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Foothill Launches Whac-A-Mole's First Foray into TV

Foothill Ent. signed an agreement with Bob's Space Racers to develop multi-platform television programming based on WHAC-A-MOLE, the $1.5 billion amusement park brand.

The deal signifies a "first" for Bob's Space Racers, whose goal is to extend WHAC-A-MOLE beyond the traditional gaming component into entertainment, bringing the "mole" to life through the television medium, and thereby engage a whole new consumer demographic. WHAC-A-MOLE made its debut in 1976 in the amusement and carnival world and is the #1 arcade game across the globe.

Foothill Ent. will serve as Exec Producers for the WHAC-A-MOLE television and Internet projects. Also on board is Christopher Keenan, President of Creating 4 Kids and former SVP for Creative Affairs at Warner Bros. Animation, who will spearhead the development for Foothill Ent. Initial creative plans involve the development of both an animated television series for the kids audience, and a live-action reality/game show for family viewing. Foothill Ent. will be meeting with potential co-production partners at this year's MIPCOM.

"WHAC-A-MOLE is played in over 80 countries around the world and is uniquely cross-generational, appealing to kids, teens and adults," commented Jo Kavanagh-Payne, President, Foothill Ent. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Bob's Space Racers on this exciting next step for WHAC-A-MOLE and, given the built-in popularity of the brand, are confident that viewers across all demographics will enjoy seeing this irreverent, persistent and fearless character come to life on their television screens."

"WHAC-A-MOLE has always been about entertainment for the past 30 years, so it is a natural progression to extend into the world of entertainment," added Michael Lane, CFO, Bob's Space Racers. "WHAC-A-MOLE continues to be not just a game but a popular cultural icon."

San Francisco-based Dimensional Branding Group serves as WHAC-A-MOLE's exclusive worldwide consumer products licensing agent, responsible for the 2005 agreement with Hasbro Inc. to become the exclusive worldwide licensee for games based on the property. WHAC-A-MOLE continues to be one of Hasbro's top-selling games, and their latest development, the new WHAC-A-MOLE tower, will be launched this Christmas.

Foothill Ent. was formed in September 2000 by Gregory Payne and Kavanagh-Payne to specialize in the co-development and distribution of family and children's entertainment programming. They also act as Exec Producers of projects in all media, raising finance via co-production, distribution advances and pre-sales in the major territories. Their corporation is based in Santa Barbara, California. For more information, visit www.foothillentertainment.com.

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Rick DeMott
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