Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, and World Events Productions (WEP), a top animated television production company, today announced new consumer products partners in the U.S. for Voltron for the relaunch of the iconic franchise.
Press Release from Classic Media
NEW YORK, NY (March 10, 2010)—Classic Media, a global media company with a portfolio of some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands, and World Events Productions (WEP), a top animated television production company, today announced new consumer products partners in the U.S. for Voltron for the relaunch of the iconic franchise.
Voltron will return to defend the universe with the all-new animated series, Voltron Force, set to debut on Nicktoons this summer, with consumer products in development from The Bentex Group, Inc., via their Extreme Concepts division (t-shirts/tops) and their Dreamwave division (swimwear/sleepwear), Rubie’s Costume Company (costumes), VIZ Media (kid’s graphic novels for Voltron Force) and Dynamic Forces (new comic books and graphic novels for classic Voltron).
The new partners join Mattel, which is developing master toy lines based on classic Voltron and new Voltron Force, and THQ, which will produce video games based on the Voltron franchise.
“We are excited to reintroduce Voltron with top consumer products partners on board,” said Karyn Schneider, Vice President, Licensing at Classic Media. “With the dream team of Nicktoons, Mattel and THQ, now joined by these industry-leading partners, Voltron’s return will appeal to fans of all ages and the franchise is poised to take the world by storm, again!”
The premiere of Voltron Force this spring will be the first original franchise-related television content in ten years. Following the premiere in the U.S., the series is scheduled to launch in 2011 with key broadcasters worldwide.
About VoltronIn a galaxy plagued with chaos and evil, five robotic lions, piloted by a team of brave space explorers, combine to form the mighty robot hero, Voltron. After blazing onto TV screens in 1984, Voltron: Defender of the Universe quickly became a top-rated animated series. The hit series inspired a best-selling toy line and made Voltron a pop-culture icon. An all-new 2D/CGI animated series, Voltron Force, is set to debut in the U.S. on Nicktoons, and with other broadcasters around the world, in 2011.
About Classic MediaClassic Media, one of the world's largest independent entertainment companies, is a leader in reinventing the classics of yesterday and creating the entertainment classics of tomorrow. The Company owns and manages a globally-recognized portfolio of well-known family and pop-culture entertainment brands, including Casper the Friendly Ghost, Where's Waldo?, The Lone Ranger , Lassie , Postman Pat , and new global brands Tinga Tinga Tales and Guess with Jess. Big Idea Entertainment, a member of the Classic Media family, is the leading faith-based studio and producer of children's programming, including the best-selling animated series, VeggieTales. Classic Media programming is distributed in more than 170 territories worldwide and showcased in multiple formats, including TV, film, home video, consumer products, publishing, digital, and music. Visit us at http://classicmedia.tv.
About World Events ProductionsSt. Louis-based World Events Productions, Ltd. (WEP) has produced and distributed children’s animation for over 25 years. WEP is the IP holder for shows including: Voltron, Defender the of the Universe, Voltron: The Third Dimension, Denver the Last Dinosaur, Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs and Vytor the Starfire Champion, among others. WEP is a Koplar Communications company. WEP is represented by United Talent Agency. For more information visit www.wep.com and www.voltron.com.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
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