Ireland's Cartoon Saloon Expands Into U.S. Entertainment Market

Ireland's Cartoon Saloon Expands Into U.S. Entertainment Market

Award-winning 'Skunk Fu!' cartoon now airing in the U.S.

KILKENNY, Ireland and NEW YORK, July 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Cartoon Saloon, an award-winning animation and illustration design studio, today announced that it has successfully entered the U.S. entertainment market with its animated television series "Skunk Fu!" now airing across the continent. The Kids WB and the U.S. Cartoon Network purchased 52 episodes, with the Cartoon Network now airing the series in every region of the country. In addition, N Circle purchased DVD and digital rights in the U.S.

Created for children between the ages of six and nine, "Skunk Fu!" received the Irish Film and Television Award for best animation in 2008, and is currently distributed by Cake Entertainment in over 100 countries on every continent. The series is a shared production of Cartoon Saloon and Telegael in Ireland, and Cake Entertainment in the UK, which also distributes the series.

"Launching 'Skunk Fu!' into the U.S. entertainment market marks a major milestone for Cartoon Saloon," said CEO, Paul Young. "Our toy licensee partner, Galleon Entertainment, is in negotiation for the sale of 'Skunk Fu!' merchandise across America. We are also commissioning work on a second season of 'Skunk Fu!' and a feature-length film based on the characters. Our first feature animated film, 'The Secret of Kells', is slated for release in 2009 and we are currently exploring its distribution in the U.S. For us, this is an exciting time as our work receives international recognition and we begin to build momentum in the large U.S. entertainment market."

The company is actively engaging with potential theatrical distribution partners around television, DVD and theatrical releases of its productions. Since launching operations in 1999, Cartoon Saloon has established a reputation for high-quality animated productions. In addition to "Skunk Fu!", it has created a number of other award-winning cartoons, including "Cuilin Dualach", "From Darkness" and "Dress Rehearsal". Its first eagerly awaited animated feature film "The Secret of Kells" is the story of the boy behind the Book of Kells, one of Ireland's national treasures -- Buena Vista has already secured distribution rights for the film in Ireland. Celluloid Dreams will act as the sales agent for the feature film in the U.S. and worldwide outside Ireland, the UK, France and Belgium. The Secret of Kells is a co-production between Les Armateurs in France and Vivi film in Belgium.

In its overseas efforts, Cartoon Saloon is partnering with Enterprise Ireland, the Irish government agency responsible for the development and global promotion of world-class Irish companies. Today's announcement was made following a business breakfast in New York co-hosted by Enterprise Ireland (EI) and the NYSE Euronext. The event featured an address by Ireland's new Prime Minister, Brian Cowen, T.D., and was attended by more than 200 guests that included EI client representatives and their U.S. customers, among others.

About Cartoon Saloon

Cartoon Saloon is an award-winning animation and illustration design studio based in Kilkenny, Ireland. The private limited liability company specializes in animated television series and feature film production. Its animated productions include "Skunk Fu!", "Cuilin Dualach", "From Darkness" and "Dress Rehearsal". The studio is currently in development on several projects. Its first animated feature film "The Secret of Kells", is scheduled for release in theaters across Ireland, France and Belgium in early 2009.

About Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the Government Agency responsible for driving leadership and growth for innovative Irish companies in international markets. With a network of 13 domestic offices and 32 international locations, Enterprise Ireland helps world-class Irish companies establish strong positions in global markets, thereby increasing regional and national prosperity.

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Source: Cartoon Saloon, Enterprise Ireland

CONTACT: Paul Young of Cartoon Saloon, 353 56 7764481,
paul@cartoonsaloon.ie

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