MALIBU, Calif.–JAKKS® Pacific, Inc. announced today from Nuremberg Toy Fair that the Giochi Preziosi Group (“GP”) has been appointed as the exclusive marketing and distribution partner in several major European markets, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and Germany, for toys based upon the original animated television series; MONSUNO™ in production by Pacific Animation Partners LLC, a joint venture between JAKKS and Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc., a subsidiary of Dentsu, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, creator of the underlying MONSUNO™ Boys Action property, is the master toymaker for the MONSUNO™ toy line, which is expected to hit U.S. retail shelves to coincide with the U.S. TV series premiere anticipated for Late Fall 2011 or Spring 2012. The MONSUNO™ TV series is being produced by Pacific Animation Partners LLC in conjunction with Dentsu Inc.’s Tokyo-based animation production subsidiary, Dentsu Tec. FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) will be responsible for the exclusive worldwide (except Asia) distribution of MONSUNO™ TV programming, and act as the Master Licensing agent for the MONSUNO™ brand worldwide, outside of Asia, and with the exception of toys, which shall be exclusively marketed and produced by JAKKS. In Asia, Dentsu, Inc. shall serve as the Master Licensing Agent. GP will manage the sales, marketing and distribution of all JAKKS’ MONSUNO™ toy products in Europe through GP’s extensive subsidiary network covering major European markets.
“The Giochi Preziosi Group is one of JAKKS’ closest and most well respected international distribution partners. GP’s pan European reach and proven ability to build and sustain strong, category leading action figure franchises makes them the best choice to market and distribute MONSUNO™ toys in this critically important region,” commented Stephen Berman, President and CEO, JAKKS.
Dario Berte, co-CEO of GP, stated that “We are very proud, pleased and honored to have been entrusted with the responsibility of building the MONSUNO™ toy brand in Europe in partnership with JAKKS. JAKKS’ commitment to design excellence, innovation and creativity will be showcased in the initial assortment of MONSUNO™ toy products – products that are every bit as exciting and entertaining as the MONSUNO™ story itself. GP’s commitment to building the MONSUNO™ toy franchise in Europe will enable us to expand and strengthen our ties with JAKKS – one of GP’s most talented and most trusted U.S. partners.”
The MONSUNO™ animated TV series (52 episodes x 30 minutes) is an epic boys action adventure where kids are imbued with the power to command and battle creatures with amazing destructive potential. Built around powerful, action-based episodic animation with a compelling base of dynamic, relatable characters, and deeply woven original story mythology, the MONSUNO™ TV series provides a completely original entertainment experience. Targeted to boys 6 – 11, the TV series will be supported by a demonstrable, innovative, feature-driven JAKKS toy line of action figures, gadgets, collectibles and integrated role play.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAKK) is a leading designer and marketer of toys and consumer products, with a wide range of products that feature some of the most popular brands and children’s toy licenses in the world. JAKKS’ diverse portfolio includes Action Figures, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, Halloween Costumes, Kids Furniture, Vehicles, Plush, Art Activity Kits, Seasonal Products, Infant/Pre-School, Construction Toys and Pet Toys sold under various proprietary brands including JAKKS Pacific(R), Creative Designs International(TM), Road Champs(R), Funnoodle(R), JAKKS Pets(TM), Plug It In & Play TV Games(TM), Kids Only!(TM), Tollytots(R) and Disguise(TM). JAKKS is an award-winning licensee of several hundred nationally and internationally known trademarks including Disney(R), Nickelodeon(R), Pokémon®, Warner Bros.(R), Ultimate Fighting Championship(R), Hello Kitty(R), Graco(R) and Cabbage Patch Kids(R).
About The Giochi Preziosi Group:
Headquartered in Italy, the Giochi Preziosi Group was founded in 1978 by the Group’s chairman; Mr. Enrico Preziosi. The Group employs approximately 2,700 people and is among the world’s three largest, privately held toy marketing and distribution companies with full service subsidiary operations in Hong Kong, China, the U.S. and all major European markets. The Group owns and operates Italy’s largest specialty toy retail chain, Toy Center, and recently acquired a significant stake in French specialty toy retailer, King Jouet. The Group’s focused implementation of its wholesale and retail distribution expansion and product line diversification strategies has delivered steady revenue and operating profit growth during the past 6 years with revenues during the last full year reporting period ending June 30, 2010 in excess of $1 billion.
About Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, CA, Dentsu Entertainment USA, Inc. (dentsuentertainment.com), previously known as DCI Los Angeles (DCI-LA), was formed in April 2010 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Dentsu Inc. (Tokyo Stock Exchange, Code 4324), the world’s largest advertising agency brand and a leading producer of Japanese animation, with over 18,000 full-time employees and close to 100 offices worldwide. Dentsu Entertainment USA develops original animation programming and media content for markets worldwide, and manages licensing programs for existing and new properties. Current projects include: “Chub City,” a toy based property featuring street-savvy characters and vehicles, currently in development as an animated series; “Deltora Quest,” a 52 episode animated series based on the international top-selling fantasy-adventure book series of the same name already airing in multiple markets worldwide; “Mameshiba,” a collection of animation shorts, and character licensing program with over $55 million in product sales in 2009.
About FremantleMedia and FremantleMedia Enterprises
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes talkbackTHAMES, UFA and Grundy amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating over 14,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Neighbours, The Bill, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife and Hole In The Wall.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific’s business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS’ products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.