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Benoit Runel New BKN New Media Ltd. Managing Director

BKN International AG has appointed Benoit Runel md of the companys largest operating subsidiary, BKN New Media Ltd. in Great Britain. Runel will oversee all sales and marketing for the BKN in the U.K., Germany, Benelux, Scandinavia, North America and emerging markets, such as Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. He will also oversee all development and pre-production activities in the London-based studio, as well as secure and manage all co-productions with international partners.

A 16-year vet in the television and children industry, Runel joins BKN from Jetix Europe where, as part of the senior management team, he oversaw all programming and related on-air strategies for the groups 12 channels. He brought content and new intellectual properties to Jetix Europe and U.S. through a number of successful co-productions and acquisition deals. Previously, Runel served seven years at TF1, the French free-TV giant where he built a library of 2,000 hours of kids programming.

We are really pleased to have the contributions of such a talented individual as Benoit," said Allen Bohbot, group ceo for BKN. "His track record in childrens programming acquisitions, productions and sales both at Jetix Europe and TF1 in France over 15 years makes him a perfect candidate to lead this division.

BKN is in a very exciting development stage, added Runel. The products, including LEGEND OF THE DRAGON, DORK HUNTERS FROM OUTER SPACE, ZORRO: GENERATION Z and the new Classic Collection, including ALI BABA AND THE FORTY THIEVES, A CHRISTMAS CAROL and ROBIN HOOD, to name a few, for direct-to-DVD release are really strong and I look forward to expanding on these activities. This is a very exciting opportunity for me.

The Frankfurt and London listed BKN Intl (www.bknkids.com) is a global animation company engaged in the distribution and marketing of animated childrens television programs and the marketing of related consumer products (licensing and merchandising) in all forms. The company is currently listed on the Deutsche Bourse and AIM and it operates all over the world. BKN has successfully negotiated distribution deals in more than 80 countries and territories in the childrens programming market.