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-from newswire-
LEGO® Company Announces Worldwide Merchandising Rights to CineGroupe's
Groundbreaking New Television Property.
ENFIELD, Conn., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The LEGO Company today announces a
partnership with Canadian entertainment company, CineGroupe, that gives the
Denmark-based toy company full global merchandising rights to the television
show, "GALIDOR(TM): Defenders of the Outer Dimension." The show will
premiere in the United States and Canada in February 2002.
"GALIDOR: Defenders of the Outer Dimension" is a stunning blend of reality
and fantasy that tells a stirring tale about coming-of-age, discovering
one's heritage, and experiencing the greatest adventure of all-living.
Inspired by web characters created by writer-creator-producer Tom Lynch, the
series combines live action with computer-generated animation, 3D
backgrounds and riveting special effects that will result in a show unlike
any other in children's television programming. The series is filmed and
created in Montreal, Quebec and will air in the United States Saturdays on
Fox Kids Network and on YTV in Canada.
"As a world leader in brand recognition, quality toys and global
distribution, the LEGO Company is a perfect match for the unique GALIDOR
proposition," says Jacques Pettigrew, President and CEO of CineGroupe.
"We're confident the merchandising rights to this unprecedented property are
in the right hands through this partnership."
As owners of the merchandising rights to the GALIDOR property, the LEGO
Company holds the master toy and software licenses. To extend the GALIDOR
property beyond these categories, the Company has signed United Media, a
leading worldwide licensing and syndication company, to represent the
property in the U.S. and Canada. United Media will license property rights
to other manufacturers to produce GALIDOR-related merchandise in additional
relevant children's categories.
"We're very excited to be a part of this groundbreaking television
collaboration," says Jill Wilfert, senior global brand director for the LEGO
Company. "GALIDOR is a very unique and multi-faceted property and we will
take a long-term approach to developing and delivering merchandise that is
as innovative as the show and as exciting as its story. With a children's
television industry innovator like writer/producer Tom Lynch behind the
story, the cutting-edge production and creative expertise of CineGroupe, and
the power of broadcasters like Fox Kids and YTV to reach kids, GALIDOR is
set to be one of the hottest kids' properties in 2002."
"GALIDOR: Defenders of the Outer Dimension" follows the adventures of
Nicholas, an average 15-year-old whose teenage existence turns upside down
when he travels to the Outer Dimension. It is there that Nick discovers
his powers and learns that they will help him defend the Outer Dimension
from the evil tyrant, Gorm. To do this, Nick must find GALIDOR, a magical
realm that's long been hidden. With his best friend Allegra Zane at his
side, Nicholas sets out on a mythical quest that takes him to new worlds
inhabited by a host of mystical creatures.
"United Media is looking forward to a lengthy and fruitful relationship with
the LEGO Company and the GALIDOR property," said Joshua Kislevitz, Senior
Vice President of Licensing, Domestic for United Media. "LEGO's reputation
for producing innovative and high quality products that kids can't get
enough of bodes well for this new program. As we do with all United Media
properties, our plan is to nurture the GALIDOR license in all areas of
marketing, merchandising and promotions in order to ensure strong and
consistent growth that will endure over the long haul."
"GALIDOR: Defenders of the Outer Dimension" is a CineGroupe production. The
series will be distributed worldwide by CineGroupe and Columbia TriStar
Television International.
Based in Billund, Denmark, the LEGO Company, family-owned and privately-held
since its founding in 1932, is a world leader in providing quality products
and experiences that stimulate children's creativity, imagination and
learning through playful activities that encourage hands-on, minds-on
creation, fun, togetherness and sharing of ideas. Company employees are
guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen:
"Only the best is good enough." For more information, visit
http://www.LEGO.com.
CineGroupe is a leading integrated entertainment company dedicated to the
development, production, post-production and distribution of hit animation
and live action programming for kids, teens and families, as well as
interactive products for the Canadian and worldwide markets. CineGroupe's
high quality, award-winning productions are seen in 125 countries.
Headquartered in Montreal, with an office in Los Angeles, CineGroupe
currently has over 400 creative and dedicated employees. CineGroupe is a
partner of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and Fox Family Worldwide Inc.
Find CineGroupe at http://www.cinegroupe.com.
United Media (UM) is a worldwide licensing and syndication company that
focuses on building brand equity around a wide range of creative content. UM
recently partnered with Copyrights Group Limited to handle its portfolio of
characters, including the World of Beatrix Potter, Maisy, Spot, and
Paddington Bear. It also signed to represent Precious Moments. UM licenses
and/or syndicates other properties, including PEANUTS, Dilbert, Nancy and
Sluggo, MIFFY, Raggedy Ann & Andy, and Rainbow Fish. United Media is an E.W.
Scripps Company.
Tom Lynch currently has more shows on air that any other
writer-creator-producer in television today. These include: "Skate and Just
Deal" (tNBC), "Caitlin's Way" and "100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd"
(Nickelodeon), and "The Jersey" (Disney Channel). Other recent credits
include "The Secret World of Alex Mack" and "The Journey of Allen Strange"
(Nickelodeon) as well as the upcoming Showtime movie, "Red Sneakers,"
featuring Gregory Hines in his TV directorial debut and premiering at the
Dallas Kids Film Festival in January 2002.
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