Initial four licensing deals signed for Poppy Cat

TIDMCOO

Coolabi PLC

26 January 2011

Coolabi plc

("Coolabi")

Initial four licensing deals signed for Poppy Cat

Coolabi plc (AIM:COO), the media company focused on the ownership and creative management of high quality intellectual property assets, announces that it has concluded the first four licensing deals for its Poppy Cat property ahead of its UK television debut on Nick Jr (UK) in May and its international roll-out later in the year.

The animated 52 episode series of Poppy Cat, co-produced by Coolabi Productions and King Rollo Films, will bring to life the much-loved children's literary character created by Lara Jones in the Macmillan book series that has sold over two million copies.

With the series airing soon interest in the licensing and merchandising opportunities surrounding the Poppy Cat brand is increasing significantly. Whilst further deals are in negotiation, including in other territories following international pre-sales of the television series, the details of the first four licensing agreements are given below:

Book publishing

In addition to the existing agreement, which includes more than 30 of the original Poppy Cat books, Macmillan have signed a publishing deal to produce a specially written and designed series of books to tie in with the television series. The new Poppy Cat books will be published in Autumn 2011.

Magazines

Redan Publishing, the name behind many popular and respected children's magazines, has signed a deal to feature regular Poppy Cat stories and fun activities in two of their best known magazines: Fun to Learn Friends and Fun to Learn Favourites. Poppy Cat's debut appearance in the magazines will coincide with the first episode broadcast on Nick Jr (UK).

Nightwear

Character nightwear supplier Aykroyd and TDP Licensing Ltd, long established as a major player in the field of children's licensed character merchandise, will bring out a range of nightwear and underwear for the pre-school market featuring designs inspired by the Poppy Cat TV series. The collection will launch at retail in spring 2012 across most retail channels.

Games & Puzzles

Jumbo Games, one of the leading puzzle and game manufacturers in Europe, will produce a range of Poppy Cat jigsaws, puzzles and games for the preschool market, launching in 2012.

As well as launching on Nick Jr UK in May, international pre-sales of the television series have been confirmed with Nick Jr Australia, RTE Ireland, YLE Finland, TV2 Norway, and TVO, SCN and Knowledge Network in Canada and Cake Entertainment has been appointed as our distribution partner for the series.

Commenting, Jeremy Banks, Chief Executive of Coolabi, said: "These four agreements, with some of the best known companies in their fields, underline the increasing awareness of both the Poppy Cat name and the forthcoming Poppy Cat television series. We expect this strong licensee interest to continue both in the run-up to the television series and well beyond."

Enquiries:

 
 Coolabi plc                     Tel: 020 7004 0980 
 Jeremy Banks, Chief Executive 
 Tim Ricketts, Finance 
  Director 
 
 Evolution Securities            Tel: 020 7071 4300 
 Bobbie Hilliam / Chris 
  Clarke 
 
 Walbrook PR Ltd                 Tel: 020 7933 8780 
 Paul McManus                    Mob: 07980 541 893 or 
                                 paul.mcmanus@walbrookpr.com

Notes to Editors:

About Coolabi plc (http://www.coolabi.com)

Coolabi is an AIM listed media group focused on the ownership, development, production and creative management of high quality intellectual property assets and their global exploitation.

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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