LOS ANGELES, September 15, 2004 -- Equity Marketing, Inc., a leading marketing services firm, today officially begins using its new corporate name EMAK Worldwide, Inc. The name change is indicative of the increasing momentum of the Company's global expansion over the past four years and demonstrates its commitment as parent to a family of integrated marketing services agencies, including Johnson Grossfield, Logistix, SCI Promotion, Upshot and its newly branded consumer products business "Pop Rocket," formerly Equity Toys. "Equity Marketing" remains the brand for the legacy entertainment marketing and promotions business.
For more than 20 years, EMAK Worldwide has delivered exceptional marketing solutions to its clients, resulting in measurable sales increases for its clients' products and services while enhancing their brand positioning. Originally started as a small promotional organization in New York City, the Company grew its core business of designing and manufacturing custom-designed kids premiums, primarily for one of the world's largest quick service restaurants. The Company moved to Los Angeles at the time of its initial public offering in 1994 to be near the film and television studios to capitalize on its foray into entertainment marketing.
Since then, EMAK Worldwide has experienced significant growth and made a series of acquisitions to greatly expand its services offerings, geographic presence and client roster. Today the Company offers a broad-based suite of marketing services to Fortune 1000 companies, primarily in the consumer sector, and focuses on influencing consumer behavior and driving measurable sales increases for its clients through demonstrated expertise in: strategic planning and research, entertainment marketing, kids and family marketing, design and manufacturing of custom promotional products, event marketing, collaborative marketing and retail and environmental design. Additionally, through Pop Rocket the Company is leveraging its infrastructure and Hollywood contacts to develop and market several children's product lines, based on popular licensed characters.
Don Kurz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of EMAK Worldwide, commented on the branch launch. "Our integrated family of agencies has established some of the best ways to positively affect consumer behavior. As a truly integrated marketing solutions provider, we can offer clients more based on our agencies' ability to effectively and efficiently work together. It is the combination of expertise across categories, geographies and marketing disciplines that our agencies are able to deliver results for our clients."
The Company employs approximately 400 individuals worldwide who work in a culture marked by creativity and high ethical standards. Employees will celebrate today's brand launch via video conference linking EMAK's offices around the world. Mr. Kurz will begin the day's festivities by unveiling the internal "Power of Integration" campaign, followed by business updates from the global agency heads.
Interested parties are encouraged to visit the new website at www.emak.com where visitors can view a video to experience the new look and feel of the parent company branding and updated corporate and individual agency logos.
The name change was approved by stockholders at the annual meeting held on May 20, 2004. Holders of stock certificates bearing the name "Equity Marketing, Inc." may continue to hold them and will not be required to exchange them for new certificates or take any other action. Additionally, the stock symbol "EMAK" for the company's common stock will remain unchanged; however, the CUSIP will change to 26861V 10 4.
About EMAK Worldwide
EMAK Worldwide, Inc. is a leading global marketing services company based in Los Angeles, with offices in Chicago, Minneapolis, New York, Ontario (CA), London, Paris, Hong Kong and Shanghai. The Company focuses on the design and execution of strategy-based marketing programs, with particular expertise in the areas of: strategic planning and research, entertainment marketing, design and manufacturing of custom promotional products, promotion, event marketing, collaborative marketing, and environmental branding. The Company's clients include Burger King Corporation, Diageo, Kellogg's, Kohl's, Macy's, Nordstrom, Procter & Gamble, and Subway Restaurants, among others. The Company complements its core marketing services business by developing and marketing distinctive consumer products, based on emerging and evergreen licensed properties, which are sold through specialty and mass-market retailers. More information about EMAK Worldwide is available on the Company's web site at www.emak.com.
