LOS ANGELES, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Three.Sixty Communications) -DIC Entertainment (DIC) has named Mattel, Inc. [NYSE:MAT] the Master Toy Partner for the upcoming merchandise launch of the entertainment brand for 'tween' girls called 'SPG: The Slumber Party Girls.' The announcement was made today by Nancy Fowler, Head of Global Sales, DIC.
The appointment of Mattel follows the Fall 2006 launch of 'SPG: The Slumber Party Girls' brand via music and television. Mattel will develop a toy line across various categories, including dolls, accessories, play sets, and DVD games which will debut at mass retail in 2008. DIC and partners will also develop the merchandise program in additional key categories, including publishing, home entertainment, apparel, interactive, accessories, novelty and more.
In 2006, DIC and Geffen Records formed a strategic partnership to create a unique synergy between music and television to jointly develop, market and merchandise the 'SPG: The Slumber Party Girls' brand utilizing a '360 degree' approach to capture an audience on all fronts. In addition to the 2008 merchandise launch from Mattel, DIC and Geffen are developing a television movie musical, starring 'SPG: The Slumber Party Girls,' which is anticipated to premiere in Fall 2007 on a major U.S. network. Additionally, a national concert tour, Broadway musical and television sitcom are in development. DIC will also launch in March 2007 a free quarterly tween-targeted branded publication, 'Kewl.'
'SPG: The Slumber Party Girls' currently serve as hosts on the new kids' programming block, 'KOL's Secret Slumber Party on CBS.' In addition to hosting the block, they perform original music as the 'house band' for the dance competition series, 'Dance Revolution!' and are featured in interstitials airing throughout the block to promote active lifestyles.
In October 2006, Geffen Records released the debut album and music video DVD, 'SPG: The Slumber Party Girls – Dance Revolution!' which was produced by legendary producer Ron Fair (Chairman of Geffen) and Stefanie Ridel, formerly of Wild Orchid. The hit single, 'Bubblegum' secured a spot in the Top 10 most requested songs on Radio KOL. Their next single, 'Countdown,' began rotation last month on Radio Disney.
'We are thrilled to add Mattel to our list of top-tiered partners who have partnered with DIC to launch this unique new brand, including Geffen, CBS and KOL,' states Fowler. 'Mattel understood our vision to reach this challenging demographic, and we look forward to a long-term rewarding partnership.' She adds, 'The tween market continues to burgeon, and we feel the opportunities on a global scale are endless.'
'Mattel is excited to be working with DIC Entertainment and all of their key partners on this license. We look forward to SPG: The Slumber Party Girls becoming a big multi-media sensation so we can help drive the brand to success with tween girls all over the world,' said Holly Stein, Vice President, Licensing Acquisition, Mattel.
DIC Entertainment, a fully-integrated global brand management company, is dedicated to creating, developing, producing, distributing, marketing and merchandising family-based intellectual properties. The Company serves as the worldwide licensor for brands such as McDonald's, Strawberry Shortcake and Horseland. DIC has distinguished itself by building one of the largest libraries of animation with approximately 2,800 half-hours of programming, including Inspector Gadget™, Strawberry Shortcake™, Sabrina™, Madeline™, Liberty's Kids™, Care Bears™ and Trollz™. DIC and AOL's kids online destination KOL have formed a co-production partnership that will launch the new branded kids' programming block, 'KOL's Secret Slumber Party on CBS.' As a pre-eminent supplier of kid's programming worldwide, DIC has developed strategic partnerships with key broadcast partners throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Australia. DIC recently announced the acquisition of Copyright Promotions, a Pan-European licensing agency that represents the licensing rights of a broad portfolio of world-renowned companies including DreamWorks Animation, MGM, Marvel, Sony, Twentieth Century Fox, Viacom and The Football Association. DIC is headquartered in Burbank, California with offices in New York, Paris and London.
Mattel, Inc. (NYSE:MAT)(www.mattel.com) is the worldwide leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of toys and family products, including Barbie, the most popular fashion doll ever introduced. The Mattel family is comprised of such best-selling brands as Hot Wheels, Matchbox, American Girl, Radica and Tyco R/C, as well as Fisher-Price brands (www.fisher-price.com), including Little People, Rescue Heroes, Power Wheels and a wide array of entertainment-inspired toy lines. With worldwide headquarters in El Segundo, Calif., Mattel employs more than 30,000 people in 43 countries and sells products in more than 150 nations throughout the world. Mattel's vision is to be the world's premier toy brands - today and tomorrow.
Geffen Records, a division of Universal Music's Interscope Geffen A&M, the world's largest music company, is home to the planet's top artists including Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Nelly Furtado, Counting Crows, Fergie and Floetry. Under the aegis of Mr. Fair, who has launched and supervised the careers of Christina Aguilera, The Black Eyed Peas, The Pussycat Dolls, Keyshia Cole and Vanessa Carlton, the Slumber Party Girls are currently in the studio recording their debut which will be supported by music videos and a national tour.
