Sojitz Corporation Leads Capital Investment in A.D.Vision

Sojitz Corporation Leads Capital Investment in A.D.Vision

LOS ANGELES, June 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today A.D.Vision, Inc. announced a substantial investment in the company by Japanese Contents Investment LPS (JCI), an investor group led by Sojitz Corporation, in exchange for a minority equity stake. Additionally, a separate capital commitment for the acquisition of new filmed content was made by ARM Corporation, a subsidiary of JCI.

Through its home video, broadcast, licensing, theatrical and publishing divisions, Houston-based A.D.Vision is the #1 producer-distributor of Japanese animation ("anime") and anime-related content outside Japan.

Sojitz Corporation is a publicly listed Japanese holding company with over $48 billion in annual sales. As a major producer and distributor of filmed content, including anime, Sojitz' access to anime and other filmed content will enhance A.D.Vision's position as a leading home media distributor. A.D.Vision plans to expand its own Wireless and New Media (WNM) offerings by leveraging Sojitz' expertise and resources in this segment.

Shinichi Uchiyama, Senior Vice President of Sojitz' New Business Development Group, comments that "Anime has become a global phenomenon, and the North American and European markets are slated for sustained growth. As the market leader, A.D.Vision is the best partner to realize that growth."

"This is a perfect marriage," said A.D.Vision president John Ledford. "Sojitz gains ADV's specialized knowledge in the packaging and distribution of anime content for the North American and European markets. We gain Sojitz's global network and expertise in Wireless and New Media, which for anime- related content is a particularly strong growth area."

About ADV Films:

In the 14 years since its inception, ADV Films has become the #1 producer- distributor of Japanese animation ("anime") for the North American market and has also developed a leadership position in the UK. With best-selling titles such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, RahXephon, Robotech, Full Metal Panic, Hello Kitty and Azumanga Daioh, Chrono Crusade, Gantz and DNAngel, ADV Films' extensive catalog is fueling the popularity of anime around the globe.

Parent company, A.D.Vision, Inc., encompasses several complementary media divisions, spanning publishing, television, licensing, merchandising, wireless and new media. Its Anime Network(TM) is America's first and largest television network dedicated to bringing anime and anime-related programming to consumers nationwide via digital cable 24 hours a day. The company has two publishing arms: Newtype USA, the premier anime and manga monthly magazine, and ADV Manga(TM), dedicated to publishing graphic novels. Headquartered in Houston, the company has offices in Europe and Japan. For more information, visit http://www.advfilms.com/ .

About Japan Contents Investment LPS (JCI)

JCI was formed by Sojitz Corporation, in cooperation with the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ) and KlockWorx Co., Ltd.

ARM Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Japanese Contents Investment LPC (JCI), was established to support the overseas licensing and distribution of Japanese anime.

Sojitz is engaged the investment in content creation, with a focus on Japanese animation, and its export and sale in overseas markets. The company currently handles over 100 anime titles in more than 30 markets worldwide. DBJ has been enthusiastically engaged in supporting Japan's filmed content industry. Its investment in ARM is part of a broad effort to strengthen Japan's audio visual industry through strategic investments and new financing facilities. KlockWorx is a leading distributor of overseas filmed content in Japan and intends to expand its business in North America.

Photo: NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060627/NYTU062LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: A.D.Vision, Inc.

CONTACT: Kristien Brada-Thompson, Vice President USA of Priority Public
Relations, +1-661-964-0333, or Kristien@prioritypr.net , for A.D.Vision, Inc.

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

-------
Profile: intent