FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Toronto, Canada (January 22, 2007) - Cookie Jar Entertainment's award-winning show "Caillou" was the top-selling children's DVD in both Spain and Portugal during the fourth quarter of 2006, topping such popular franchises as Barbie, Cars and Chronicles of Narnia. In addition to Caillou's home entertainment success, more than 200,000 "Ruca" books were also sold in Portugal alone last year.
"We are excited about the international success and popularity of "Caillou" as evidenced by the impressive DVD sales in Spain and Portugal," said Charlotte Hargreaves, Cookie Jar Entertainment's Vice President, Marketing and Consumer Products for Europe. "We look forward to working with our partners to continue to bring children quality Caillou products including new DVDs, books, and CDs."
Big Picture and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, the companies in charge of the distribution and sales of the DVDs in Spain and Lusomundo in Portugal, expect similar success for future releases. Over three million "Caillou" videos and DVDs have been sold worldwide.
As the show's popularity has grown in Spain and Portugal, so has the production of inspired toys by major brands including Majora, Alday Technologies and Play by Play. A successful clothing line was launched by Jacinto and a Christmas music CD was released in December.
"Caillou" has aired in Spain since January 2006 and in Portugal since 2004. It can be seen every week on TVE and Boomerang in Spain and as "Ruca" on RTP and Panda and Portugal. Elastic Rights acts as the Brand Managers for "Caillou's" in both territories.
Based on a series of best-selling children's books, "Caillou" demonstrates how the first experiences of life can be perceived with wonder and a sense of discovery. Blending animation with humor, child logic and imagination, the "Caillou" animated television series helps children make sense of the world. The stories address real problems and conflicts typical to a young child's development. Through it all, "Caillou" remains an irresistible little boy in a very big world with whom every young child and parent can identify.
About Cookie Jar Group
Cookie Jar Group develops, produces, distributes and markets quality products to children, their caregivers, parents and teachers. Cookie Jar Group's products reflect its commitment to providing the best in children's published content, animated and live action programming and innovative educational and entertainment-driven products worldwide. The group of companies consists of Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. and Cookie Jar Education Inc.
Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc., Cookie Jar Group's entertainment operation, is a leading, global, independent producer, marketing and brand manager of such renowned children's properties as "The Doodlebops", "Gerald McBoing Boing", "Arthur" and "Spider Riders". Combining globally renowned intellectual properties with an industry-recognized management team, Cookie Jar Entertainment Inc. is a market-driven, brand building company that is committed to children first and foremost and is dedicated to the development and production of quality programming that embraces the whole child, with animated and live-action series that entertain, inspire and enlighten children and family audiences worldwide.
