Warner Bros. Consumer Products and PMW Retail Group Celebrate Grand Opening of First Warner Bros. Studio Store in Shanghai, China
(March 25, 2006 - Shanghai and Hong Kong) - Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) and PMW Retail Group Ltd. (PMW), a subsidiary of Hutchison Harbour Ring Limited (HHR), today celebrated the grand opening of the first Warner Bros. Studio Store in Shanghai, China at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by executives from both companies and a number of costumed Warner Bros. characters.
The 900-square-meter flagship store fills the ground and first floors of Xiang Yang Sunny 993, a prestigious shopping address on 993 Nanjing West Road in the Jingan District in downtown cosmopolitan Shanghai. The store is operated by PMW, which has been granted the exclusive rights by WBCP to open and operate Warner Bros. Studio Stores in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
The Warner Bros. Studio Store in Shanghai offers a diverse assortment of quality merchandise inspired by the glamour and excitement of Warner Bros. Entertainment’s range of personalities, from the irreverent humor of the Looney Tunes and the merry chase of Tom and Jerry, to the magic of Harry Potter and the power of the DC Comics Super Heroes, plus much more.
The store has a number of interactive sections including a photoshop spot and children’s play area. In addition, there is a dedicated home entertainment station, courtesy of CAV Warner Home Entertainment Company. This exciting area, located on the first floor of the store will sell a variety of authorized DVDs with Chinese dubbing and subtitling, including newly released theatrical titles, restored special edition versions of Hollywood classics and television favorites.
“The opening of this first Warner Bros. Studio Store in Mainland China is a very significant step for us in presenting our world-renowned brands to consumers in one of the world’s most fast growing and exciting markets,” said Mr. Jeffrey Whalen, Senior Vice President, International Licensing, WBCP, at the grand opening ceremony.
“We are very pleased to be working with PMW. Its extensive reach and expertise in this region will bring our beloved characters to fans throughout this country and enhance the growth of our world-class entertainment brands in China,” added Mr. Whalen.
Speaking at the grand opening ceremony, the Group Managing Director of HHR, Ms. Michelle Chan said it was a privilege for PMW to work with WBCP and its powerful properties in an effort to bring the Warner Bros. Studio Store business to Mainland China.
“As our first major set-up to showcase the world famous Warner Bros. Entertainment brands in the Mainland, the Shanghai flagship store sets the foundation for future business expansion of Warner Bros. Studio Stores,” Ms. Chan said.
Kicking off with a celebration involving some of the most famous Looney Tunes and DC Comics’ costumed characters such as Tweety, Bugs Bunny and Batman, the grand opening festivities included live stage shows featuring the characters together with artists from the Mainland and Hong Kong. Visitors were also entertained by a traditional Chinese lion dance.
Mr. Zhang Renliang, Magistrate and Madam Shen Min, Vice Magistrate, The People’s Government of Jingan District, also attended today’s grand opening.
WBCP has also appointed PMW-GB Agency Limited, a joint venture between HHR and Global Brands Group Plc, the exclusive consumer products licensing agent for the company in Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, as part of the partnership with HHR.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organisations in the world.
About Hutchison Harbour Ring Limited
Hutchison Harbour Ring Limited (“HHR”), a subsidiary of Hutchison Whampoa Limited, is a leading company in the toy industry. The company specialises in production of a wide range of toys for world leading toy brands. HHR’s subsidiaries are also engaged in the design, marketing and sales of telecommunication accessories, premium and electronic products, licensing as well as property investment. HHR has been listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 1991 (Stock Code: 715).
About DC Comics
DC Comics, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world and home to such iconic characters as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Sandman. These DC Super Heroes and others have starred in comic books, movies, television series (both animated and live-action) and cyberspace, thrilling audiences of all ages for generations. DC Comics’ Web site is located at www.dccomics.com.
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