NewKidCo Lands Publishing Agreement With Nickelodeon to Develop ``Dora The Explorer'' Video Games
Popular Children's Television Series Scheduled to Debut on Next-Generation Systems in 2002
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 11, 2002-- NewKidCo International Inc. (OTCBB:NKCIF - news; TSE:NKC - news) announced today a worldwide multi-year agreement with Nickelodeon to publish interactive entertainment video games based on ``Dora the Explorer,'' the highly popular Nick Jr. show about a young Latina heroine who lives inside a computer. The agreement grants NewKidCo the rights to create interactive products for all leading video game systems, allowing players to join Dora and her friends as they set off on exciting adventures, solving fun and challenging puzzles along the way. Since its premiere in 2000, ``Dora the Explorer'' has been the highest rated children's program on all commercial television among young kids.
``We are excited to enter into this alliance with Nickelodeon based on the Dora series. `Dora the Explorer' represents outstanding children's programming featuring action, adventure and education, and creates an outstanding opportunity for us to develop great video games for children,'' said Arthur Levine, President and COO of NewKidCo.
Based on Nick Jr.'s ``Play To Learn'' philosophy, ``Dora the Explorer'' offers many styles of learning. Dora is proudly bilingual and uses her knowledge of English and Spanish to communicate with her friends, overcome obstacles and reach her goals. The series currently airs 11 times a week, both on Nick Jr. and as part of CBS' weekend programming.
``We are delighted to work with NewKidCo to bring Dora and her friends to the video game market,'' said Stephen M. Youngwood, Vice President, Nickelodeon Media Products Group. ``NewKidCo's extensive experience developing games for young kids and their commitment to creating quality non-violent content made them an obvious choice for this license.''
The first title, scheduled for release in Q3 2002, will be developed for the Game Boy® Advance system. Gamers, playing as Dora, will go on a Pirate's treasure hunt that will take them through many exciting environments such as Strawberry Mountain, Prickly Forest and eventually Treasure Island. Subsequent games will be available across all popular platforms, including titles releasing in 2003 and for the duration of the agreement. The games will be distributed to all major retail accounts throughout North America. Distribution into Europe, New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Rim is planned as well.
NewKidCo International Inc. (OTCBB:NKCIF - news; TSE:NKC - news) publishes children's video games based on popular licensed characters and brands, such as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial(TM), Tom and Jerry(TM), Little League Baseball®, Dr. Seuss, Dragon Tales(TM), Winnie the Pooh and Sesame Street®, for interactive entertainment gaming systems from Nintendo, Sony Computer Entertainment of America and Microsoft. The company publishes and distributes its product directly in North America, in Europe through its distribution partner, Ubi Soft Entertainment SA, and in Japan through Success Corp. NewKidCo titles have garnered critical acclaim and distinguished honors, including the PlayStation Choice and Nintendo Power Awards. Most recently, six NewKidCo games received the esteemed ``approval'' rating from the Parents' Choice Association.
Nick Jr. is a specially designed programming block airing on Nickelodeon weekdays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and weekends on CBS. Completely dedicated to preschoolers ages 2-5 and hosted by the lovable animated character Face, Nick Jr.'s Emmy and Parents' Choice Award-winning programs are curriculum based, fun and commercial free. At Nick Jr., kids play to learn with innovative, original shows created just for them.
Nickelodeon, now in its 23rd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, magazines and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 84 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic-cable network for more than six consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom International Inc.
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Contact:
NewKidCo International Inc.
Press Contact:
Bender/Helper Impact
Brenda Ciccone, 310/477-4647, ext. 264
310/478-7914 (fax)
brenda_ciccone@bhimpact.com
NewKidCo Investor Relations:
Hank Kaplan, 212/581-1555, ext. 229
212/265-1620 (fax)
info@newkidco.com
or
Nickelodeon
Sara Stern Levin, 212/846-8670 |
