Halifax, Toronto, London, Los Angeles- (January 10, 2012)– DHX Media Ltd. (“DHX Media””) (TSX: DHX), a leading international producer and distributor of television programming and interactive content, together with subsidiary W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, is continuing the licensing and merchandising drive for its hit U.K. animated preschool TV series, Rastamouse, signing further partners in several new categories.
New licensees include Trademark Collections which has taken the license for a range of Rastamouse bags including backpacks, rucksacks, gym bags, swim bags, holdalls, wheeled luggage, tote bags, handbags, courier bags, purses, wallets and umbrellas to be launched Spring 2012 onwards across all retailers. Roy Lowe & Sons Ltd will be developing a line of socks, tights, hats, gloves and scarves further complementing other licensed categories, and Ty UK Ltd. will develop a Ty Beanie Baby line for launch in the UK in Spring 2012. Also on board are GB Eye Limited for posters, digital prints, canvas prints, badges, stickers and tattoos.
“Rastamouse first aired in the U.K. in January and became an instant hit with a diverse audience that includes preschoolers, parents and young adults alike,” said Michael Polis, President of W!LDBRAIN Entertainment and EVP, Branded Entertainment & Consumer Products, DHX Media. “As one of the fastest growing preschool licenses, we expect to see great success across all categories for Rastamouse, from apparel, DVDs and toys, to electronics and publishing,” he continued.
DHX Media’s existing roster of licensing partners for Rastamouse include: Universal (DVD), Character Options (master toy), MacMillan (publishing), Vogue (melamine products from tableware to drinkware, clocks and room decor), Zap (bedding), MVSports (outdoor toys), Sommerbond (underwear and nightwear) and Their Nibs (children’s sleepwear).
Rastamouse, the animated series based on the critically acclaimed books by Genevieve Webster and Michael De Souza, launched on CBeebies in January 2011 and has since engaged a following of preschoolers and parents alike. The series features Rastamouse, Scratchy and Zoomer of Da Easy Crew, the mystery-solving, reggae-playing band who always make a bad ting good and live by their motto “redemption, not retribution.”
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Enquiries:
David A. Regan – EVP, Corporate Development & IR
+1 902-423-0260
About DHX Media Ltd.
DHX Media, together with its subsidiary, W!LDBRAIN Entertainment, is a leading international family entertainment rights creation and management company with three-award-winning production facilities, worldwide distribution and a global consumer products business. DHX Media has produced over 40 original television series and maintains a library of over 2,500 half-hours of animation and live-action programming. DHX Media has offices in Toronto, Halifax, Vancouver, Los Angeles and London. DHX Media is listed on the TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange). www.dhxmedia.com
Disclaimer
This press release contains forward looking statements with respect to the Company, including statements about the value of the substantial issuer bid to the Company’s remaining shareholders and its effects on the Company’s earnings per share. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and are based on information currently available to the Company. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, among other things, include risks related to market factors, including changing popularity of the titles in the Company’s production library, application of accounting policies and principles, and production related risks, and other factors discussed in materials filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities from time to time including matters discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Information Form for the year ended June 30, 2011. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.