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New York, N.Y. (April 11, 2005) – 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) has acquired the
worldwide licensing rights to Animation Collective’s animated action comedy television series,
Kappa Mikey. Through the agreement with Animation Collective, 4Kids Entertainment will
manage the marketing, promotional and licensing initiatives of this delightfully quirky children’s
series on a global basis. Kappa Mikey is expected to launch on Nicktoons in the U.S. and on
Nickelodeon International channels across the globe in 2006.
As one of television’s first fish-out-of-water anime action comedies, Kappa Mikey chronicles the
madcap adventures of once-struggling American actor Mikey Simon as he adjusts to his new role
as the biggest anime star Japan has even seen. But fame doesn’t come without a price. When not
being chased down by the paparazzi, Mikey must also find time to get to know his co-stars, adjust
to Japanese culture and learn to love life inside the fishbowl.
The series is the brainchild of Animation Collective’s Larry Schwarz, the creative force behind
the popular Incredible Crash Dummies airing on 4Kids TV, and Leader Dog and Tortellini
Western, now airing on Nicktoons.
“Kappa Mikey is a wonderful complement to the 4Kids’ portfolio,” said Alfred R. Kahn,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of 4Kids Entertainment. “We are excited to be working
with a property that is as action-packed and adventurous as is it is quirky and humorous. We
believe the series’ multi-faceted elements combined with the broadcast support of Nickelodeon
worldwide will boost Kappa Mikey’s appeal and consumers’ interest in expanding their
experience with the property beyond the television screen and into engaging merchandise.”
4Kids Entertainment plans to develop a licensing and marketing program for Kappa Mikey that
capitalizes on the series’ clever show within a show format and wide-range of engaging
characters and fantastic vehicles. The Company’ s licensing program is expected to initially focus
on categories such as toys, apparel, games and trend products.
"We are thrilled to be working with 4Kids Entertainment," said Larry Schwarz, creator of Kappa
Mikey and CEO of Animation Collective. “Anime is the most widely watched animation
style in the world and kids all over are quickly becoming experts in its quirks and
nuances. Kappa Mikey is a fun parody of the genre, while at the same time delivering
fast-paced action and character-driven comedy.”
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, visit the
Company’ s Web site at www.4KidsEntertainment.com.
About Animation Collective:
New York City-based Animation Collective (www.animationcollective.com) is a leader in
creating animation for television, the Internet, home video and feature films. The company
produces programming on a work for hire basis and develops and produces original proprietary
properties. The Incredible Crash Dummies, a series produced by Animation Collective and 4Kids
Entertainment, is currently running on 4Kids TV on Saturday mornings. Leader Dog and
Tortillini Western, two original series produced by the company, are currently airing on
Nicktoons.
About Nicktoons:
Nicktoons’ 24-hour schedule features programming such as Corneil and Bernie and Kaput and
Zosky, as well as a roster of hits that have defined kids’ and animation lovers’ TV, including The
Angry Beavers, Yakkity Yak, Invader Zim, Ahhh! Real Monsters, Spongebob Squarepants, The
Fairly OddParents and Jimmy Neutron. Nicktoons is a part of the MTV Networks expanded suite
of channels available for digital distribution. The new channels include MTV Hits, MTV Jams,
Nicktoons and VH1 Mega Hits, expanding and strengthening MTV Networks’ digital offerings to
thirteen services.
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.
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