COOKIE JAR NAMES VIVENDI VISUAL ENTERTAINMENT CANADA DOMESTIC HOME VIDEO DISTRIBUTOR FOR POPULAR ACTION-ADVENTURE ANIMATION SHOW, THREE NEW SERIES' AND LIBRARY CLASSIC, GERALD MCBOING BOING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Toronto, Canada (June 27, 2007) - Cookie Jar Entertainment has signed a multi-year, multi-show home video distribution deal with Vivendi Visual Entertainment Canada (VVEC).
VVEC will license and distribute three new Cookie Jar properties, "Magi-Nation", "Will & Dewitt" and "Busytown Mysteries", set to debut in Canada this Fall, as well as its popular action-adventure series and online multiplayer game, "Spider Riders". "Gerald McBoing Boing", a classic show from Cookie Jar's vast library, will also be distributed by VVEC. The first video release, season one of "Spider Riders", will go on sale on September 11, 2007.
Cookie Jar is thrilled to once again partner with Vivendi Visual Entertainment Canada," said Catherine Donohue, Cookie Jar Entertainment's VP Distribution and Sales Operations. "Following the success of 'The Doodlebops' DVDs, we are confident that VVEC will help us continue to bring quality home video entertainment to children and their parents.
"We are very happy to be entering into a long term deal with Cookie Jar," said Iain Taylor, Vivendi's VP Sales and Acquisitions. "They have been great partners and we look forward to achieving continued success with these new properties."
The deal also includes the option to distribute additional titles from Cookie Jar's extensive show library.
Cookie Jar's three new shows offer action-adventure, education and fun to children of all ages. "Magi-Nation" follows the adventures of Tony Jones, a teenager who finds himself mysteriously transported to the magical world of the Moonlands. Here he joins two other young Magi and their Dream Creatures and sets off on the adventure of a lifetime. Inspired by the best-selling children's author Richard Scarry, who sold more than 150 million books worldwide and continues to sell millions annually, "Busytown Mysteries" blends laughter and learning by following the lives of six unforgettable characters in their fun vehicles who try to solve everyday life mysteries. "Will & Dewitt", a funny empowerment show for preschoolers, features Will, an everyday kid with an endless thirst for big kid adventure and his talking frog and personal "life coach", Dewitt. He helps guide Will toward his destiny of discovering that all things are possible. Together, they learn that with a little effort, they can make a big splash in the world.
A hit show on TELETOON Canada, "Spider Riders" follows the adventures of 11-year-old Hunter Steele who is suddenly transported into the fantastic subterranean world of Arachna. Struggling to survive and locked in battle with the Invectids – giant humanoid insects determined to wipe out human life – the people of Arachna are fearlessly protected by a group of elite warriors who ride aloft 10-foot tall Battle Spiders – the Spider Riders. "Gerald McBoing Boing", based on a character created by Dr. Seuss, is a collection of hilarious adventures featuring Gerald, a six-year-old boy who makes himself heard using sounds instead of words. Together with his parents and best friends, Gerald's world is filled with non-stop "gags!" and "giggles!".
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", "Spider Riders", "Caillou" and "Johnny Test". 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.
About Vivendi Visual Entertainment Canada
Vivendi Visual Entertainment Canada (VVE Canada) is a division of Universal Music Canada (UMC). Universal Music Canada, a unit of Universal Music Group, is Canada's leading music organization maintaining a current market share of 36.5%. For further information on Universal Music Canada please visit www.umusic.ca.
