Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, has signed an exclusive, long-term distribution agreement to take THE ROACH APPROACH videos, created by design and animation studio Wacky World Studios, to the general market and Christian retail markets in the U.S. and Canada.
We are enormously pleased to be partnering with Twentieth Century Fox, whose name and reputation are synonymous with some of the most successful movies and television programming of all time, including THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST and STAR WARS, said Bruce Barry, founder/co-president of Wacky World Studios and creator of THE ROACH APPROACH. We are humbled by their faith in our Wacky World team and excited about what the future holds for Squiggz and the life-affirming messages of The Roach Approach.
Christian retail distribution, formerly handled by EMI CMG Distribution, will be managed by Word Distribution, through Fox Home Ent.s distribution relationship with Words parent company Warner Bros.
The new partnership with Twentieth Century Fox presents us with a unique opportunity to be a part of one of the worlds most successful entertainment companies and we have high expectations for the future of THE ROACH APPROACH brand, said Fred Hemmer, co-president of Wacky World Studios (www.wackyworld.tv). We are very grateful for both the support that EMI CMG Distribution provided us in launching THE ROACH APPROACH to Christian retail, and their graciousness in allowing us to pursue this new relationship.
Under the new agreement, DONT MISS THE BOAT!, the first video in THE ROACH APPROACH series will be released Aug. 23, 2005, making this the first time the video is widely available at retail stores nationwide. Christian distribution continues uninterrupted, with Word Distribution handling all Christian retail sales and returns, beginning June 1. The critically acclaimed direct-to-video computer animated movie, THE ROACH APPROACH, DONT MISS THE BOAT!, features the sometimes wacky adventures of Squiggz and his hilarious six-legged roach family, bringing to life the important values of love, faith, hope and respect as they journey through the timeless Bible story of Noahs Ark.
The follow-up release, THE ROACH APPROACH, THE MANE EVENT, is the story of Daniel in the Lions Den, and features the voices of gospel superstars TobyMac and Nicole C. Mullen. It will release on August 23, simultaneously to the Christian retail and general markets.
According to Jeff Yordy, director of marketing for Fox Home Ent., THE ROACH APPROACH will help Fox to expand its childrens category. The company is already the leader in the adult segment of Christian entertainment market with titles such as THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST, HANGMAN'S CURSE, LOVE COMES SOFTLY, LOVE'S ENDURING PROMISE and WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED. The Roach Approach represents our strong desire, interest and focus in broadening our product line into the Christian children's category, where we believe this already strong franchise can take a leadership position, Yordy said.
Glenn Wagner, business consultant to Wacky World Studios said THE ROACH APPROACH is a unique brand with huge kids appeal. We have built a total footprint of products for consumers with video, music and plush toys. We have also added books through Zonderkidz, a division of Zondervan and News Corp. (Twentieth Century Fox Home Ent.s parent company).
Twentieth Century Fox Home Ent. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on VHS and DVD, as well as video acquisitions and original productions for the U.S. and Canada. Each year the company introduces hundreds of new and newly repackaged products, which it services to more than 70,000 retail outlets - from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce - throughout North America. Twentieth Century Fox Home Ent. is a unit of Fox Filmed Ent., a Fox Ent. Group company.
