Halifax, NS – 30 January 2007 – DHX Media Ltd. (AIM & TSX ticker: “DHX”), a leading independent international producer and distributor of television programming and interactive content, is pleased to announce that its Decode Entertainment division has appointed major publishing houses Penguin Group (USA) and Simon & Schuster as publishing licensees for the critically acclaimed preschool show, Franny’s Feet. Pursuant to the appointments, DHX Media will receive a minimum guarantee advance from both licensees with additional royalty payments expected to commence in fiscal 2008.
Grosset & Dunlap, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, is set to launch Franny’s Feet storybooks, readers, sticker books, a series of novelty books, such as board, lift-the-flap and word game activity books in 2008. In a separate deal, Sımon & Schuster will launch Franny’s Feet color & activity books and kits which will also roll out in stores in 2008.
Beth Stevenson, Executive Vice President, Production and Development at DECODE Entertainment, said: “Books are a core part of a licensing strategy aimed at preschoolers so we’re very pleased to have Penguin (USA) and Simon & Schuster on board. With these partnerships in place and our recent toy deal with PLAYSKOOL, we are in a great position to further build the Franny’s Feet brand.”
Franny’s Feet, a commission by Five in the UK and Canada’s Family Channel, is a success in international markets. It airs on major broadcasters around the globe including PBS KIDS in the U.S., ABC Australia, France 5, Cartoon Network in Japan and Taiwan, Italy’s Rai, TV2 Denmark and TV12 Singapore.
The series’ popularity has already resulted in a major licensing deal with PLAYSKOOL, a division of Hasbro, Inc, which is now at the long form contract stage, as previously announced. Under the agreement, PLAYSKOOL would be the worldwide master toy and game licensee for the critically acclaimed show, with the first Franny’s Feet toys and games set to launch in 2008. The long-form agreement is expected to be finalized shortly.
DHX Media Chief Executive Officer Michael Donovan, commented: “These two new licensee appointments build on the momentum for Franny’s Feet merchandising and licensing that started with the worldwide toy licensing agreement.”
For more information, please contact:
DHX Media Ltd.
Dana Landry – Chief Financial Officer
David A. Regan – EVP Corporate Development & Investor Relations
+1 902-423-0260
AIM Nominated Advisors: Canaccord Adams Limited
Neil Johnson
Erin Needra
+44 (0) 20-7050-6500
About DHX Media Ltd.
DHX Media Ltd. is a leading international producer and distributor of television programming and interactive content with an emphasis on children, family and youth markets. DHX Media Ltd. shares trade on AIM and are listed on the TSX, the Toronto Stock Exchange. DHX Media’s production companies, Decode Entertainment and Halifax Film, are the producers or co-producers of 11 original television series or theatrical releases currently commissioned for production and maintain a growing library of over 1,100 half-hours of children and youth-oriented television productions. www.dhxmedia.com
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