Press Release from 4Kids Entertainment
4Kids Entertainment Inc. and Chaotic USA Entertainment Group Inc. have reached an agreement with Penguin Young Readers Group, one of the world’s leading consumer publishers, to serve as global licensing partner in the publishing category for the Chaotic trading card game (TCG) and TV series-based property.
Through this new relationship, Penguin will produce a range of age-appropriate Chaotic titles, including sticker books for six-to-eight-year-olds, Decide Your Destiny interactive game books for 8-12-year-olds, and novels and graphic novels for older readers. The books are expected to begin launching across the globe (excluding Asia) in 2010.
Penguin joins a strong lineup of existing worldwide licensees including Spin Master Inc., which has the exclusive license to design, develop and manufacture Chaotic toys; H Grossman, which has signed on to produce a line of outdoor products including tents, bicycles and skateboards; Dracco, which will produce Chaotic-themed chocolate eggs and other confectionary; Ultra Pro, for a range of worldwide TCG accessories and Prima Games, which holds the license for Chaotic strategy guides. Additionally, Activision is scheduled to release the first Chaotic video game across North America later this year on all major video game systems, and in the EMEA region in early 2010.
“Penguin Young Readers Group joins Chaotic’s growing roster of licensees for this vibrant and expanding brand,” said Carlin West, Executive Vice President, Acquisitions & Development at 4Kids Entertainment, who oversees Chaotic brand development. “Penguin’s world-class publishing program is sure to bring compelling written entertainment to our fans of all ages.”
Chaotic is the first trading card property specifically designed to combine trading card game play with an online multiplayer experience. Each Chaotic trading card is printed with a unique alphanumeric code that enables Chaotic players to upload their personal card collection onto the Chaotic Website - www.ChaoticGame.com - and do battle with players across the world. Other features of the Website include an army building section, a card trading feature that allows users to trade their cards online, Web-based messaging and forum discussions.
About 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
With U.S. headquarters in New York City, regional offices for its trading card business in San Diego, California and international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global organization devoted to the creation, development, production, broadcasting, distribution, licensing and manufacturing of children’s entertainment products.
Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, 4Kids produces animated television series and films, distributes 4Kids’ produced or licensed animated television series for the domestic and international television and home video markets, licenses merchandising rights worldwide to 4Kids’ owned or represented properties, and operates Web sites to support 4Kids’ owned or represented properties. Through its majority-owned trading card company and Website company, 4Kids produces and markets collectible trading card games. Additionally, 4Kids programs and sells the national advertising time in TheCW4Kids five-hour Saturday children’s television morning block on The CW television network. Additional information is available on the www.4kidsentertainment.com corporate Website and at the www.4kids.tv game station site.
About Chaotic USA Entertainment Group, Inc.
Headquartered in San Diego, Chaotic USA is the technology and development Company that holds the worldwide rights to the Chaotic Brand and the Chaotic Trading Card Game. Chaotic USA has entered into an Agreement with 4Kids Entertainment to develop and produce the Chaotic Animated Television series, the Chaotic Trading Card Game and a complete domestic and international merchandise license program.
Penguin Group (USA) is the U.S. affiliate of the internationally renowned Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and children’s trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and trademarks including Berkley Books, Dutton, Frederick Warne, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Grosset & Dunlap, New American Library, Penguin, Philomel, Plume, Puffin Books, Riverhead Books and Viking, among others. The Penguin Group is part of Pearson (FTSE: PSON; NYSE: PSO). Pearson is an international media company with market leading businesses in education, business information and consumer publishing. For more information, visit www.pearson.com.
