NEWARK, N.J. & NORTH HOLLYWOOD, Calif. -- Sept. 9, 2004 -- DPS Film Roman, an IDT Entertainment company, has been selected by the Hasbro Properties Group to produce two 3D animated direct-to video movies based on WEEBLES, Hasbro's PLAYSKOOL division's unique toy property. The series will be distributed worldwide by Paramount Home Entertainment, with the first of the two DVD series scheduled to hit shelves in the spring of 2005. IDT Entertainment is a subsidiary of IDT Corporation, a multinational telecom, entertainment and technology company.
"DPS Film Roman looks forward to working closely with Hasbro, a company well known for developing classic toys that promote imaginative play," said John Hyde, CEO of DPS Film Roman. "Millions of children have grown up enjoying the fun of playing with WEEBLES, now a new generation of kids can share the excitement of seeing the animated WEEBLES wobble to life."
Production of the WEEBLES DVDs is a collaborative effort between the Hasbro Properties Group and DPS Film Roman. Hasbro is providing character designs and scripts, and DPS/Film Roman is animating and supervising production.
"DPS Film Roman are leaders in animation and we are fortunate to have their extraordinary creative and talented team help us bring the WEEBLES brand to a new generation," said Jane Ritson-Parsons, President of the Hasbro Properties Group, the intellectual property development arm of Hasbro, Inc. "Film Roman has captured the charming characters and storylines of the WEEBLES world in an enchanting fantasy that will delight both young children and parents."
First introduced in 1972, the WEEBLES brand is an icon of childhood for millions with the signature phrase "WEEBLES wobble, but they don't fall down." Hasbro's PLAYSKOOL division is bringing the wonderfully-wacky, WEEBLES classic toy brand back in 2004 for a new generation to enjoy. This reintroduction takes traditional WEEBLES play to a whole new place -- where toddlers can experience an entire world based on the silly, wobbly motion of the WEEBLES. The brilliant colors, new characters and fun playsets will inspire children's imaginations like never before, and celebrate the simple joy of childhood play.
About Hasbro Properties Group
The Hasbro Properties Group develops and expands Hasbro, Inc.'s core brands, such as G.I. JOE, TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, ACTION MAN, MONOPOLY and CANDY LAND, into a wide variety of entertainment and consumer categories.
About DPS Film Roman
DPS Film Roman, currently celebrating its 20th anniversary, is the leading independent animation company known for the hit shows "The Simpsons" and "King of The Hill." DPS Film Roman also produces Saturday morning and syndicated kids animation, including the popular series "X-Men: Evolution." The award-winning studio is also co-producing the 3D series "Tripping the Rift," which airs on Thursday nights at 10:30 p.m. on the SCIFI Channel. Through its division Forum Visual Effects, the studio also produces visual effects for television and feature films such as I, Robot, Daredevil, Harts War, and Miss Congeniality. Since its founding in 1984, the Company has won 19 Emmy awards, 13 Annies, 1 Grammy, and 1 MTV Video Music Award and delivered several successful animated series to broadcasters worldwide. Among those shows are such well-loved classics as "Garfield and Friends," "Bobby's World," "Felix the Cat," "Mortal Kombat," "C-Bear and Jamal" and "Bruno the Kid." A majority share of DPS Film Roman is owned by IDT Entertainment, a subsidiary of IDT Corporation, a multinational carrier, telephone and technology company. Other IDT Entertainment companies are Mainframe Entertainment, Digital Production Solutions (DPS), DKP Effects, and Anchor Bay Entertainment.
About IDT Entertainment
IDT Entertainment, a subsidiary of IDT Corporation is a vertically integrated entertainment company that develops, produces and distributes proprietary and licensed entertainment content, with a particular focus on high-quality animation.
