HOLLYWOOD - "Enterprise," the newest television series in the "Star Trek" franchise starring Scott Bakula (Quantum Leap, Life As A House), has garnered a number of significant new licensees, it was announced today by Andrea Hein, president, Viacom Consumer Products (VCP). Included in the new licensing line-up are Art Asylum, Disguise, Inc. and Rittenhouse Archives, Ltd. all of whom have signed long-term, worldwide contracts.
"It is critical that licensees are chosen strategically and carefully, when it comes to a truly world-class franchise such as 'Star Trek'," said Hein. "As we embark on this new and comprehensive phase of 'Star Trek' licensing, we are delighted to have such prestigious players as Art Asylum, Disguise and Rittenhouse at our side."
All three licensees have entered into long-term, worldwide strategic licensing deals to develop products related to the new show, "Enterprise", as well as the upcoming feature film, "Star Trek X: Nemesis"TM, starring the cast from the series, "Star Trek: The Next Generation"TM, slated for release Holiday, 2002. The three flagship licensees will also be developing products based on all "Star Trek" television programs and movies.
Art Asylum, widely respected for its cutting edge work in the action figure arena, has joined the VCP family as a licensee for collectible action figure toys. The "Enterprise" creative design team at Art Asylum will be overseen personally by Digger, the company's president and a well-known sculptor in the action figure world. The initial series of action figures will include 7" action figures based on the characters of Captain Jonathan Archer, Sub-Commander T'Pol, Ensign Travis Mayweather, Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, Silik and Klaang, and are expected to hit retail stores in summer, 2002.
Disguise Inc., which has had a long and productive relationship with VCP, has joined the new core of licensees in the costume category. As the industry leader in this category worldwide, Disguise has worked extensively with VCP on the teen franchise hit, "Sabrina, The Teenage Witch"?. For the "Star Trek" fans, Disguise will be producing "Enterprise" Halloween costumes and for the "Star Trek" collectors, Disguise will be developing multi-use, high-end alien and uniform replicas.
Rittenhouse Archives, Ltd., highly respected in the trading card industry for innovation and creativity, has signed on as the worldwide trading card partner for "Enterprise". Rittenhouse has worked extensively on previous "Star Trek" series, including "Star Trek: Voyager", giving them an in-depth understanding of the needs of this unique franchise. Rittenhouse also works with VCP on "Twilight Zone"TM trading cards, holding a long-term worldwide contract for that franchise as well.
These three licensees will be joining our long-term partners Activision, Franklin Mint, Hallmark, MBNA and Simon and Schuster/Pocket Books. Further details are expected to be announced at this year's International Toy Fair in February, 2002.
"Enterprise" airs Wednesday on UPN at 8:00 p.m. PST. "Enterprise" delivered UPN's best Wednesday-night rating ever (9.1/13) and debuted as the #1 network show on Wednesday, September 26, 2001. The forthcoming motion picture "Star Trek X: Nemesis" stars the cast from "Star Trek: The Next Generation", including Patrick Stewart as Captain-Luc Picard, Jonathan Frakes as Commander William Riker, Brent Spiner as Lieutenant Commander Data, with a special appearance by Kate Mulgrew from "Star Trek: Voyager" as Admiral Kathryn Janeway. Overall, the "Star Trek" franchise is one of the most prestigious properties in the entertainment licensing marketplace and is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary.
About Viacom Consumer Products
Viacom Consumer Products merchandises properties on behalf of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, Viacom Productions, and Spelling Television, as well as third-party properties. Viacom Consumer Products, a unit of Viacom Entertainment Group, is a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. To learn more about Viacom Consumer Products and its properties, please visit http://www.viacomcp.com.
About Art Asylum
New York, Brooklyn based Art Asylum, founded by Digger in 1996 as a creative studio providing premier work services to the toy industry. This state of the art studio and office complex, with a staff of 20 joined forces with Jay Foreman and Adam Unger in 2000 and transformed itself into a fully functioning new force in the action figure business. The company has recently acquired such lines as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Eminem, Bruce Lee, Dark Angel and created their own new brands of toys: N' The Box, Asylum Ultimate, Minimates and 1/2 Pints.
About Disguise, Inc.
San Diego-based Disguise is the leading producer of Halloween costumes and accessories. Each year, the company creates more than 450 original and ever-popular licensed costumes offering style and freshness unparalleled in the market. For more information, visit the Disguise website at: www.disguise.com
About Rittenhouse Archives, Ltd.
Rittenhouse Archives, Ltd, a leading producer of entertainment trading cards and collectables, currently holds licenses for Star Trek, James Bond, Xena: Warrior Princess, Farscape, Stargate SG-1, The Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, Red Dwarf, Dune, Hercules, Babylon 5 and Black Scorpion.
TM, � and � 2001 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved. Star Trek,
ENTERPRISE and Related Marks are Trademarks of Paramount Pictures
