COOKIE JAR ENTERTAINMENT CLOSES CARTOON NETWORK US AND TELETOON CANADA FOR GERALD MCBOING BOING Cookie Jar Joins With Classic Media For Worldwide Distribution Of Animated Series And Merchandising Launch Based On The Classic Character Created by Theodor Geisel (Popularly Known as Dr. Seuss)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CANNES -- Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. has licensed the animated series GERALD MCBOING BOING to Cartoon Network (US) and Teletoon (Canada) for debut end of April 2005 Cookie Jar has acquired from New York-based Classic Media all rights to produce an animated series based on the Dr. Seuss literary classic property GERALD MCBOING BOING.
Aimed at children 4-8 years old, GERALD MCBOING BOING is the story of a little boy who would only talk in sound effects. A fun and nurturing property, GERALD MCBOING BOING shows children that even a boy who speaks in sounds can attend school and make friends - even if he might frustrate his harried father.
The first entertainment appearance by Gerald was a United Productions of America (UPA) cartoon [NTD: in fact, it first appeared as a script written by Ted Geisel for a sound recording, and subsequently as a series of UPA animated shorts which won the Oscar for best short subject (animated) in 1950, and was produced by Dr. Seuss and Bill Scott of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame.
"We are delighted to announce Cartoon Network and Teletoon as our charter broadcast homes for GERALD MCBOING BOING. It's been over 50 years since this classic Theodor Geisel character was introduced as a cartoon by United Productions of America. Through the decades, the property has gained near legendary stature. We are thrilled to join with Classic Media in bringing this outstanding animated series project to children's broadcasters, " said Toper Taylor, President & COO of Cookie Jar Entertainment.
GERALD MCBOING BOING was created by Theodor Geisel, known the world over to book lovers young and old as "Dr. Seuss" when a friend suggested that Geisel write a piece for them that was different from the animated shorts of the day. The end result was an Academy Award-winning film in 1951. Since then, the property went into 'hibernation' - until Classic Media acquired rights to the property and has embarked on a multi-media drive to bring GERALD MCBOING BOING back to children everywhere.
Random House, which secured worldwide publishing rights to GERALD MCBOING BOING, has recently launched the books into the global retail marketplace.
"Through the Cookie Jar-produced animated series and Random House-published books, GERALD MCBOING BOING is about to communicate with a word-speaking world through his uniquely strange and wondrous sounds for new generations of children. We are delighted to team with Cookie Jar in returning this special property to the world of children's entertainment," said Eric Ellenbogen, CEO of Classic Media.
The Cookie Jar Group develops, produces, distributes and markets quality products to children their caregivers, parents and teachers with a commitment to providing the best in children's published content, animated and live action programming as well as innovative and creative educational and entertainment driven products worldwide.
MEDIA CONTACT: SSA Public Relations (For Cookie Jar) Steve Syatt - (818) 501-0700
