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From www.filmmakers.com Film New York, NY -- Peak Entertainment Holdings Inc., a fully integrated multimedia company dedicated to quality children's television entertainment, character licensing and consumer products, announced today that it has obtained the exclusive worldwide licensing rights to Maverick Entertainments Plc's intellectual property portfolio, which includes the BBC-commissioned classic retro-brand 'Muffin the Mule', which is expected to air in the fall of 2005, and the highly-rated 'Snailsbury's Tails', which aired last year. Peak Entertainment and Maverick Entertainment have entered into a mutually advantageous agreement that is expected to enhance their respective commercial marketability. The new relationship will deliver multi-continental fully-integrated entertainment, production, distribution (television and home video), publishing, merchandising and licensing capabilities. Each company's respective business activities in the entertainment arena have many common areas of synergy. Current animation projects include Peak's action adventure series 'Monster Quest', and its pre-school show 'The Wumblers', as well as, Maverick's revival of the BBC 's classic retro-brand 'Muffin the Mule' and 'Snailsbury's Tails'. The merged intellectual property portfolio will deliver a truly international broadcast proposition from which to fully exploit the highly lucrative licensing and merchandising rights that have been created. "By harnessing Peak's credentials in the worldwide exploitation of IP, brand marketing, licensing and toy manufacturing with Maverick's production, publishing, DVD and video expertise we will take our 'concept to consumer' vision to a new level," commented Wilf Shorrocks, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Peak. The new relationship will further provide an increased depth of management and experience. This comprehensive pool of talent will dovetail to deliver improved execution and extensive complimentary opportunities. Mike Diprose, Chief Executive of Maverick Entertainment Plc, added, "Both boards feel that this agreement will provide the business with a real competitive advantage and, as such, the rationale is obvious. The commercial opportunities are endless and with a potential to improve the trading position of both companies exponentially. It is with great anticipation that both companies have come to this decision to work together in partnership." Phil Ogden, Managing Director of Peak concluded; "Considered industry thinking suggests that commercial successes in the TV-derived children's entertainment business are a fusion of quality production to an international broadcast platform. Companies who have the ability to control and execute all these key factors from within a fully integrated business model have the opportunity to succeed". About Peak Entertainment Peak Entertainment Holdings Inc. is a fully integrated multimedia company dedicated to quality children's television entertainment, character licensing and consumer products. The Company's unique, fully integrated business model, which includes concept creation and branding, production of entertainment programs, character licensing, and manufacturing and distribution of toys and related consumer products, gives it maximum quality control and speed-to-market while developing total brand equity. Peak's properties include Monster Quest, The Wumblers, Little Big Feet, Countin' Sheep and Mini Flora. For more information please visit the Company's Website: http://www.peakentertainment.co.uk About Maverick Entertainment Maverick Entertainment Group plc ("Maverick"), the AIM listed company specialising in the creation, acquisition and development of IPR in children's films, television programmes, characters and related entertainment products. Mavericks' Intellectual Property Rights portfolio includes children's icon Muffin the Mule and Snailsbury Tails. Its publishing division represents characters such as Bananas in Pyjamas, Hairy Maclary, Fairly Odd Parents, 64 Zoo Lane and the Nelvana Home Video Catalogue. Muffin the Mule was the UK's first children's TV character, making his BBC premiere on 20 October 1946. Hugely successful in the 50s and 60s and now very much part of English heritage, he is due to return to the screens in 2005, just in time for his 60th birthday. Maverick will initially produce forty, 10 minute episodes to transmit on the BBC in 2005 and 2006. The animation team for Muffin was also behind the successful Snailsbury's Tales, shown on Cbeebies and CBBC last year and due to air again this year. For more information log onto Website: http://www.maverickentertainment.com © Copyright 2003 by www.filmmakers.com |