Press Release from 4Kids Entertainment, Inc.
New York, NY -- 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE), a global provider of children's entertainment, has been named global licensing agent for WORDWORLD, the Emmy Award-winning 3D animated series airing daily on the PBS KIDS television network.
Praised by critics, educators and parents alike, the multimedia preschool property playfully brings words to life through an innovative methodology that embeds words into the objects they represent, resulting in easier word recognition for children. The groundbreaking series incorporates television, learning products and interactive resources to encourage literacy in children. 4Kids will leverage WordWorld's powerful combination of educational and play value to build a licensing program across a variety of product categories that highlights the property's unique focus on word play for pre-schoolers.
"Its critical praise, growing popularity among parents and children, along with its distinct visually educational and entertaining style makes this property extremely desirable for licensors and retailers," said Al Kahn, Chairman and CEO, 4Kids Entertainment. "WORDWORLD's expertise in the creative and educational domains coupled with 4Kids Entertainment's proven track record in developing entertainment brands is certain to produce exciting results -- from a sales and innovation perspective."
Since its launch on PBS KIDS in July 2007, WORDWORLD has earned accolades from both critics and consumers. The series was awarded a Parent's Choice Gold Award, three Emmy Award nominations (including Outstanding Children's Animated Program in the 2008-09 season), and has received glowing reviews by critics including an "A-" by ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY, which credited it with demonstrating that "television can still be a valuable learning tool." Airing in over 97% of the U.S., WORDWORLD introduces viewers to a word-rich world populated by hundreds of lively, fun-loving WordFriends, characters and things that are created by the letters that represent them. WORDWORLD is partially funded by the U.S. Department of Education as part of the "Ready to Learn" literacy initiative.
"This strategic alliance will deliver an unprecedented consumer products program in the children's literacy space," said Don Moody, CEO and Creator of WORDWORLD. We're confident that 4Kids will leverage WORDWORLD's innovative approach to play and education to make products that change the way children learn to read."
