Press Release from 4Kids Entertainment
New York (May 27, 2009) -- 4Kids Entertainment (NYSE: KDE), the diversified children's entertainment and media organization, and Mirage Studios, licensor of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, have approved the development and construction of the first-ever theme park ride for the popular property, which is "Shell-ebrating" its 25th anniversary this year.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 4-D Dark Ride" -- an exhilarating, multi-dimensional Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles experience -- will re-invent how fans experience the brand when the ultimate attraction for SciFanta's new Incheon, South Korea-based indoor theme park opens in April, 2011. The multi-sensory elements and vivid details of this project promise to make it a unique, truly immersive experience for park attendees.
4Kids and Mirage will work with 3DBA, the location-based organization which develops and delivers innovative attractions and entertainment experiences to theme parks, science centers, shopping malls and other entertainment venues, along with Falcon's Treehouse (FTH), a recognized leader in the successful development of intense, highly scalable personalized emotional experiences. FTH and 3DBA have collaborated to create such imaginative, compelling and award-winning rides/attractions as Splash Battle, 4-D Dark Ride, CircuMotion, Flying Theater, and the state-of-the-art 4-D Game Theatre.
The Turtles' attraction builds on 4Kids Entertainment's successful live entertainment experience which, to date, has centered around successful nationwide regional mall tours and multi-character live shows.
This agreement reinforces 4Kids' commitment to spearheading new and innovative formats within the live entertainment category for its popular children and family-focused properties. Extending its brands within an experiential format will help deepen consumer engagement and open up significant cross-promotional, marketing and retail opportunities for them.
"We are delighted to be partnering with 3DBA and Falcon's Treehouse on the design and master planning of the attraction," said Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO, 4Kids Entertainment. "These companies are recognized leaders in bringing immersive and interactive experiences to fruition all over the world. With state of the art technologies and unique products, no one is better suited to bring the 4Kids' properties and television shows to life."
Evidenced by Falcon's Treehouse's success with Curse of DarKastle at Busch Gardens Williamsburg and Filmi Sangeet at Ramoji Film City, special attention is paid to sustaining the theme throughout every aspect of the experience. This comprehensive design process includes extensive research, detailed character studies, design renderings and cutting edge schematics, advancing to fabrication and systems integration -- with project management from concept to completion. FTH will act as the executive producer of this up and coming attraction.
"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a classic brand that has broad appeal and is much loved by children and parents alike, providing the perfect opportunity for increased marketability," added Roger Houben, President, 3DBA. "Our partnership with 4Kids fits the current market trend for heritage brand themed attractions and initial responses to the concept have been very positive."
"Announcing this newest entertainment vehicle for the Turtles is gratifying on two levels," said Gary Richardson, CEO, Mirage Studios, rights holder of the TMNT brand. "It affirms the Turtles' staying power, particularly this year with our 25th anniversary 'Shell-ebration' activities in full swing, and ensures a new generational fan base will be able to experience and enjoy the property for years to come."
