Jidousports And Urban Outfitters Team Up For Plush Program

Hong Kong/Philadelphia (October 14, 2004) – JIDOUSPORTS, the popular animé-based toy and multimedia entertainment brand from Asia, makes its official entry into the U.S. as a plush toy line program manufactured for Urban Outfitters.

The plush line is based on the JIDOUSPORTS lead character Jidou, an adorable dog with an insatiable desire to compete. The Jidou plush will debut this Fall in the Hobby Section of the 63 Urban Outfitters retail locations in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

The Jidou-Urban Outfitters plush licensing development follows on the heels of the Jidou Company’s recent announcement for the production start of a new JIDOUSPORTS animated series to be marketed worldwide. A 26 episode animated series based on the popular Hong Kong-originated children’s toy brand, has begun production in Hong Kong. In the U.S., the production start announcement was made by New York-based Serenata Group, the North American licensing and broadcast representative for JIDOUSPORTS.

Aimed at children 6-12, the JIDOUSPORTS action-adventure animated series follows the fantastic journeys of Jidou and his three friends as they travel the world to participate in sporting events from skiing and surfing to basketball and boxing. Launched less than a year ago as a published comic strip and line of action figurines in Hong Kong, JIDOUSPORTS quickly emerged as a highly popular toy sold through automated vending machine kiosks specially designed by the Jidou Company and CEO Alexander Wong. The property was unveiled by Serenata Group during the 2004 New York International Licensing Show last June to the licensing industry.

JIDOUSPORTS was first introduced by Jidou – which means automation in Japanese – via automated vending machines situated throughout Hong Kong. The star of the entertainment franchise is also named Jidou, an adorable dog with an insatiable desire to compete. Together with his friends Jazz, Judo and Dr. Jeff, the Jidou characters were immediately embraced by children throughout the market who line up in front of the innovative vending machines to add to their JIDOUSPORTS collection.

“Urban Outfitters ranks among the world’s most prestigious cutting-edge lifestyle retailers. We are thrilled to join with this outstanding company in bringing our Jidou character to the U.S.,” said Alexander Wong, President and CEO of The Jidou Company.


About Urban Outfitters:

Urban Outfitters currently operates 69 stores in the US, Canada, and Europe. The stores offer a unique and eclectic mix of fashion merchandise in a lifestyle sensitive store environment. Products range from women’s and men’s apparel, accessories and footwear to items for the apartment, as well as gifts and novelties. Urban Outfitters offers its customers the opportunity to shop online (www.urbanoutfitters.com,) through our catalog or in stores.


About Jidou Company/The Serenata Group:

Based in Hong Kong, the Jidou Company is founded by Alexander Wong, who ranks among the most sought-after designers and architects in Asia. The company is the producer of animated programming and manufacturer of toy products for its wholly owned property, JIDOUSPORTS.

The U.S. licensing and entertainment representative for Jidousports, Serenata Group is a New York City-based full-service entertainment agency involved in all areas of licensing and brand-building.