approximately $1.7 billion, and its products can be found in retail outlets worldwide. For more information on the Company, visit http://corporate.americangreetings.com.

www.wotwots.com

For further media information – Adele Feletto Publicity

M: 61 413 489 292 E: adele@adelefelettopublicity.com.au

Internationally popular children’s TV characters, THE WOTWOTS(Series 1: 52 x 10′ HD, Series 2: 26 x 10′HD) will be making appearances at live events throughout the UK after ABC Commercial finalised a deal with Rainbow Productions, the European leaders in the creation of bespoke costume characters.

THE WOTWOTS is an enchanting pre-school property that follows the adventures of two adorable siblings from outer space, SpottyWot and DottyWot.  This delightful pair of enquiring minds have come to Earth to explore and to marvel at the extraordinary diversity of life on the blue planet. The show celebrates this joy of discovery and demonstrates the positive values that are the building blocks of a true and enduring friendship.

“THE WOTWOTS has grown to be a popular preschool property in the UK.  The series continues to have strong ratings on Channel 5 Milkshake and we are thrilled Rainbow Productions will bring DottyWot and SpottyWot to life through live events and meet and greet appearance in the market”, said Andrew Smith, Chief Executive, Pukeko Pictures.

Pukeko Pictures is an independent entertainment production company, focused on the development and production of excellent quality, multi-platform entertainment for a global audience. Pukeko Pictures was founded in 2008 by Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Martin Baynton, and is located in Wellington, New Zealand. With a connection to the world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, Lord of the Rings), Pukeko Pictures is uniquely positioned in the creation of world-leading entertainment, harnessing the best in global talent and world-class production processes.

www.wotwots.com

For further media information – Adele Feletto Publicity

M: 61 413 489 292 E: adele@adelefelettopublicity.com.au

ABC Commercial has sold the second series of the internationally successful children’s animation series, The WotWots (26 x 12’ HD) to various broadcasters in Asia and Australia. Thai PBS has picked up the series, along with Mediacorp Okto in Singapore, Mongol TV and Australia Network.

The WotWots is an enchanting pre-school series that follows the adventures of two adorable siblings from outer space, SpottyWot and DottyWot.  This delightful pair of enquiring minds have come to Earth to explore and to marvel at the extraordinary diversity of life on the blue planet. The show celebrates this joy of discovery and demonstrates the positive values that are the building blocks of a true and enduring friendship.

“ABC Commercial continues to secure strong broadcast deals for The WotWots ensuring the ongoing growth of the property.  These latest deals reinforce the timeless qualities of the characters, storylines and key principles of the series to celebrate and stimulate the joy of discovery as well as encouraging the love of animals and our environment”, said Andrew Smith, Chief Executive, Pukeko Pictures.

Pukeko Pictures is an independent entertainment production company, focused on the development and production of excellent quality, multi-platform entertainment for a global audience. Pukeko Pictures was founded in 2008 by Sir Richard Taylor, Tania Rodger and Martin Baynton, and is located in Wellington, New Zealand. With a connection to the world-famous Weta Workshop (Avatar, King Kong, Lord of the Rings), Pukeko Pictures is uniquely positioned in the creation of world-leading entertainment, harnessing the best in global talent and world-class production processes.

www.wotwots.com

For further media information – Adele Feletto Publicity

M: 61 413 489 292 E: adele@adelefelettopublicity.com.au