4Kids Entertainment (NYSE: KDE), has been appointed as the worldwide Merchandising & Licensing Agent and Brand Manager for Dos y Dos, the world’s only Latino live-action television series recorded in Spanish and English for preschool children.
Press Release from Dos Y Dos
NEW YORK (November 30, 2009) – 4Kids Entertainment (NYSE: KDE), has been appointed as the worldwide Merchandising & Licensing Agent and Brand Manager for Dos y Dos, the world’s only Latino live-action television series recorded in Spanish and English for preschool children. With an engaging, talent and fresh live-action cast, Dos y Dos incorporates music, dance and vibrant colors to encourage children to speak both Spanish and English. Through its appointment by the Latin American Multimedia Corporation (LAMC), 4Kids Entertainment will work to secure global licensing opportunities based upon likeness, designs, copyrights, trademarks and all other elements based on the property.
Debuting in early October 2009, Dos y Dos now airs in 42 cities across the U.S., including 19 of the top 21 Hispanic markets. The show can be seen every Saturday and Sunday morning on LATV (the Latin American Television Network) in the U.S., as well as in Puerto Rico. Mexico City-based Rose Entertainment serves as international distributor of the series. Shot in San Diego, California, Dos y Dos has gained a strong following for its innovative and instructional music, music videos and television episodes. Beginning in late December, Dos y Dos will make available for sale, 7 CDs and 6 DVDs, to its growing fan base.
Every episode is recorded in Spanish with several words and phrases spoken in English, allowing children 2 thru 7 to be entertained as they learn two languages. The premise of every episode revolves around solving “the riddle of the day.” Combining singing and dancing, the characters Sofia, Fernando, Adriana and Andres find five giant puzzle pieces, which solve the riddle, revealing the topic or theme of the show for that day.
Along the way, Dos y Dos teaches fundamental core values like sharing, helping, and the importance of teamwork. Every show has music videos performed by the cast in Spanish, and when “Foto Joe” arrives to share photos of his world travels, the kids get to sing a song in English. As the show comes to an end, children will have learned something special about a myriad of topics - from shapes and colors, to the world around them.
Every episode of Dos y Dos contains three to four musical performances. Beyond building interest and enthusiasm, the musical portions of the show help children learn key motor skills, including eye-hand coordination and multiple-step retention.
Dos y Dos uses educational concepts fundamental to the development of toddlers and young children. Cultivating children’s imaginations is important to the creative team, and every episode takes advantage of the creativity found in each and every youngster.
The 40-member team behind the creation of Dos y Dos includes television executives, educational consultants, and theater professionals. The LAMC parent company, which produces the series, is headed by Joe Lizura, CEO/Executive Producer; Everett Hernandez, President; and Douglas Friedman, Director of International Broadcasting. Every episode of Dos y Dos is shot at the KPBS studios in San Diego, California, and overseen by translators from Columbia, Mexico and Los Angeles.
“Dos y Dos is the only kids’ entertainment troupe featuring a fully bilingual and bi-cultural cast that performs for preschoolers in Spanish while also teaching them English,” said Lizura.
“Dos y Dos is a rarity in children’s television – a compelling property for preschoolers that celebrates diversity while empowering young kids to learn and speak Spanish and English,” said Carlin West, Executive Vice President, Product Acquisitions & Development, 4Kids Entertainment. “We’ve been looking for some time to find a quality property for this growing demographic. Joe Lizura and his talented team has have done an outstanding job in creating a unique television experience, and 4Kids is excited to have the opportunity to build a well-rounded licensing program based on this wonderful program.”
About The Latin American Multimedia Corporation
Headquartered in San Diego, California, The Latin American Multimedia Corporation is comprised of a Television production division, a Music publishing division, and a Children’s book division.
The Latin American Multimedia Corporation currently produces the Dos y Dos Children’s Spanish/English preschool series, which can be seen nationwide on the Latin American Television Network in 19 of the top 21 U.S. Hispanic Cities.
Through its music division, “MusicaMusic”, The Latin American Multimedia Corporation publishes and distributes music created for its television shows. MusicaMusic is overseeing 7 CDs for its Dos y Dos television series during the calendar year 2009, and will bring those to market beginning in late December.
Through its television distribution partner for Latin America, Rose Entertainment, the Latin American Multimedia Corporation plans to begin syndication of Dos y Dos worldwide by the end of 2009.
About 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
With U.S. headquarters in New York City, regional offices for its trading card business in San Diego, California and international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global organization devoted to the creation, development, production, broadcasting, distribution, licensing and manufacturing of children’s entertainment products.
Through its subsidiaries, 4Kids produces animated television series and films, distributes 4Kids’ produced or licensed animated television series for the domestic and international television and home video markets, licenses merchandising rights worldwide to 4Kids’ owned or represented properties, operates Web sites to support 4Kids’ owned or represented properties, and produces and markets collectible trading card games. Additionally, the Company programs and sells the national advertising time in a four-hour “4KidsTV” block which airs on nearly 200 affiliated FOX television stations Saturday mornings. Beginning in September 2008, the Company will also program and sell the national advertising time in the five-hour Saturday morning block on The CW Television Network.
Additional information is available on the www.4KidsEntertainment.com corporate web site and at the www.4Kids.tv game station site.
