Pink Panther Puts Paw Prints on Promotional Plan With Thomas Pink

Pink Panther Puts Paw Prints on Promotional Plan With Thomas Pink

MGM's Pink Panther and Thomas Pink Extend Partnership to Bring Cinematic Style to a New Collection of Shirts and Accessories

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- MGM Consumer Products announced today the extension of its relationship with Thomas Pink, renowned globally for their stylish collections of shirts and accessories for men, women and boys. The relationship blends the fun and nostalgia of the Pink Panther with the sophistication and style of Thomas Pink.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060130/LAM063 )

"MGM wanted to elevate the Pink Panther brand to a more adult audience for the 40th anniversary in 2004," said Travis Rutherford, Executive Vice President, MGM Consumer Products and Location Based Entertainment. "After looking at the Thomas Pink brand and philosophy, it was evident that the two brands were a perfect fit, as each could be equated to cool, sophisticated and stylish. With the rates of sales being so outstanding for our original co-branded product line, we went back to Thomas Pink for a second partnership that will no doubt be even more successful, especially with the release of the new Pink Panther movie generating extra interest in the brand this season."

To mark the release in February 2006 of the new live-action movie The Pink Panther" starring Steve Martin, Kevin Kline and Beyonce Knowles, Thomas Pink launches an exclusive collection of iconic shirts and ties with a quirky Pink Panther feel.

Says Alison Loehnis, Sales & Marketing Director for Thomas Pink, "The partnership between Thomas Pink and MGM is the perfect example of bringing together great brand equity. The extension of the Pink Panther collection in 2006 was a natural progression as our customers loved the stylish, quirky collections we launched originally to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Pink Panther."

The exclusive Pink Panther collection includes iconic shirts and ties which combine the wit and humor of the Pink Panther with Thomas Pink's shirt making heritage:

* Women can choose from three limited edition shirts including a
tailored pink and black striped shirt with double cuffs and covered
placket effect and a Pink Panther double faced sateen shirt with
double cuffs and Pink Swarovski crystal buttons in black or pale pink.

* Men can choose from two limited edition Slim Fit shirts -- a jacquard
textured shirt with a pink diamond design or a black silky cotton
shirt with contrasting pink diamond lining.

* The Pink Panther has always been loved by children so, with this in
mind, Pink have followed the success of their boys collection with a
white pinpoint shirt with pink diamond pattern detail on the cuff and
yoke lining.

* Accessories include sterling silver mini Pink Panther cufflinks,
Swarovski pink crystal cufflinks for her and a cheeky Pink Panther
pink and black tie.

The Pink Panther collection will be available at Thomas Pink stores beginning this week. To celebrate the new collection and film release, Pink Stores worldwide will feature Pink Panther window displays.

Notes to editors

From his early beginnings, the Pink Panther has caught the attention of high-end fashion designers. For the first feature film, The Pink Panther, released in 1964, a young Yves Saint Laurent created the gowns for Capucine and Claudia Cardinale, the female stars of the film. This was the designer's first Hollywood film project, and at the time, Saint Laurent was confirmed to be Paris' hottest fashion designer. Not only has the Pink Panther drawn such acclaimed designers, but he has also attracted some of Hollywood's elite, as illustrated by the February 10, 2006 U.S. theatrical release of The Pink Panther, starring Steve Martin, Kevin Kline and the fashionable Beyonce Knowles.

Just as fashion styles have evolved over the decades, so too has the look of the Pink Panther. For the short-term 40th anniversary style guide program, MGM Consumer Products commissioned the famed gallery artist SHAG to offer a new twist on the Pink Panther that reinterpreted the character's original elegant simplicity with current trends in fashion and design. This year, MGM created a new style guide revealing a stylish and trendy look for the cool cat. Taking a cue from the original hand-drawn and more cat like appearance, the retro look of the Pink Panther is on target with the vintage-inspired designs of today.

About MGM

MGM Consumer Products manages Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Inc.'s retail and brand-development activities and the worldwide licensing and merchandising of MGM and United Artists characters, properties, and logos including the Pink Panther, Rocky, Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis as well as the MGM brand. In addition, the company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprised of more than 4,000 titles. For more information about MGM, visit us at www.mgm.com.

About Thomas Pink
For the ultimate in British shirts, visit Pink.

The finest fabrics and tailoring have led to Pink's reputation for excellence. Whether you prefer contemporary or classic styles, bold bright stripes or subtle luxury cottons, you'll find the shirt for you. Collections for men and women range from business shirts to casual weekend styles. Autumn/Winter 2005 saw Pink launch their first boys' collection of shirts for 3-14 year old boys.

Pink also has beautiful leather accessories, cashmere knitwear, hand made silk ties and exquisite cuff links. To shop on-line visit www.thomaspink.com

Thomas Pink is part of the LVMH Group. Pink has 41 stores worldwide including London, Paris, New York, Shanghai and Bangkok in addition to an international online business. For a full store list please log onto www.thomaspink.com

For more information:

Corie Jackson
Porter Novelli Los Angeles
Phone: 310-444-7027
Fax: 310-444-7004
corie.jackson@porternovelli.com

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060130/LAM063
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: MGM Consumer Products

CONTACT: Corie Jackson of Porter Novelli Los Angeles, +1-310-444-7027,
or fax, +1-310-444-7004, corie.jackson@porternovelli.com, for MGM Consumer
Products

Web site: http://www.thomaspink.com/
http://www.mgm.com/

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