The Jim Henson Company Announces Recipients of the First Annual Jim Henson Honors

The Jim Henson Company Announces Recipients of the First Annual Jim Henson Honors

JK Rowling Receives Highest Honor in the Inaugural Year

HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jim Henson Company has selected the honorees of the newly established Jim Henson Honors, an annual program that acknowledges organizations, individuals or products that reflect the core values and philosophy of Jim Henson and the company he founded in 1955. The four recipients of the inaugural year were announced today by Brian Henson and Lisa Henson, co-CEOs of The Jim Henson Company.

The 2005 Jim Henson Honorees:
- The Jim Henson Celebration Honor -- JK Rowling, author
- The Jim Henson Creativity Honor -- The Gorillaz, virtual band
- The Jim Henson Community Honor -- Bill Haber, community service
- The Jim Henson Technology Honor -- The Prius, gas-electric hybrid
automobile

Honorees were chosen by the artists and staff at The Jim Henson Company, who were asked to nominate recipients who inspire them in their everyday work, maintain similar core values as the company, and of course, reflect Jim Henson's commitment to excellence in creativity and innovation.

"It is with great respect that we recognize these honorees for their commitment to excellence and their unique creative expression," said Brian Henson. In regards to JK Rowling receiving the highest honor, he added, "By encouraging audiences of all ages to rediscover the magic of books and reading, Ms. Rowling has truly made this world a better place."

"The diversity and accomplishment of the recipients exemplifies what we believe; that there can be inspiration and fun in everything around us. In our books and music, but also in our cars, communities and our environment," said Lisa Henson. "My father saw the joy that comes from embracing all kinds of creativity and we are thrilled to continue that legacy."

About the 2005 Honors and Recipients:

* The Jim Henson Celebration Honor -- JK Rowling, author

The highest honor goes to an individual, organization or product that
makes the world a better place by inspiring people to celebrate life.
Ms. Rowling, beloved author of the international best-selling Harry Potter
books, was selected for this honor for her imagination and originality in
creating the fantastical world of Harry Potter and for the amazing impact
these books have had around the world. (www.jkrowling.com)

* The Jim Henson Creativity Honor -- The Gorillaz, virtual band

The Creativity Honor acknowledges a new creative voice or unique
expression of an idea. The Gorillaz, an animated rock group established
by Damon Albarn of the band Blur and named the world's most successful
virtual band by the Guinness Book of World records, was selected for this
honor for the revolutionary way the band was created as well as the
innovative expression of their music. (www.gorillaz.com)

* The Jim Henson Community Honor -- Bill Haber - Board of Directors, Save the Children

The Community Honor acknowledges an individual, organization or product
who/which has increased goodwill or made a positive impact in a specific
community or around the world. Mr. Haber, a board member at Save the
Children, was chosen for this honor for his personal commitment to make a
positive difference in the world and for his unending efforts on behalf of
Save the Children. (www.savethechildren.org)

* The Jim Henson Technology Honor -- The Toyota Prius, gas-electric hybrid automobile

The Technology Honor acknowledges an individual, organization or product
who/which demonstrates ground-breaking technology in a creative way. The
Prius, Toyota's fuel-saving near zero-emissions hybrid car, was selected
for this honor for its innovative technology and its inspiring efforts to
turn an environmentally conscious car into something "cool," and also for
the overwhelming percentage of Henson employees who park their Prius on
the company's lot each day. (www.toyota.com/prius)

About The Jim Henson Company ...

The Jim Henson Company, celebrating 50 years as an established leader in family entertainment, is recognized worldwide as an innovator in puppetry, animatronics and computer graphics. Best known as creators of the world famous Muppets (the rights to which are now owned by The Walt Disney Company), Henson is the recipient of nearly 50 Emmy Awards, nine Grammy Awards and two Oscar Awards. Recent projects include the Saturn Award-winning Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars and the features Five Children and It and MirrorMask. The company also produced the television feature The Muppets' Wizard of Oz for Buena Vista Television. Headquartered in Los Angeles with offices and production facilities in New York and London, the company has just completed post-production on its first fully-animated project, Frances. The Jim Henson Company's website is located at: www.henson.com

Source: The Jim Henson Company

CONTACT: Nicole Goldman of The Jim Henson Company, +1-323-802-1608,
ngoldman@henson.com

Web site: http://www.jkrowling.com/

Web site: http://www.gorillaz.com/

Web site: http://www.savethechildren.org/

Web site: http://www.toyota.com/prius

Web site: http://www.henson.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos are available upon request by calling Nicole Goldman 323/802-1608.

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