HIT Ent. has launched a yearlong campaign in the U.K. to mark the 10th anniversary of BOB THE BUILDER, the successful and popular preschool property. Bob's 10th anniversary campaign will feature DVD specials, events, new ranges of consumer products and a highly anticipated follow up album and music video.
2009 will also herald a new programming look as BOB moves into CG animation for the first time and is set for broadcast in late 2009.
Bob the Builder, voiced by the British actor Neil Morrissey and created by Keith Chapman, was first seen on British screens in 1999 and became an instant hit with preschoolers. The program can now be seen in 250 territories worldwide and is translated into 45 different languages. To date, more than 10 million DVDs across 26 home entertainment titles and 27 million BOB THE BUILDER books have been sold globally.
To kick off the campaign HIT will host an industry party at the annual Brand Licensing Show on October 1, where guests will be treated to a special preview of the first single from his new album, BIG FISH LITTLE FISH.
The new music video for Bob's single, was produced out of HOT Animation in the U.K. The single, from Bob's forthcoming album, BOB THE BUILDER - NEVER MIND THE BREEZE BLOCKS, is set for U.K. release from Universal on November 24, 2008 where Bob will be hoping to repeat the success of his first two singles.
A new direct-to-DVD special, BOB THE BUILDER – RACE TO THE FINISH, will be released on November 3, 2008. HIT has partnered up with VUE Cinemas to hold special screenings in 40 theaters across the U.K. on November 1, 2008. There are number of other new DVD specials planned for release throughout the year, culminating in Bob's first CG special -- THE LEGEND OF THE GOLDEN HAMMER -- out in November 2009.
HIT will also be announcing further plans for BOB THE BUILDER later in the year, including a major international theme park tie-in for Bob, taking him into new dimensions.
Other activity planned for Bob's 10th anniversary include the launch of the second year of Project: Renovate with partners Knauf Insulation. Project Renovate, a high-profile national campaign which was created to improve nurseries, will also launch in Australia in 2009. SPUD'S BIG MESS, the global live theatre show, has been touring the U.K. and Europe this year attracting almost 40,000 people to 84 shows. The show moves to a 13 city tour across the U.S. throughout 2009.
In addition to this, a new CGI BOB THE BUILDER will broadcast on CBeebies and Nick Jr in the U.K. from late 2009.
Bob's website -- www.bobthebuilder.com -- has recently been re-launched and now contains more activities, games and do-it projects.
