(BSNS WIRE) 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. Reports Progress of Pokemon in Int
4Kids Entertainment, Inc. Reports Progress of Pokemon in International
Television, Film and Licensing
Business Editors
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 28, 1999--4Kids Entertainment
NASDAQ (KIDE) reports the Pokemon television series to date has
secured four to five year broadcaster contracts with 41 countries
internationally. To date, the Pokemon series has achieved successful
ratings in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, New Zealand,
The Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom.
Pokemon's wide spread appeal reaches beyond television. POKEMON
"The First Movie" opened to excellent results in Australia, and New
Zealand taking the No. 1 spot in the market in its opening weekend.
International Licensed Product Update:
Clive Hill, the Managing Director of Leisure Concepts
International (UK), a 4Kids Entertainment Company, reports the success
already felt by the Japanese and US markets appears to be replicating
in the international markets. "Following the phased introduction of
the Nintendo Games, Hasbro Toys and the Wizards of the Coast cards
during October and early November, many international markets are
reporting initial sell through of merchandise. Supported by the TV
broadcast, the potential licensees in UK and Germany in particular are
showing exceptional response to the Pokemon characters. Demand for
third party licenses is increasing with interest in all product areas
including publishing, clothing and textiles, confectionery and
giftware."
Hasbro is responding to the demand by increasing production and
shipping more products. Specifically, Hasbro is now distributing
product in the UK, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, with additional
European countries expected to expand this list in early spring 2000.
Wizards of the Coast Brand Manager for the Pokemon Trading Card
Game, Carol Pucik reports their success in the US has translated to
their international markets which includes Germany, Austria,
Switzerland, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemberg, Australia, and
the UK. First shipments sold out in a matter of days. Wizards plans to
have the cards available in 16 languages by June 2000. In order to
meet the consumer demand for Pokemon cards, Wizards of the Coast
qualified a new printing plant in the UK, for Europe alone, in
addition to the 6 printing companies already in production worldwide.
"The success Pokemon has created and continues to create in Japan
and the United States is showing international promise as well."
stated Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment Inc.
Headquartered in New York City, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.,
(NASDAQ:KIDE) is a vertically-integrated entertainment company whose
wholly-owned subsidiaries include: Leisure Concepts, Inc., leader in
domestic and international merchandise licensing and product
development; 4Kids Productions, a television, film, music and home
video production company, and Summit Media, a domestic and
international television distribution, media buying and planning
company.
Nintendo originally launched Pokemon in Japan for the world's
best-selling Game Boy hand held game system and watched the 150
creatures evolve into a cultural phenomenon. The franchise arrived in
North America in September 1998 with the release of the television
series and the Pokemon Blue and Red Game Boy games and has grown into
a $6 billion dollar industry worldwide. Nintendo and its licensing
agency, Leisure Concepts, Inc. (a division of 4 Kids Entertainment)
have thus far licensed the franchise to more than 100 U.S.-based
companies and 50 companies internationally.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Among the
factors may cause that actual results or outcomes may differ
materially from any such forward looking statements are the fact that
the Company faces competition from toy companies, motion picture
studios and other licensing companies, and the uncertainty of public's
response to the Company's properties.
--30--et/ny*
CONTACT: Carlin C. West
4Kids Entertainment
Senior Vice President
of Marketing & Corporate Communications
212/758-7666
e-mail: cwest@4KidsEnt.com
KEYWORD: NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL EUROPE ASIA PACIFIC
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ADVERTISING/MARKETING COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS
CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD ELECTRONIC GAMES/MULTIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT RETAIL
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