B.D. Fox & Friends Expands Through Diversity.

SANTA MONICA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 1999--

B.D. Fox & Friends, the award-winning entertainment advertising agency known for numerous theatrical campaigns such as E.T., Batman, and most recently The Matrix, has announced the addition of several new core accounts and assignments in various entertainment-related areas.

The projects highlight a recent growth trend for the agency, as it continues to expand into new media and technology-related advertising. New assignments for B.D. Fox & Friends include Hollywood.com, Warner Bros. DVD and Sony Wonder. Recent assignments for the new media division of the agency include LucasArts Entertainment Co. and Lucas Learning LTD. In addition, the agency recently extended its longtime partnership with CBS Television.

The agency's plans for Hollywood.com (formerly Hollywood Online) will involve a new branding campaign that will launch with 15-second trailers running on 18,000 screens nationwide over the July 4th weekend. The campaign will expand throughout the summer with in-theater posters, outdoor billboards, and spot TV and cross-promotional tie-ins with the CBS network, which recently acquired 35 percent of Hollywood.com. B.D. Fox & Friends will provide several services to Warner Bros. DVD, which recently selected the agency (in conjunction with one additional ad house) to exclusively handle all of its DVD titles for production and marketing.

The assignment will include designing DVD menus, package design and related creative services.

"Our 13-year relationship with Warner Home Video has been built on trust and support from both sides. Because of our extensive infrastructure which allows us to work on high-volume projects, taking on WHV DVD was a natural fit," stated Kathy Pettijohn, vice president, home entertainment

The latest new media assignment for B.D. Fox & Friends includes the recently completed packaging and promotional materials for LucasArts Entertainment Co.'s Star Wars: Episode 1 PC CD-ROM games. The agency established the line look for LucasArts' Star Wars: Episode 1 packaging, then supported the product launches by designing the point-of-purchase displays and in-store videos.

Currently, the new media division is working with Lucas Learning to release campaigns for its two newest products: Yoda's Challenge for 6- to 8-year-olds; and Pit Droids for 10- to 14-year-olds. Based on the Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace franchise, the campaigns will include packaging and point-of-purchase items. This line of educational products will bring the Stars Wars experience to kids 3-14 and will be available in-store the fourth quarter of 1999.

"Computer-based home entertainment warrants knowledge and understanding of consumers' needs in the digital age. Our expertise in taking established name brands into new mediums through innovative brand promotion and advertising is what led these companies to B.D. Fox & Friends. We are excited about working with visionary clients leading the industry with today's newest technologies. Together, we're taking massive strides into the future of interactive entertainment and education," stated vice president of new media, Laura Klein.

In addition, B.D. Fox & Friends is working in conjunction with Sony Wonder, which highlights the agency's expertise in marketing family entertainment. The assignment involves both creative and media-buying duties for the label's established entertainment products through the year 2000. Each home-grown property will be assigned to various creative groups on a case-by-case basis. Sony Wonder's line includes Sesame Street video and audio, as well as the Doors of Wonder video line.

"Sony Wonder is the successful children's entertainment division of Sony Music. Because of the unique product, their marketing requires innovative thinking. Our success in understanding children's and family entertainment categories, coupled with alternative methods of advertising, is what attracted Sony Wonder to us," stated Angela Gervasio, vice president, home entertainment.

CBS Television has re-signed its contract with the agency for the next three years, during which time B.D. Fox & Friends will continue to create and produce all of the network's entertainment print advertising. The most recent successful campaign was the miniseries "Joan of Arc." B.D. Fox & Friends has been under contract to CBS since 1992. "We're thrilled to be continuing our relationship with CBS. They have an understanding and appreciation of good creative you rarely find. They're amazing people to work with," stated Eileen Brown, vice president, television advertising.

According to agency founder Brian D. Fox, the diversification of the ad house is all part of the plan to ensure the success throughout the widespread changes in the entertainment industry. "Our success didn't happen overnight. Fifteen years ago, as a film-based creative service company, a strategic plan was implemented allowing B.D. Fox to patiently infiltrate all areas of entertainment marketing -- from legitimate theater to new media," stated Fox.

B.D. Fox & Friends is a Los Angeles-based advertising agency specializing in all areas of entertainment-related marketing and promotion. For more than 22 years, the B.D. Fox & Friends name has been recognized as one of the most innovative in advertising, with unique campaigns that have gained national prominence and won numerous awards.

For more information, contact Victoria Pevan or Emily Olsen at StellarQuest Public Relations, 310/843-0898.