Los Angeles and Montréal (February 10, 2014) – Saban Brands today announced a new partnership with Cirque du Soleil Média that has the companies developing an original kids property inspired by the Cirque du Soleil brand. The deal includes a new television series, web content, interactive content, and merchandise. As one of the premiere entertainment brands in the world, Cirque du Soleil is recognized for its incredible, high-quality, artistic entertainment and has a history of joining forces with collaborators to create one-of-a-kind productions.
“At Saban Brands, we are constantly striving to deliver high-quality entertainment brands and experiences. It’s thrilling for us to partner with the creative innovators at Cirque du Soleil Média,” said Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands.  “This new project promises to be a groundbreaking new kids property with worldwide appeal and numerous off-screen extensions. We look forward to sharing additional details in the coming months.”
“One of the most important factors of our business philosophy is to examine the creative challenge it presents,” said Jacques Méthé, President, Cirque du Soleil Média.  “With Saban Brands’ experienced and existing portfolio of energized brands, bold characters, and fresh content, I am confident this is the start of an amazing partnership between two companies with similar artistic values.”
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) brokered the deal with Saban Brands on behalf of its client Cirque du Soleil Média.
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About Saban Brands
Formed in 2010 as an affiliate of Saban Capital Group, Saban Brands (SB) was established to acquire and develop a world-class portfolio of properties and capitalize on the company’s experience, track record and capabilities in growing and monetizing consumer brands through content, media and marketing. SB applies a global omni-channel management approach to enhancing and extending its brands in markets worldwide and to consumers of all ages. The company provides full-service management, marketing, promotion and strategic business development for its intellectual properties including comprehensive strategies unique to each brand, trademark and copyright management and enforcement, creative design, retail development, direct-to-consumer initiatives and specialized property extensions. SB is led by a superior management team with decades of experience in media, content creation, branding, licensing, marketing, digital and finance, SB’s portfolio of properties currently includes Power Rangers, Paul Frank, Digimon Fusion, Julius Jr., Popples, Vortexx, Zui.com and The Playforge. For more information, visit www.sabanbrands.com.
About Cirque du Soleil Média
Cirque du Soleil Média is a long-term joint venture between Cirque du Soleil and Bell Media with a mission to develop new and original media content specifically for television, film, digital, and gaming platforms. Headquartered in Montréal, the company develops entertainment projects for sale and licensing around the world, leveraging Cirque du Soleil’s creative resources and infrastructure with Bell Media’s production experience, media platforms, and diverse distribution capabilities.
About Bell Media
With passion and an unrelenting commitment to excellence, Bell Media creates content and builds brands that entertain, inform, engage, and inspire audiences through the platforms of their choice. Bell Media is Canada’s premier multimedia company with leading assets in television, radio, out-of-home advertising, and digital media. Bell Media owns 30 local television stations led by CTV, Canada’s #1 television network; 35 specialty channels, including TSN and RDS, Canada’s most-watched specialty channels in English and French; four pay TV services, including The Movie Network and Super Écran; and is managing shareholder of premium pay-per-view service Viewers Choice Canada. Bell Media is also Canada’s largest radio broadcaster, with 107 licensed radio stations in 55 markets across Canada.  Bell Media owns Astral Out-of-Home, one of Canada’s most dynamic and innovative out-of-home advertising companies with a network of more than 9,500 advertising faces in Québec, Ontario and British Columbia. Bell Media also operates more than 200 websites, delivers TV Everywhere with its innovative GO video streaming services, including CTV GO, TMN GO, and Bravo GO, and owns Dome Productions Inc., a multi-platform production company. Bell Media is part of BCE Inc. (TSX, NYSE: BCE), Canada’s largest communications company. For more on Bell Media, please visit www.bellmedia.ca.
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Media Contacts:
Kelsey Lynch
Saban Brands
(310) 203-5875
KLynch@sabanbrands.com
Renée-Claude Ménard
Senior Director Public Relations
Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters
+1-514-723-7646 (7366)
rcm@cirquedusoleil.com