Cartoon Network Names Mattel Master Toy Licensee

Cartoon Network Names Mattel Master Toy Licensee

NEW YORK, June 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Cartoon Network's worldwide consumer products division Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE) today announced an exclusive, long-term global partnership with the world's leading toy company, Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT), for a multi-year, multi-property deal. The master toy license agreement covers original Cartoon Network properties for the 6 to 11 age group and also carries a first-look option on all newly created original series and programming.

"We are pleased to be aligning the Cartoon Network brand with one of the world's largest and most respected toy companies, setting the stage for great success in the all important toy and games category," said David Levy, President of Turner Entertainment Sales and Marketing. "We've always had a very strong relationship with Mattel as an advertiser and now we are extending that into consumer products. This will enhance the brands of both companies by combining our assets as a leading entertainment company with their expertise in the global toy market."

"We're confident that combining Cartoon Network's strength in creating original, quality programming with Mattel's expertise in developing innovative products will engage kids in new ways," said Neil Friedman, President of Mattel Brands. "By leveraging the Cartoon Network brand as well as their original content, we're opening up a whole new type of creative and licensing partnership."

Under the agreement, Mattel will have licensing rights to multiple toy and games categories including vehicles, action figures, playsets, role-play, board games, puzzles, and youth electronics items for the Cartoon Network brand as well as shows including Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends, The Powerpuff Girls, Camp Lazlo, Ed, Edd n Eddy, The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy, the newly launched My Gym Partner's a Monkey and The Life & Times of Juniper Lee. Existing relationships for other original series will remain unaffected by the deal.

In 2007, the first product lines to come to market under the agreement will be toys based on one of Cartoon Network's most successful series, the Emmy(R)-winning Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, created by Craig McCracken, the visionary behind The Powerpuff Girls. Products for Ed, Edd n Eddy, Camp Lazlo and The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy will also debut in 2007.

Mattel, Inc., is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 25,000 people in 42 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. The Mattel vision is to be the world's premier toy brands -- today and tomorrow.

Cartoon Network Enterprises (CNE), the global branding and merchandising arm of Cartoon Network, is charged with building consumer product franchises for Cartoon Network, its brands and characters from the channel's growing library of award-winning original programming. The division currently offers consumer product programs for an array of marquee animation franchises including Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Ben 10, The Powerpuff Girls, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, My Gym Partner is a Monkey, Camp Lazlo, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Adult Swim and more.

Cartoon Network (CartoonNetwork.com), currently seen in more than 89 million U.S. homes and 160 countries around the world, is Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.'s ad-supported cable service offering the best in original, acquired and classic animated entertainment for kids and families. Overnight from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. (ET, PT) Sunday-Thursday, Cartoon Network shares its channel space with Adult Swim, a late-night destination showcasing original and acquired animation for young adults 18-34.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

Source: Cartoon Network

CONTACT: Brooks Jewell, +1-212-275-6882, or brooks.jewell@turner.com, or
Sal Petruzzi, +1-212-275-6897, or sal.petruzzi@turner.com, both of Turner
Broadcasting System, Inc.; or Michele Sturdivant, +1-310-252-4374, or
michele.sturdivant@mattel.com, or Sara Rosales, +1-310-252-5397, or
sara.rosales@mattel.com, both of Mattel Brands

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

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