4Kids Entertainment Awards Mattel Master Toy License for SHAMAN KING; Initial Product Line Scheduled to Launch Fall 2004.Entertainment Editors/Business Editors NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 17, 2004 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange : KDE (K Desktop Environment) A GUI-based user interface primarily for Unix and Linux machines, but also available for Windows and Mac. The source code is freely distributed and is maintained by developers around the world. ) and Mattel, Inc. (NYSE: MAT) today announced a multi-year licensing agreement for Mattel to serve as master toy licensee for SHAMAN KING, an animated series airing on FOX BOX, 4Kids Entertainment's Saturday morning four-hour children's programming block. The master toy license grants Mattel the exclusive manufacturing and marketing rights worldwide outside of Asia to produce and sell action figures and accessories, board games, puzzles, vehicles, playsets, activity and role playing role playing, n in behavioral medicine, learning exercise in which individuals assume characters different from their own. The individual may also be asked to simulate a particularly difficult situation and apply the characteristics that are common to his products, youth electronics and visual toys. The first line of SHAMAN KING products is expected to be available in Fall 2004. "We're delighted to name Mattel the master toy licensee for SHAMAN KING," said Alfred R. Kahn
Alfred R. Kahn (born in New York City, New York U.S. in May 29 1947) is Chairman and CEO of 4Kids Entertainment, a New York Stock Exchange-listed company that is a global , Chairman and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of 4Kids Entertainment. "Mattel has created an outstanding toy line that captures the property's characters and themes." "4Kids Entertainment has established itself as the pioneer and leader in transforming Japanese entertainment brands into successful franchises in the U.S. and international markets," said Jim Wagner, Senior Vice President Entertainment Brands and Games division at Mattel. "SHAMAN KING represents one of the newest forays for 4Kids in this growing arena and we are committed to bringing the brand's compelling characters to life through a creative and innovative toy and games line." SHAMAN KING follows the story of Yoh Asakura, who might look like an average student, but behind his laid-back appearance, he holds an amazing secret. Yoh is a shaman, one of the chosen few who can communicate with ghosts and spirits. When Yoh teams up with the ghost, Amidamaru, he begins his incredible quest to be crowned Shaman King in the Grand Tournament held only once every 500 years! Created in Japan by artist Hiroyuki Takei, SHAMAN KING began as a manga maNga is a popular Turkish nu metal/rapcore band. Their music is mainly a fusion of alternative metal and hip hop music, with a touch of Anatolian melodies; with heavy use of turntables, invoking comparisons with modern American nu metal bands. , or comic book, that first appeared in Weekly Shonen Jump Weekly Shonen Jump (週刊少年ジャンプ in 1998. The weekly graphic anthology, distributed by Japanese publisher Shueisha, sells more than three million issues per week. SHAMAN KING graphic novels have sold more than 20 million copies, leading to a popular television show that aired on TV Tokyo. In 2003, SHAMAN KING made its U.S. debut in Shonen Jump - the North American North American named after North America. North American blastomycosis see North American blastomycosis. North American cattle tick see boophilusannulatus. monthly counterpart to the Japanese manga weekly. 4Kids Entertainment is the exclusive agent for SHAMAN KING, representing television distribution rights in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand New Zealand (zē`lənd), island country (2005 est. pop. 4,035,000), 104,454 sq mi (270,534 sq km), in the S Pacific Ocean, over 1,000 mi (1,600 km) SE of Australia. The capital is Wellington; the largest city and leading port is Auckland. and merchandise licensing rights worldwide, except for Asia, Spain, Portugal and Latin America. About 4Kids Entertainment Headquartered in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. with international offices in London, 4Kids Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: KDE) is a global provider of children's entertainment and merchandise licensing. 4Kids, through its wholly owned subsidiaries Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. , provides domestic and international merchandise licensing; television, film, music and home video production and distribution; media planning and buying; product development; and Web site development. For further information, visit the Company's Web site at www.4KidsEntertainment.com. About Mattel: Mattel, Inc., (NYSE: MAT, www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie(R), the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family of toys and games is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels(R), Matchbox(R), American Girl(R), and Fisher-Price(R), which also includes Little People(R), Rescue Heroes(TM), Power Wheels(R), as well as a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 36 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow. This press release contains forward-looking statements. Due to the fact that the Company faces competition from toy companies, television networks, motion picture studios and other licensing companies, and the uncertainty of public response to the Company's properties, actual results or outcomes may differ materially from any such forward-looking statements. |
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