(19 Oct 2016, Shanghai) Bodhi and Friends, a chart-topping 3D animation brand, announced today at Shanghai International Exhibition Center the commencement of their collaboration with Mattel Inc (“Mattel”), the largest toy company in the world. Century Innovative Technology (“CIT”), the company behind Bodhi and Friends, officially licenses the animation IP to Mattel for developing and distributing toys around the world, with the aim to become a flagship brand under Mattel’s Fisher-Price banner.  This groundbreaking partnership signifies a momentous step forward for Bodhi and Friends as a China-born brand with global ambitions and a breakthrough in the Chinese animation industry in entering the global arena as a new creative cultural force.  this is also the first time Mattel has licensed a Chinese animation IP in its 70 years of illustrious history. The strategic win-win collaboration between the two strong players is expected to generate significant revenue in the next few years.
Ms. Poman Lo, CEO and founder of CIT, and Mr. Peter Broegger, Managing Director Asia Pacific of Mattel, both expressed excitement and confidence in the strategic partnership. Such a bold and revolutionary move not only marks Bodhi and Friends’ first significant step in its global expansion but also reflects Mattel’s determination to further enhance its leadership around the world and grow China into a second home market.
Bodhi and Friends was created 10 years ago as a charity project to foster moral development in children through inspirational comics. In 2012, CIT was established and Bodhi and Friends as an animation IP was born.  Through a unique portfolio of 3D animation, interactive games and edutainment products, the brand inspires innovation, multiple intelligences and positive values in children.  Today, the brand stands out amidst China’s highly prolific animation scene as a leading family edutainment brand that is beloved by children, trusted by parents and recommended by experts.
Ms Poman Lo says “Having Mattel as our global partner is a dream come true because they are not just a toy company. Everyone at Mattel truly cares about how each toy can foster learning and impact a kid’s development.  We share a core vision to empower children to pursue their dreams and achieve their potential.  I am deeply touched with their passion for innovation and quality as well as their genuine commitment to growing the Bodhi and Friends franchise together.  I feel Bodhi and Friends is in the best possible hands ever as they care about the brand DNA, positioning and communication as much as I do as a founder.  I believe this is just the beginning of our magical journey of collaboration together and have every confidence that our toys will be a smashing success creating positive impact around the world. Ms. Poman Lo also expresses a keen interest to bridge the East and the West through the animated series which features both traditional virtues through martial arts lessons as well as cutting-edge sci-fi innovations.
A main catalyst behind the partnership is the shared vision of fostering learning and development through creative play experiences. Mr. PeterBroegger of Mattel said “This partnership represents a significant milestone for Mattel in China. While we have been in China since the 1980s, this marks the first time we will be launching a toy line based on a home-grown China-based pre-school intellectual property. Despite being founded decades apart, it is noteworthy to recognize that CIT and Fisher-Price are founded on the same common belief, mission and shared value, namely that childhood development is the foundation of future success. This is our collective strength and opportunity – the combination of innovative toys with great, educational and locally relevant content. Together we are helping providing children the best possible start in life, and helping shape the preschoolers of today into the new generation leaders of tomorrow. We are incredibly excited to partner with CIT to bring Bodhi and Friends to life, and to enrich the lives of Bodhi fans throughout China with the future vision to rollout a global toy line and franchise.”
The collaboration between CIT and Mattel signifies a historic moment in the development of the Chinese animation industry which produces over 200,000 minutes of animated content per year. No longer just the world’s factory, China aspires to become the next frontier of cultural innovation.

About Century Innovative Technology Limited

Century Innovative Technology Limited was established in 2012 as a family edutainment company with a mission to inspire positive values through animation and innovation through interactive content. Developed by an international team of education, psychology, animation, gaming and education techology experts, CIT’s suite of edutainment products is designed to make learning maximally fun and effective.  As a household brand beloved by children and trusted by parents, Bodhi and Friends offers a unique ecosystem of interactive content and online-offline products to engage fans across multiple touchpoints.  Under the motto of “Enlightening Minds”, CIT encourages parents to take an active role in their child’s learning and development and empowers children to pursue their dreams through courage, compassion, commitment, creativity and connectedness.

About Bodhi and Friends

• Bodhi and Friends was created in 2006 as a charity project
• Brand Motto : Empowering Creative Minds
• In 2012, with the establishment of CIT, Bodhi and Friends was launched as a commercial brand
• In 2014, the first season of Bodhi and Friends animation aired on CCTV Children Channel prime time, along with more than 100 regional channels, attracting over 226 million views
• The first season of Bodhi and Friends accumulated more than 100 million views on online video platforms
• State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television of The People’s Republic of China (SARPRFT) recommends Bodhi and Friends as one of top 10 local animation brands
• In 2015, the second season of Bodhi and Friends gained #1 spot on both CCTV Children Channel and Hunan Television, the two most popular children TV channels in China
• Licensed by the world’s largest children publishing company Scholastic to develop books
• Collaboration with education technology company Skoolbo to co-develop interactive literacy program

Awards and Recognition

• Sole animation brand appointed by China’s Ministry of Education to promote moral code of conduct through an online-offline CareOK campaign attracting over 10 million views on Tencent
• Top 10 Cartoon Brands in China, China Licensing Summit, Asian Licensing Association
• Top 10 Influential Cultural Brands, State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission
• Bronze Prize & Best Character Award, China Golden Dragon Award
• Tillywig Brain Child Award
• Mom’s Choice Award
• Bodhi and Friends children music ranked 1st on iTunes in Hong Kong and 2nd in North America

About Mattel

Mattel is a creations company that inspires the wonder of childhood. Our mission is to be the recognized leader in play, learning and development worldwide. Mattel’s portfolio of global consumer brands includes American Girl®, Barbie®, Fisher-Price®, Hot Wheels®, Monster High® and Thomas & Friends®, among many others. Mattel also creates a wealth of lines and products made in collaboration with leading entertainment and technology companies. With a global workforce of approximately 31,000 people, Mattel operates in 40 countries and territories and sells products in more than 150 nations. Visit us online at www.mattel.com.

About Fisher-Price

In 1931, Herman Fisher and Irving Price embarked on a journey to change the toy industry. Their goal: creating playthings that inspire a child’s development. More than 80 years later, Fisher-Price remains deeply rooted in the belief that play is the way children learn best. To this day, understanding the importance of play in building a child’s skills is the fundamental principle, as the company strives to enrich the lives of families with young children around the globe. United by the passion for a child’s safe care and development at each age and stage, the people of Fisher-Price work tirelessly to bring families the best toys and baby products in the world. Some of the company’s best-known brands include Laugh & Learn®, Little People®, Power Wheels®, and Imaginext®. Fisher-Price is a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAT). For more information, visit www.fisher-price.com (U.S.) and www.fisher-price.ca (Canada) or connect with Fisher-Price on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
Media Enquiries
Century Innovative Technology Limited     
Colman Ho
Tel : (852) 2894 7608
Email : colman.ho@bodhiworld.com
 
Jeannie Chu
Tel : (852) 2837 3117
Email : jeannie.chu@bodhiworld.com