files/pictures/picture-35.jpgPress Release from Cartoon Network Enterprises
HONG KONG (10 January, 2011) – Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) announced today at Hong Kong International Licensing Fair plans to further expand its business in Asia, after the licensing and merchandising arm of Asia's number one kids’ channel saw a 56 percent year-on-year growth in 2010. CNE’s key areas of focus in 2011 will include more innovative product and event roll-outs with existing franchise portfolio such as international hit Ben 10, and new business developments in priority markets with key partners. Cartoon Network’s hot new property – Generator Rex – will also take centre stage and show fans how saving the world is all in a day’s work for him.
Dulce Lim-Chen, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Cartoon Network Enterprises, said, “2010 was a very busy year for CNE, with nonstop product launches, live event roll-outs and new strategic partnerships. Kids loved our brands and Cartoon Network – leading to strong business growth in all areas of our businesses and in every single market.”
CNE Asia Pacific 2010 Business Highlights
• Formed strategic alliances with more than 200 partners, including Australia’s Clothes Scene, Corell Brands, Funtastic and Madman, India’s Cadbury Limited and Thailand’s MVD Ltd.
• Global partnership deals with leading licensees such as Bandai, Mattel, LEGO, D3 Interactive and Activision.
• 130 million products featuring fans’ favorites – Ben 10, Gwen, The Powerpuff Girls and Chowder – were sold at retail, reaching over 200 million consumers across Asia Pacific.
• Home Entertainment was one of the fastest growing businesses with 1.4 million units of DVDs and VCDs sold.
• Publishing was also gaining traction with 1.6 million publishing titles sold.
• Sold over 62 million units of promotional licensing items.
• Cartoon Network Live Events such as Ben 10 Live – Power of the Omnitrix entertained more than 500,000 fans.
• The Ben 10 franchise has experienced five years of consecutive growth, achieving over US$1 billion in global toy sales and over 7.3 million units of console games were sold since launch.
Building on its success in the past year and keeping up with the momentum, Cartoon Network promises to inject more fun and excitement into the kids’ lives with an electrifying line up of new initiatives, products, franchises and partners across the region in 2011.
“Moving forward in 2011, we will uphold our promise of being an entertainment brand that truly animates kids’ lives. We will continue to further develop our franchises in 2011 across multiple platforms so kids can reach out to us wherever, whenever. Cartoon Network will always be on the forefront of offering the best and most entertaining experiences for our fans.” added Ms. Lim-Chen.
Ben 10 Franchise
2011 will be another big year for Ben 10 with more exciting product launches on multiple platforms. Be it on television, online, in malls, stores or theaters, fans are invited to be part of Ben Tennyson’s never-ending adrenaline-pumping adventures everyday. Ben 10 Live – the theatrical hit featuring the best of Ben 10 series – will continue its Asia Pacific roll-out in China, Hong Kong, India and the Philippines. Brand-new live events will also continue to entertain and allow fans to interact with their favorite hero in ways that they can only imagine!
Generator Rex
Saving the world? All in a day’s work for Generator Rex, the latest power-packin’ hero from the creators of global phenomenon Ben 10. Generator Rex has already proved a huge hit in the U.S. with its April 2010 debut topping its timeslot on all television among kids 2-11. Launching on Cartoon Network across Asia Pacific in January 2011, the series is an awesome story of good vs. evil and reconciling teenage instincts with hero ambition – all set against a futuristic backdrop that is sure to appeal to tech-savvy kids today. CNE will work closely with global partner Mattel to roll-out a series of toys to get kids animated and experience a “Rex-treme” life!
Acquisitions and Original Productions
As the third party licensing agent through strategic partnerships with Nelvana Enterprises and Spin Master, CNE represents award-winning Bakugan brand – Zoobles and Tech Deck, Mondo TV for Puppy in my Pocket and Dentsu for Deltora Quest. CNE will explore multiple opportunities to create unique products across all categories including consumer electronics, apparel, accessories, sporting goods, home furnishings, gifts and novelties for represented brands.
More Cartoon Network Franchises
Girl power is still stronger than ever as Gwen carries on the roll out of its exclusive collection for girls offering a fresh and dynamic alternative to kids’ apparel and accessories in the region. The Powerpuff Girls – re-energized with an all-new design – will continue to save the world before bedtime with new toy ranges, gaming consoles, home entertainment, accessories, clothing, footwear, stationery items and more! A brand-new online property is also in the pipeline to encourage creative kids to express themselves through their very own creations.
Ms. Lim-Chen concluded, “There is a lot going on this year. 2011 is going to be a year fully-packed with surprises for all our fans – just stay tuned for more unexpected, cool and exciting news from us!”
For more action and comedy from Cartoon Network, check out
www.CartoonNetworkAsia.com .
About Cartoon Network Enterprises
Cartoon Network Enterprises, a division of Cartoon Network, works towards driving long-term value for the Network and its properties such as Ben 10, Ben 10: Alien Force, Gwen, The Powerpuff Girls, Powerpuff Girls Z, Chowder and The Secret Saturdays. The division is specifically responsible for setting up new businesses leveraging the equity of the characters via consumer products, promotional licensing, home videos, interactive games, publishing, themed entertainment and events. Cartoon Network Enterprises works with a host of partners in the Asia-Pacific region, including Bandai, Mattel, D3 Publishers and Singapore Airlines among others.
Cartoon Network is a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific Inc., which is a member of Turner Broadcasting Systems Inc., a Time Warner company, in Asia. Time Warner is a major producer of news and entertainment products around the world and is a leading content provider in the basic cable industry.
