Miss Spider casts her web in North America

Miss Spider casts her web in North America

New toy partners join Fisher-Price on 2005 launch roster

NEW YORK, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today at the American International Toy Fair in New York, Nelvana's North American merchandising team reveals its long-anticipated licensee line-up for ratings hit Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends.

Joining global master toy partner Fisher-Price on the merch roster are just-inked toy licensees Spin Master (children's furniture) and Kellytoy (novelty/sports toys). Fisher-Price's line of electronic plush and hard goods (including a Miss Spider-themed tea set) is set for a fall 2005 retail bow in the U.S. and Canada.

The Miss Spider program also welcomes A.D. Sutton (U.S. BTS bags, stationery), Baby Boom (cuddle pillows), Bakery Crafts (cake decorations), Rubie's (Halloween costumes), Happy Kids (apparel), S.G. Footwear (footwear), Springs Industries (bedding, home furnishings) and Stargate Apparel Group Licensing Inc. (girls sleepwear), Zooth (oral care) and American Greetings (party goods/social expressions).

In publishing news, Penguin will release series-based books in North America, under license from rights holder Callaway Arts and Entertainment, beginning this summer.

On the home entertainment front, Lions Gate is distributing series-based titles in the U.S., while MGM Kids has rights to the special Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Kids.

"The broadcast success of Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends in North America has helped to generate tremendous consumer and industry interest in the property," said Mark Northwood, Nelvana's VP of North American Licensing. "We are thrilled to have partnered with major players in the licensing community and look forward to leveraging their strong retail connections to create a modern classic."

Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends, a Nelvana/Absolute Pictures co-production, airs on Nickelodeon in the U.S. and TELETOON in Canada. The show remains one of the top series airing in TELETOON's preschool block. Internationally, the series airs on Five TV in the U.K. and will debut on TF1 in France this fall.

In U.K. brand news, Martin Yaffe International (wheeled toys) and David Halsall (outdoor toys) recently joined the Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends toy roster. The U.K. program will be supported by publishing product from Penguin, under license from rights holder Callaway Arts and Entertainment.

"Miss Spider has all the potential to become a classic brand in Europe and our goal is to build a long-term strategy with our key European licensing and promotional partners," said Marie-Laure Marchand, VP of European Merchandising and Marketing.

MISS SPIDER'S SUNNY PATCH FRIENDS(TM) is a trademark and/or registered trademark of Callaway & Kirk Company LLC. All trademarks and copyrights from the "Miss Spider" books including MISS SPIDER, SUNNY PATCH and all related characters, may not be used without express written permission. Series (C) 2003-2005 Nelvana Limited/Absolute Pictures Limited. A Canada-United Kingdom co-production. All rights reserved.

About Nelvana Limited

Nelvana Limited is one of the world's leading international producers and distributors of children's programming and products. Its current stable of franchise properties includes Emmy Award(R)-winning and globally renowned brands such as Rolie Polie Olie, Babar, Franklin and Beyblade. Nelvana is owned by Corus Entertainment, a Canadian-based media and entertainment company. Corus is a market leader in both specialty TV and Radio. The company's other interests include music, television broadcasting and advertising services. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto (CJR.NV.B) and New York (CJR) Exchanges. Corus' website can be found at www.corusentertainment.com.


Source: Corus Entertainment Inc.; Nelvana Limited

CONTACT: and for images or interview requests, please contact: Amanda
Burgess, Senior Publicist, (416) 530-2247, amanda.burgess@corusent.com


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