NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 11, 2005--4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) announced today a multi-year licensing agreement with Bandai America Incorporated for the toy company to serve as master toy licensee for Magical DoReMi(TM), a spellbinding Japanese animated series set to premiere on 4Kids TV(TM)'s new Saturday morning lineup beginning September 10, 2005.
The master toy license grants Bandai America the exclusive rights for a wide range of dolls, playsets and role-play items. The initial launch of Magical DoReMi toys is expected to be available at retail Spring 2006.
"We are excited to be working with Bandai in this new venture," said Alfred R. Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment. "They offer the right combination of creativity and innovation to translate the appeal of Magical DoReMi into products that girls will absolutely love. The classic themes of magic and music that are at the core of this story, along with the key focus on role play, are sure to make this property a hit with girls."
"We are looking forward to working with 4Kids Entertainment to create a compelling product line that captures all of the magic and uniqueness of this wonderful property," said Bill Beebe, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Bandai America. "With proven experience in bringing overseas trends to the U.S. market, we anticipate high demand and excitement for the Magical DoReMi toy line."
The brainchild of Toei Animation (Dragonball, Digimon and One Piece), Magical DoReMi was one of Japan's most popular and longest running girls series, with over 200 episodes airing over a four-year span. During Magical DoReMi's first television season in Japan, a successful merchandise program, with hundreds of SKU's in a wide variety of categories, grossed over $100 million at retail.
Now the hit show is preparing to cast a spell on the U.S. As enchanting as it is educational, Magical DoReMi follows the fantastic adventures of Dorie, Reanne and Mirabelle - three inquisitive young girls who transform into apprentice witches, or "Witchlings," after stumbling into an old witch's shop. Now, in order to become full-fledged good witches, the three little charmed ones - with the help of their magical fairies, wands and musical melodies - must learn how to cast spells while unlocking the secrets to friendship, love and courage.
Magical DoReMi is slated to air at 8 a.m. (ET) on 4Kids TV - 4Kids Entertainment's four-hour children's programming block on Saturday mornings on FOX. With Magical DoReMi, 4Kids TV continues to add exciting shows that appeal to girls. The 4Kids TV girls block currently includes the popular Winx Club(TM) and Mew Mew Power(TM). The all-new Bratz(R) CGI animated series also will join 4Kids TV's new fall lineup.
About 4Kids Entertainment
Headquartered in New York City with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; product development; and Web site development. For further information, please visit the Company's Web sites at
www.4KidsEntertainment.com and
www.4Kids.TV.
About Bandai America Incorporated
Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of Bandai Co. Ltd., the third largest toy company in the world, with 30 subsidiaries in 13 countries worldwide. Global interests include toys and children's entertainment, video game software, multimedia, music, full-length feature films, vending machines, trading cards, candies and licensed apparel.
Bandai America Incorporated is the master toy licensee of some of the most popular properties and brands in children's toys and entertainment, including the Power Rangers, D.I.C.E., Teen Titans, Strawberry Shortcake and Tamagotchi product lines. Bandai America is headquartered in Cypress, California and company information is available at
www.Bandai.com.
The information contained in this press release, other than historical information, consists of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. 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.
