MALIBU, Calif., June 28, 2005 -- JAKKS Pacific, Inc. announced today that it has signed a multi-year, toy licensing agreement for the Emmy-nominated children's educational TV series, Hi-5(TM), with the creators of the series, Kids Like Us, through their agency representative, Partners2Media. The license grants JAKKS Pacific the rights to produce a variety of products, including soft dolls, youth electronics and instruments, art activity kits and Plug It In & Play TV Games®.
Hi-5 can be seen this morning on NBC's Today Show Concert in the Park series, as well as in 85 million homes each weekday on TLC and Discovery Kids', where it has become the most-watched program in the network's commercial-free "Ready Set Learn!" programming line-up. Since its February 2003 debut in the U.S., the relative newcomer has earned a Daytime Emmy Award Nomination for "Outstanding Pre-School TV Series" -- an honor that Hi-5 received alongside Sesame Street and Blues Clues. The critically-acclaimed Hi-5 is also the recipient of a 2004 Parent's Choice Award for its first CD, Jump and Jive with Hi-5, from KOCH Records as well as a 2004 iParenting Media Award for its DVD Hi-5: Music Magic from MGM.
"Hi-5 is just what U.S. audiences need in a pre-school property," said Tamre Sutphen, Senior Vice President of Flying Colors at JAKKS Pacific, Inc. "The energetic young cast, educational-based learning adventures, pop-style songs and creative skits that get young audiences up and moving, should translate well to the Hi-5 toy line."
"Hi-5 is a wonderful, upbeat and fully-engaging program that has effectively won the hearts of children and families around the world," said Helena Harris, Founder of Kids Like Us and Creator and Producer of Hi-5 and many other well-known children's programs, including the successful preschool series Bananas in Pyjamas. "We are excited about expanding our Hi-5 offerings in the U.S. through our new partnership with JAKKS Pacific and bringing the series to life beyond the screen with toys that will help reinforce all the positive aspects of the program."
JAKKS(TM) plans to launch products based on Hi-5 in North America for Fall 2006.
About Hi-5
The Hi-5 TV series presents the charismatic cast singing upbeat tunes to ecstatic preschoolers, who dance and sing along. Each cast member leads a different show segment focusing on important developmental learning concepts across all educational categories -- from logical thinking and math to music and linguistics. While Kimee helps children figure out "Puzzles & Patterns" (logical thinking), Karla hosts "Body-Move" (coordination and motor skills). While Curtis makes some noise in "Making Music" (musicality), Jenn has fun with "Word Play" (linguistic and aural skills), and Shaun blasts off with "Shapes in Space" (visual and spatial awareness). Chatterbox and Jup Jup, two energetic puppets, join in the on-screen adventures to the delight of young viewers.
Based on the #1-selling children's property in Australia, Hi-5 is a production of Kids Like Us and Nine Films & Television, in association with Discovery Kids. The critically-acclaimed kids show is produced and created by award-winning producer Helena Harris. Visit www.hi-5us.com for the latest information about Hi-5.
About Partners2Media
Partners2Media is a California corporation with a focus on brand management of children's and family properties. The company serves as Hi-5's licensing agency for North America. Its principals, Tim Clott and Noel Resnick, have strong backgrounds in family entertainment. Mr. Clott was formerly CEO of Lyrick Studios (Barney the Dinosaur and The Wiggles) and a long-time executive at Paramount Pictures; Noel Resnick has spent her entire career in children's and family programming both as a programming executive (ABC Television) and as a developer/producer.
About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.
JAKKS Pacific, Inc. is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre- School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific®, Play Along®, Flying Colors®, Road Champs®, Child Guidance®, Pentech®, Trendmasters®, Toymax®, Funnoodle®, Go Fly a Kite®, Color Workshop®, Pet Pal(TM) and Plug It In & Play TV Games(TM). The Company also participates in a joint venture with THQ Inc. that has exclusive worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment® video games. For further information, visit www.jakkspacific.com or www.tvgames.com.
