Scroll down for a summary chart of licensing partners.
CENTURY CITY, Calif. -- February 3, 2005 -- New Partners Take-Two Interactive Software and Airborne Entertainment Sign On For An Impressive Campaign To Coincide With New Series Launch This Spring.
Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising today announced the expansion of the thriving Family Guy licensing and merchandising program through two new agreements with video game industry giant Take-Two Interactive Software and wireless content leader Airborne Entertainment. Take-Two has the rights to produce all-new video games for multiple platforms under the 2K Games label, while Airborne Entertainment will introduce new mobile phone content that will feature everyone's favorite dysfunctional animated family, The Griffins. The licensing and merchandising program for Family Guy continues to prosper thanks to a fanatical fan base that has contributed to heavy sales of licensed merchandise and incredible DVD sales that have far exceeded expectations with more than 3 million units sold to date.
"Family Guy is totally unique in the licensing business having found its 'sweet spot' the second time around," said Peter Byrne, Executive Vice President of Fox Licensing and Merchandising. "There's an insatiable demand for merchandise currently, but we are taking a very long term view of building Family Guy into a major franchise for the studio on multiple levels."
The new agreement with Take-Two's 2K Games will introduce the Griffins to gamers everywhere with a new video game title for multiple platforms. In the game, being developed as a third person action/adventure, players will take on the role of multiple characters such as Stewie, Brian the Dog, and Peter, the hapless patriarch, as they interact with many of the citizens of Quahog. The Family Guy video game is slated for release in 2006.
"Take-Two has unparalleled experience in reaching what is the core Family Guy demo and we are really excited to be collaborating with them on bringing the Griffins to the gaming community," said Mr. Byrne.
In addition, Fox's deal with Airborne Entertainment will allow fans to download an ever-expanding array of wallpapers, wireless games, applications and animated ringers directly to their mobile phones. Family Guy wireless content will be available this spring in anticipation of the show's re-launch on primetime FOX May 1st. Additional Family Guy products from Airborne Entertainment will be released throughout the year and will reflect the themes and events of specific episodes.
"Airborne Entertainment is at the cutting edge of wireless entertainment and share the true vision of the show. The great thing with wireless is that you can have an on-going dialogue with the consumer, which plays into the relevancy of Family Guy in the everyday lives of its fans," said Mr. Byrne.
With an impressive launch into specialty stores in September '04, the merchandising program has held the No. 1 spot for months on end, reinforcing Fox's commitment to the brand. The initial product launch with licensing partners Gemmy, Kelly Toy, Mezco and Aquarius has established a foundation for Family Guy product at retail as Fox prepares for a more expansive product launch this Spring. The massive licensing and merchandising program on tap will coincide with the new series launch for Family Guy on May 1st, and is expected to be one of the company's largest product blitzes to date. Family Guy products can currently by found in Hot Topic, Borders, Barnes & Noble, Calendar Club, Spencer's and Musicland.
The current Family Guy licensing roster includes:
FAMILY GUY LICENSING & MERCHANDISING PROGRAM PARTNERS
Licensee Category Product Description
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Bio-World Apparel & Backpacks, bags, beach sandals
Merchandising Accessories
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Changes Apparel & Men's t-shirts, sweatshirts, boxer
Accessories shorts, lounge wear, wrist cuffs,
shoelaces, jewelry, belt buckles and
wallets, caps, beanies, bags,
embroidered shirts
Gifts/Novelty Candles, lighters, snow domes, floor
mats, pens, mouse pads, balls lunch
bags, CD holders, notebooks, cups,
postcards and keychains
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Headline Apparel & Infant/Toddler t-shirts and onesies
Entertainment Accessories
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
MZ Berger and Apparel & Watches, both analog and digital
Co. Accessories
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Pure and Apparel & Jewelry
Simple/ Accessories
Casa D'oro
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Ripple Apparel & Jr's. T-shirts, sweatshirts, wallets
Junction Accessories and wrist cuffs
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
SG Footwear Apparel & Slippers, novelty footwear and flip flops
Accessories for men, women and children
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Icup Inc. Housewares Beverageware, shot glasses and shooter,
recipe shaker glass, coaster, travel
mugs, glass beer mugs and steins
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Betesh Gift/Novelty Talking/non-talking standees, room flags
Group/Baby & pennants, wall scrolls & cuddle
Boom pillows
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Bradford Gift/Novelty Collectible figurines
Exchange
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Franco Gift/Novelty Bedding, pillows, blankets, towels,
Manufacturing placemats
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Hot Properties Gift/Novelty Magnets, memo boards, pins, and bottle
openers
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Kellytoy Gift/Novelty Plush, talking plush, beanies, keychains
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Kurt S. Adler Gift/Novelty Ornaments, lighting, snow domes,
figurines, wall decorations, holders
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
N.J. Croce Gift/Novelty Bendable figures, keychains, magnets
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Pacific Direct Gift/Novelty Talking bottle openers
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Rabbit Tanaka Gift/Novelty Lighting, lamps, snow domes
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Rix Products Gift/Novelty Tin coasters, playing cards in
collectible tin,
waste basket, tin storage boxes, tin
license plates, tin license plate holder
and food trays
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
The Rug Barn Gift/Novelty Tapestry: pillows, blankets, wall
decorations
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
VIP Limited Gift/Novelty T-shirts, hats, key chains, mugs,
Partnership photographs, script book, posters,
watches, mouse pads, sweatshirts
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Aquarius Social Wall calendars, posters
Entertainment Expressions
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Kalan, LP Social Party goods: tin signs, die cut memo
Expressions pads, gift bag, party packs, balloons,
and tablecloth
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Poster Social Posters
Services Expressions
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
A&A Global Toys/Candy Stickers and tattoos, Toys: figurines,
Industries pencil huggers, suction cup danglers,
yo-yos, balls, mugs
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Boston America Toys/Candy Candy, gum, gummy candy
Corp.
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Gemmy Toys/Candy Animatronic figures
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Kid Kraze Toys/Candy Inflatable furniture
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Inkworks Toys/Candy Trading cards
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Mezco Toys Toys/Candy Action figures
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Nanco Toys/Candy Plush talking and non-talking, plush key
chains and clip-ons, beanbag toys, vinyl
inflatables, novelty pillows, book
markers, suction cup toys
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Rocket USA, Toys/Candy Cubicle signs, big key wacky wind ups,
Inc. tin wind ups, tin litho dime banks, and
wind chimes
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Harper Publishing Paperback novelty format book
Entertainment
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Tokyo Pop Publishing Graphic novels
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
AcmeAnimation Art Original & limited edition
Archives
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Paul Beress Art Original & limited edition
-------------- ------------- -----------------------------------------
Premiering Sunday, February 6 in the coveted post-Superbowl time period on Fox, is "American Dad", the latest irreverent offering from the multitalented Seth MacFarlane, creator of Family Guy. "American Dad" is an animated series about an over-the-top CIA agent and his family. "American Dad" will return full time to the Fox schedule following the triumphant return of Family Guy, every Sunday night beginning May 1.
ABOUT FAMILY GUY
Heading up the eclectic Family Guy household is Peter Griffin, a big, boisterous, lovable oaf who isn't afraid to say what's on his freakin' mind -- usually the wrong thing at exactly the wrong time. He lives in Quahog, Rhode Island with his wife, Lois, and their three children -- Chris, Meg and Stewie, a brilliant, sadistic baby bent on destroying the world. And, don't forget Peter's well-spoken, cynical best friend, Brian, the family dog. Executive producer/creator Seth MacFarlane has the distinction of being the youngest person to be an executive producer. Family Guy debuted after the Superbowl in 1999, and in 2004, Family Guy made television history when Fox ordered the previously canceled show back into production due to its extraordinary fan support in both DVD sales and repeat broadcasts on Cartoon Network's 'Adult Swim'.
The talented voice cast includes: Seth MacFarlane (as Peter Griffin, Brian Griffin, Stewie Griffin and more), Alex Borstein (as Lois Griffin), Seth Green (as Chris Griffin), and Mila Kunis (as Meg Griffin).
ABOUT FOX LICENSING & MERCHANDISING
A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.
ABOUT TAKE-TWO INTERACTIVE SOFTWARE
Headquartered in New York City, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is an integrated global developer, marketer, distributor and publisher of interactive entertainment software games and accessories for the PC, PlayStation(R) game console, PlayStation(R)2 computer entertainment system, PSP(TM) handheld entertainment system, Xbox(R), Nintendo GameCube(TM) and Game Boy(R) Advance. The Company publishes and develops products through its wholly owned labels Rockstar Games, 2K Games and Global Star Software; and distributes products in North America through its Jack of All Games subsidiary. Take-Two also manufactures and markets video game accessories in Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific region through its Joytech subsidiary. The Company maintains sales and marketing offices in Cincinnati, New York, Toronto, London, Paris, Munich, Madrid, Vienna, Milan, Sydney, Breda (Netherlands) and Auckland. Take-Two's common stock is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the symbol TTWO. For more corporate and product information please visit our website at http://www.take2games.com.
All trademarks and copyrights contained herein are the property of their respective holders.
ABOUT AIRBORNE ENTERTAINMENT
Airborne Entertainment is a leading publisher of entertainment content for mobile phones. The company creates, packages, and distributes games, lifestyle applications, messaging services, ringtones and graphics in conjunction with the world's most recognizable media and consumer brands. Airborne's distribution network comprises all tier-one North-American mobile operators, reaching nearly 100% of enabled mobile subscribers, as well as a growing number of mobile subscribers in foreign markets. For more information, please visit http://www.airborne-e.com.
