Acquisition
22 January 2007 - 6:03PM
UK Regulatory
RNS Number:8786P
Entertainment Rights PLC
22 January 2007
ENTERTAINMENT RIGHTS ACQUIRES WHERE'S WALLY?(R)
Entertainment Rights Plc ("ER") the UK's leading global media group specialising
in the ownership of children's and family programming, characters and brands
announces today the acquisition of worldwide publishing phenomenon, Where's
Wally?(R).
Highlights:
o First published in 1986, Where's Wally? is one of the most recognisable
brands in the world with over 76 million books sold to date
o ER acquires worldwide in perpetuity audio visual, licensing
and merchandising, publishing, live events and digital rights to
Where's Wally?(subject only to creator Martin Handford reserving the
right to continue creating and publishing Where's Wally? titles in their
original format)
o Acquisition creates opportunity to develop a multi media global brand
strategy for Where's Wally?
o The #2.5 million consideration is payable by ER as to #500,000 on
completion with the balance being payable in 4 instalments over the
3 year period following completion
First published in 1986, Where's Wally? is one of the most recognisable
children's characters in the world with over 76 million books and collectable
artworks sold worldwide, generating sales in excess of #81 million. The
successful series of 60 pictorial puzzle books is based on searching and finding
Wally and friends. Published in over 50 countries and translated into 26
languages, Where's Wally? has strong heritage around the world and is most
popular in key territories including Europe, Japan and the US where he is known
as Where's Waldo?
Where's Wally?, is a unique brand that presents significant opportunities for
exploitation as a multi media property, offering unlimited potential for launch
onto new media platforms including web, software, mobile, hand held consoles for
entertainment, gaming, education, interaction and competition. ER will create
new animated and live action content with multi-platform application, expected
to launch worldwide in 2008/2009.
The acquisition of Where's Wally? follows ER's recently completed purchase of
leading US media company, Classic Media, and Wally joins ER's enlarged cast of
iconic characters including Postman Pat, Lassie, Rupert Bear, Casper the
Friendly Ghost and Basil Brush.
Mike Heap, CEO, Entertainment Rights said:
"We are delighted that Where's Wally? is joining ER's stable of global
children's and family brands. We believe that the Where's Wally? brand is
exclusive in its ability to transcend all demographics with application across
all media formats. The potential for a unique brand of this nature across a wide
range of new media platforms in today's ubiquitous digital world is compelling.
We are extremely excited about the opportunities to develop Where's Wally?
beyond print and exploit this immensely popular character globally."
-Ends-
Enquiries:
Entertainment Rights plc
Mike Heap, Chief Executive Officer
Elizabeth Gaines, Group Finance Director
Liz Morris, Head of PR 020 8762 6200
Bell Pottinger Corporate & Financial
David Rydell / Sarah Hilyer 020 7861 3232
Editors Notes
About Entertainment Rights:
* Entertainment Rights Plc ("ER") is the UK's leading global media group
specialising in the ownership of high quality children's and family
programming, characters and brands
* ER owns or controls the rights to many global characters including Basil
Brush(R), Postman Pat(R), Jess the CatTM, Little Red TractorTM, Rupert Bear
(R), He-Man and the Masters of the Universe(R), Fat Albert and the Cosby
kidsTM, She-Ra(R), Jim Jam & SunnyTM, Ghostbusters, , The Lone Ranger,
Lassie, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Casper the Friendly Ghost, Felix
the Cat and the award-winning Veggie Tales
* In January 2007, ER acquired Classic Media, the US-based owner of an
extensive portfolio of children's and family characters and brands
including Big Idea Productions Inc, producer and creator of the
award-winning 'Veggie Tales' series of programming which, to date, has
sold over 45 million home entertainment units in the US
* Since 1999, when ER owned rights to just 39 episodes of programming,
ER's library has grown to circa 8,700 episodes of high quality children's
and family characters and brands. This includes certain rights to global
brands such as Mattel's BarbieTM, Scholastic's CliffordTM and Hasbro's
TransformersTM
* ER's wholly owned subsidiary Tell-Tale Productions, created and produced
The Tweenies, one of the UK's most successful pre-school brands
* ER has grown rapidly. Annual revenues have increased from #1.8m in 1999
to #30.7m in 2005, the last reported financial year
Visit www.entertainmentrights.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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